Need rear suspensions advice

[dasmanschaft012]

My '89 325i is currently on Ireland Engineering Stage 3 race springs, with Bilstein Sports. All nearly brand new. The front is great height wise and ride wise. However, the rear is too low, so my fenders will rub on the edge of the tire with weight in the back or going over bumps. The root of the issue is that I run 16/225 in the back, which are rather wide. What are my options? I've already had someone try to roll them, and he said he wouldn't really be able to do it. I currently have 10mm of ADDITIONAL rubber pads, which have given me a fraction of an inch more clearance, but not enough. And, the rear ride has exponentially gotten worse. What options do I have?

[IRON-E]

What about linear springs, as opposed to progressive?

Maybe a 5" 750lbs rate would work and, add the adjuster for more height.

[SkiFree]

I've already had someone try to roll them, and he said he wouldn't really be able to do it. I currently have 10mm of ADDITIONAL rubber pads

Please elaborate on these two aspects.

You tried to have someone roll the rears and he said he couldn't? So your fenders are NOT rolled?

10mm additional "rubber" pads, is this the measured height while under compression, or just uncompressed? Are these the urethane spring spacers or something of your own making? If something of your own make, please elaborate.

Your rear ride has gotten progressively worse? Define "worse", have you checked other components? Like rear shock mounts?

Answering these questions will help us make educated suggestions.

[mtech325]

To offset the reverse rake associated with the IE3 springs, Ireland sells a urethane spacer to raise up the rear. I think for your purposes, you may want to do linear spring rates much like IRON-E has stated, probably something in the 650-750 range, and an adjuster will help dial in the ride height. I know off the shelf Koni's are good to about 700 lb springs, but the Bilsteins I'm not sure of (570 lb is what H&R race's are for the rear). What profile tire are you using and what offset wheels? For 16x8 inch the popular offset is around 20 with 225/145/16

Check out Dinanm3atl's old car, it originally ran IE3 springs with 16x8 et20 wheels, so you have something to compare yours to:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dinanm3atl/4115380483/

[dasmanschaft012]

@SkiFree:

The rears have been slightly rolled, mostly just to flatten the inner "lip". Because the fenders have the inner liner, the guy i went to said he wouldn't be able to do anything significant. The pads are these http://static.schmiedmann.dk/Product..._53817_big.jpg
They are each 5mm thick uncompressed, and I have 2 on each side in ADDITION to the stock pads. The ride is just more stiff, and all the rear components are in good condition. Not sure on the tire aspect right now.

[MR 325]

What offset are your wheels? What sidewall height on the tires?

I can refer you to 2 guys here in LA who can do a proper roll.

[dasmanschaft012]

Wheels are 0 offset, tires are 225/45R16 Dunlop Direzza ZII. I already have a decent amount of camber, so i cant just angle the tops of the wheels in more

[dirtbag30]

i have no idea if this would help you, or how much the h&r race springs compare to IE's

but i have H&R rear springs that i have sitting around. they can be yours for cheap. they might be too tall or just right, i have no idea.

just a thought.

[dasmanschaft012]

I'm pretty broke right now, but how much would you want for them?

[dirtbag30]

50$ shipped and they're yours, i bought them used for more and i've never used them, and don't see a use for them in my garage.

[IRON-E]

Wheels are 0 offset, tires are 225/45R16 Dunlop Direzza ZII. I already have a decent amount of camber, so i cant just angle the tops of the wheels in more

Here's your problem starts, from what I have read. What width are the wheels? Can you post a picture to better understand you. And 0 offset, you need like some gay 195/35 tires to roll on, without rubing issues.

[MR 325]

225/45/16 is a great size tire but it's not ideal when running 0 offset as mentioned above. I think you'll need to switch to 205 width to get rid of the issues.

[dasmanschaft012]

Would a 205 tire fit on the 9" wheel?

[DER E30]

225/45/16 is a great size tire but it's not ideal when running 0 offset as mentioned above. I think you'll need to switch to 205 width to get rid of the issues.

Agreed, I have The same size tire, 16x8 +20 with 10mm spacers and I think it is just about perfect... Your 0 offset is what's killing it, I have 20mm spacers sitting on the shelf as they rubbed badly. A real good roll and maybe a pull or smaller tires would be needed to not rub.

[AntiScope]

I bought two sets of those IE spring spacers to fit my wheels under h&r races. I'm running 205/55/15 ET13 with a 15mm spacer and I can just fit my fingers inbetween the tire and fender. But, I heated up that lip inside the fender and hammered it up with a rubber mallet.