center arm rest

Armrest http://www.birdautomotive.com/…older%20BMW%20850-840.htm

Not having to deal with MOT inspections, curiosity leads me to ask how they determine that you need rear springs?

As Terry has said i to cannot understand the springs needing replacing however it should look good when lowered.

I changed my standard suspension over to the Alpina kit available from the stealers, i beleive it's 30mm drop looks good too,and only ocassionally does the csi front catch a speed hump but the only solution is to slow down my friend then let all the onlookers admire the new stance of your fine looking machine

The best way to do the armrest, is get a E36 rest to match your interior then mount it on a prepared block of wood shaped to fit the center opening behind the ash tray,i then covered the wood with a carbon fibre foil available from Halfords.

Total cost £60 & way better looking than the Birds offering

Mark, if it is of any help, I have H&R springs fiitted over the orginal EDC shocks all round. At the rear they gave around a 25mm drop. Total cost for all four springs & shipping was US$410 to Hong Kong (arrived in 3 days )

PM me if more detail would help.

Cheers

Keith

I for one would like to see pictures of the Cracked springs after you have changed them out.

Good choice on the H&R springs in my not so humble Opinion.

Several in the US have found the rear of the car to be a bit low appearance wise after installing the H&Rs. The "cure" is to add a round flat piece of rubber (Washer shaped) about 1/4" to 3/8" thick in the bottom spring perch when installing the springs. The thickness multipier at the wheels is 150%. I added 1/4 " spacers to mine for a bit more wheel clearance because my wheel offset is a bit under normal.

Keith,

That's interesting, how much did it drop in the front and does the EDC still work? That is, if it works at all

Peter

It dropped by roughly 30mm at the front which to be honest does give some problems in multi-storey car parks and over aggresive speed bumps. (Looks great though )

Amazingly, my EDC does still work and continues to work with the new springs. The ride on each setting is harder than before as you would expect but not harsh.

front springs are cake to do, only about 20 mins each to remove the stock and install the backs on the other hand...good luck! As has been said in another thread the E31 rear suspension has more parts tat the space shuttle. I only did the fronts and I sit almost level now with about a fat finger of wheel gap front and rear. and it rides great! Thumbs up to H&R springs.

20 min considering I have access to a lift.

Mark for you

Where do you get this arm rest ?

I always wanted one too...

Steve,

What colour is your interior? Is it light silver grey?
If it is please can you let me have the part number of your E36 armrest? - i tried to order one th eother day but BMW say it is no longer available.
Thanks matey

Ben

Ben , it's light silver grey , the E36 part number is BM51. 16.8.173.269 if indeed it is now obsolete , try an E46 A/rest, they're nearly the same

Thanks Steve, I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Ben

PS. Sorted your Clifford yet?

The clifford alarm Touch wood its not given me any further troble since i stopped using it

Just to confirm my trim code Ben 0353 light silver grey

Same code as mine - I'll order the HELLGRAU then.

Cheers

My Clifford is still not behaving itself so its going to get its wires chopped

I have also fitted an arm rest - same source, but different way of fitting - quite fiddly.
It has hidden hinges and allows the cubby hole to be used beneath it.
Those who don't know 8's assume it is original. I can't imagine why one was never fitted.

Also managed to get a subwoofer to fit that has also passed as original - even more fiddly.
Judge for yourself - click on the picture for my gallery.

Yeah i also considered that method but for me it was way to low to be any use hence the chunk of timber!! Looks a nice car with a neat interior but please tell me how you can live with that f***ing awefull steering wheel