Ride Height - Quantified

[jrundell]

My suspension and ride height is in a state of flux right now, but I think it would be very helpful to get some solid info on how ride height correlates to different setups for members cars.

I did a quick chart, listing the relevant options that I could think of. If you think this is a good idea for reference, please take the time to copy/paste the info below, and add your car's info to a new post.

Thanks!


CAR
Year -
Model -
US or Euro -
Additional Notes -


FRONT
Strut Insert, Brand/Type -
Spring, Brand/Type -
Wheel, Brand, Diameter/Width -
Tire, Brand and Size -

Height (inches and/or millimeters)
- Center of fender wheel arch inner flange to lower ridge of rim (between rim and tire) -
- Center of fender wheel arch inner flange to ground -

ADDITIONAL NOTES :


REAR
Shock, Brand/Type, Perch Setting (from top, i.e. "2nd ring from top") -
Spring, Brand/Type -
Wheel, Brand, Diameter/Width -
Tire, Brand and Size -

Height (inches and/or millimeters)
- Center of fender wheel arch inner flange to lower ridge of rim (between rim and tire) -
- Center of fender wheel arch inner flange to ground -

ADDITIONAL NOTES :


Please post a side view picture of the car with this setup if possible.

[euroshark]

CAR
Year - 1983 (10/82 production)
Model - 635CSi
US or Euro - Euro
Additional Notes - No sunroof, removed all air conditioning components, heavy front bumper reinforcement


FRONT
Strut Insert, Brand/Type - Bilstein HD with Dinan specific valving
Spring, Brand/Type - Dinan
Wheel, Brand, Diameter/Width - BMW forged M-System 17x8
Tire, Brand and Size - Bridgestone RE760 Sport 235/45/17

ADDITIONAL NOTES : E30 M3 (I believe) upper strut mounts set for maximum camber


REAR
Shock, Brand/Type, Perch Setting - Bilstein HD with Dinan specific valving, 2nd perch from the bottom (6 perches)
Spring, Brand/Type - Dinan
Wheel, Brand, Diameter/Width - BMW forged M-System 17x9
Tire, Brand and Size - Bridgestone RE760 Sport 255/40/17

ADDITIONAL NOTES :

Unfortunately I can't take any measurements for you because the car is completely gutted at the moment. I can tell you for sure that the front is about 0.5" higher than the H&Rs that I had on there at one time. Here's a picture for reference.

[jbd5015]

CAR
Year - 1983
Model - 633csi
US or Euro - US
Additional Notes - Wolfie!


FRONT
Strut Insert, Brand/Type - Bilstein, Sport
Spring, Brand/Type - Dinan
Wheel, Brand, Diameter/Width - Style 32, BMW, 17x8
Tire, Brand and Size - Ecsta ASX, Kuhmo, 225/45

Height (inches and/or millimeters)
- Center of fender wheel arch inner flange to lower ridge of rim (between rim and tire) -
- Center of fender wheel arch inner flange to ground -

ADDITIONAL NOTES : Will measure later, Using E30 shock tower mounts as well, not sure if they are M3 spec or not...


REAR
Shock, Brand/Type, Perch Setting - Bilstein Sport, 2nd ring from the bottom
Spring, Brand/Type - Dinan
Wheel, Brand, Diameter/Width - Identical to front
Tire, Brand and Size - Identical to front

Height (inches and/or millimeters)
- Center of fender wheel arch inner flange to lower ridge of rim (between rim and tire) -
- Center of fender wheel arch inner flange to ground -

[GWL]

If these measurements are to be useful, measuring from the wheel arch to rim will need the diameter of the rim. 16", 17" and 18" wheels will all give a different measurement with the same springs. Measurements to the ground will be the same, as long as the tires are not too different. Also note that E12 based sixer's wheel arches are smaller and therefore will measure closer to the ground. When I compare ride height on my 80 Euro running 16" wheels and my 87 M6 with 17" wheels, I measure from the ground to the rocker panel just aft of the front wheel and just forward of the rear wheel. Another universal measrement is to measure from the belt line to the ground. BMW specs are measured from "lower edge of wheel house to rim flange at center of wheel".

[Zack01GC]

That's a lot of stuff to check, I'll just make an abbreviated version.

H&R Sport Springs
Bilstein Sport Shocks
BMW Style 4, 16x8, ET23, 15mm Spacers on front only.
225/50R/16 Dunlop WinterSport M3 Tires

There is roughly 1" between the tire tread and fenderwell opening. Not sure what perch setting, either. I wish it was lower, actually.

[ozbmw]

Perhaps measuring from the underside of the wheel arch (fender to you US peoples) to the centre of the wheel centrecap will be the best reference as this will not vary with rim diameter.

Having said that, my 1989 Eurospec 635CSi is as follows:
Front damper: Bilstein HD
Front Spring: Eibach Prokit
Front fender to wheel centre: 13.5 in or 345 mm

Rear damper: Bilstein HD
Rear Spring: Eibach Prokit
Rear fender to wheel centre: 13.5 in or 345 mm

Wheels :
BBS RC 090 17" x 8" ET20

Tyres: Pirelli PZero Nero 235/45 x 17

[jmitro]

BMW specs are measured from "lower edge of wheel house to rim flange at center of wheel".

+1

Perhaps measuring from the underside of the wheel arch (fender to you US peoples) to the centre of the wheel centrecap will be the best reference as this will not vary with rim diameter.

+1

that's what many racers use as a reference. also, the bottom edge of the rocker panels as described, as long as the panels are straight and everyone uses the exact same reference.

that said, my car is 13" front wheel arch and 13.75" rear wheel arch. I'm told the car has Vogtland springs on it, but have not confirmed yet. it does seem to ride lower than a lot of the 6ers I see on here. (the wheels are being replaced)

[Zack01GC]

Those Vogtlands look like a nice height. Looks to be about .75" lower than mine.