Lowering E30 ground clearance

[Beemerdan]

I am looking at springs to lower my 91 318i about 3 inches. Has anybody lowered theirs this far? Ever had any problems with places you couldn't drive because it was too low? Or broken oil pans?

Thanks!
Dan

[jlevie]

If you lower the car that much, better have a really good skid plate or a good supply of oil pans.

[travish325]

Im selling a pan. You can buy it now if you want lulz

[SGT4677]

YES.
Your welcome.

[Beemerdan]

I do have an extra oil pan, but I am planning on getting a good skid plate. Anybody know about how much ground clearance it would have?

[Beemerdan]

Here is a pic of them installed in another cabrio like mine. The guy said they will lower about 3-3.5 inches. This doesn't look that low though. Does this height look like it could be a problem?
This one does have 17" rims on it, I would be running stock rims for a while.

[ak-]

Things of concern:
Oil pan clearance (especially m42)
Shock travel or lack of
Bump steer/steering pull
Fenders at full lock turn
Passengers: more weight/lower

Bright side is your pan is two-piece so changing it is more of a snap compared to an m20/24v

[roguetoaster]

You are looking to lower the car twice what race springs will do. To me this seems like a bad idea, especially since you live in Michigan and even if you didn't you will scrape. If you need to know how much clearance the M42 will have when you lower it three inches have someone sit in the seat and measure clearance stock then subtract 3 and imagine how you will get over minor bumps with whats left.

The other concerns ak- mentioned are quite valid and must be considered especially the lack of shock travel (will need custom shocks).

[Simon S]

yeah dude, shit - I'll throw in by saying that I’ve gone one year on some pretty standard (ug – I hate typing the word “Tokico”) lowering springs (~1.5” give or take drop) and Bilstein sports on an m42 car.

Fuck – as much as I’d LOVE the look of the car being lower, the iS lip scrapes on my own driveway. I simply can’t justify further drop. It would ruin the car’s driveability – and I f’ing love good driveability.

Fwiw, my skid-plate remains “un-kissed”.

Nutshell: like yeah – e30s look f’ing great slammed – but bloody-hell, is driveability compromised..

When you sit in the driver’s seat and enjoy the car – that “slammed shit” goes out the window in my book.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

The m42 pan seems like it was designed that way because bmw knew that they would get smashed up

[Simon S]

I am looking at springs to lower my 91 318i about 3 inches..

wait.. lolwut?
The more I think about it, the crazier and funny I find the thought of "3-inch lowering springs" to be - 'cause that shit is just funny.

[F34R]

I am looking at springs to lower my 91 318i about 3 inches. Has anybody lowered theirs this far? Ever had any problems with places you couldn't drive because it was too low? Or broken oil pans?

Thanks!
Dan

No one has ever lowered their car that far, it is unheard of. You have got to be the worst troll ever or a complete moron to ask those next two questions.

Search here, find what you like and copy it.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=52154

[MR 325]

This one does have 17" rims on it, I would be running stock rims for a while.

Rim size doesn't change your car's height if the tires are sized appropriately.

[F34R]

Rim size doesn't change your car's height if the tires are sized appropriately.

Adding to that^ stock is 195/65-R14=609.1mm overall diameter.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php

[lambo]

Here is a pic of them installed in another cabrio like mine. The guy said they will lower about 3-. This doesn't look that low though. Does this height look like it could be a problem?
This one does have rims on it, I would be running stock rims for a while.

You'll have to be careful but my friend's E30 on 16's with smaller tires is tucking tire in the rear and front and it is right on the very edge of not being driveable...