The Cabrio Suspension Thread

[bmwtool]

Might I ask what wheels your coupe has? They look like contour clones, but not quite. Could you list the size and offset? Really sweet looking set up, btw! :up:

[WhatsupBigAl]

any go-to sites to find m3 springs?

[Michael Star]

My suspension is a mis-match. Ebiach springs/bilsteins up front e46 coilovers/JOM in the rear.

[MattZC]

Ok center of wheel to the bottom of the fender is 12.75 inches. All my heavy stuff was moved from the trunk to the passenger seat (minus the spare).

The photos I attached previously the car was parked on an angled surface. When I measured the fender in the previous photo, I got 13 and 3/8ths, the other side was 12 1/2. So I think the car not being on level ground had a large factor in the way it looked, although I still think it needs to come down a bit. Maybe its just gonna be the spring pads coming out.





Matt

[jpod999]

EDIT: How do I put photos into the text instead of using the attachments? Do I need to host the image and then link the URL?

Yes. Host image, copy and paste direct image link into post, wrap it in [img]url_here[/img] tags.

[phenryiv1]

EDIT: How do I put photos into the text instead of using the attachments? Do I need to host the image and then link the URL?

Yes, URL with [img] tags

[MattZC]

Thanks for the replies.
I'll go take some measurements and get back. I didn't realize the e90 drop hats were only ~9mm. I also don't recall and thicker-than-normal washer involved. I'll order some 15mm drop hats and remove the spring pads.

The car has almost 1000miles on the new setup so it should be settled. I burned a bunch of gas yesterday cruising around so I'll move the heavy stuff from the trunk to the passenger seat and get some more measurements.

Matt

EDIT: How do I put photos into the text instead of using the attachments? Do I need to host the image and then link the URL?

[N2MYE30]

Well, since you referenced my car, ill chime in. Something is odd up front, and im not sure what. Although you are using different drophats, it shouldn't make that much of a difference. Mine are 15mm while yours are ~9mm. Brand new bearings could raise the car too. Did your drophats come with the thick washer?

Here was my coupe with the same exact suspension setup, WITH new bearings. Near identical to my cabrio.

[phenryiv1]

Would the spring pads make that much of a difference? Maybe if they're not allowing the springs to sit in the wells, but I doubt it with all that force. Still something to try.

I do have a full tank of gas and stuff in the trunk, it could be making it look lower in the back, but yeah it is high for sure. Would there of been any steps as far as modifications to the parts or instal process that I might of missed? Like altering the shocks or something? I mean I'm almost certain that everything's put together correctly.

That is a tough one. Nothing sounds off about your setup...Maybe if everything is new the springs are just slow to settle but a few weeks should do it. My setup was used but in the past I did new parts and within 500 miles it was lower than initially. At 1000 miles it was at the final height.

I can't really say that the front looks particularly high as much as the rear on your car looks a bit low. Measure your center-of-hub-to-fender-lip distance and post it here. I'll measure mine and post up as well, just for comparison.

[MattZC]

Would the spring pads make that much of a difference? Maybe if they're not allowing the springs to sit in the wells, but I doubt it with all that force. Still something to try.

I do have a full tank of gas and stuff in the trunk, it could be making it look lower in the back, but yeah it is high for sure. Would there of been any steps as far as modifications to the parts or instal process that I might of missed? Like altering the shocks or something? I mean I'm almost certain that everything's put together correctly.

[Michael Star]

Oh wow, that front end is high. You can try taking out the pads to see if that will do it. Your front should be a lot lower than that

[MattZC]

Hey guys,

Long time lurker, probably read through this thread twice. I just finished doing a full suspension refresh on my 1992 325ic, and I'm looking for some advice on my next step.

Basically, I saw a car on this thread (photo below) and decided to copy the set up. Billy Sports, H&R Sport Coupe Springs, all pads in, and e90 Drop Hats. About 3 weeks to a month since installing these parts, it seems like they're not going to settle anymore.

So I'm wondering what would be my best route to lowering the front a bit more. I'm still a bit of a noob to all this, but I'm learning pretty quick doing all the work myself.

Thanks so much, without all you guys I'd never of been able to get where I am now.

Matt

[phenryiv1]

Yes, those springs. I would be using front only. Rear is already about an an inch lower than the front on stock springs.

They are good springs. They will settle a little with time. It you want more low in the front only, look at 15mm drop hats.

[NeverEnough02]

Yes, those springs. I would be using front only. Rear is already about an an inch lower than the front on stock springs.

Are you asking about the H&R OE Sport springs?

I had them on my 1987 325 rallyX car (not a convertible) and they rode quite well. You COULD use the rears and do double spring pads or just leave the stock springs in place.

You could easily sell the rear OE Sport springs to someone who is using H&R Sport springs because they will help make their car more level.

[phenryiv1]

Has anyone tried OEM sport springs in the front only from h&r? M3 springs seem to be a good way to go for an inch up front. The hr oem plus lower the m3 front .25" and have about a 20% stiffer spring rate than the stock m3 springs. I am thinking this would bring the front down to level with my rear and give a slightly tighter feel up front. Interested in experiences before doing the labor.

Are you asking about the H&R OE Sport springs?

I had them on my 1987 325 rallyX car (not a convertible) and they rode quite well. You COULD use the rears and do double spring pads or just leave the stock springs in place.

You could easily sell the rear OE Sport springs to someone who is using H&R Sport springs because they will help make their car more level.