Damper upgrade geometry adjustment required?

MrRigma · 01-15-2017, 05:00 PM

Just thinking about future upgrades. If I popped m sport or Bilstein b4 / 12 dampers on my 335i SE (e90) then would it need a geo adjustment?

I'm used to working on Elises which when adjusting ride height because of the bump steer characteristics require that the toe at front and rear be changed to suit. Also camber settings too. Are the e90's that sensitive ? Would think that as the dampers compress then more camber occurs along with toe changing which enhances the way the car handles in the corners. I'm brand new to castor on these cars.

Digitalize · 01-15-2017, 06:46 PM

The mere act of changing the damper would mean you'd at least need to get the alignment checked.

As standard the only thing you can change on the front is toe, everything else has no adjustment, rear gets camber and toe but that's it.

MrRigma · 01-16-2017, 02:19 AM

Ahha perfect! Thanks that all makes sense.

Digitalize · 01-16-2017, 07:17 PM

Changing ride height will effect toe, camber and I'm assuming castor, just like the Elise, but you can't dial much of it out without replacing control arms etc.

MrRigma · 01-17-2017, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digitalize

Changing ride height will effect toe, camber and I'm assuming castor, just like the Elise, but you can't dial much of it out without replacing control arms etc.

Cool it's just the damping and springs that I'm after really rather than the actual ride height. On an Elise I wouldn't be that concerned to be honest, I'd get it done but on the daily drive tyre wear is a consideration!

jamherber · 01-17-2017, 10:46 AM

If you're going for the M-sport suspension, make sure you test drive a car with it fitted first Rob. Before we bought our 330i we did and I couldn't live with that level of firmness on a daily drive (especially on our rural dorset roads!), just not pleasant IMHO (my Elise with Nitrons has a better ride). Glad we went for the SE in the end.

Can't comment on the Bilstein kit though.

MrRigma · 01-17-2017, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamherber

If you're going for the M-sport suspension, make sure you test drive a car with it fitted first Rob. Before we bought our 330i we did and I couldn't live with that level of firmness on a daily drive (especially on our rural dorset roads!), just not pleasant IMHO (my Elise with Nitrons has a better ride). Glad we went for the SE in the end.

Can't comment on the Bilstein kit though.

Hey James! :-)

You know me mate I have two BMW's one's an M Sport model (for sale) the other SE so am already familiar with it... Like my two Elises hahaha.

01-15-2017, 05:00 PM	#1
MrRigma Private 4 Rep 90 Posts Drives: E90 335i, 330D 2 x Elise S1 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Banbury, UK iTrader: (0)	Damper upgrade geometry adjustment required? Just thinking about future upgrades. If I popped m sport or Bilstein b4 / 12 dampers on my 335i SE (e90) then would it need a geo adjustment? I'm used to working on Elises which when adjusting ride height because of the bump steer characteristics require that the toe at front and rear be changed to suit. Also camber settings too. Are the e90's that sensitive ? Would think that as the dampers compress then more camber occurs along with toe changing which enhances the way the car handles in the corners. I'm brand new to castor on these cars.
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01-15-2017, 06:46 PM	#2
Digitalize Photographer 407 Rep 2,635 Posts Drives: 320D Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The mere act of changing the damper would mean you'd at least need to get the alignment checked. As standard the only thing you can change on the front is toe, everything else has no adjustment, rear gets camber and toe but that's it.
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01-16-2017, 02:19 AM	#3
MrRigma Private 4 Rep 90 Posts Drives: E90 335i, 330D 2 x Elise S1 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Banbury, UK iTrader: (0)	Ahha perfect! Thanks that all makes sense.
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01-16-2017, 07:17 PM	#4
Digitalize Photographer 407 Rep 2,635 Posts Drives: 320D Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Changing ride height will effect toe, camber and I'm assuming castor, just like the Elise, but you can't dial much of it out without replacing control arms etc.
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01-17-2017, 10:46 AM	#6
jamherber Private First Class 14 Rep 121 Posts Drives: E90 330i N53 & Lotus Elise Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: South West iTrader: (0)	If you're going for the M-sport suspension, make sure you test drive a car with it fitted first Rob. Before we bought our 330i we did and I couldn't live with that level of firmness on a daily drive (especially on our rural dorset roads!), just not pleasant IMHO (my Elise with Nitrons has a better ride). Glad we went for the SE in the end. Can't comment on the Bilstein kit though.
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