Ride Height

T

talaris

Member
 Cornwall
My o4 seems a little"down on the drivers side with no one in it. Measured the ride height and its about 2 cm lower and the gap between the wheel arch and tyre is less on that side too. The spring has been replaced on this isde - well it looks new anyway!. Surely the new side should be higher?

Are there different types of OEM springs which may cause this?

Spring lokos ok too but not taken the wheel of though yet

Thanks
 
I am going through exactly the same thing at the moment on a 2004 2.5i on M Sport suspension, I only became aware of it after I replaced the broken rear springs with Eibach Pro Springs, all 4 springs were replaced to keep everything right, I have checked everything that I can check so the car is now being taken for a full geometry check as when I was changing the brake disc's I noticed it had it has also worn the inner edge of NS rear tyre, I'm hoping this should shed some light on it, so as soon as I find anything out, I can let you know.
 
There are 2 basic spring sets the 'normal' and 'M sport' which was fitted to all 3.0i of your era but could be on any model if specified/retrofitted. Sport is about 15mm lower

You need to get the car on level ground, do some proper measurements as per the TIS (search it's on the site somewhere) and ideally post photos so judgement can be made.
 
I noticed the same on my 2.5 Si recently, lower on the drivers side. That was on standard m suspension set up. I lowered it and it was still lower on the drivers side by about the same. So i put the standard springs back on and took to local bmw. They had it up on the ramp and said everything looks fine and all in good condition. He then measured it and said it 3.4 mm difference. But i think it was because it hadn't settled bac after him having it on the ramp.

He also said that they allow up to 10mm difference and it's just how they sit because it'd been driven with mainly one person driving it sat on that side and heavier side of dash, battery in the boot that side etc.

Anyone shed any light on this? Hope that helps in some way. As thats 3 of us with an identical problem.

Would coilovers be the only way to have it level if the above is true?
 
Petrol tank is on that side too... Remember, these cars were designed as LHD, so the driver is meant to offset the weight. In a RHD car, it should sit slightly lower on the drivers side.
 
Spandex said:
Petrol tank is on that side too... Remember, these cars were designed as LHD, so the driver is meant to offset the weight. In a RHD car, it should sit slightly lower on the drivers side.
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Petrol tank sits side to side with a large cutout over the transmission.

I agree re the left right weight offset with 'normal' driver position on the left, battery on the right (but the exhaust is on the left so compensates.

My 2003 sits dead pan level on original oem springs and almost entirely one driver, so they can be made level despite the sloppy tolerence that BMW allow.
 
My 2007 2.5si does the same - been to the dealer twice regarding the issue, and both times have been told that it is 'within tolerance'.... I have since fitted Eibachs pro kit which hasn't recitfied the problem. :(

I was considering the coilover route but seems a bit pricey for something thats not certain to fix it!

In a way good to see that others have noticed the same as the dealer tried to tell me I was mad :lol:
 
I have wondered if it could be as simple as a tired damper or it's maybe lost some fluid out of it especially as I know it was on broken springs for a while which may have caused it to run in a non standard position, but that was both sides not just one, but the couple of people I have mentioned it to seem to poopoo the idea without being able to suggest anything else, any thoughts.


Have just checked the TIS it states that 68kg should be placed in both seats, with the seats in a central position, a FULL tank of fuel and 14kg centrally placed in the boot what difference this will make I'm not sure, but it's what's reccomended.
 
I have this issue as well on my M Coupe. Doesnt matter if it is a full or empty tank of fuel on mine.
Will mention it next time the car is in but i expect a typical "must be your fault" response.
 
scottie1979 said:
I have this issue as well on my M Coupe. Doesnt matter if it is a full or empty tank of fuel on mine.
Will mention it next time the car is in but i expect a typical "must be your fault" response.
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the first time I noticed it my fuel light was on, filling the car with fuel made no discernable difference I was merely stating what the BMW TIS Manual states as the correct weight distribution for checking the ride height of the car in th ehope it might help someone, just where you get the weights I don't know though. :D
 
cj10jeeper said:
Petrol tank sits side to side with a large cutout over the transmission.
Click to expand...

He's right as well...

MTUxMTQzX3A=.png

This is why you you should always listen to cj10jeeper instead of me.
 
The BMWFans.info site performance depends greatly on your DNS. There seems to be a few caches for it, but some days I can get on it, and some days I cannot, unless I force it to go through a different routing.

I can see it today :thumbsup:
 
Strangely I too can now see it and what an excersise in car packaging to come up with a tank of that shape
 
I have just measured the heights with 1/2 tank of fuel only (rim flange at the bottom middle to lower edge of wheel arch): NSF: 603mm; OSF: 609mm; NSR: 628mm; OSR: 605mm. The TIS shows pre-facelift model with Sports Suspension and 18" rim should be 602mm (front) and 588mm (rear). Does anyone have the latest TIS that shows data for 2006 facelift model? Thanks.
 
ksher said:
I have just measured the heights with 1/2 tank of fuel only (rim flange at the bottom middle to lower edge of wheel arch): NSF: 603mm; OSF: 609mm; NSR: 628mm; OSR: 605mm. The TIS shows pre-facelift model with Sports Suspension and 18" rim should be 602mm (front) and 588mm (rear). Does anyone have the latest TIS that shows data for 2006 facelift model? Thanks.
Click to expand...


The measurements have not changed between Pre & Post facelift cars.

Are you sure about the rear measurements though 17\40mm higher than it should be, were you parked on perfectly level ground as this can have a big impact on your measurements.
 
RichardG said:
ksher said:
I have just measured the heights with 1/2 tank of fuel only (rim flange at the bottom middle to lower edge of wheel arch): NSF: 603mm; OSF: 609mm; NSR: 628mm; OSR: 605mm. The TIS shows pre-facelift model with Sports Suspension and 18" rim should be 602mm (front) and 588mm (rear). Does anyone have the latest TIS that shows data for 2006 facelift model? Thanks.
Click to expand...


The measurements have not changed between Pre & Post facelift cars.

Are you sure about the rear measurements though 17\40mm higher than it should be, were you parked on perfectly level ground as this can have a big impact on your measurements.
Click to expand...

TIS's figures are based on 68kg weight on each seat and 14kg in the boot with full tank of fuel. My measurements were taken with only half tank of fuel. So the rear heights were higher than standard.
 
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