I think my car could use about a 1" drop. I am new to bimmers, so excuse the ignorance. What brand is better? Will I have tire rubbing issues with the OEM 19s with 245s up front and 275s in the back? I have seen some H&R, Eibach, and Tein springs for sale used for $100 to $150. Also, is alignment a b-tch?
Thanks.

You can use either H&R or Eibach. H&R will go lower, Eibach will be smoother. You can upgrade to 245 / 275 tires with no rubbing issues if you lower it with just springs. Alignment should be possible with the factory alignment equipment.

I think my car could use about a 1" drop. I am new to bimmers, so excuse the ignorance. What brand is better? Will I have tire rubbing issues with the OEM 19s with 245s up front and 275s in the back? I have seen some H&R, Eibach, and Tein springs for sale used for $100 to $150. Also, is alignment a b-tch?
Thanks.

I went through the same thing. I wound up choosing Eibach as I wanted to lower the car, but keep it from looking 'dropped'. The Eibach lowers the front 1/2 an inch and the rear 9/10ths of an inch. This give the car a more 'leveled' appearance as well.
Here's a pic... http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434572

I had the car aligned at the dealer without issue, and I'm running 275(R) 245(F) on 19" wheels.

If it helps here are the alignment numbers for the EIbach Pro-Kit.

description...spec...............L/R...units
F camber...-0.9 to -1.3...-1.2/-1.3...deg
Caster..........6 to 7..........6.6/6.7...deg
F toe.......0.04 to 0.10....0.06/0.05...."
cross camber....+/-0.5.......+0.1...deg
cross caster.....+/-0.5.......+0.1...deg
total toe......0.08 to 0.19.....0.11..."

R camber...-1.0 to -1.5....-1.3/-1.3...deg
R toe........0.07 to 0.12.....0.08/0.09...."
total toe......0.13 to 0.23.....0.17......."

I am thinking Eibach or UUC.

Thanks guys.

I am thinking Eibach or UUC.

Thanks guys.

Are you going to install yourself?

If so, shoot me a note and we can do a quick call and I'll share some of my experiences that might save you some time....

Are you going to install yourself?

If so, shoot me a note and we can do a quick call and I'll share some of my experiences that might save you some time....

Will do - thanks very much.

I went with Eibach settup and I'm happy with the way it rides and looks. I put 20" wheels and have no rubbing issues.

I'm also happy with the Eibach pro kit. I'm running F245/35-19x9 and R275/30-19x10 and I have no issues with rubbing. I even have a very steep grade driveway approach and they don't rub.

The Eibach springs were just a bandaid until I could buy some coilovers, but I've been really impressed over the past 6 mo's...so much so that I'm not in a hurry to get the coilovers.

Pix

http://members.roadfly.com/argento/03E46M3/Resized_E46isoFlag_121805.JPG


http://members.roadfly.com/argento/03E46M3/Resized_RrIso_121805.JPG


Good luck,
jjr

There is no way I am getting coilovers. This car handles pretty good stock. I just wanted to bring it down about an inch.

I think I am going to go with the UUCs once I pay off the rims and other mods I just bought.

There is no way I am getting coilovers. This car handles pretty good stock. I just wanted to bring it down about an inch.

I think I am going to go with the UUCs once I pay off the rims and other mods I just bought.

Just understand, and I can't recall where I found the info, that if you drop the car more than 1" the stock shocks/struts will not suffice. The UUC kit drops front 1.6 and the rear 1.4.

With that in mind, the main asthetic change I was looking for was a 'leveling' and the UUC would only intensify that.

My understanding is that the UUC springs are designed for use with the stock shocks/struts.

The only springs that I would trust using with the stock shocks would be Eibachs. Every other spring available drops the car too much, putting the shocks outside of their optimal operating range.

I have the eibachs and in the begining they were great. Now I am starting to hate them because I tracked my car alot and just generally on the street I am that ass you see drifting every turn. Well from doing this my car is way off camber even bmw cant pull it back to stock or even close so my tires are just wearing on the inner edge hardcore. I ordered the camber kit from eibach so I will just have to see if that fixes the problem. I mean the ride is still great just my tires keep on going after about 8000 miles if that.

Well if you are "drifting every turn" and "tracking your car alot" then 8000 miles is about all I would expect to see for tire life. I am considering getting a camber kit to use with my Eibach pro-kit, simple cause I want to dial out even more of the understeer. I am not sure if I am going to go with the TC Kline, the Ground Control or the TMS camber kit.

You can use either H&R or Eibach. H&R will go lower, Eibach will be smoother. You can upgrade to 245 / 275 tires with no rubbing issues if you lower it with just springs. Alignment should be possible with the factory alignment equipment.

Hey Kevlar, what tire pressures are you running with your RG4's. I'm kinda shooting in the dark. I'm running F33/R36 right now, but get little wiggle on hard accel. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
jjr

I normally run 34/36 ... if you are getting a wiggle on acceleration, it may be your RTABs being shot (mine were shot at 40k miles).

well the wear isnt even across whatsoever it is definitely just the inner edges.

also... don't forget. Under acceleration, the rear of the M3 squats and as it does, it magnifies the negative camber issue of the rear tires. So... you can either run not enough negative camber in the rear so when you launch you get a even flat spot across the entire tire or you can setup the rear camber so that you get a flat spot across when balanced, but excessive under hard acceleration.

also... don't forget. Under acceleration, the rear of the M3 squats and as it does, it magnifies the negative camber issue of the rear tires. So... you can either run not enough negative camber in the rear so when you launch you get a even flat spot across the entire tire or you can setup the rear camber so that you get a flat spot across when balanced, but excessive under hard acceleration.

Thanks K. I think it might be my rtabs...I'll check them out...


Happy Holidays!
jjr