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E86 Suspension - Help me understand the options
- Thread starter Fred Smith
- Start date
Special Kay
Active member
Sounds very well researched to me 
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I think if it were mine, wanting it at a Sport ride height I would put the B4s on the back with the 06231s.
Put 06248s on the front, but run the risk of finding the shocks aren't as good as you thought and then having to wait for replacements.
Or bite the bullet and get Sachs front shocks at the same time.
New top mounts, bump stops and the two front knuckle bolts (31306779487)
Possibly wortynh picking up new front drop links at the same time.
Did exactly this on the 180k coupe thread and parts were around £750 with a decent autodoc discount.
Put 06248s on the front, but run the risk of finding the shocks aren't as good as you thought and then having to wait for replacements.
Or bite the bullet and get Sachs front shocks at the same time.
New top mounts, bump stops and the two front knuckle bolts (31306779487)
Possibly wortynh picking up new front drop links at the same time.
Did exactly this on the 180k coupe thread and parts were around £750 with a decent autodoc discount.
Special Kay
Active member
I think it all depends upon how you intend to use the car. If you do intend to track the car at some stage, I would definitely fit a more purposeful suspension set up. If your just using it on the roads, then I'd probably just opt to do a refresh with some B4s, and maybe a set of Eibachs for a slightly lower look, or suplex springs if I wanted the OE setup. It's decision time, but I think you can make the correct choice with alot of confidence. Good luck
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Special Kay
Active member
This is just my personal opinion, but I think a happy medium would be to get a firm but comfortable ride. Spring wise opting for either the m sport Suplex option or the Eibachs will lower your car, with the Eibachs being slightly stiffer, and slightly lower than the M Sport Suplex option.
Special Kay
Active member
Fred Smith said:Special Kay said:I think it all depends upon how you intend to use the car. If you do intend to track the car at some stage, I would definitely fit a more purposeful suspension set up. If your just using it on the roads, then I'd probably just opt to do a refresh with some B4s, and maybe a set of Eibachs for a slightly lower look, or suplex springs if I wanted the OE setup. It's decision time, but I think you can make the correct choice with alot of confidence. Good luck
Thank you - road mainly, so I should go sensible.
Further to my question just above. Would there be an issue with installing Suplex 06231s, and then leaving the car for a while before putting 06248s on the front? And same question but with Eibachs? Or would it be utterly insane to change the ride height at the rear and waiting to do the front?
I honestly couldn't answer that question for you. I'm sure someone more qualified will be along shortly and put you straight. But from my limited knowledge, I think you'd need to bear in mind that once all the parts are fitted, you'd need a geometry setup, whether or not you decide to do the whole or part of the car. Just to make sure the car runs true. That's just my 2pences worth
Gothenburg
Fred Smith said:
I did also notice when searching Autodoc (and similar websites) that rear Sachs dampers for the E86 3.0si were not available. However, selecting E85 3.0si instead shows Sachs 312 468 as available. Is the specification of dampers for the E85 different to the E86? Or are those dampers suitable for the Coupé as well?
Do the rear Bilstein B4 dampers differ in specification between the E85 and E86 3.0si?
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Special Kay
Active member
To be honest Fred, I think you've done the sensible hard work by researching your options. Most people would just send it to the nearest garage and let them decide on the (usually the cheapest) option. Good luck
B6 dampers are uprated/firmer dampers for standard ride height
B8 dampers are uprated/firmer dampers, same damping spec as B6 but designed for lower ride height
B12 is a kit comprising B8 dampers and eibach lowering springs.
B16 are coilovers (if you're interested) lol
Edit:
There are also various other coilovers options including intrax which I have with true rear coilovers.
I believe nitron a kit too.
B8 dampers are uprated/firmer dampers, same damping spec as B6 but designed for lower ride height
B12 is a kit comprising B8 dampers and eibach lowering springs.
B16 are coilovers (if you're interested) lol
Edit:
There are also various other coilovers options including intrax which I have with true rear coilovers.
I believe nitron a kit too.
I went with the B4 dampers and eibach springs and I think it's a great setup for daily use
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Getting off the 19’s for 18’s will greatly improve the ride quality.
I went sachs all round with Vogtland springs. Nice drop and still very comfortable.
I also replaced front arms and track control bushes along with inner and out track rods. Drop links and D bushes for the anti roll bar
I went sachs all round with Vogtland springs. Nice drop and still very comfortable.
I also replaced front arms and track control bushes along with inner and out track rods. Drop links and D bushes for the anti roll bar
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Special Kay
Active member
Lots of good options there Fred. Whatever, you choose will be great. Myself personally, I'd go with the B4s and the eibachs. But it's your car, and ultimately your choice.
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