Lowering, alignment, and BMW Service

aakrusen · 10-25-2011, 02:14 PM

I recently lowered my 335xi with the Eibach Pro Kit (2092.140) and I'm taking the car to BMW to get the alignment because the local shops (Les Schwab, Tirerama, Discount Tire) all say that they can't do it because of some special way the alignment needs to be done and BMW can only do it. I'm not sure if it's true but I don't have much choice.
My question is can the car's camber and toe settings be adjusted enough to accommodate the new lowered height? The front dropped .875" and the rear about .563"
Do I have to get some camber bolts or something like them?

tres · 10-25-2011, 04:07 PM

the only way you will have to take it to the dealer is if you have the active steering option. As for the lowering you should be good. I'm running -1.05 upfront and im not lowered and doing fine wear and handling wise. As far as the rear you are allowed -1.75. I would let the car settle for a few and then take it to the alignment shop. I did mine at pep boys with no issues and also took it to a tuner shop also. No difference only in price.

BAL278 · 11-10-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tres

the only way you will have to take it to the dealer is if you have the active steering option. As for the lowering you should be good. I'm running -1.05 upfront and im not lowered and doing fine wear and handling wise. As far as the rear you are allowed -1.75. I would let the car settle for a few and then take it to the alignment shop. I did mine at pep boys with no issues and also took it to a tuner shop also. No difference only in price.

1

MassBimmer · 11-10-2011, 08:29 PM

It's useless to take it to the dealer because they'll just put it back to factory settings, which won't be correct now that you're lowered. Take it to a tuning/performance shop and they'll do it properly

mjlav3 · 11-04-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aakrusen

I recently lowered my 335xi with the Eibach Pro Kit (2092.140) and I'm taking the car to BMW to get the alignment because the local shops (Les Schwab, Tirerama, Discount Tire) all say that they can't do it because of some special way the alignment needs to be done and BMW can only do it. I'm not sure if it's true but I don't have much choice.
My question is can the car's camber and toe settings be adjusted enough to accommodate the new lowered height? The front dropped .875" and the rear about .563"
Do I have to get some camber bolts or something like them?

Was this the final drop after the bilstein sports? I am looking at the same setup with an '09 335i xDrive.

aakrusen · 11-04-2012, 10:51 PM

I never purchased the Bilsteins (still want to) so I don't know if there would be a height difference with those struts vs the stock ones.

To answer my own question, the stock camber system was flexible enough to get me the camber I wanted. IDR but it's somewhere around -1f and -2r. I forget the toe settings.

In case any one is interested, here's the current height with the Eibach springs and stock struts with one year's worth of use. Measurements taken from the center of the wheel to the wheel well on the passenger side. 13.5"f and 13"r.

Also, those Eibachs are the springs for the RWD because the AWD Eibach springs were not aggressive enough for me.

10-25-2011, 02:14 PM	#1
aakrusen To Punish and Enslave 35 Rep 243 Posts Drives: with both hands on the wheel Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Under the hood iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 M3 E92 [9.00]	Lowering, alignment, and BMW Service I recently lowered my 335xi with the Eibach Pro Kit (2092.140) and I'm taking the car to BMW to get the alignment because the local shops (Les Schwab, Tirerama, Discount Tire) all say that they can't do it because of some special way the alignment needs to be done and BMW can only do it. I'm not sure if it's true but I don't have much choice. My question is can the car's camber and toe settings be adjusted enough to accommodate the new lowered height? The front dropped .875" and the rear about .563" Do I have to get some camber bolts or something like them?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-25-2011, 04:07 PM	#2
tres Major 34 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: 2011 bmw 335is 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: maryland iTrader: (6)	the only way you will have to take it to the dealer is if you have the active steering option. As for the lowering you should be good. I'm running -1.05 upfront and im not lowered and doing fine wear and handling wise. As far as the rear you are allowed -1.75. I would let the car settle for a few and then take it to the alignment shop. I did mine at pep boys with no issues and also took it to a tuner shop also. No difference only in price.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-10-2011, 08:29 PM	#4
MassBimmer Major General 313 Rep 7,436 Posts Drives: 2023 i4 M50 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 BMW [9.24]	It's useless to take it to the dealer because they'll just put it back to factory settings, which won't be correct now that you're lowered. Take it to a tuning/performance shop and they'll do it properly
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-04-2012, 10:51 PM	#6
aakrusen To Punish and Enslave 35 Rep 243 Posts Drives: with both hands on the wheel Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Under the hood iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 M3 E92 [9.00]	I never purchased the Bilsteins (still want to) so I don't know if there would be a height difference with those struts vs the stock ones. To answer my own question, the stock camber system was flexible enough to get me the camber I wanted. IDR but it's somewhere around -1f and -2r. I forget the toe settings. In case any one is interested, here's the current height with the Eibach springs and stock struts with one year's worth of use. Measurements taken from the center of the wheel to the wheel well on the passenger side. 13.5"f and 13"r. Also, those Eibachs are the springs for the RWD because the AWD Eibach springs were not aggressive enough for me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote