Eibach Lowered Coupe - Dumb Question

[Hizza]

Just had the Eibach Pro lowering kit fitted to my Coupe. It looked great on the drive 8) but I've not driven it and it's too dark/misty for pics. But... when looked at from the rear the tyres are toeing in - I had this when I lowered my old TT and lived with it as I didn't drive it much but I use the Coupe every day. I wondered if there was anything I should be doing/having done to bring the wheels back into the vertical :? . I guess in the long term it will wear the inners of the runflats (which have just been replaced). I'm sure this is a very dumb question but I'm no mechanic! If work does need to be done can anyone out there tell me what I should be asking for from a mechaninc and how much I should be budgeting for?

Thanks

Hizza

 

[mmm-five]

Do you mean camber, rather than toe?

You should have had your alignment reset when you had the suspension fitted - otherwise you'll end up with uneven wear and possible snatchy handling on the limit.

 

[Hizza]

That's the danger of a non-techie using techie language! Basically the rears are angled inwards, closer at the top than the bottom, when seen from behind. If I have four wheel alignment done would this need to be a specilaist or any-old QuickFit/Formual 1-type place? Do I simply need to ask for a four wheel alignment? Any idea on price?

Thanks

Hizza

 

[mmm-five]

That's the danger of a non-techie using techie language! Basically the rears are angled inwards, closer at the top than the bottom, when seen from behind. If I have four wheel alignment done would this need to be a specilaist or any-old QuickFit/Formual 1-type place? Do I simply need to ask for a four wheel alignment? Any idea on price?

That's camber, and because you've lowered the car, you now have more NEGATIVE camber than you did have.
Here's a guide to suspension terms.

BMW charge about £200 for a KDS alignment, but other places & prices will vary.

Don't know how much the rear can be adjusted on the Z4, but if it can't be adjusted enough you'll have to invest in camber-adjusting top-mounts. But I don't think you will, as I've seen plenty of other owners doing the Eibach kit and they've never mentioned anything about overly negative camber.

 

[Incompatible]

....Don't know how much the rear can be adjusted on the Z4, but if it can't be adjusted enough you'll have to invest in camber-adjusting top-mounts. But I don't think you will, as I've seen plenty of other owners doing the Eibach kit and they've never mentioned anything about overly negative camber.

X2 I recently installed the Eibachs on my M-suspension car, all adjustments performed without the need for front camber plates or adjustable rear arms.

 

[Hizza]

Thanks for the advice on this. I went to a superb little outfit called Northampton Motorsport (in, err....Northampton) today - they have a new Hunter laser system and checked out the camber, toe in etc - all ok and the lower eibach springs haven't affected the tolerances - all ok, no further work required. If anyone is local this looks like a superb outfit - they seem to specialise in fettling track day and rally cars and the workshop was spotless so may take the coupe there for any future work or servicing.

Just need a dry day to see what effect the new springs have on the handling but the car sits better, I've not grounded on anything (yet) and everything seems a little less "crashy" than the standard springs but that may just be psychological self-justification!

 

[RichardG]

I've not grounded on anything (yet) and everything seems a little less "crashy" than the standard springs but that may just be psychological self-justification!

Nope! definately a common observation among those of us with Eibachs.

 

[blitz]

how much is it normally to fit the springs guys?

 

[Anonymous]

BMW charge about £200 for a KDS alignment, but other places & prices will vary.

Don't go to BMW. That's just throwing your cash away. Go on alignmycar.co.uk and find a place with a hunter machine, job done!