[ThatRWD]

I feel like something is going on with my suspension my turns don't feel as planted anymore, the car feels more tilted than it used too (the picture below should help explain what I mean). The first time I noticed was after we did some hard turns and the wheels slipped/drifted during the turns (not doughnuts or figure 8s though) and then last week I noticed it got worse although I havn't done anything since that last time.




07 E92 335i, 42k, KW V3s since 20k, Michelin PSS 255/35/18s rear and 225/40/18s up front, car is slightly lowered, here is a picture to show how much it is lowered (previous owner did it, so I don't know the specs)

[Cloud9blue]

Check alignment. Also, check the sway bar links, since your car is quite a bit lower than stock sport suspension, your sway bar end links (assuming non-adjustable stock end links) might have broken off due to added stress and mileage.

[mbanks21]

Def alignement first. I got a place near me that only charges $55 for front and $85 for 4 wheel. If that doesn't solve it check out the endlinks, control arms bushings, things like that

[ThatRWD]

The first time I noticed was after we did some hard turns and the wheels slipped/drifted during the turns (not doughnuts or figure 8s though) and then last week I noticed it got worse although I havn't done anything since that last time.

[mbanks21]

How many miles on the tires?

[ThatRWD]

15k, could it really be the tires?

Something is broken. You should probably get it fixed.

[cdgatti]

My handling started slowly degrading a couple of months after my new bilsteins, then I started getting a clunk sound when hitting single side bumps. I tightened up all 4 front sway bar end link connections and found the passenger side strut/end link connection loose. After tightening the car handles great again. Sometimes you don't notice it too much when it goes away gradually. For me the clunk was my alarm bell to get in there and fix something.

[ThatRWD]

^ Why did that happen ? And is it easy ?

[shadow191]

As someone said, it could be the sway bars or links since they are what help keep the car flat during corners. They transmit force from one side to the other, so if there is a sudden change and your car is wallowing, that could mean something broke.

Any funny noises or clunks? I doubt alignment if it is something sudden. And your car could be way, way out of alignment and still not exhibit what you're describing.

[pileofstack]

Definitely check your end-links and make sure that the sway bar is not making contact with the control arm (wishbone) directly below it. At your height, it's definitely very close.

Also, to be safe, you should go through re-setup the sway bar end-links to assure that they're installed properly (i.e. when the suspension is supporting the full weight of the vehicle).

[ThatRWD]

No noises, is there a guide to E90 suspension components and what they all do ? I wasn't all that happy with with the E90 suspension even when it was without problems. I'm thinking of doing upgrades to it but I'd like to decide myself what parts to upgrade instead of taking a kit or recommendations.

[tres]

you should check your bushings

Originally Posted by ThatRWD

I feel like something is going on with my suspension my turns don't feel as planted anymore, the car feels more tilted than it used too (the picture below should help explain what I mean). The first time I noticed was after we did some hard turns and the wheels slipped/drifted during the turns (not doughnuts or figure 8s though) and then last week I noticed it got worse although I havn't done anything since that last time.




07 E92 335i, 42k, KW V3s since 20k, Michelin PSS 255/35/18s rear and 225/40/18s up front, car is slightly lowered, here is a picture to show how much it is lowered (previous owner did it, so I don't know the specs)

[reppin513]

For your reference, the sway bar links connect each side of your sway bar (runs across the front of your car ) to each strut. I had bad front control arm bushings, but the car tended to have steering slop or want to drift on the highway with road undulations. I am no pro, but the guys saying sway bar links (stabilizer links), are probably on the right track. I have literally replaced almost every wear item on my '06 suspension trying to eliminate noises and wheel feelings. I finally have a great feeling ride, only to have a new problem arise. The headaches of owning a rolls... I mean bmw. Check out the thread I started an hour after yours for more info on front suspension quirks. I'm sure some good fedback will arise from that to give you more insight. Cheers and good luck!

[ThatRWD]

What should the alignment spec be? It's lowered and the shop is saying that factory spec won't apply since the car is lowered and has KW V3s.

Originally Posted by ThatRWD

the shop is saying that factory spec won't apply since the car is lowered and has KW V3s.

That doesn't make any sense. Find a new shop.

[shadow191]

Alignment specs should be same as stock, that won't change. They may not be able to get it back into spec because of ride height, but the spec doesn't change. FWIW, I have V3's and they were able to get it back into spec.

Originally Posted by ThatRWD

What should the alignment spec be? It's lowered and the shop is saying that factory spec won't apply since the car is lowered and has KW V3s.

[ThatRWD]

How much does raising it back to factory BMW M-Sport package height change handling? Mostly concerned about turns, love that planted feel.

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

Id just get everything inspected, if you really want the planted feeling, buy a set of sway bars!

[ThatRWD]

I'm going to test drive an M3 once I save up some money, either going to LSD + M3 suspension kit on my 335i or just get an E92 M3. They are pretty reliable cars, waiting to see how they do at 100k+.