Author Topic: want 'even ride height' (Read 8294 times)

micahbertoli · « **on:** September 27, 2006, 05:38:55 PM »

hi everyone,
so i'm probably one of the few people on this forum with an m42 with stock suspension.
honestly, i don't want to lower my car substantially. i like the ride height in the rear. but the front fender gap is just too much!
do you have any suggestions about what i can do to even out the fender gaps (between front and back) without lowering it substantially?
also, i'm a starving student, so $ is a factor (i know, i know, e30's first, school 2nd, right?)
thanks

-micah

mikesjo · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2006, 06:06:56 PM »

Vogtland springs should drop it well. Price isn't bad either.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2006, 06:18:39 PM »

Mine is stock .
that would be a good survey question

micahbertoli · « **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2006, 07:57:35 PM »

Quote from: mikesjo

Vogtland springs should drop it well. Price isn't bad either.

if i had to keep my stock shocks, would these springs work?

mikesjo · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2006, 08:02:07 PM »

Lowering a car using stock shocks doesn't work. If you lower it the amount you want, you'll have to upgrade the shocks.

ScreamerBeemer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2006, 04:33:30 PM »

I got the same prob. I just installed the bilstein kit (bts-7511) and the front is a tad high. The ride is great, but the car looks like its taking a dump. When it warms up I'll crawl under there and think of something.

DaywalkeR · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2006, 05:20:52 PM »

mine is stock height too, but I ve been told my ride is lowered comparing it with other E30s was there an option by BMW for lower springs, like M pack or something?

vatos_p · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2006, 05:15:52 AM »

I Have 4cm Lower Front With Koni Yellow Adjastable In The Front And 6cm Lower Rear ( To Get The Car In Straight ) With Bilstein Black..
I Got 15" Borbet Wheels And The Car Is Crawling , But I Like It , And It Is Very, Very Stable Even When You Go Sideways...

Alpine003 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2006, 09:44:00 AM »

If cost is a concern then you have 2 methods:

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

See if some M3 owner will sell you his stock springs for cheap.

As for uneven ride height of Bilstein BTS, you can get the thickest spring pads from the dealer for the rear which will help it some.

johna · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2006, 03:37:10 PM »

I read this on www.europeancarweb.com, maybe it's of use:

Quote

You can lower the front of this car and any E30 except the 325iX by 10mm using ingenious upper spring hats from BMP Design (http://www.bmpd.com), pn 139009 ($160). These wonderful parts, also available for non-M E36 3 Series cars, including the Z3, are total no-brainers. You simply remove the strut assemblies, compress the stock coil springs, remove the factory upper spring hats, fit the BMP Design units and bolt the assemblies back in. And yes, they can be used with aftermarket springs, too, for an additional 10mm drop.

GruntE30 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2006, 05:43:47 PM »

I have bilsteins with H&R springs. I kinda wanted an even look because the front fender makes the car look a lil off. I just got the thick spring pads for the rear but wont be able to put them in til next week. Here's a before pic and I'll post some after pics once I get the pads in.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2006, 06:44:58 PM »

Try putting one of these in, should drop the front a little.

nickmpower · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2006, 06:49:55 PM »

I have H&r sports now, but i think i am going to switch the fronts for vogtland springs i have and see how that goes

Shocker · « **Reply #13 on:** December 22, 2006, 09:37:51 PM »

Quote from: bmwman91;16077

Try putting one of these in, should drop the front a little.

I have one of those engines lying around�. Think it�ll fit?

johna · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2006, 11:00:40 PM »

Quote from: GruntE30;16072

I have bilsteins with H&R springs. I kinda wanted an even look because the front fender makes the car look a lil off. I just got the thick spring pads for the rear but wont be able to put them in til next week.

Do you know what the size of the standard spring pads are? I would like to raise mine a little too at the rear. I believe the choices are:

33531127516, 3.0mm, white springs/normal; offic. replaced with:
33531136385, 5.0mm, white springs

33531127218, 6.0mm, white springs, offic. replaced with:
33531136386, 7.5mm, normal springs

33531127224, 9.0mm, red springs, offic. replaced with:
33531136387, 10.0mm, red springs

Spring rubber pads from BMW E46 (upper pads):
33531094754, 14.5mm

Spring rubber pads from BMW E36 Compact (upper pads):
33531091952, 22.0mm

Which ones can be used and which ones would be a good choice? Any ideas?

Author Topic: want 'even ride height' (Read 8294 times)

micahbertoli

micahbertoli