Ride height on 1995 e36 m3

[daytonabitch]

Would appreciate some advice on ride-height measurements on my high-mileage M3, which despite stock suspension has always looked to me as if it rides lower than standard -- almost too low for comfort.

Official ride-height specs are supposed to be done with 345 pounds of "passengers and luggage aboard" but I measured mine unladen. I also have 18-inch rims. From the bottom of the wheel rim I got 584 mm front, 572 mm rear.

Stock spec is F/R is 585/540 mm on 17s, so I'm figuring it should be 600/555 on 18s, laden.

So if I'm getting 584/572 Unladen, I figure my car is definitely riding low at the front and maybe also at the back (I don't have 345 lbs of deadweight -- not even family members -- available to do the ballast.

Is my reasoning sound? And what's more likely to cause the loss of ride height -- springs, spring pads, a combination of both?
Thanks!

[nick325xit 5spd]

Half an inch is 12.7mm. Not that it's that meaningful, but...

Springs sag over time. Pads compress. The rear control arms arms bend in the spring perch. You can get some play in the bushings that impacts ride height. You might not have stock springs either.

[TostitoBandito]

The front ride height in Bentley is 560mm for the sport suspension, which I believe was standard on the M3. So I think the correct stock values are 560F/540R on 17 inch wheels.

Your wheels/tires are going to throw off the measurement. The Bentley values are for 17 inch wheels with stock tires. Your wheels will add an extra half inch (12-13mm) all around when compared to 17's. Then tires may adjust that further, depending on the aspect ratio.

If you're at 584/572 empty that doesn't really seem low. With two people in the car and a full gas tank that probably gets you pretty close to the Bentley values, compensating for your wheels. The rear may even be a little high. Do you have the spare tire in the trunk?

Also, what do you mean when you say it seems uncomfortably low? Is that in terms of how close your car is to the ground, or how close the tire is to the fender? With 18 inch wheels and a stock suspension I'd certainly believe that fender clearance could be quite a bit tighter. I have a fully adjustable suspension and with my 17x9 wheels and meaty tires I can't actually lower my car that much beyond stock without clearance issues under high suspension load and/or steering lock. I'm down about half an inch in front and maybe slightly more than that in the rear.

[daytonabitch]

Half an inch is 12.7mm. Not that it's that meaningful, but...

Springs sag over time. Pads compress. The rear control arms arms bend in the spring perch. You can get some play in the bushings that impacts ride height. You might not have stock springs either.

Thanks! FYI I added 15 mm for the 18-inch wheels because that's the difference between 15, 16 and 17-inch wheels in the Bentley manual. I'm pretty sure the springs are stock as I know the history -- I bought the car from my brother, who owned it from new.

My concern is that I need new shocks and might as well upgrade the whole suspension at the same time, but don't want a ride height that's even lower than what I have now.

[daytonabitch]

Thanks for the prompt reply TostitoBandito. I don't have any issues with wheel/tire clearance with 225/40R18 tires. I just worry how close the underside is to the ground.I have a mid-rise hydraulic lift in my garage and I can't drive the M3 over it unless I lay down 12 x 2 planks either side to drive up onto.

Bentley gives two different ride heights for the M3 itself -- regular and Sport. My car doesn't have the Sport suspension. I guess where I'm going with all this is that I'm considering a suspension upgrade but don't want to go any lower than the car is now. Hence my need to know whether the present ride height is correct or abnormal. I guess I'll have to wait until some family members are around to be ballast so I can measure it again by the book!

[nick325xit 5spd]

Thanks for the prompt reply TostitoBandito. I don't have any issues with wheel/tire clearance with 225/40R18 tires. I just worry how close the underside is to the ground.I have a mid-rise hydraulic lift in my garage and I can't drive the M3 over it unless I lay down 12 x 2 planks either side to drive up onto.

