I am looking for some one who has a bone stock E36 that can take some measurements.

My suspension engineer would like to know the ride height that BMW set these cars at from the factory.

Does anyone have these numbers? Where did you measure it? Is there a set place to measure it?

Thanks for all your help in advance!

They should be 14" front/13" rear. Center of the hub to the fender.

Jon-

Bentley says:

Ride height is measured from the bottom edge of the wheel arch to the bottom edge of the wheel rim. M3 with 17" wheels and sport suspension, front = 22.05", rear = 21.26".

Jay

Jon-

Bentley says:

Ride height is measured from the bottom edge of the wheel arch to the bottom edge of the wheel rim. M3 with 17" wheels and sport suspension, front = 22.05", rear = 21.26".

Jay

Where is the "bottom edge of the wheel arch"? Is that the wheel arch near the top center of the tire?

That's how I'd measure it. Directly above the center of the wheel hub. Bentley doesn't get more specific.

Jay

They should be 14" front/13" rear. Center of the hub to the fender.

Can you translate that into a measurement that doesn't use the fender? Maybe something to the bottom of the door??? You see, I don't have stock fenders on my racecar!

Thanks!

That's how I'd measure it. Directly above the center of the wheel hub. Bentley doesn't get more specific.

Jay

Do you know another location to measure from that is not the fender? My suspension guy is trying to determine the "sweet spot" of the BMW designed suspension. So I need a ride height that I can then set my race car up to, so we can look at teh angles of the control arms, and such. then we can understand how much we can lower it.

Thanks!

Do you know another location to measure from that is not the fender? My suspension guy is trying to determine the "sweet spot" of the BMW designed suspension. So I need a ride height that I can then set my race car up to, so we can look at teh angles of the control arms, and such. then we can understand how much we can lower it.

Thanks!

Sorry, Jon. Mine's not stock. So I can't give you any real world measurements.

Maybe give Jay M. a call at GC.

Jay

Jon - RRT should have all of the dimensions in their suspension analysis program, so they may be able to give you a measurement from a different point of reference. I know you have their front control arms, so you might try giving them a call.

I could measure from the bottom of the inner ball joint to the ground, or from the crossmember to the ground if that would help.

Mine is stock WRT ride height mods.

John

I could measure from the bottom of the inner ball joint to the ground, or from the crossmember to the ground if that would help.

Mine is stock WRT ride height mods.

John

That would be great! A measurement from the jackpoints (small hockey puck shaped places under the car at the front of the door and behind the rear of the door would be great. Also, could you tell me if you still have the doughnuts, or if you are measuring to the metal on the car?

Thanks!!

That would be great! A measurement from the jackpoints (small hockey puck shaped places under the car at the front of the door and behind the rear of the door would be great. Also, could you tell me if you still have the doughnuts, or if you are measuring to the metal on the car?

Thanks!!

I still have the hockey pucks on there. I'll try to do this tonight, if not, tomorrow during lunch.

John V

You can't measure from the ground to rocker panels, doors, etc. Lets say the first guy that gives you his stock ride height has his left front tire under inflated by about 10 pounds, I bet the ride height would change. Different corner weights can change the ride heights also. I am also pretty sure that not all M3's have identical ride heights. Furthermore, the sweet spot can only be determined by your suspension. The sweet spot for AD's, Koni, and Moton can be different because of droop, shock shaft length, etc. Sweet spot also depends on Spring length, spring rate, bumpstop length, suspension travel, etc.
As you can see, it is a lot harder to figure this out. You will need more than a stock M3's ride height.
Give us a call at Ground Control if you need some help.

530-677-8600 Ask for Jay or Dale

You can't measure from the ground to rocker panels, doors, etc. Lets say the first guy that gives you his stock ride height has his left front tire under inflated by about 10 pounds, I bet the ride height would change. Different corner weights can change the ride heights also. I am also pretty sure that not all M3's have identical ride heights. Furthermore, the sweet spot can only be determined by your suspension. The sweet spot for AD's, Koni, and Moton can be different because of droop, shock shaft length, etc. Sweet spot also depends on Spring length, spring rate, bumpstop length, suspension travel, etc.
As you can see, it is a lot harder to figure this out. You will need more than a stock M3's ride height.
Give us a call at Ground Control if you need some help.

530-677-8600 Ask for Jay or Dale


I know it's different for each car, and I know there will be variables. The guy that I am working with setup the GT Class winning Viper of Paul Mumford at Laguna in 2003. All he and I are really trying to understand is where does BMW think the sweet range of the suspension is for street driving. I am not going to then apply BMW's thoughts to my racecar, we are just trying to understand at what angles BMW likes the front and rear control arms to be at.

I already have the RRT Front Control Arms with spacers, and their tie rods - I already have adjustable camber plates and rear lower control arms, so I have the adjustability. All I really need to know is the starting point BMW had in mind.

I will give you guys a call. Thanks!