How Low Before I Need Camber Adjustments? Other questions..

[Polaris15]

New to BMW, Just bought a 1989 325i 4 dr. I can get a set of H&R Sports used for $80.000. How low I can go before I need camber plates to keep the tires from wearing incorrectly?

This is my daily driver and I live in Cambridge, MA. I just want a reasonable drop and not have to worry to much about scrapping, ect. Other suggestions welcome.....

Also, my car has a set of Koni adjustables in the rear riding on stock suspension, will I need to change these out with my lower springs? I know I will have to replace the front struts.

Thanks for the help!

[jlevie]

I think you will be okay with the sport springs as far as tire wear from excessive camber is concerned. The car will gain camber, but not so much that setting less front toe won't take care of. Try 1/16" of total toe.

If the Koni's aren't blown out they will will be a good match for the springs. I'd suggest trying one turn from full soft to start with. You can have Koni shocks rebuilt. Get a pair of Koni's for the front.

[Polaris15]

Excellent. Are these sports going to make my car ride like a rock truck?

[jlevie]

No. It will be a little stiffer than stock.

[mr.vang]

anything other than stock height, you'll need camber adjustment.

[Polaris15]

Will I need adjustable camber plates?

[lifeiskaos]

anything other than stock height, you'll need camber adjustment.

false

[AlphaE]

more info please.... technically yes you would need camber adj w any differnce in ride height. Thats why BMW specs that you put like 450-500lbs in the car while alignin it. But in reality, is the drop given by H&Rs enough to matter? I think, but have no data yet, that ride height w sport springs would be close to the weighted ride height that bmw specs. I'll have real data when i get my susp. i have access to a alignment rack and have before susp specs already.

Any one w real info other than "yes you do," "no you dont"??? thanks

[e30slidewayz]

I have this H&R sports with adjustable Konis all around, no camber plates needed. The ride isn't rough at all, stiffer than stock for sure though. I'd recommend upgraded anti-sway bars if you don't already have them. It will handle like a go-kart. Fun stuff.

[immajackuup]

I'm tucking tires with only 1.5 neg front and 1 rear which you don't need camber kit. the only problem you should worry is toe not camber, toe will eat your tires bad.

[e30slidewayz]

I found with this setup that tire wear isn't bad at all. Keep the appropriate amount of air in them and rotate them as usual and you should be fine. Oh, as far as not scraping, you will need to go over certain humps at an angle. Speed bumps are usually fine, but I have ripped my IS lip off backing out of the driveway a couple times. If in doubt, approach at an angle!

[aTron12]

I had excessive tire wear with Eibach springs after flipping/rotating my tires. Had to replace them in two years. The Eibach drop is actually a little lower than the H&R. Since then, I've moved to H&R Sports and put an adjustable camber/toe kit in the rear and front. No unusual tire wear since I am back to factory spec, however the gap in the front is higher from the front adjustable plates. I was advised to put the plates in by my mechanic but does anyone know if they really make that big a difference in the front? Considering pulling them out to get that aggressive stance back.