OEM suspension refresh

[jylee05]

Hi All - I ended up selling my B16 PSS10 setup and bought new OEM/Sachs struts and shocks. The car actually appears to sit significantly higher than when my car was stock (old pics) and new OEM (from BMW official pics from 2005/2006). Any thoughts?

I went to a new (to me) shop near where I moved to in Miami do the install and now considering taking it to the dealership to make sure it was installed correctly. Welcome any thoughts / suggestions.

Thanks guys!

[maw1124]

New OEM struts will settle over the next few months, especially in the SoFL heat, would be my guess. At first glance, the pic attached (assuming summer Miami rain, current day), seems to fit "about" factory height. I thought the same when I replaced my original rear struts with OEM in SRQ years back.

I'm sure others will chime in.

maw

[jylee05]

maw, that is helpful to hear. will give them a couple months and hope they tame down so i stop looking like i’m driving a 4x4 M3.

i’d rather not have go get eibach springs to help neutralize the look.

[01SG]

Will probably settle a little, but it looks fine.

I never got the eliminate all wheel gap at all costs position. Even the race cars have some. It doesn't change the look of the car much.

If anything, check to make sure you have the right springs for your year and options. Different options got the different paint code. The later cars were also higher.

[stoplician]

Hey Jylee, I just bought an E46 M3 and I need to replace the rear springs and struts. Figured I'd refresh all 4 corners. There's so much info on this forum and a few others about this. I'd love to keep the OEM ride. I'm on the fence on the Sachs and Bilstein B4s. Which springs are you currently running and if OEM what company manufactured them? Also what is your current wheel size? Thanks in advance!

[jylee05]

congrats!

i’ve been through a few iterations:
- bilstein pss10 coilovers
- new OEM (sachs struts and OEM springs)
- eibach pro-kit springs with sachs struts
- eibach pro-kit springs w/ bilstein b6 struts (b12 kit)

i would say firstly replace all your rubber bushings first. i did all genuine bmw or OEM supplier. that had a significant impact on ride / handling.

I’m currently on the b12 and very happy to have finally landed here. for my OEM+ build, ride height is subtle dropped while more comfortable with softer springs than the pss10 springs. the b6 struts are more sophisticated than sachs. it is slightly more ‘busy’ as low speeds but overall much more confident inspiring than the sachs.

hope this helps!

[Cronenberged]

Honestly lowering the car just .5” to me seems to be the sweet spot if you want to lesson the gap. Adds a little aggression but maintains good height for bumps and stuff.