e86 Eibach springs too low and uneven suspension?

[esafaeian]

hey all,
I installed Eibach springs (the ones specific for e86 coupes) a couple of months ago and they were initially OK, but I recently changed my wheels and the front tyres have plenty more tread than the old ones and now I'm noticing a slight rub/scrape when I go over big dips and bumps in the road. I realise that the springs may have settled in a bit and coupled with the newer tyres is the reason behind the rubbing now, the tyres I run are 235/35/19s on a 8j rim - the question is will 225/35/19's really improve this/eliminate the rubbing I'm getting? I really don't wan't to go lower than 225 and would actually prefer the 235s as they are already quite skinny for the 19's.

Why do Eibach springs lower the front more than the rears? I would have thought a more even look would be preferential? If I was the buy the sport springs and put them just at the front would that make it more even?

Another thing I've noticed is that my suspension sits a little lower on the drivers side (RHD model), is this normal to bmws? I can kinda notice the tilt/uneven suspension when I'm driving around looking over my bonnet.

 

[mr wilks]

235 35 19 on 8j rim , offset 37 , lowered springs + new tyres you have stacked all the odds against you .
Something has to give so drop to 225 35 & ideally choose a "narrow" brand such as Hankook or Falken , you can avoid the rub but you need to squeeze some mm's somewhere

 

[esafaeian]

So do you think putting on 225/35's will mostly eliminate the rub I get? I also experience it taking heavy corners..

Would putting on the sport springs and raising the front a little be a better option?

 

[Ewazix]

BMW TIS will confirm that ride height either side should be the same regardless of LHD/RHD but there is quite a big permissible difference depending on model. it's worth checking that the new springs are seated correctly or consider using different thickness spring pads. The chassis actually twists quite a lot (check it out when you jack up the car!) repeatedly parking on a kerb, old accident damage or something like loose struts will easily allow some twist to develop. But if it's within the TIS limits it's not a problem.

 

[esafaeian]

how do I check my chassis for twist? And if the twist is causing the uneven suspension height what can be done to correct this?

Edit: I've added a couple photos - not sure if I'm being pedantic but there's a slight difference with the left side and the right side.

p.s. I actually have my struts lifted by 5-6mm on the clevis, I could probably just lower the left side a bit to even out the suspension...

 

[ben g]

225/35/19 will almost certainly stop the rubbing. It did on my 19's (et 38).

My car also sits slightly lower on my drivers side. I assumed it was something to do with the fuel tank. I usually notice it when I'm walking up to the passenger side of my car (in shop car parks) and see the back end sitting slightly higher than it usually is on the drivers side (which I always see when I Park up at work).

 

[esafaeian]

Yeah that's what I'm reading online, it's just hard for me to imagine that with such a small difference in diameter (~.3") the 225's will eliminate rubbing...

 

[philbo909]

Yeah that's what I'm reading online, it's just hard for me to imagine that with such a small difference in diameter (~.3") the 225's will eliminate rubbing...

It's also the width, and rubbing is just the tyre slightly catching, so can be dialed out with a small change

 

[mr wilks]

Yeah that's what I'm reading online, it's just hard for me to imagine that with such a small difference in diameter (~.3") the 225's will eliminate rubbing...

If it was me id go 215 35 19 on 8j with your lowered set up + et 37 especially if using brand new rubber , pretty sure idej-z4 (Dan) had your exact same problem with his Si 86 cured with 215 35 tyres

 

[esafaeian]

Hey all, I put some 225/35/19’s on the car and on the way home there was no rubbing going over bumps where I would scrape in the past.. there will probably still be a bump or two out there that will cause a minor scrape but on first impression it’s no where near as bad as it was. Thanks all for the suggestions!

Mrwilks - I’ll see how I go with the 225’s for now. As mentioned above I have raised the front stuts on the clevis mounts by about 5mm (have marked where I’ve moved them to and they haven’t dropped back or anything in over 3k km), I’m sure if the struts were seated all the way in I’d still get some rubbing with the 225’s. Also I’m pretty sure I know where it’s rubbing - there’s a panel inside the arch lining with some scrapes on it and I can pretty much see the outline of where the tyre used to rub so I’m thinking if I do notice rubbing still with the 225’s I’ll try heat up the plastic and bend it back a bit..

The car looks better proportioned now too, the fronts did look a tad chunky with the 235’s..

 

[mr wilks]

Good you found a solution, the 230s, look so good on your coupe I'm very tempted to source a set for my own E86

 

[esafaeian]

Good you found a solution, the 230s, look so good on your coupe I'm very tempted to source a set for my own E86

Thanks man, I always thought I'd buy csl style wheels but I'm so glad I went with the 230's. They are so easy to keep clean and complement the coupe body very nicely.