Ride Height Has Changed

[Roper]

I've just had both rear springs replaced by BMW and the rear ride height looks totally different (I've confirmed it's not my imagination using old photographs).

I've got a 2003 3.0 litre with BMW 18" 5-spoke split rim alloys and possibly sports suspension (not sure though cause I bought the car second hand).

If I measure from the centre of my wheel to the centre of the wheel arch (directly above the wheel centre) I get the following measurements:
Front: 14.0 inches or 355 mm
Rear: 15.25 inches or 387 mm

Note: I've chosen to measure from the centre of the wheel to the centre of the wheel arch as it makes no difference what tyres or wheels are fitted. The car was parked on the flat and has been driven several miles since the springs were fitted.

If anyone has got a minute I'd be interested to hear what your ride heights are.

Many thanks,
Roper

 

[Wondermike]

Well all pre-facelift 3.0 UK cars have got M Sport suspension so that's what it should have. Can't help with the rest 'cos I flogged mine last year, but I'm sure someone else will be able to help.

 

[WaZZZZman]

That seems odd. I have the sports package and should have the heavy springs. Mine is 14" in the front but just a quarter of an inch longer in the rear. Mine is a 2004. I would not think it should be that much higher. I think others have said that you have to wait some time for them to settle.

 

[Roper]

Cheers for the quick responses guys.

So it sounds like mine's about 1" higher at the back than it should be, it certainly looks it when you see the car!

I can't imagine it settling 1" from where it is now. I measured it less than an hour ago and and springs were fitted about 12 hours ago.

 

[mister_roger]

Were the springs seated properly? I'm sure they'll also settle another .5"-.75" over the next few weeks, so I wouldn't fret too much. Any chance you can show us a few pics so we can see how noticible it is?

 

[cj10jeeper]

2003 3.0i, M sport suspension, original springs

Front 351mm
Rear 368mm

Hope this give a base to work from.

 

[Lotus1]

I have:

Front 345
Rear 355

...perhaps mine are broken - looks good though

Steve

 

[Roper]

Cheers guys, thanks very much for the measurements.

I phoned the dealer today and they said that the measurement is taken from the bottom dead centre of the wheel rim to the top dead centre of the wheel arch. For a car with 18" wheels (which mine has) it should be 588 +/- 10 mm (I think this equates to 353 mm on the dimension we were using previously). He didn't give me the figure for the front.

I went and measured mine after another drive and one side is now sitting at 625 mm (37 mm higher than design) and the other is at 605 mm. Needless to say, it's been booked into the dealership for tomorrow. I suspect the side it's sitting high on is being held up by something or the spring is incorrectly fitted.

Let you know what comes of it.

Thanks,
Roper

 

[TxMike]

I measured from center of wheel to top of arch, and got 13.75 inches (approx. 350 mm), on both front and rear.

 

[BlackSapphireZ]

non sport springs probably