Newbie question about lowering / spacers.

[Fred42]

Hi all.

Newbie question.

I've just bought a 2007 3.0 Si that has 108 wheel that i plan to get refurbished.

I'd like to lower it and put some spacers on it to improve its stance. What spacers do I need? Would 15mm all round work?

I was looking at some Eibach pro springs that would lower it by 30mm all round. Is that the normal amount of lowering? Is it worth changing the shocks at the same time? I've seen blistein dampers are recommended. Which model would I need?

Apologies for all the bone questions but I need a bit of a steer.

I'd appreciate any guidance.

Thanks.

Fred.

 

[ben g]

Eibachs are fine on the standard shocks.

Most people go 12/15mm front, 20/25mm rear on spacers.

I have eibachs and 12mm front, 20mm rear spacers on mine. No problems at all.

 

[Toe-side]

Yes stick to lower widths on the front as BenG says or you will be tearing your inner arches out on fast bumpy roads!

 

[Steve84N]

I have 10mm spacers all round as I didn't want more on the rear because it would increase understeer by relatively increasing the rear track. I still had a small amount of rubbing on part of the front liner, although adding more camber solved it.

Whilst you can run Eibach springs on standard dampers I would recommend you change them as they are better matched but more importantly your current ones are almost certainly passed their best. I just changed mine at 67k miles on a 56 car and the rears didn't return plus the fronts were quite easy to compress.

Bilstein B12 kit is the springs you mention plus matched B8 dampers. I got mine from here as it was the cheapest I could find.

http://www.regalautosport.com/shop/..._Z4_Coupe_PN_46-181251.html?search=B12 bmw z4

 

[Marlon]

I'm on 15mm front, 20mm rear

 

[MACK]

I have 10mm spacers all round as I didn't want more on the rear because it would increase understeer by relatively increasing the rear track. I still had a small amount of rubbing on part of the front liner, although adding more camber solved it.

Whilst you can run Eibach springs on standard dampers I would recommend you change them as they are better matched but more importantly your current ones are almost certainly passed their best. I just changed mine at 67k miles on a 56 car and the rears didn't return plus the fronts were quite easy to compress.

Bilstein B12 kit is the springs you mention plus matched B8 dampers. I got mine from here as it was the cheapest I could find.

http://www.regalautosport.com/shop/..._Z4_Coupe_PN_46-181251.html?search=B12 bmw z4

How have you found the B12 kit in terms of ride/comfort/handling over your worn old shocks etc since you fitted them? Have you had a noticeable improvement? The shocks/springs are next on my winter "to do list"

 

[MACK]

I'm on 15mm front, 20mm rear

I've just bought the same spacers as you, (followed the Ebay link in your old thread) thanks for that.
Did you use locking nuts when you installed then, if so which ones did you go with?

 

[Steve84N]

How have you found the B12 kit in terms of ride/comfort/handling over your worn old shocks etc since you fitted them? Have you had a noticeable improvement? The shocks/springs are next on my winter "to do list"

Only did it Friday night but initial impressions are a lot less squat and dive. Haven't had a chance to try decent cornering yet and ride comfort is reasonable. Can feel there's less travel but it absorbs bumps smoothly. Will have more feedback after tomorrow as I'm going from Gloucestershire to Slough to get an LSD at Birds.

I recommend you get new bolts for the pinch joint on the front struts as they were heavily corroded. I also renewed all the spring pads, top mounts, rear damper bolts, rear bump stops (fronts are internal in the new Bilstein dampers) plus some of the other constituent shims and washers. The one thing I couldn't overcome is having a tool to tighten a 22mm front top nut that is recessed in the top mount. The rod turns unless you can hold it with a 7mm Allen key, but you can't do that with a socket over it... You need a long 22mm thin walled socket with a slot in the side to put a 7mm Allen key in (not a socket). Something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expert-55540-Oxygen-Sensor/dp/B000MQ7XRA

 

[Marlon]

I'm on 15mm front, 20mm rear

I've just bought the same spacers as you, (followed the Ebay link in your old thread) thanks for that.
Did you use locking nuts when you installed then, if so which ones did you go with?

Great
No, didn't bother with locking wheel nuts.

 

[MACK]

How have you found the B12 kit in terms of ride/comfort/handling over your worn old shocks etc since you fitted them? Have you had a noticeable improvement? The shocks/springs are next on my winter "to do list"

Only did it Friday night but initial impressions are a lot less squat and dive. Haven't had a chance to try decent cornering yet and ride comfort is reasonable. Can feel there's less travel but it absorbs bumps smoothly. Will have more feedback after tomorrow as I'm going from Gloucestershire to Slough to get an LSD at Birds.

I recommend you get new bolts for the pinch joint on the front struts as they were heavily corroded. I also renewed all the spring pads, top mounts, rear damper bolts, rear bump stops (fronts are internal in the new Bilstein dampers) plus some of the other constituent shims and washers. The one thing I couldn't overcome is having a tool to tighten a 22mm front top nut that is recessed in the top mount. The rod turns unless you can hold it with a 7mm Allen key, but you can't do that with a socket over it... You need a long 22mm thin walled socket with a slot in the side to put a 7mm Allen key in (not a socket). Something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expert-55540-Oxygen-Sensor/dp/B000MQ7XRA

Thanks, the LSD should make a huge difference, certainly did when I put a quaiffe one on my old 987.
look forward to reading your update on the suspension in a few days time

 

[MACK]

I'm on 15mm front, 20mm rear

I've just bought the same spacers as you, (followed the Ebay link in your old thread) thanks for that.
Did you use locking nuts when you installed then, if so which ones did you go with?

Great
No, didn't bother with locking wheel nuts.

To be honest I might not bother either, don't thing there's a huge issue with some old scabby 107's being stolen!

 

[Steve84N]

If you search eBay there are longer locking nuts for under £20. I bought some just as a slight deterrent.

Suspension wise, it now feels super smooth on normal roads so the wheels must be doing their thing much more independently again. Much more stable at high speed but still no decent cornering. Pretty much swam here to Birds! Bumps are taken care of swiftly and the damping stops the movement quicker so it does feel more abrupt but not harsh. Got some thuds coming through the chassis although I wonder if it's the Turner rear shock mounts. I bought the rubber version but they are probably still harsher than stock. I hope I haven't got anything wrong in the fitting...

 

[Fred42]

Hi.

Sorry for the slow reply.

Thanks for all your comments.

Am planning on using the einbach pro to lower the car 25/30mm with 12mm spacers on the front and 20mm on the back. Can't quite stretch to the new dampers as well.

Does anyone have any recommendations for spacer suppliers?

Looking forward to the new 'stance'!

Thanks.

Fred.