What is OE E46 M3 stock ride height from factory?

[Maxhouse97]

Went through the depths of this thread and after all of that I took away the recommendation to keep my suspension at OE ride height (my car 80/20 street/track) but I don’t think I ever found documentation of the rear spec height from the factory.

Can someone confirm this for me, front is below:
- Stock ride height up front is 14.25" from the hub center to the fender edge
- Rear ?

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/174116-psa-think-twice-before-lowering-your-car

Gratuitous pic for why I’m asking

[Slideways]

For non-CSL coupe

[Maxhouse97]

Thanks. So math to convert to middle of wheel for 18”:

Front - 606/25.4 = 23.85” - 9” = 14.85”
Rear - 587/25.4 = 23.11” - 9” = 14.11”

[maupineda]

just use mm's, is the proper system. 😂

[Obioban]

just use mm's, is the proper system. 😂

I prefer tire sizes. Inches, mm, and a confusing percent system, all used in one spec.

[old///MFanatic]

just use mm's, is the proper system. 😂

Not in the US when you don’t have a metric tape measure. 🤓

[bavarian3]

Thanks. So math to convert to middle of wheel for 18”:

Front - 606/25.4 = 23.85” - 9” = 14.85”
Rear - 587/25.4 = 23.11” - 9” = 14.11”

I thought these cars were raked stock. Interesting.

[simonnim]

Wait, this is measured from the bottom of the rim? Right where the tire meets the rim?

[Slideways]

Thanks. So math to convert to middle of wheel for 18”:

Front - 606/25.4 = 23.85” - 9” = 14.85”
Rear - 587/25.4 = 23.11” - 9” = 14.11”

It might be a good idea to measure the face of the stock 18" wheel. On an aftermarket 18" wheel, the face is 19.5" (half would be 9.75")

[simonnim]

Ok I get it now.

[maupineda]

Measure as indicated by TIS. You will never be able to accurately place the tape in the exact center of the rim. That is why TIS calls for the rim so you can measure consistently

[old///MFanatic]

Interesting is that the Bentley Manual has the front 18” wheels at 605mm than the 606mm of TIS. Granted between the two, TIS is official.

[BlueBimmers]

Wait, this is measured from the bottom of the rim? Right where the tire meets the rim?

So we're measuring from where the tire meets rim at bottom? TIA.

[simonnim]

So we're measuring from where the tire meets rim at bottom? TIA.

Yeah you measure from bottom where tire meets then you subtract half the rim length since you can't perfectly measure from "center" of rim.

[old///MFanatic]

Yeah you measure from bottom where tire meets then you subtract half the rim length since you can't perfectly measure from "center" of rim.

??