Ride Height Measurements

[wake74]

Is there a standard measurement for factory ride height?

A search on this site found some numbers, but no clear basis for measurement location or model info (sport verses non-sport).

The next project on my 318ti Sport is to start shopping for suspension components. I see some posts about that this suspension will lower it X inches, etc.

I frankly don't want to lower my car any more than it already sits. I already drag if I drive straight out of my drive-way on the transition between driveway and street. Granted I've got old tired shocks and springs, so no telling how much settling I'm dealing with. I may find that anything I put on my car (lowering or not), actually raises it.

Thanks!

Glenn

[1996 328ti]

This tell you anything?
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4079

[wake74]

Unfortunately that post just lists measurements without any reference to the method of measurement. Without any point of reference reference they are just random numbers.

[wake74]

Can someone just go out and take a few measurements in fixed locations for me? Maybe the distance to ground from the center of each of the 4 jack points, or from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the wheel arch (vertically)?

I'd really like to see how much "sag" I have before worrying about whether any new suspension I purchase would drop it further.

Thanks!

[geetarspaz]

just to let you know regarding the PM, this is what the H&R's look like in the front. http://d.pr/i/99S4

Originally Posted by wake74

Can someone just go out and take a few measurements in fixed locations for me? Maybe the distance to ground from the center of each of the 4 jack points, or from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the wheel arch (vertically)?

I'd really like to see how much "sag" I have before worrying about whether any new suspension I purchase would drop it further.

Thanks!

[Dr Shuffles]

You don't want to measure from the body to the ground, because that measurement will also be affected by the tires. Center of wheel to top of wheel arch is the way to go.

I'll try to measure mine later today. Can't do it now because it's not parked on a level surface.

[Dr Shuffles]

The Bentley manual has a chart of what the ride height is supposed to be. (They measure from the top of the wheel arch to the bottom edge of the rim, which is kind of weird.) This is for all the E36 cars except the M3s.

FRONT (page 310-5):

15 rims, regular suspension: 576mm
15 rims, sport suspension: 561mm

16 rims, regular suspension: 589mm
16 rims, sport suspension: 574mm

17 rims, regular suspension: 604mm
17 rims, sport suspension: 589mm


REAR (page 330-1):

15 rims, regular suspension: 518mm
15 rims, sport suspension: 507mm

16 rims, regular suspension: 531mm
16 rims, sport suspension: 520mm

17 rims, regular suspension: 546mm
17 rims, sport suspension: 535mm

[wake74]

That is very helpful. I didn't recall seeing that in the manual.

It will be interesting to see what I get when I measure tonight.

Thanks!

[wake74]

Interesting. With my 16" wheels and the factory sport suspension, I am at 575 mm front and 543 rear. It's pretty consistent side to side.

Odd in that I have more than 1" of sag in the rear but the front is near the stock ride height.

Car is still a bit like a see-saw when accelerating and braking :-)

[Dr Shuffles]

The numbers I posted originally were only for the front. I edited my post to include both front and rear. Sorry for spreading bad information.

[Dr Shuffles]

Also, Bentley measured it with the car loaded (68kg in each front seat, 21kg in the trunk, full fuel tank). If you measure it empty, you should expect it to be a little higher, especially in the rear.

So sounds like your car is still within specs. If you don't want to go any lower, and your springs aren't cracked, just reuse the old springs.

[wake74]

Thanks for the follow up and addition to the previous data. That makes more sense as I thought my car had plenty of rake.

[wake74]

Now that I know I am not sagging that would imply that the springs have not gone soft. I don't think the car feels bouncy (bad springs) it just feels very soft, not the sporty feel I was expecting on a BMW with a sports suspension. Nose diving too much under braking and a bit too much squatting under acceleration (which isn't exactly a lot in these cars).

Any suspension diagnostic thoughts without just stripping everything down and replacing it?