Bentley gives two different ride heights for the M3 itself -- regular and Sport. My car doesn't have the Sport suspension. I guess where I'm going with all this is that I'm considering a suspension upgrade but don't want to go any lower than the car is now. Hence my need to know whether the present ride height is correct or abnormal. I guess I'll have to wait until some family members are around to be ballast so I can measure it again by the book!

If you don't want the car to go lower, stick with stock springs. ALL aftermarket springs will lower the car.

Also, do not expect ride heights to line up exactly with the quoted targets.

[TostitoBandito]

Yeah, if you're gonna refresh the suspension either keep your stock springs or throw on fresh new OEM spec springs. Then you should have no issues with ride height. Or, if you wanna spend $2K or thereabouts you can find a full adjustable suspension kit which has height adjusters so you can set it wherever you like regardless of what springs are used.

[bluptgm3]

Or, if you wanna spend $2K or thereabouts you can find a full adjustable suspension kit which has height adjusters so you can set it wherever you like regardless of what springs are used.

I was under the impression that most, if not all, CO systems lowered the car and stock ride height was not possible.


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[nick325xit 5spd]

I was under the impression that most, if not all, CO systems lowered the car and stock ride height was not possible.


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Some coilover systems will allow you to achieve stock ride height, depending on how they are configured. Most won't, though.

[TostitoBandito]

Yeah I'm pretty sure my GC setup is capable of adjusting to stock height, or at least very close to it. I'm not lowered that much, and at a glance it seems like I have sufficient threads on my adjusters to get there (front might be close, rear has plenty of room). But yeah, the different makes/kits may vary in this respect.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Yeah I'm pretty sure my GC setup is capable of adjusting to stock height, or at least very close to it. I'm not lowered that much, and at a glance it seems like I have sufficient threads on my adjusters to get there (front might be close, rear has plenty of room). But yeah, the different makes/kits may vary in this respect.

Depends on the GC kit, too.

[daytonabitch]

Thanks for all replies. While I have your attention, is there any consensus on the best brand for springs/shocks upgrades? My usage is mostly fun driving on the street and some lapping days -- for the fun of it, not to win any trophies. And TBH I think the stock chassis set-up is such a good ride/handling compromise that I wonder if any spring/shock mods can meaningfully improve handling without wrecking the ride. (Yes, I know there are other things like chassis bracing, stabilizer bars etc that can help handling without affecting ride). I'm running 225/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ rubber.
Thoughts?

[nick325xit 5spd]

Thanks for all replies. While I have your attention, is there any consensus on the best brand for springs/shocks upgrades? My usage is mostly fun driving on the street and some lapping days -- for the fun of it, not to win any trophies. And TBH I think the stock chassis set-up is such a good ride/handling compromise that I wonder if any spring/shock mods can meaningfully improve handling without wrecking the ride. (Yes, I know there are other things like chassis bracing, stabilizer bars etc that can help handling without affecting ride). I'm running 225/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ rubber.
Thoughts?

If you are happy with stock, then the answer is stick with stock. Nothing aftermarket will ride the same.

Also, sway bars ABSOLUTELY effect ride quality.

[bluptgm3]

Koni cut-n-gut w/Dinan springs.
Very light drop (to eliminate the ‘Jeep’ look), very similar to OE ride quality.


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[nick325xit 5spd]

Koni cut-n-gut w/Dinan springs.
Very light drop (to eliminate the ‘Jeep’ look), very similar to OE ride quality.


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Konis ride well, but they are *not* similar to OE ride quality, IMO.

[daytonabitch]

Koni cut-n-gut w/Dinan springs.
Very light drop (to eliminate the ‘Jeep’ look), very similar to OE ride quality.



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Sorry, but what do you mean by cut and gut?

[nick325xit 5spd]

Sorry, but what do you mean by cut and gut?

They are inserted into the stock strut housings.

[Gene V]

Official Koni strut insert video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXSnNZt3NiI

[bluptgm3]

Official Koni strut insert video...

Ya, I was thinking of posting that (Subaru) generic ‘Cut-A-Strut’ but was hoping to find a high quality E36 content.


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