Wheel alignment - pointers / tips

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:18 am

Hi all.

I have booked my car in to get lollipop bushes, rtab and front/rear drop links fitted.
This is in addition to changing my shocks and springs to Eibachs and Bilstein B4s approx 300 miles ago.

Once the bushes are fitted I am going to get wheel alignment done.

The place I am going seem very knowledgeable https://www.tracktorque.co.uk/ and I will let them do what they think is required - they set up race/track cars

However, I have read lots of wheel alignment threads mention various set ups (M3, Z4M etc) - with this in mind, are there any BASIC 'do's' and 'don'ts' that you have, from experience that I could request that they stick to or discuss with them?

For info, the car is a weekend toy and used primarily on country B roads.

Thanks

Saj

Snoop D · Post by **Snoop D** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 2:05 pm

I would be interested in knowing this too, as my car is lowered on H&R's with 19 inch wheels and only the front right driver's side wheel sits against and burns through the arch liner. I'd imagine this also has to do with basic geometry setup (caster?).

bearded_ed · Post by **bearded_ed** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 7:46 pm

saj77 wrote: Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:18 am This is in addition to changing my shocks and springs to Eibachs and Bilstein B4s approx 300 miles ago.

Out of interest... Were you on M-Sport suspension before? How'd you get on with the b4s?

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 7:59 pm

bearded_ed wrote: Wed Oct 23, 2019 7:46 pm
saj77 wrote: Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:18 am This is in addition to changing my shocks and springs to Eibachs and Bilstein B4s approx 300 miles ago.
Out of interest... Were you on M-Sport suspension before? How'd you get on with the b4s?

Yes I was on M Sport Suspension.

The B4’s are the equivalent of the original ones fitted, so replacing ones that had done 88k miles has obviously improved things.

Car is much better now both handling and comfort wise - I believe more so because of the Eibach springs, as they are more progressive than the M sport springs.

Although it’s not Rolls Royce kind of comfort - it’s much better and far less ‘crashy’.

I highly recommend the combo

QUIKSTER · Post by **QUIKSTER** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 6:39 pm

I can also vouch for the Eibach & B4 Combo after replacing my M Sport suspension on my 82k mile E86 this summer.

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:13 pm

I’d stick with stock alignment. An si on decent 18” non-runflat tyres and updated springs/dampers should handle really well.

You can always tweak (at lower cost) later on.

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:20 pm

MrPT wrote: Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:13 pm I’d stick with stock alignment. An si on decent 18” non-runflat tyres and updated springs/dampers should handle really well.

You can always tweak (at lower cost) later on.

Thanks. That does make sense - forgot to mention tyres are new non run flats (done 1000 miles only) so got everything nice and fresh! Roll on the 13th - should be like a new car

bearded_ed · Post by **bearded_ed** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 7:28 pm

Thank you for the B4 and Eibach recommendations guys! I'll add it to the to do list.... I can't say mine feels awful but I'm sure it could be better after 92k miles!

1000rr · Post by **1000rr** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 7:49 pm

Which Eibach springs are you using?

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 7:57 pm

1000rr wrote: Fri Oct 25, 2019 7:49 pm Which Eibach springs are you using?

The Pro Kit. Part # E10-20-010-01-22

1000rr · Post by **1000rr** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 8:20 pm

Thank you.

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 5:23 pm

This is my current set up AFTER fitting new shocks and springs BUT before bush and drop link replacement. I was told that the rear left wouldn't align due to worn RTAB.

Will be interesting to see what the new garage say as the fitter at the place I had this done did not inspire confidence!

I think they also use different equipment too, not Hunter, from their website - "Geometry setup using the latest 3D video technology"

: After Hunter alignment check - before replacing RTAB.jpg (99.03 KiB) Viewed 1736 times

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 6:58 pm

You've reminded me what a crazy amount of negative camber the non-M has by default. -3degrees on the rear and that's still within spec!

Based on the chat in the other thread I think you should consider the Z4M roadster settings if you still want a reference point. I do think going back to "factory" is sensible, but the overly-safe alignment is such a well known weak point of these cars - a bit like the runflat tyres - you don't really have anything to lose by switching to something a bit more aggressive like the Z4MR setup.

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:53 am

MrPT, Thanks again!

Think I am going to go for the Z4MR settings, at least then I SHOULD notice a difference....

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 3:31 pm

Got new RTAB, lollipops and droplinks front and rear fitted.

Then aligned to Z4MR specs...

: 244BB641-1860-4607-8A3E-51850088A13D.jpeg (284.02 KiB) Viewed 1435 times

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