Experience with IE3s

[COLIZ]

Today I had my IE3s and Bilstein Sports put into my 323i. How long or how much driving should it take for the springs to settle? I'm not overly happy with the ride height at the moment, and this is without spring pads too.

I also have adjustable strut tops to take the camber out of the front end which may have something to do with it, I'm getting a wheel alignment done tomorrow so I'll see then.

I've also noticed some clunking. I guess this is due to having no spring pads, but I have read numerous times that this wouldn't happen. Should it? Again, maybe the wheel alignment may help.

Finally, what is the most amount of camber I can run, that won't scrub the inside of my tyres out? I don't have any problems with the rear, just the front. If running camber will noticably lower the front of my car, I'd like to use it, just sensably.

Should probably let you know that this is for a street driven car too.

Sorry for the lengthy post, thanks for any advice.:up:

Colin.

[egk2]

What exactly are you not happy with in regards to the ride
height? Too high in the front and too low in the back? I was told that camber plates will raise the front end.

[COLIZ]

Just thought it would be a bit lower front and back, with a bit of rake. I'm hoping it will settle and close up the gaps between the tyres and the arches a bit more.

[egk2]

Just thought it would be a bit lower front and back, with a bit of rake. I'm hoping it will settle and close up the gaps between the tyres and the arches a bit more.

IE3's have that reverse rake stance on most e30's, they will settle after you log some mileage but it will still have the same stance.

[Sean]

Mine really didn't settle a whole lot. My stance is made with zero pads in the front and about 30mm worth of pads in the rear. I put so many in the rear because when I load up my car with 540lbs of my shit to and from school, without the pads, I would run about -6 > -7 degrees of camber in the rear, and I'd be LOW. Now, with my new exhaust, and the pads, my exhaust is still only 1.5" to 2" off the ground - but my camber isn't as bad. :)

Got pics of your stance?

[Gr00v3]

2.3 camber in the front, 3.2 in the rear. that's what i've been noted at having when i got my alignment

[egk2]

What wheels and tires are you running?

[whiltebeitel]

the camber choice depends very much on how you drive. Aggressively? More camber! mostly calm street stuff, less camber. you just want enough to make even tire wear on all tires.

[COLIZ]

I'm running 16x7 Hartges, with 195/50 tyres.

Yeah, the back sits nicely, but the front seems to be higher. Didn't see that coming. Just had the wheel alignment done and they took as much camber out of the front as they could. Theres still a small amount there, so this should increase as the springs settle down.

Man, I can't help thinking that I should have gone with a Spax 60/40 setup.

[e30polak]

if u wanted better stance u should've gotten h&r race, same rates, but much nicer stance

[egk2]

I'm running 16x7 Hartges, with 195/50 tyres.

Yeah, the back sits nicely, but the front seems to be higher. Didn't see that coming. Just had the wheel alignment done and they took as much camber out of the front as they could. Theres still a small amount there, so this should increase as the springs settle down.

Man, I can't help thinking that I should have gone with a Spax 60/40 setup.

Did you research the IE3's before you bought them? They are known for their reverse rake, 60/40's or H&R race give you a much better stance.

[Fanzotti]

if u wanted better stance u should've gotten h&r race, same rates, but much nicer stance

When I first started looking into springs I was told that Ie3's and H&R race were pretty much the same spring? Lately I've heard that race are ideal for late model low arch cars. Can someone explain which are best for a low arch car? What is a good drop in mm's front and rear for these cars? Is it 60/40?

[egk2]

Thats a personal preference. I feel that with your tire/wheel combo,
60/40's would be just fine, if you like the forward rake stance.

[COLIZ]

IE3s are more like a 50/40 drop, and are priced very well once converted to Australian dollars. They sounded ideal at the time. Guess I'll just have to see how I go with it. Does anyone else get clunking without spring pads? Was told I'd have no problems.