before/after 318is with/without spring pads--pic request

[GrippyDrifty]

I have decided to remove at least the front spring pads on my 318is to try nd get rid of the nasty fender gap up front. Eventually I'll be going H&R cup kit, but can't stand the fender gap up front and want to remove the pads in the meantime. My suspension is stock, but would like to see some 318is' with/without pads regardless of supspension to get an idea. I guess this will also either be a catalyst for the removal of the rears as well or not. Help greatly appreciated.

[Veritas]

dude,   your sig is huge

[VitaminJ]

Expect approximately a 1 centimeter drop from removing the spring pads...  

Pics will not do much justice as different spring/shock/coilover combinations will render the examples useless...

[GrippyDrifty]

Veritas--Yeah, I guess i should resize...right?

Vitaminj--Hmmm...I see. One centimeter sounds good to me though.

[christophbmw]

ya mine has a nasty fender gap to....youll see when i post pics soon, does your rear look lower than the front.....mine does. it looks like i have 325i springs on it or somthing because the front is all high. oh well, i get better clearance in the snow.

[GrippyDrifty]

Christoph--Yeah, that's just the way they come from the factory. This is from a tech letter at European Car:

"The chief problem with the 318is is the factory springs, as you have so astutely recognized. For some reason, BMW gave the U.S.-specification 318is great shocks--BOGE units actually shared with the E30 M3--combined with positively horrible coil springs, particularly at the front. The front of an E30 318is looks like it is set up for the Dakar Rally--it is way too high."

Seriously though, 318is=serious fender gap upfront!! I'm so sick of it that I was on the hunt for some spring clamps, just to lower it an inch up front.

[bmwman91]

I pulled the spring pads when swapping the suspension onto my 'new' 318iS.  The old one ran without them as well.  There was maybe a 5mm drop.  The pads are thick, yes, but they also compress over the years.  The ride was already noisy, so I did not notice anything new there.

[GrippyDrifty]

1/2cm, huh? Yeah for now I guess I'm gonna set the idea aside. Thanks for the feedback.

[bmwman91]

Yeah, honestly its not entirely worth the effort if you are not already in there replacing stuff.