Lowering advice needed

[av12ram]

I've had the 124 for a couple of months now and I'm loving every moment of it . But in preparation for split rims I'm thinking of lowering it. I've taken it to two MB specialist garages now and both of them told me not to lower it as it will ruin the ride. What are your thoughts? any chance of keeping that smooth ride with lowering springs.
Thanks

 

[mazza]

I've had the 124 for a couple of months now and I'm loving every moment of it . But in preparation for split rims I'm thinking of lowering it. I've taken it to two MB specialist garages now and both of them told me not to lower it as it will ruin the ride. What are your thoughts? any chance of keeping that smooth ride with lowering springs.
Thanks

Hi

off the shelve lowering springs are about 8-10% stiffer compared to OEM springs, not a major increase in spring rate.

low profile tyres will affect the ride much more than aftermarket lowering springs

mazza

 

[RBYCC]

Remain conservative and you'll not have any noticeable change in ride quality.
You might want to consider the factory Sportline springs, shocks and swaybars as they are still available.
About an 1" or less drop but a beneficial increase in handling.

 

[Dieselman]

I would be wary of fitting split rims as well as lowering, both will ruin the ride and make the car slower.

 

[RMS]

aka$h may be the chap to ask

personally i find the ride just acceptable on the e36. i have changed to more comfortable tyres, but for me the car is for cruising so wouldnt consider lowering it as it does jar over bumps. It has the oem split rims 17". There is a fender gap but the wheels are nicely in line with the arches if not slightly protruding.

probably consider the eibach pro kit if any?

 

[SavMan]

Ensure your shocks are in good condition if you do lower or change them at the same time, H&R with Bilstein are a popular choice but don't go insane for B8. If you keep it sensible you should be OK but don't forgot anti roll bars as RBYCC says, if you want a decent handling and reasonable ride quality think about all the components don't just stick some springs on.
If you are just after a look then by all means just slam the thing but buy yourself a mouth guard and your teeth will last longer

 

[haggis2768]

Check the rubber spring cups first.
At the upper seat of your springs there is a rubber cup.these come in different thickness.denoted by small nub that can be seen/felt at the front of the cup.
One nub is the thinnest four is the thickest(they are like dimples)
Changing from three dimples to cups with one dimple gives about 2 cm drop.
If your suspension works well just now, this may work for you.

 

[av12ram]

Thanks everyone for the replies

Remain conservative and you'll not have any noticeable change in ride quality.
You might want to consider the factory Sportline springs, shocks and swaybars as they are still available.
About an 1" or less drop but a beneficial increase in handling.

thanks for the advice an mb specialist told me that he wouldn't advise lowering the car but if I was to do so he'd advise using a sportline suspension setup.

aka$h may be the chap to ask

personally i find the ride just acceptable on the e36. i have changed to more comfortable tyres, but for me the car is for cruising so wouldnt consider lowering it as it does jar over bumps. It has the oem split rims 17". There is a fender gap but the wheels are nicely in line with the arches if not slightly protruding.

probably consider the eibach pro kit if any?

thanks for the info, i think i'll probably put the splits on first and see how the car rides, i'm really apprehensive about losing that really comfortable ride; after all it's the most comfortable car i own Btw, hope to see your car around, it's probably the best e36 i've ever seen.

If you are just after a look then by all means just slam the thing but buy yourself a mouth guard and your teeth will last longer

HAHA. I am after the look, but as a dentist i dont think my patients would be happy being treated by somebody with no teeth

Check the rubber spring cups first.
At the upper seat of your springs there is a rubber cup.these come in different thickness.denoted by small nub that can be seen/felt at the front of the cup.
One nub is the thinnest four is the thickest(they are like dimples)
Changing from three dimples to cups with one dimple gives about 2 cm drop.
If your suspension works well just now, this may work for you.

Nice trick I'll look into it. Cheers

 

[RMS]

thanks for the info, i think i'll probably put the splits on first and see how the car rides, i'm really apprehensive about losing that really comfortable ride; after all it's the most comfortable car i own Btw, hope to see your car around, it's probably the best e36 i've ever seen.

I agree about the comfort, my dad had a E280 saloon in the 90s and this isnt as comfortable as I remember it.

ps i think someone on here is selling refurbed splits?

 

[BillyW124]

I think Bilstein b6 shocks and Sportline springs will be just the ticket for you.

While you are at it probably best to change the top mounts if thy havnt been changed and have a butchers at the front wishbones. Also good time to check the rear subframe mounts..oh and while you are at it...ok i'll stop now.

 

[RBYCC]

As Billy stated the Bilstein B6 are a good choice.
In the USA the B6 is available in HD ( Heavy duty ) and Sport.
If you look at the specs both shocks have identical valving but the Sport has an internal stop that lessens the stroke by 1".
The 1" doesn't sound like much but makes a major difference in ride comfort on normal streets. Less apt to bottom out against the stop.
Bilstein recommends the Sport for use with lowering springs not on a technical basis but on a liability basis.
They are concerned that if a car is "slammed" or radically dropped more then 2" that the springs can move out of the perch with a longer stroke.
A large drop also changes the rear camber which is non adjustable but will change with ride height.

I run the Bilstein HD's with H&R Sport lowering springs ( about 1-1/2" drop ) and front and rear Sportline swaybars.
I also run a twin turbo M103-12V in a 300CE widebody replica with 10" wide split rims on the rear ( Thanks to Aka$h !! )

I've owned the car from new so I know how the ride quality was off the showroom floor.
The key is to assure that all your rubbers/bushes are to spec or your ride quality deteriorates.

Honestly, maybe because I'm old but my highly modified suspension and drive train feel not much different under normal driving then the day it left the dealer when new !!!

STOCK RIDE / SUSPENSION WITH 17" BORBET TYPE A WHEELS:

H&R SPORTS/BILSTEIN HD'S/18" AMG REPLICA WHEELS:

H&R SPORTS/BILSTEIN HD'S/17" AMG/OZ SPLIT RIMS 10" WIDE REAR:

Ed A.

 

[BillyW124]

Agreed...as most 124 owners will tell you renewing the rubbers on these cars will make a massive difference!

carry out a cheap 'feel good factor' test:

Change your steering damper. Then report back to us and tell us what a difference this has made. While you are still buzzing on how £40 can make so much difference you'll be itching to find out what it feels like changing all the bushes. After that you may have the bug for perfection!!

 

[Carrsey]

On my 209 i fitted Eibach pro springs, only a small drop of around 25-30mm but the ride is better than standard as is the handeling..

 

[mabz]

Did you get the 3-piece amg's? I have a set coming soon which are 8.5 all round square set up if your interested mate

 

[av12ram]

I think Bilstein b6 shocks and Sportline springs will be just the ticket for you.

While you are at it probably best to change the top mounts if thy havnt been changed and have a butchers at the front wishbones. Also good time to check the rear subframe mounts..oh and while you are at it...ok i'll stop now.

Thanks for the advice, bills seem to be stacking up

 

[BillyW124]

Thanks for the advice, bills seem to be stacking up

It will do, all depends which way you want to go with your motor. If its a keeper and finances are all in check then why not?

You'll be better off in the long run doing things in one go rather than doing drips and drabs every time.

For me personally, when i commission work on my 124, if i'm thinking of replacing one thing i'll think of replacing related components at the same time. The cost of ownership each year will decrease and you'll enjoy the car better.

Do what you feel is right for you and the car. B6 shocks and Sportline springs would cost you between £600 - £700

 

[amgc32]

Ed A.

Sorry, totally unrelated to topic but that is such a stunning car and looks maintained to perfection. WOW!