[e90_chris]

My left-front spring blew this summer. So I bought a pair of used complete front shocks as a temporarily solution, it came from a non-sport e91 so my car got ridiciously high in the front compared to back, ugh

Anyway, due to several things I decided to have a workshop replace both of the springs on my original shocks (sport suspension, 'S226A') and replace them with these e91 temporarily shocks so I could look at the car again with a little smile atleast.

When I picked it up (about 3-4 weeks ago) it hadn't lowered a single bit, looked even higher at first. Talked to one of the mechanics in the shop and he said a colleague had worked on it, and that they'd used M-Sport springs on it (S704A). He told me to give it at least a couple of weeks and it should be better.

I've provided some pics below of what it looks like today (3-4 weeks later).
I used a filter on one of the pictures to expose the tremendous wheelgap a little better. Look at the difference!






What may cause this?
I've tried to take a quick look to see if I notice anything obvious, but I'll have to wait for better weather before I pull off the wheels and give a proper look.

Thoughts?

My first thought is that those are likely X-drive struts up front.

What is the exact code printed on the springs themselves?

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

My first thought is that those are likely X-drive struts up front.

What is the exact code printed on the springs themselves?

^^^

This will help fix your issue. Can you confirm what springs you have?

The struts themselves will have minimal impact on ride height; it's mostly the springs that determine ride height.

I just went through a similar issue with my front sitting much higher after strut and spring replacement, however I just went from sagging old springs to new ones which raised my car back to factory ride height which was much higher than what I was used to seeing. However, my car with non-sport-suspension still doesn't look as high as yours.

[e90_chris]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

My first thought is that those are likely X-drive struts up front.

What is the exact code printed on the springs themselves?

I've used the word shocks instead of struts, my mistake..

It's the factory struts up front still, sport suspension setup.
I saved them cause I knew the car would get raised with the e91 non-lowered struts/damper. So they replaced the springs/shocks on my factory sport struts/damper suspension and mounted them on the car, as it was before. Removing the temporarily e91 dampers/suspension I had gotten hold of.

They've just put M-Sport springs on them instead.

I've got to look later today for that code, I'll come back later!

[e90_chris]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

My first thought is that those are likely X-drive struts up front.

What is the exact code printed on the springs themselves?

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

^^^

This will help fix your issue. Can you confirm what springs you have?

This is from the left-front shock!

[Tambohamilton]

It's possible that they tightened the lower arm joints without the suspension loaded, though that would be an amateur mistake. I can't remember the place to look up BMW spring fitments and part nos right now...there are many variations, and realoem doesn't list them! Could be the wrong springs for your model.

[streetpro]

Preloaded suspension doesn´t get the car any higher, it sound more like wrong springs to me... anyhow the described Sachs No. (Diameter 11.75mm, Length 334mm, Outer diameter 142mm) corresponds with BMW 31 33 6 767 378 and 31 33 6 767 377.
I would measure the old ones to be sure.

[e90_chris]

Thanks for replying!
Well that sucks, the old springs are thrown unfortunately.. They usually don't hand out your old parts unless you specifically ask for it.

Thanks again though!


Edit :
They replaced the upper bearing part on top of the strut, as the 'e91 temporarily dampers' had better bearings. Does changing that top plate really make a difference though?

[streetpro]

It does/could, there are different heights... Z3 is the lowest, Xdrive highest if irrc...

Originally Posted by e90_chris

Edit :
They replaced the upper bearing part on top of the strut, as the 'e91 temporarily dampers' had better bearings. Does changing that top plate really make a difference though?

Again, not unless it came off an xi model...are you sure the E91 was RWD?

[e90_chris]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Again, not unless it came off an xi model...are you sure the E91 was RWD?

Yup.. '06 E91 318i, bought the parts from the scrap yard. Got the registration plate for info as I tried to find some with the factory lowered suspension.. Couldn't find any though so I just went with it as I began running out of options.

O'well, thanks again guys.
Might need to just put some heavy weights under the hood overnight then

[Tambohamilton]

I doubt the top mount is your problem, unless they've somehow spaced it out a load. See here (with translation) for a rundown on the comparative heights of various top mounts:
https://www.e90-forum.de/index.php?t...-e9x/&4f3b3dbc

Personally I think the springs are incorrect. Maybe you could contact a BMW dealership with your vin, and ask them for the part no's for the correct springs?