Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[IamFODI]

Tagging on to the question of ride height, I keep seeing the suggestion of 13.5F/13R on this forum in regards to aftermarket suspension, why such a difference?

I have TCK's, I wonder about doing 13.5 all around, or 13.25 all around, why have less travel in the rear?

Also, I personally don't like the asthetics of such a noticeable ride height difference front to rear.

AFAIK...

The front fenders just have more clearance designed into them to account for steering. So, as far as the chassis itself is concerned, equal front and rear fender gaps would mean more rake. Stock rake or less will always mean more fender gap in front than in rear.

[Cubieman]

Tagging on to the question of ride height, I keep seeing the suggestion of 13.5F/13R on this forum in regards to aftermarket suspension, why such a difference?

I have TCK's, I wonder about doing 13.5 all around, or 13.25 all around, why have less travel in the rear?

Also, I personally don't like the asthetics of such a noticeable ride height difference front to rear.

[adr_M3]

Thanks for the reply.
I have some GC street camber plates already installed. Probably should have mentioned that.
Unfortunately, coilovers aren't in the budget at the moment.
Mainly wondering if I should go with Eibach or Dinan...

I recently refreshed my suspension with Bilstein B6s and Eibach springs and the combination is working well for me; the ride firm but not harsh in any way, and this is on pothole plagued LA roads.

[Tbonem3]

Eibach might be a little cheaper or easier to find. Prob be able to get a used set from someone here for cheaper.

[jayjaya29]

Either is fine, but almost all the people that go with Dinan springs seem to like them.

[Bebop]

H&R did not make a good set of springs for this car. They give way too much of a drop up front without a comensurate amount of spring rate increase. The rear is pretty good. Then combine that with the harsh B6s (that need travel) adn you've got a bad combo. They switched up the b12 kit to go with Eibach springs later, which are much better.

Despite the harshness of bilstein, I still think b6s are better than koni yellows. Just need to get a set of Eibach or Dinan springs if you wish to keep that stock style of shock/spring combo. Or look at coilovers. I would suggest nothing cheaper than pss10 or kwv2s. Camber plates (GC or TMS street) would also give the b6 struts more travel up front which would improve things.

Thanks for the reply.
I have some GC street camber plates already installed. Probably should have mentioned that.
Unfortunately, coilovers aren't in the budget at the moment.
Mainly wondering if I should go with Eibach or Dinan...

[Tbonem3]

Is there a database of vehicle height depending on which shocks / springs combo is installed?

I've got some B6 / H&R on mine and the ride is awful, especially the front end. I live in TN, drive on backroads with less than stellar pavement etc and I don't want to deal with that.

I am trying to go back to a higher / more compliant setup and am wondering which direction to head towards.

After reading a whole bunch, I think the Dinan springs are what is the most recommended.
I also read the B6s are lifting the car over stock.
The current setup is about 13" in front, 13.25" in the rear. The rear is good and feels decent, so maybe I'm wondering about just swapping the front springs.
Has anyone tried that?

H&R did not make a good set of springs for this car. They give way too much of a drop up front without a comensurate amount of spring rate increase. The rear is pretty good. Then combine that with the harsh B6s (that need travel) adn you've got a bad combo. They switched up the b12 kit to go with Eibach springs later, which are much better.

Despite the harshness of bilstein, I still think b6s are better than koni yellows. Just need to get a set of Eibach or Dinan springs if you wish to keep that stock style of shock/spring combo. Or look at coilovers. I would suggest nothing cheaper than pss10 or kwv2s. Camber plates (GC or TMS street) would also give the b6 struts more travel up front which would improve things.

[Bebop]

Is there a database of vehicle height depending on which shocks / springs combo is installed?

I've got some B6 / H&R on mine and the ride is awful, especially the front end. I live in TN, drive on backroads with less than stellar pavement etc and I don't want to deal with that.

I am trying to go back to a higher / more compliant setup and am wondering which direction to head towards.

After reading a whole bunch, I think the Dinan springs are what is the most recommended.
I also read the B6s are lifting the car over stock.
The current setup is about 13" in front, 13.25" in the rear. The rear is good and feels decent, so maybe I'm wondering about just swapping the front springs.
Has anyone tried that?

[oceansize]

BMW gets those from Elring, so Elring is good for this part. Headgasket and VANOS gasket are also made by Elring.

Thank goodness, I don't mind spending money on my cars, but 40 bucks on tiny metal gaskets is crazy.

[Slideways]

The triangular exhaust manifold gaskets are now $40 each. No substitutes or is Elring ok in this instance? Seems in the past they were not ok.

BMW gets those from Elring, so Elring is good for this part. Headgasket and VANOS gasket are also made by Elring.

[Cubieman]

The triangular exhaust manifold gaskets are now $40 each. No substitutes or is Elring ok in this instance? Seems in the past they were not ok.

I have only ever used elring for the Sec. 1>2, never any issues. Have reused them once before as well and no leaks.

[oceansize]

The triangular exhaust manifold gaskets are now $40 each. No substitutes or is Elring ok in this instance? Seems in the past they were not ok.

[xansabi]

To the subframe. Part number 8 in the diagram below is the busing the bolt goes through.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=33_1076

Wow, thank you!

[oceansize]

What is the diff's front mounting bolt attached to?

To the subframe. Part number 8 in the diagram below is the bushing the bolt goes through.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BR93-USA-04-2003-E46-BMW-M3&diagId=33_1076

[xansabi]

What is the diff's front mounting bolt attached to?