chassis upgrades / refresh for tighter handling?

carlsturm · Post by **carlsturm** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:23 pm

hi, I'm new to the E12 line and am wondering what you experienced owners recommend for improved handling? I'm not planning to track my car but the ride is kinda mushy.

My E12 is a 1979 with approximately 140k miles.

Is there a priority order you'd pursue for better handling? For example:

- Strut Tower Braces
- Springs
- Shocks
- Bushings
- Sway bars

thanks in advance
carl

garethashenden · Post by **garethashenden** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:20 pm

Start by replacing the parts that are worn out. After 32 years everything is suspect. Check the shocks, check the suspension bushings, etc. If you want to upgrade stuff, Bilstein shocks have a great reputation (and warranty).

Really what you want to do is give the car a good going over and replace all the worn rubber.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:38 pm

I recommend you start with Bilstein HD's unless you want to lower the car; then you need to go with Bilstein Sports & lowering springs at the SAME time.
BMW knew what they were doing by offering the car at the stock height to offer a great comprimise between handling & comfort.
To me, the only reason to lower the car is to look kool: well, lower center of gravity will handle better, but, is it worth it to spend a lot to look kool?
My Rosallina ('81528i) handles VERY well all year without me worring about deep driveways & the like. I push her, maybe once or twice a year on a Bimmer run. I love the results!
I do have a coupla favorite freeway on & off ramps, but, that's a secret, ya know?

Then, maybe, go for some strut tower braces? Then, maybe oversize sway bars front & rear. Are you gonna track the car?? Or just street?
If you go a lil at a time you can feel as things grow.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:02 pm

These crazy handles are interesting. Garethesdan is right, of course. I forgot you said you don't want to track your car.
If my car was riding too mushy, the first thing I would do is go online to
Bavauto.com; Rockauto.com; autopartswarehouse.com; or arizonaautohauscom. Oh yeah, I keep forgetting shox.com. Compare & go from there.
For me, it would be Bilstein HD's first & at the same time check the rubber.

Jeff Dennis · Post by **Jeff Dennis** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:24 pm

Try Autohausaz.com also. I agree start with all the rubber bushings a refresh will help a lot. Then shocks or shocks and springs....

carlsturm · Post by **carlsturm** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:29 am

guys, thanks for the recommendations & the URL's. I've been shopping some sites but you posted some new ones I wasn't aware.

I've been able to find bushings, shocks, sways and strut braces -- but not been able to find springs. I don't think I'll lower the car, but I'm pretty sure the springs are tired and need replacement.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:10 pm

Here's my favorite charity.
Steve gives back to the BMW Vintage community in many ways,
one of which is sponsorship of a lot of events including Tex-Fest and The Vintage.

For reference http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?p=870633#870633

garethashenden · Post by **garethashenden** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:41 pm

Do you know RealOEM.com ? They have the BMW parts catalog online so you can look up the numbers. The prices aren't always up to date. Unless it says Ended, the part is still available form the dealer. It is more expensive, but if you want new stock springs, that is probably the place to get them. If you want lowering springs, B&G makes some. These are readily available on ebay for ~$280 a set.

carlsturm · Post by **carlsturm** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:48 am

thank-you :thumbsup

garethashenden wrote:Do you know RealOEM.com ? They have the BMW parts catalog online so you can look up the numbers. The prices aren't always up to date. Unless it says Ended, the part is still available form the dealer. It is more expensive, but if you want new stock springs, that is probably the place to get them. If you want lowering springs, B&G makes some. These are readily available on ebay for ~$280 a set.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 4:38 pm

Your '79 has 140,000 on the odometer. I got, from this website, that you don't need springs til around 500,000 miles. You don't need new springs.
How many cars do you know of that need springs at 200,000?? Don't spend money on the wrong things.
This is a great website for getting answers. If I say somethin' wrong, I know the big dogs will correct me. They've done it before, with my blessing.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 4:56 pm

BTW; stay away from the 'stealership' aka dealership. The prices can be even funny!
Get a few portable tools in a bag, stroll through your local pik-a-part, find an E12 & attack. Get a book, too.
We all have extra parts stashed away. Ask for what you need.
Did I say welcome? Welcome!

carlsturm · Post by **carlsturm** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:34 pm

Thanks GripGreg, I'm happy to take springs off my list. I think it does need shocks as it bounces a couple times before it settles.

GripGreg wrote:Your '79 has 140,000 on the odometer. I got, from this website, that you don't need springs til around 500,000 miles. You don't need new springs.
How many cars do you know of that need springs at 200,000?? Don't spend money on the wrong things.
This is a great website for getting answers. If I say somethin' wrong, I know the big dogs will correct me. They've done it before, with my blessing.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:36 pm

Carl
As it turns out I need RR shocks too. Check with shox.com. Might be a better price than bavauto.com. Shox.com says the installation pkg. is included. Bavauto has a seperate price.
Do you have a lower price? Through who??

carlsturm · Post by **carlsturm** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:02 pm

GG,
Your Shox.com recommendation appears to be lowest price I've found for a 'package'. I've also tried the following and the saem Bilsteins' are higher priced: http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm ... _year=1979

GripGreg wrote:Carl
As it turns out I need RR shocks too. Check with shox.com. Might be a better price than bavauto.com. Shox.com says the installation pkg. is included. Bavauto has a seperate price.
Do you have a lower price? Through who??

DMS · Post by **DMS** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:54 am

I do drive my E12 on a daily bases on the road. It's a 525 and I've changed:
-rear rubbers to poly urethane
-front all new
-stabi's from an m535i
-complete steering and suspension new
-HD bilsteins
-H&R 40 lower springs
-17" wheels
-and changed to another seat (e34) which made a big difference compared to stock
-rear strut brace

I still need to make a front strutbrace and am planning to stiffen up the chassis a bit more to allow less flex in the body it selve.

I guess it feels kinda like a new car now. I can compete with newer BMW's no doubt.