the "lean"

JoaiM3 · Mon, Jun-08-2009, 12:40:32 PM

Is this a rumor?: driver side is about quarter inch higher to accommodate driver's weight.

M3GA · Mon, Jun-08-2009, 04:28:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoaiSi 437

Is this a rumor?: driver side is about quarter inch higher to accommodate driver's weight.

+1 to take into consideration of Driver's weight

mthreezycrazy · Mon, Jun-08-2009, 05:26:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoaiSi 437

Is this a rumor?: driver side is about quarter inch higher to accommodate driver's weight.

personally i dont think this is true. and i just recently changed back to OEM springs but im thinking maybe the technician put on the springs bad or something. I heard sometimes they are sometimes put on upsidedown or something ill put up pics in a bit.

mthreezycrazy · Mon, Jun-08-2009, 06:03:04 PM

here is a picture, it may look like the bumper is sagging since m3's have that issue, but thats not the case.

anomaly · Mon, Jun-08-2009, 10:22:39 PM

wow yours is really noticable, my car is off by about a finger gap, aka lower on the passenger side.. I was told by the shop that did my alignment that some cars are slightly off and thats how they are, as long as the alignment specs are okay, you're probably fine. Are you sure you don't have any subframe issues? not sure if that would effect ride height.. I am just throwing it out there..

**vmwerks** · Tue, Jun-09-2009, 02:28:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanbmoore

Uhhh.... sorry guys, I think even this thread has some misinformation in it....

"the car twists to the right under accel, it is the "torque" side of the car. Consequently the right rear spring sees alot more load than the left rear. Look at an old 60's Mustang or Camaro, they ALL lean to the right for the same reason."

Old musclecars have a solid axle, which transmits driveshaft torque through the rear springs. Independent rear suspensions such as the M3 transmit driveshaft torque directly into the body, and it has no effect on the springs. So any spring sag due to drive torque would not be relevant to the M3.

I know, I'm a pain in the a**! I'm surprised I'm even up this early.

Sorry but the right side of the car is under load when accelerating. The independent rear suspension loads more evenly due to the swaybar but the right side is under more stress. The car simply torques to the right, basically in the oppsoite direction of the driveshaft. Torque load has nothing to do with suspension design. Ever notice that the right rear axle breaks and strips it's splines while the left does not? Why do you think this is? Ever do a burnout in a BMW w/o LSD? Which tire does the spinning? Why do you think it does?

mthreezycrazy · Tue, Jun-09-2009, 06:37:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anomaly

wow yours is really noticable, my car is off by about a finger gap, aka lower on the passenger side.. I was told by the shop that did my alignment that some cars are slightly off and thats how they are, as long as the alignment specs are okay, you're probably fine. Are you sure you don't have any subframe issues? not sure if that would effect ride height.. I am just throwing it out there..

as far as i know there is no subframe issues. is it possible that the spring was just put on incorrectly? and a shock could never make a difference in ride height right?

**vmwerks** · Tue, Jun-09-2009, 06:50:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mthreezycrazy

as far as i know there is no subframe issues. is it possible that the spring was just put on incorrectly? and a shock could never make a difference in ride height right?

There is something wrong with your car, period. Check to make sure the pads have been re-installed on both sides, if so then perform the following in your driveway.

Unbolt the bottom of the shocks on both sides
Jack the car off the ground
Remove the wheels
Remove the springs
Swap the springs around

See what happens...

WILMAR 188 · Tue, Jun-09-2009, 02:49:44 PM

Out of curiosity do you think you could measure the difference from left to right sag in the rear. I'd like to know how much more the right rear is sagging more than the left. Are you on OEM suspension and if so what year and how many miles are on the car? I would assume just from the pictures that transitional handling must be scary at the limit as load transfer is not equal from side to side. If you have adjustable coilovers the rebound settings may be out of whack or it may just be time for a new set of rear springs.

EDIT- VMWERKS excellent idea. Simple and free way to see if it's something as simple as the springs which it most likely is. Good luck! Also did not see that you had the OEM springs put back in. Try measuring the difference with and without a driver in the car.

Carbon Black · Tue, Jul-28-2009, 02:51:53 PM

Having exactly the same issue. The rear right ( drivers side - UK) is 15mm lower than the left. Tried swapping rear springs, made no difference. Went to the dealer and purchased 2 new rear springs and pads , made no difference.

Finally went to an independant BMW garage. They had a look around and under the car,then took some measurements. They couldnt find the reason for the sag. No subframe issues, and springs and pads installed correctly.

I was advised to buy Adjustable coilover suspension to raise the right by 15mm to solve the problem. Seems like alot of money for 15mm. Will this work?

Any other reason this problem is occuring and how do you fix it ???

Cheers

Mon, Jun-08-2009, 12:40:32 PM	#11
JoaiM3 2005 BMW ///M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,103 Reputation: 0 Location: San Francisco & San Diego	Is this a rumor?: driver side is about quarter inch higher to accommodate driver's weight. __________________ 2005 BMW ///M3 ZCP

Mon, Jun-08-2009, 10:22:39 PM	#15
anomaly Vert Crew Represent Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 845 Reputation: 0 Location: Gaithersburg	wow yours is really noticable, my car is off by about a finger gap, aka lower on the passenger side.. I was told by the shop that did my alignment that some cars are slightly off and thats how they are, as long as the alignment specs are okay, you're probably fine. Are you sure you don't have any subframe issues? not sure if that would effect ride height.. I am just throwing it out there.. __________________ 04 M3 Convertible 6 Speed Manual <HRE> <Eisenmann> <Active Autowerke> <BSW> <KW> <SPC> <Prosport> <AutoSolutions> <Vornsteiner> <Z06 Brakes>

Tue, Jun-09-2009, 02:49:44 PM	#19
WILMAR 188 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 23 Reputation: 0	Out of curiosity do you think you could measure the difference from left to right sag in the rear. I'd like to know how much more the right rear is sagging more than the left. Are you on OEM suspension and if so what year and how many miles are on the car? I would assume just from the pictures that transitional handling must be scary at the limit as load transfer is not equal from side to side. If you have adjustable coilovers the rebound settings may be out of whack or it may just be time for a new set of rear springs. EDIT- VMWERKS excellent idea. Simple and free way to see if it's something as simple as the springs which it most likely is. Good luck! Also did not see that you had the OEM springs put back in. Try measuring the difference with and without a driver in the car. Last edited by WILMAR 188; Tue, Jun-09-2009 at 02:59:11 PM.

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Mon, Jun-08-2009, 06:03:04 PM	#14
mthreezycrazy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 39 Reputation: 0	here is a picture, it may look like the bumper is sagging since m3's have that issue, but thats not the case.

Tue, Jul-28-2009, 02:51:53 PM	#20
Carbon Black Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Age: 25 Posts: 41 Reputation: 0	Having exactly the same issue. The rear right ( drivers side - UK) is 15mm lower than the left. Tried swapping rear springs, made no difference. Went to the dealer and purchased 2 new rear springs and pads , made no difference. Finally went to an independant BMW garage. They had a look around and under the car,then took some measurements. They couldnt find the reason for the sag. No subframe issues, and springs and pads installed correctly. I was advised to buy Adjustable coilover suspension to raise the right by 15mm to solve the problem. Seems like alot of money for 15mm. Will this work? Any other reason this problem is occuring and how do you fix it ??? Cheers