camber adjsutment after lowering the car?

[naika]

Sorry for the double post, but i just realized this belongs here. I just installed new springs. 1.6 front drop and 1.2 rear drop.
I took the car to get an alignment and the bimmer tech tells me he can't get the camber in line because of the springs.
Anybody knows of anything like that? Why would that be? (FYI, the car has never been in an accident at all)

If the camber shows in the red on their summary sheet, does that mean I am going to have to buy new tires every 3 months?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks

[erik325i]

You will naturally gain more negative camber when you lower your car. That's just how it works.
The camber is not adjustible unless you buy a pair of camber plates.

It's not that big a deal though. Increased negative camber improves handling.
If you are wearing the insides of your tires, you aren't driving your car hard enough.

-Erik

[sticksdaman]

i must not be driving my car hard enough

[naika]

Alright, I wanted to make sure because the BMW guy scared me saying he couldn't do anything, and made me believe it was a big deal (probably trying to get me to put it in the shop for a few hours)

So it seems like:
1/ I can't help it
2/ it's not a big deal and my tires won't wear anymore than supposed to...
Believe me, I drive it hard enough,hahaha
Thanks

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

hope this helps:
Basically, when you lower your car, the strut moves toward the "outside" of the car, so the camber increases and BTW. your tires will wear out faster

[erik325i]

i must not be driving my car hard enough

that, or you might not have enough toe in.

Alright, I wanted to make sure because the BMW guy scared me saying he couldn't do anything, and made me believe it was a big deal (probably trying to get me to put it in the shop for a few hours)

So it seems like:
1/ I can't help it
2/ it's not a big deal and my tires won't wear anymore than supposed to...
Believe me, I drive it hard enough,hahaha

1. You can correct it, but not with the stock strut mounts. You need to get some adjustable camber plates.
2. It's not a big deal if you really drive your car. If you drive on a straight highway all day, then you will notice uneven tire wear. If you drive your car hard, more negative camber could potentially help your tire wear.

-Erik

[So Live]

I had a problem with wearing the outside of my tires....

Hoping H&R race speings will cure my problems :)

[Madhatter]

Even if you drive hard, increasing negative camber is always going to wear the inner edges and will reduce tyre life.

[schmidty]

you can also get your tires rotated on the wheel every so often to help even out the wear.... of course this will only work with bi-directional (is that the right term?) tires
My tires on my weaves are wearing pretty badly on the inside due to my drop so that is what Im doing. The tires on the Alpina Reps don't seem to be wearing as unevenly....yet...

[matt]

Even if you drive hard, increasing negative camber is always going to wear the inner edges and will reduce tyre life.

False.

[LivingLegend06]

Does anyone know approximately how many degrees of negative camber are added when lowering the car lets say 1.5 inches, Front? Rear?

[JGood]

For front camber, I am at -2.0 degrees on both of my cars. One is on H&R race springs, one is H&R sports. The 325is with Race springs is lighter by nearly 200 lbs, so it's the same height (~1.5 inch drop)

My 325e is daily driven and goes through tires every 6 months due to inner tire wear.

The 325is is used for track/autoX, and the insides of the tires still have never used rubber, while the outsides are nearly corded.

It depends 100% on your driving. On the street, you will generally wear the inside edges out first, unless you are an asshole. Don't be an asshole.

This is why camber plates are helpful no matter what. Get them.

[Madhatter]

False.

show me proof that says otherwise.

If you want it to hook up, especially with an IRS rear like the bmws, you want to run less rear camber.

[jlevie]

show me proof that says otherwise.

For proof, go look at the front tires on any Spec E30 racer (or most any other BMW) when the tires are worn out. There'll be plenty of inner tread left, but the cord will be showing on the outside edges. I've never had to toss a track tire for inner edge wear. But I've corded the outside edges on plenty of them.

[JGood]

show me proof that says otherwise.

If you want it to hook up, especially with an IRS rear like the bmws, you want to run less rear camber.

If you look at my post (directly above yours), you will see proof. My tires on my track car are very worn on the outer edge, the insides still have fresh rubber.

As for hooking up, I don't think anyone is drag racing here.