want 'even ride height'

[christophbmw]

If cost is a concern then you have 2 methods:

Cut 1 coil off your stock springs. Some have done this with good results.

anybody have a pic of just the front stock springs cut, JC, my '85 318i came with cut front springs and they worked out pretty good, they didnt come un-seated either when you lifted the car (stock shocks). ive been thinking about it for the "is".....but part of me doesnt want to be that cheap. anybody done it? how did it turn out?

[D. Clay]

The best way to raise the rear is with metal pads using the flat rubber pad with the hole in a middle as a template. The rubber ones compress as they age. My pads were .25" but had worn flat spots in them where the spring sat. You can also use sheet plastic. I had a set of cut fronts and they lowered the car about 1.0-1.5".

[micahbertoli]

anybody have a pic of just the front stock springs cut, JC, my '85 318i came with cut front springs and they worked out pretty good, they didnt come un-seated either when you lifted the car (stock shocks). ive been thinking about it for the "is".....but part of me doesnt want to be that cheap. anybody done it? how did it turn out?

yeah, i cut 2 coils off the front springs just for the interim until i buy some new springs and shocks (i'm a fulltime student).
i'm pretty satisified with how it turned out. i have dead-even fender gaps now, and my car isn't slammed; just how i wanted it. the ride's pretty decent too. just a little stiffer but still enjoyable.
i'll see if i can take some pics later on today.

[christophbmw]

yeah, i cut 2 coils off the front springs just for the interim until i buy some new springs and shocks (i'm a fulltime student).
i'm pretty satisified with how it turned out. i have dead-even fender gaps now, and my car isn't slammed; just how i wanted it. the ride's pretty decent too. just a little stiffer but still enjoyable.
i'll see if i can take some pics later on today.

that would be sweet, thanks.

[micahbertoli]

so i gotta say, it's kind of embarassing posting the first images of my car on this website, and it's for the cheapest thing i've done to it!
but oh well, i've got broad shoulders.
also, i want to let you all know that i don't neglect my car this much; it's just in storage and i'm in school full-time. but by the summer i'll have some nice 'washed' pics.
so this is with 2 coils cut off the front:



and this is the reason the rear bumper is off:


and this is an extra (DIY aluminum heatshield that provides good isolation and a lot of room for my cone air filter to breath):


don't judge me!
hope it helps you out

[RP Kennedy]

Wow.   I like the way it looks!  Can you (or anyone else) provide details on cutting the front springs:  How exactly do you determine where to start your cut?  What'd you use to cut... torch?  Hacksaw?

[micahbertoli]

Wow.   I like the way it looks!  Can you (or anyone else) provide details on cutting the front springs:  How exactly do you determine where to start your cut?  What'd you use to cut... torch?  Hacksaw?

i found this article pretty helpful. has pics too!
http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-frontsuspension.html

i was able to use a grinder hooked up to an air compressor, so the cutting wasn't bad. started out with a hacksaw, but it was useless. or maybe i'm just weak, i don't know
make sure you have good spring compressors too; i think 3 spring compressors are best for safely removing spring from shock.
have fun and be patient

[christophbmw]

neglecting your car?! man you got a garage, i have to park mine outside in the snow, and rain. anyways it looks nice. i think im going to cut on coil off my fronts tommorow, thank you very much for posting pics. i will post pics of mine (diamond schwartz also). when i cut mine.