Bilstein PSS coil-over suspension

[fourbanger]

I have a '95 318ti Base and I was wondering, if I put in coil overs, do I have to change the springs too, or does the coil over kit include something for those too?

I'm seriously considering Bilstein PSS's, I've heard a lot of good things about them from other BMW owners and I'm sold. Plus, my ride height is way too high. My only concern is with the rims. Anyone have 17" rims and trouble with their lowered suspension?

[bryson]

do they make them for the rears? I didn't think they did one for the trailing arm cars. however, i may be wrong.

[96cali]

I believe Bryson is right. The PSS's are not available for the ti. I do have a link to a guy who was selling a koni c/o setup for pretty cheap, but it will drop your base ti over 2" in the rear (45mm or 55mm, can't remember). If you're interested, I'll dig up the info.

[Toby]

They make em for the ti though I don't think the rear is a real coilover setup. Probably just some springs to go with the front.

And to answer the original question, you get springs with the coilover kit. That's almost exactly what the kit is. The Bilstein kit comes with the shocks too but in general a coilover kit might just be the spring replacements and no shocks.

[fourbanger]

hm..

well, gimme a few months to actually buy the damned kit and we'll see exactly what it brings :P

[bimmerboi318]

there's a pss and a pss 9 coil over kit from blistein for the ti's. the rear are still seperate shock/spring, but all 4 corners are fully adjustable ride height (and dampening with the pss 9). all it does for the rear is provide a seperate shock and spring and a threaded spring pearch i believe. prices are from 900 to 1300 US dollars on bavauto.com

[bryson]

if you want a full coil over setup, you can check out http://www.apexengineering.com/ (a small blurb about it in the 'fabrication' section)
navigate to the rear coil overs for e30s, it's the same for 'tis. It's gonna be somewhere near 1500-2000 for the setup though. that's custom valved bilsteins with the shock itself threaded (i think that's how the PSS (9) works also)
with the springs farther out, you don't have to worry about bending trailing arms (yes, it does happen), and your spring rates can be lower to get the same stiffness.
talk to Trent if his e-mail/AIM address is on there. i'm sure he'd be glad to get you all the information you want.
you can find more information on them on the boards at www.e30sport.net just run a search for 'rear coil overs' or something to that extent.
also, trent's information is at e30sport.

have you guys seen www.ground-control.com? they offer threaded collars for the front that go over the stock shock shaft-thingy, and rear collars with acorn style springs (bonus, no binding :)) that fit into stock locations. best part is-- it's only $400, providing that you have shocks ;)
hth
-bryson

[fourbanger]

I've heard Ground Control kits are extremely uncivilized, when it comes to comfort... and when you live in a place with as many potholes as here, believe me, you want SOME comfort..

I'm assuming this kit is just plug n' play right? Or do I have to get new mounts and stuff? Any ideas? I really want to get an idea of how much i'm going to be spending here :P

Anyways, I think i'm gonna go with bilsteins... just gotta save up some more.. let's just say a pedestrian and my windshield didn't get along.

[slacker]

The PSS-9 is a nice setup in the 318ti, I think. I have mine set set in the middle for street and am using shock settings of "9" (softest) on the rear and "6" (middle) on the front. I plan to try this at a DE then compare it with cranking down a 1/2 inch all around and pulling front and rear shock settings down 2 clicks. But I have to tell ya, the "street" setting is killer cornering and comfy enough for a daily driver.
Gary