kiwi6539 3 Report post Posted December 16, 2008 Im looking to improve the handling on my 89 e34 530i. I thought I would start with getting a strut bar for the front. Any advice on where to get one and the best brand to get. Or does anyone have second hand one?. Also looking at getting 17inch alloys for it. So if anyone is selling some let me know. Any advice would be great. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) On a 20 year old car you probably want to sort out new shocks and springs first. Edited December 16, 2008 by Penry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted December 16, 2008 Im looking to improve the handling on my 89 e34 530i. I thought I would start with getting a strut bar for the front. Any advice on where to get one and the best brand to get. Or does anyone have second hand one?. Also looking at getting 17inch alloys for it. So if anyone is selling some let me know. Any advice would be great. Cheers if you want better handling , go for some good shocks , like bilsteins or koni etc . then maybe some lowering springs 40-50mm .lower profile tyres on 17" will also help . 235/45-17" and 255/40-17" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) I have 4 17x8 et 20 mags,not perfect by any means,they are multi spoke ..i will see if i can find a pic...$400 One of em has a small bend...and there is some curbage too Edited December 17, 2008 by kiwi535 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi6539 3 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Cheers for advice. I haven't got the money for shocks springs etc at the moment. so thats why I was thinking a strut brace would be a start. Do you think its not worth getting one?. Cheers kiwi535 for letting me know you have some alloys, but they are too big for what I want, I really want 17s. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted December 17, 2008 i have four 17"x8" et 20 mags Cheers for advice. I haven't got the money for shocks springs etc at the moment. so thats why I was thinking a strut brace would be a start. Do you think its not worth getting one?. Cheers kiwi535 for letting me know you have some alloys, but they are too big for what I want, I really want 17s. They are 17's mate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi6539 3 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Ok didn't know that. will try and find some picks of them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Mate, if youve got money for a strut brace and wheels then you have money for the suspension. Do it right or not at all. Talk nicely to our sponsors and you'll get yourself a great deal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi6539 3 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Im just researching what alloys, strut brace, are all worth roughly . So I can see what I can afford. I need new tyres so I was just seeing if it was worth getting new alloys and tyres instead. Just looking a 2nd hand gear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 A strut brace on it will be like throwing money out the door. Realisticly you wouldn't be able to get a DECENT one for anything less than $250-300. You could pick up a decent set of shocks for double that if you're lucky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Fitting a strut brace to a poorly handling car is like putting a band aid on a bullet wound. We're not trying to give you a hard time, but the first rule of modding a car is "do it once, do it right" Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rxsumo 33 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 What elements of the handling are you trying to improve? The E34 considering its weight doesnt handle too badly from the start. I would suggest that going over the standard components that wear out would be a good starting point. Checking the front control arms, and replacing the bush that is usually worn out with Nolathane, or with a 750 item, as an example..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1661 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 +1 shocks and springs first. Most strut braces i see for sale are just eye candy anyway Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites