Why Is It Dumb To Lower A Vehicle?

[Vivek]

Alright. So then if I install a coilover system, whats important is to get the car aligned and the coilover adjusted for proper rebound and compression and everything else? Basically, and that is about it?

I have ground controls with single adjustable koni's. I just set the height to what i wanted, adjusted the dampers myself (only messed with the fronts actually since they're baselined from GC), and I haven't even gotten it aligned yet since I'm swapping my rack soon. I've been running like this for a year, probably around 5-7k miles. The handling difference is amazing. It holds so tight in corners, and I can brake much harder than other e30's i've compared it to without skidding.

Basically what I'm saying is that you have it covered.

[ELVA164]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=294718

[TurboJake]

can you still rack up high miles with a lowered car. I am also one NOT to modify a vehicle.

Car in my sig has 500k miles and just finished driving across the country. It's on AC schnitzer springs and Hartge Bilsteins.

Yes. It's fine.

[dnguyen1963]

Do a quick search to see how many threads related to busted oil pan there are on this forum...

[kronus]

and then see how many of them have the op admitting to things like "I was doing 60mph in a construction zone", "I hit a railroad tie at full speed", and "I thought e30s could do jumps..."

I've driven reasonably low cars for the last 5 years and haven't had a problem.

[GT BMW E30]

I've driven reasonably low cars for the last 5 years and haven't had a problem.

You will eat those words if you lived here. NJ and NYC roads are horrible. When the City is redoing the streets its a nightmare. 5mph would not help when you take that first drop in the street then hit 7 raised man holes down a oneway one lane street then scrap bottom going back to orginal street level.

I am running bilsteins and m3 springs. That is the perfect suspension for our area for a daily driver.

[ToPLeSS(e30)FeinD]

I'm at work and can't watch the video, but there are a bunch of reasons that you could argue that lower a car is a bad idea.

Lowering springs are stiffer and ride quality deteriorates.
If lowering springs are not stiffer they will bottom out your dampers.
Cheap lowering springs may be of poor quality
Increases bump steer.
Puts the car's vulnerable oily bits closer to the road
Stiffer springs transmit more shock from bumps/potholes into mounts and bushings
Changes swaybar endlink angle/effectiveness

That being said, if you don't cheap out incredibly and have half a brain you can lower most cars without any fanfare.

all of these are arguable points, but the last statement pretty much sums it up

i mean it really comes down to where you live and what you're use/preference for the car is. i dont think i have to post pics of my car to get the point across but ive been pretty low for a fairly long time and the only real issue is ground clearance. but that comes back to where you live. and DONT say oil pan because i can think of 3 ways off the top of my head where you can protect your investment.

long story short, its all up to your driving style and preference. i LOVE the way my car tracks and speed bumps suck and all, but at an inch off the ground, i dont think i would ever go back.

[Nick_S]

Low is not just ride height. It's a lifestyle. Come at me bro.

[nando]

Do a quick search to see how many threads related to busted oil pan there are on this forum...

those are usually the stanced cars running on ebay suspension, rubber band tires stretched on a 10" rim, and no skid plate.

this thread makes my head hurt.

in fact, if you lower an E30, it will be dangerous. Bump steer will be insane, you'll have 10 degrees of negative camber, and the roll center will be in China. Oh and if it's an ix, your CV shafts will explode after 5,000 miles.

Don't do it, no E30 ever saw improved handling and ride quality from an aftermarket suspension. The 25 year old stuff is definitely best - plus, on an early body car, you can fit your entire head between the tire and fender lip!

[Lof8]

Why is it dumb to ask if its dumb to lower a vehicle?

[Roysneon]

Why Is It Dumb To Own A Vehicle?

[Brezzi]

no! By contrast they will get stronger and expand with use/age. You're going to have to get under there with a cutoff wheel every year or so and prune them back.

lol

[325ix]

Really guys, I do not modify my cars at all.

The man in the video has been a service technician for 45 years now. He says it is not a good idea to raise/lower over a long period of time.

I had one response that says when a car is lowered, it throws the geometry out of whack. You have to strengthen and then get the geometry back within specification. It was a good answer. Also, I did do searches in Google and this forum for my answer.

What exactly needs to strengthened? Why are you asking if you already have an answer? Also, axles are designed to operate at many different angles.

[Bimmerman325i]

Modifying a suspension (or car, reslly) is a game of compromises. Want to look wicked stancey? Well, your handling, ride, and oil pan life will suffer. Want to clear any road object? Fine, raise it, but you compromise a bunch of other things. There is no free lunch, just acceptable amounts of compromise.

Is lowering dumb? Well.......no, not really. Is it smart? Well.......no, not really. Depends on what you are willing to give up for the intended/desired use of the car.

[JinormusJ]

What is wrong with you?

Bwahaha


Just for the record... People who put lift kits on a truck are normally raising them by 6"-12", a 1"-2" drop is child's play to the reliability/wear of the components on a lowered e30 vs. how destructive a lift kit is