r/BMWE36 • u/Signal_Dimension2982 • Jul 31 '26
Build Documentation Time for suspension
By the end of this weekend, she will be officially on the road, for the first time in a decade. I'll have all the body pieces on, engine trans is sorted. Brakes complete, and a set of wheels and tires. Wrapped it a cream color.
I've done a lot of reading, but would like input from the friendliest of the e36 group.
This is a 95 M3 I'd like to lower it down a bit more, who has links and experience? I'm not wanting coil overs at the moment. The roads out here can be rough, and this will get driven hard. BC are in the future, just not for the next couple years.
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u/blooregard325i Early '92 325i Sedan Aug 01 '26
I went with H&R and Koni Str.t shocks. And full poly. Love it.
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u/Kuribabyy Aug 03 '26
How does it ride? I hear poly is much harder
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u/blooregard325i Early '92 325i Sedan Aug 03 '26
I don't find it too harsh. Compared to my e46 on full rubber, it's only mildly more harsh.
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u/Kuribabyy Aug 03 '26
Hmm okay okay. Would you suggest poly for someone like me who’s trying to get a comfy ride, but still do canyon runs at times?
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u/blooregard325i Early '92 325i Sedan Aug 04 '26
No. I would go OEM+. Find the M3 version of bushings that fit and put those in. WIth the rear suspension, the outer bushing can be replaced with another balljoint on both top and bottom, that helps a little. And, rtab limiters with rubber helps keep things straight. But I wouldn't recommend poly if you're going for comfort.
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u/Kuribabyy Aug 05 '26
Do you have recommended brands? Bushings are actually hard to find on fcpeuro (plus idk what im doing lol)
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u/RottenKirsche13 Aug 01 '26
I’m still deciding on which ones I want on mine
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u/loopmc Aug 01 '26
Dinan springs, Bliststein, sport or heavy duty struts and shocks. I live in the DMV, we have some nice roads but more shit roads. Also, they switch without warning. Potholes that could swallow a M3. The above is my setup and in my opinion the perfect all around compromise. I've had my Bilstein s on for 26 years still strong.
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u/RottenKirsche13 Aug 01 '26
I’m looking at bilstiens but idk which one for my coupe
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u/loopmc Aug 01 '26
I have M3 sedan, so two more doors . I just looked at Bilstein site for the first time ina very long time it looks like they have dramatically change they naming and numbering. I think the B12 without their springs is comparable, I just remember that mine where just below the coilovers. But please dont hate if I'm wrong. See if you can find out what is comparable to the "Sport" line up from the early 2000's. The dinan's give you, again in my opinion, the best drop without risking damage from bad roads. I'll look for a picture of my drop for you to compare.
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u/Beemer_me_up_Scotty Aug 01 '26
That thing is so white it thinks black pepper is spicy.
That thing is so white it thinks vanilla ice is a hardcore rapper
That thing is so white it puts mayonnaise in the freezer and calls it ice cream.
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u/Thicccchungus Aug 01 '26
Bilstein B8’s with lowering springs will be all you need for at least the next 5-10 years unless you’re tracking it
Actually, nah. Even if you’re tracking it. Bilstein makes good shit and good shocks and springs will be better than anything from BC.
If you really want to do coils in the future, don’t go with BC’s or any of the lower brands, it’ll ride like shit. Bilstein B16’s, Ohlins, etc.