Suspension

Thedhj · Post by **Thedhj** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:52 pm

Hi everyone, I'm looking to improve the ride hight on my 315. At the moment it's on 15" wheels, standard shocks and 40mm lowering springs. The rear isn't a million miles away from where I want it but the front still looks like a 4x4. I don't want the car dragging on the road but I would like the top of the tyres to be just under the arch.
So basically I wondering what other people have used that doesn't cost a arm and a leg. I know coilovers will be most people's advice but I'd rather not spend more than £500 on it. Any suggestions would be most appreciated
Thanks

E21noob · Post by **E21noob** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:06 pm

Lowtech have a set that gives you 60mm front and 40mm rear.

http://www.lowtec.de/en/bmw/3/e21/1655/ ... dern?c=152

Thedhj · Post by **Thedhj** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:08 pm

Yeah I'm not sure 60mm springs on standard shocks will get the front down much lower?
Have you used these springs?

nuke laars · Post by **nuke laars** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:02 am

Is it possible that I your 4 pot is fitted with 6 pot springs?
-40mm springs should give you a sensible but noticeable drop all round.

E21noob · Post by **E21noob** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:12 am

Look at my thread on the Pastell 318. The first photo is with 60/40mm (on 17") and further in there is a photo with 35/35 (on standard steels).

Don't think the shocks influence the drop....all you do is decrease their travel length by using shorter springs.

Thedhj · Post by **Thedhj** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 3:56 pm

nuke laars wrote:Is it possible that I your 4 pot is fitted with 6 pot springs?
-40mm springs should give you a sensible but noticeable drop all round.

I'm not sure I just bought 40mm lowering springs and put them on. I probably only got about 25mm drop.
My car came from Cyprus, and I was told that they put bigger shocks on them because of the poor roads, but this is probably rubbish. I might try new shocks on the front and see what happens.

Thedhj · Post by **Thedhj** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 3:59 pm

E21noob wrote:Look at my thread on the Pastell 318. The first photo is with 60/40mm (on 17") and further in there is a photo with 35/35 (on standard steels).

Don't think the shocks influence the drop....all you do is decrease their travel length by using shorter springs.

That's not far off how I want it, but I'll be putting 15"s on so I guess I'd still have a finger gap between tyre and arch which I don't want
I guess coilovers will have to be the way to go.

nuke laars · Post by **nuke laars** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:15 pm

When you say shocks, do you mean dampers or springs?
If you mean dampers, they will not affect the ride height, even if they are heavy duty items.
My original question was asking if your springs are intended for a 6 pot, because they are engineered fora heavier car, used on a four pot the engine isn't heavy enough to compress the springs to give a low enough drop.
You don't need coilovers to achieve a decent drop.

Thedhj · Post by **Thedhj** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:22 pm

nuke laars wrote:When you say shocks, do you mean dampers or springs?
If you mean dampers, they will not affect the ride height, even if they are heavy duty items.
My original question was asking if your springs are intended for a 6 pot, because they are engineered fora heavier car, used on a four pot the engine isn't heavy enough to compress the springs to give a low enough drop.
You don't need coilovers to achieve a decent drop.

I see, well going by the poor drop I guess they must be meant for a 6pot. I didn't realise they the springs would be different. I'm trying to upload a photo of the rear so you can see how high it is even with 40mm drop.

E21noob · Post by **E21noob** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:30 pm

Get a pic of the spring and shock assembly too if you can.

Thedhj · Post by **Thedhj** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 5:10 pm

http://s1148.photobucket.com/albums/o57 ... 8831bd.jpg

This is with a 15" wheel and 40mm drop
I'll add a photo of the springs and shocks when I get home from work
Cheers

Thedhj · Post by **Thedhj** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:19 pm

Rear:
http://s1148.photobucket.com/albums/o57 ... 5bc2a3.jpg

Front:
http://s1148.photobucket.com/albums/o57 ... 85b633.jpg

nuke laars · Post by **nuke laars** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 2:01 am

Those rear springs look a little odd, the compression doesn't look very progressive. My guess is the springs aren't right for the car. What profile tyres have you got on the 15s?

E21noob · Post by **E21noob** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:22 am

Yeah I agree. Springs are wrong and there isn't enough profile on the tyres for 15s. Nice wheels though!

Thedhj · Post by **Thedhj** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:16 am

Tyres 195 45 15, but looking at the forum people are using 205 50 15 I belive.
I bought the springs on eBay and it said they were compatible with 315-323i.

How did you get the photos to open on the page. (Thanks for that)

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