does any one regret lowering their car?

[hotdog19d]

I just wanted to know if anyone has had any regrets? I only have sport springs and their great, but it sucks rubbing on stuff and I only have sports. I can't even imagine race springs. This something that never gets bought up...the negative aspects of modding. Any thoughts??

[2ndBimmer]

I have no regrets yet, just gotta be VERY careful with speedbumps and those headstones at the end of parking spaces (my bumper clears em by under a cm).

I have no rubbing in my car.

[JedzE36/5]

i dont really have any regrets, but i do get annoyed by having to weave back and forth on those not so perfect roads. i have a love/hate of the rear negative camber. i like it when i autoX, but it sure does eat those dang tires up.

did you ever roll your fenders hotdog? also to help correct the rear camber (i think we talked about this before), i put in 15mm rear lower spring pads.

[DustenT]

I love the way my car handles since I lowered it. Some advice: Don't replace the springs if you aren't going to replace the shocks/struts as well.

[96cali]

The sport springs do lower a base suspension by .5-.75". Just right in my world. I saw a ti with Eibachs+Bilsteins and could barely squeeze a finger between the tire and fender. Not sure how they actually got around (or how wide her tires were either).

Anyone know of a spring that is between the OEM sport and the 1.5" drop of HRs and Eibach?

[hotdog19d]

Originally Posted by JedzE36/5

i dont really have any regrets, but i do get annoyed by having to weave back and forth on those not so perfect roads. i have a love/hate of the rear negative camber. i like it when i autoX, but it sure does eat those dang tires up.

did you ever roll your fenders hotdog? also to help correct the rear camber (i think we talked about this before), i put in 15mm rear lower spring pads.

Sort of, I used a die grinder on the side that was rubbing. Kind of ghetto but it worked.

[JedzE36/5]

Originally Posted by hotdog19d

Sort of, I used a die grinder on the side that was rubbing. Kind of ghetto but it worked.

whatever works man.

[John W]

I recently bought my ti with Bilstein Sports/H&R Sport springs. Overall, it handles nicely and looks great, but I am finding there are too many compromises for me with this setup.

What I don't like: Bottoming out over speed bumps (front frame rail slams down on the bump unless taken at an angle); excessive toe-in at the rear; probably too much negative camber all around. As a result of the camber and rear toe settings, the tires are all unevenly worn e.g. they're worn completely down on the inner-most edge, while the rest of the tire is not even near the wear marker.

Also, on low speed corners, the front of the car feels underdampened. I think this is due to the springs (which I'm guessing are progressive rate--allowing the car to bounce around too much) rather than the front struts.

I'm still trying to figure out what changes I want to make. It looks like I will try the factory sport spring next. Ideally, I would also probably go with Konis if I didn't already have the Bilsteins.

I'd love to hear any suggestions about a relatively inexpensive set-up for mostly street use that sees some autocross/track school events once or twice a month. Ride height/look is not particularly important to me.

[JedzE36/5]

well i know that the H&R springs are linear. but i have linear springs as well and i experience that same underdampened feeling at low speed corners. ive been thinking about how to fix this too but i cant come to anything.

[hotdog19d]

I got some 15mm pads to install, we'll see if it helps at all.

[Mendi3]

Not at all, the handling and the look of the car is great! I have bilsteins and Bavarian Motorsports springs. The springs are just perfect. I'm running 17''s and they fill the gap between the fender and the tire nicely.

I do have the same problem as everyone else. I have to watch out for speed bumps and headstones at parking lots. Mine clears the headstones by literally millimeters....

But, it's totatlly worth it!

[L84THSKY]

Finally, a dissenting opinion

I think everyone who answers this thread should do so under a polygraph!
Seems no one wants to say it was a bad idea. Hey, I'm still out on my decision, but I know from previous experience, it ain't all good

Originally Posted by John W

I recently bought my ti with Bilstein Sports/H&R Sport springs. Overall, it handles nicely and looks great, but I am finding there are too many compromises for me with this setup.

What I don't like: Bottoming out over speed bumps (front frame rail slams down on the bump unless taken at an angle); excessive toe-in at the rear; probably too much negative camber all around. As a result of the camber and rear toe settings, the tires are all unevenly worn e.g. they're worn completely down on the inner-most edge, while the rest of the tire is not even near the wear marker.

Also, on low speed corners, the front of the car feels underdampened. I think this is due to the springs (which I'm guessing are progressive rate--allowing the car to bounce around too much) rather than the front struts.

I'm still trying to figure out what changes I want to make. It looks like I will try the factory sport spring next. Ideally, I would also probably go with Konis if I didn't already have the Bilsteins.

I'd love to hear any suggestions about a relatively inexpensive set-up for mostly street use that sees some autocross/track school events once or twice a month. Ride height/look is not particularly important to me.

[marcus2116]

L84thsky just becuase your to scared or lame to lower you car doesnt mean that you have to bring everyone else down.

[dodj]

a question from a noob.

I like how my car sits at the rear, but i would like the front to be slightly lower. my suspension is all stock on a sports model (not sure if it differes from other packages, can someone tell me that too?)

i have biltein shocks at the back, not sure what type. I also feel like when i corner that there is more weight on the back wheels, is this normal? it kinda feels like there should be a bit more weight at the front?

[cali-ti]

YES! the roads here (WI) suck so bad, i wish i hadn't lowered it. didn't figure the bav auto springs would lower it as much as it did. if i had it to do over again, i'd do a coilover setup where the minimum drop wasn't that significant, rather than the bav auto springs and bilstein sports. adjustable perches with adjustable shocks and struts i think would be the best setup. i can always change to it later and L8's comments don't make him "lame" or "scared" ... maybe he lives in an area where the roads blow and he drives his car year 'round like many others on this forum. we don't need to resort to those kind of comments. we have a diverse group of people here, all sorts of places, resources at hand, etc ... and any statement is just a statement of opinion. people who live in temperate climates whose roads are in good condition without potholes that have the potential to swallow someones car shouldn't just label others "lame" because they don't think lowering their car is a good idea. can't we all just get along?

i think you really need to evaluate your roads and environment and what you'll be using your car for to determine if lowering is a good idea. enjoy your car and take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt ... just like we'll take yours.