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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Front coilover / wheel clearance. How close is too close?



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      02-17-2022, 02:26 PM   #1
whyzee125
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Front coilover / wheel clearance. How close is too close?

Hey guys,

Super excited to be installing my KW street comforts. I've been wanting this suspension for a while and my install is almost complete!

My clearance up front is going to work, like I'd hoped it would, but I'm wondering how low I can go.

I have 18x9 et30 wheels up front with 255/35r18 tires so the clearance is very tight. I used Dinan camber plates which raise the ride height about 6mm.

I've gotten the height roughly where I want it and it's really about as low as I can go. The adjuster is kind of a conical shape so the lower I go, the closer it gets to the tire.

Problem is, the threads are even on both sides but the drivers side is sitting a bit higher, meaning I need to adjust that side down a little more. I can do it, but the adjustment collar will probably be 2-3mm from the tire. Safe to do or should I raise the passenger side up a bit? Not willing to run spacers and I would rather lower the high side but I don't want them to contact obviously.

What sort of clearance have you guys run? Excuse the ms paint drawing but hopefully that helps visualize where I'm at.

Thanks!
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      02-17-2022, 04:37 PM   #2
whyzee125
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UPDATE: it seems like not a lot of people are in the same boat with this platform as most either use a spring/shock combo or a coilover setup that utilizes custom springs where they order them short enough to sit above the wheel.

I did some more digging and it looks like on the Subaru forum, it's common to be 2-3mm away at all 4 corners and many seem to report that even after track days and hard driving, there are no signs of contact so I think I'm just going to lower the other side down to where I like it and try that out. I can always raise it a tad if there's any contact.

Thanks guys!
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      02-17-2022, 05:35 PM   #3
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If it ain't rubbing, you're good.

Even if it is.... well... can get away with a little bit :P

The attached pics worked oK on my e36. You can get pretty close. Top of the tire shouldn't move very much.
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      02-17-2022, 05:39 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian86 View Post
If it ain't rubbing, you're good.

Even if it is.... well... can get away with a little bit :P

The attached pics worked oK on my e36. You can get pretty close. Top of the tire shouldn't move very much.
Haha this is what I wanted to hear. Appreciate the pics, I think that's about where mine will be too or maybe not quite that close
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      03-03-2022, 06:20 PM   #5
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How close did you end up?
I've just installed ST X coilovers so very similar to you, and I plan on running 18x8.5j ET35 with a 255/35/18.
For reference - different OEMs work to different dynamic clearance envelopes up to around 10-15mm.
Personally I'd be looking for at least 5mm for something with as much variation as a tyre.
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      03-03-2022, 06:57 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bennyball View Post
How close did you end up?
I've just installed ST X coilovers so very similar to you, and I plan on running 18x8.5j ET35 with a 255/35/18.
For reference - different OEMs work to different dynamic clearance envelopes up to around 10-15mm.
Personally I'd be looking for at least 5mm for something with as much variation as a tyre.
It honestly wasn't as close as I thought and I could go a bit lower too. I'd say I'm 8mm and I'm right at the ride height that I want to be at. Good luck!
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      03-04-2022, 10:10 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whyzee125 View Post
It honestly wasn't as close as I thought and I could go a bit lower too. I'd say I'm 8mm and I'm right at the ride height that I want to be at. Good luck!
That's great news!
Any chance you should share your ride heights please?
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      03-04-2022, 10:45 AM   #8
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Side note, you should send your gfx to KW so they can include it in their instructions and promotional materials.
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      03-04-2022, 11:35 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bennyball View Post
That's great news!
Any chance you should share your ride heights please?
I have Dinan rear shock mounts for a little more shock travel before losing ride quality. In the front, I have Dinan camber plates which forced me to lower the adjustment about 8mm, putting it right in the middle of the adjustment range. Ride quality is excellent. Ground to fender is measured as follows:

Front: 25 1/2"
Rear: 25 1/16"
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      03-04-2022, 01:22 PM   #10
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I'm running 19s and my wheel is 1-2mm away from hitting the collar. Not an issue. Tire could be a different story since is will flex.
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      03-04-2022, 03:25 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yotaismygame View Post
I'm running 19s and my wheel is 1-2mm away from hitting the collar. Not an issue. Tire could be a different story since is will flex.
Agreed, I was nervous the sidewall flex might hit it when I was thinking I would be 4-5mm away but once I got my ride height where I wanted it I realized I actually have a decent amount of room so I don't think it will be an issue for me. His might if it's a lot closer. I can fit my finger between the tire and the collar but barely.
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      03-05-2022, 03:30 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whyzee125 View Post
I have Dinan rear shock mounts for a little more shock travel before losing ride quality. In the front, I have Dinan camber plates which forced me to lower the adjustment about 8mm, putting it right in the middle of the adjustment range. Ride quality is excellent. Ground to fender is measured as follows:

Front: 25 1/2"
Rear: 25 1/16"
Thanks mate.
Did you notice a difference swapping to the dinan rear mounts?
I've gone with X drive front mounts for the same principle.
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      03-06-2022, 07:14 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bennyball View Post
Thanks mate.
Did you notice a difference swapping to the dinan rear mounts?
I've gone with X drive front mounts for the same principle.
I did it at the same time as the coilover install so can't say. I had YCW coilovers before which have adjustable length rear shocks. I switched to KW street comfort which some say ride a little weird when lowered too far so figured this would help keep me from running into that. I have tons of travel and could go lower if I wanted to. Very happy.
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      08-31-2024, 09:59 AM   #14
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I’m having the same problem running 19x9 et34 In the front with 245/35/19 tires. The size wheel I wanted were back ordered so I knew this might’ve been too close. Waiting on my 10mm spacers to come in and hopefully it clears just fine! Definitely riding close to that spring though. lol what yall think?
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      08-31-2024, 11:55 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peether View Post
I’m having the same problem running 19x9 et34 In the front with 245/35/19 tires. The size wheel I wanted were back ordered so I knew this might’ve been too close. Waiting on my 10mm spacers to come in and hopefully it clears just fine! Definitely riding close to that spring though. lol what yall think?
Its hard to tell exactly how close you are but mine was pretty dang close and some other users even closer so imo if you’re 1-2mm away you’re fine
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      09-02-2024, 12:07 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whyzee125 View Post
Its hard to tell exactly how close you are but mine was pretty dang close and some other users even closer so imo if you’re 1-2mm away you’re fine
Spacers are in.. getting them slapped on today. Wish me luck! I’ll snap some pics when it’s done.
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      09-03-2024, 02:10 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peether View Post
Spacers are in.. getting them slapped on today. Wish me luck! I’ll snap some pics when it’s done.

What yall think? Pretty happy with the front so far. We’ll see if I wanna do spacers in the back for a more “flush” to fender fitment. Not gonna lie I love it either way. Let’s hope there’s no rubs! So far so good.
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      09-03-2024, 01:42 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peether View Post
What yall think? Pretty happy with the front so far. We’ll see if I wanna do spacers in the back for a more “flush” to fender fitment. Not gonna lie I love it either way. Let’s hope there’s no rubs! So far so good.
It looks great! IMO you could even go a bit more aggressive--I think 15-18mm would look awesome!
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      09-03-2024, 02:30 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whyzee125 View Post
It looks great! IMO you could even go a bit more aggressive—I think 15-18mm would look awesome!
Yup! Gonna wait for coils to fully settle then I’ll prolly throw some spacers on!
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