[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by GeoFX

So you're pretty much saying go to the dealer then? Be cue I don't think any indy shop would here would do this. They will say the new machines automatically compensate for ballast or won't check ride height

Whatta load! Ya roll it onto a level surface; measure. Ain't rocket science - try somewhere else!

But before you do, ask 'em what if: Ride height of one wheel or more wasn't in spec. Whoa.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by jin

but mentioned that their machines use tighter tolerances than the hunter machines.

makes only for a cheap sells speech

[GeoFX]

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Whatta load! Ya roll it onto a level surface; measure. Ain't rocket science - try somewhere else!

But before you do, ask 'em what if: Ride height of one wheel or more wasn't in spec. Whoa.

Are the ride heights you posted for a 2011 E92 M-Sport RWD?

Thanks!

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by GeoFX

Are the ride heights you posted for a 2011 E92 M-Sport RWD?

Thanks!

They're for my ride [stock] - best verify before the measure.

[maddmatth]

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Ride height is measured from the top of the wheel well fender flange to the bottom of the wheel rim.

Front Stock Values:

16" wheel -- 22.99 in -- 584 mm
17" wheel -- 23.58 in -- 599 mm
18" wheel -- 24.09 in -- 612 mm
19" wheel -- 24.60 in -- 625 mm

Rear Stock Values:

16" wheel -- 22.24 in -- 565 mm
17" wheel -- 22.83 in -- 580 mm
18" wheel -- 23.35 in -- 593 mm
19" wheel -- 23.82 in -- 605 mm

Where do you get these, and are those MSport or standard?

Would be good to know, my car came with adjustable suspension and I'd like to find out how my height compares to stock.

[GeoFX]

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

They're for my ride [stock] - best verify before the measure.

I just measured the ride height on my 2011 LCI E92 MSport with 18" wheels and it matches the numbers on CALWATERBOY's chart. (24.125" in the fronts for my car = ~612mm - on new Bilstein HDs struts)

For some reason I thought the MSport equipped RWD E92s had a lower ride height than E92s with stock suspension...

[feuer]

For some reason I thought the MSport equipped RWD E92s had a lower ride height than E92s with stock suspension...

to my knowledge all NA destin RWD e92 have identical suspension

[Acertx]

Originally Posted by feuer

Doesn't matter indy or delaer! You need competent tech.
The dealers do less amount of alignments so...
Again, it doesn't mater M3, 335i, Corolla or Accord.
The machine will not read any differently how you car is aligned.
Please understand that.
I could go with hand written specs on a piece of paper and say: hey do it like this!
If the tech knows their stuff they will do it. If not forget about it.

Your last alignment could use better toe, regardless of driver in or out.
Either leave and forget about it or have them re do the toe.

Exactly. It's been about 10 years since I've done an alignment, and I was doing it as a student(went a different career path).

For those that don't know when you put a car up on an alignment rack you attach the sensors etc. then you get a real time read out of the settings. A tech can wrench on the car for whatever settings you want. Most places just put everything as green and call it a day. This is why getting an alignment sheet, and going to a reputable place with your preferred settings is a good idea. It takes about 30-45 minutes for an average tech to do a basic alignment, including the time it takes to get your car on the rack and pull it off the rack. Alignments are EASY money for shops and Techs getting paid book.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by GeoFX

I just measured the ride height on my 2011 LCI E92 MSport with 18" wheels and it matches the numbers on CALWATERBOY's chart. (24.125" in the fronts for my car = ~612mm - on new Bilstein HDs struts)

For some reason I thought the MSport equipped RWD E92s had a lower ride height than E92s with stock suspension...

Sport suspension, standard on E92 but not E90/91. *Might* be std on E93 too....

But not for xDrive.

.

[GeoFX]

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Sport suspension, standard on E92 but not E90/91. *Might* be std on E93 too....

But not for xDrive.

.

Thanks. Evidently there's also a +/-10mm tolerance on the ride height when I searched around. Seems like it's pretty normal for the driver's side ride height to be about ~5mm higher to account for fat german drivers.

[nikitino25]

Originally Posted by feuer

Tie rods are the only item that is adjustable, so no, as I already posted above.
The possibilities are:
-incompetent tech
-uncalibrated alignment rack
-shifted subframe from accidents, hitting potholes
-combination from the above
It is not your struts because even prior the replacement the alignment was off.
Is not you control arm because they are new and non adjustable
It can not be the tie rods because they are adjustable and affect toe.
Go to the same shop and just have a new reading form you alignment specs.
If different than when you left you might found you answer.
Shifting the subrame is not hard and any competent tech will point that out as one of the possible issues.
I take cars in for alignment quite a bit. Had to shift the subframe on my car back in 2012

You mention a shifted subframe; are you referring to the front subframe? Is there an easy way to check for this? My last alignment was off a little from side to side as well. Also, I'm getting new M3 control arms front and rear and will need a new alignment again, should I tell the tech to go with the stock 335i settings but just add in more negative camber because of the M3 arms? Should the toe values correspondingly change with added negative camber or stay the same? And I guess I should not accept the car if the readouts are different from side to side, especially camber readings?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

You mention a shifted subframe; are you referring to the front subframe? Is there an easy way to check for this? My last alignment was off a little from side to side as well. Also, I'm getting new M3 control arms front and rear and will need a new alignment again, should I tell the tech to go with the stock 335i settings but just add in more negative camber because of the M3 arms? Should the toe values correspondingly change with added negative camber or stay the same? And I guess I should not accept the car if the readouts are different from side to side, especially camber readings?

If is off side to side and everything else checks out I would assume is the front subframe.
That should be your last resort because is pretty much impossible to measure if the front subframe is off or not.
To shift it is relatively easy when the car is on the alignment rack. All bolts need to be loosen up > shifted/adjusted> tighten up > done.
You can have them set any toe setting you like, has nothing to do with having M3 components or not.
If is more than 0.2 difference in camber I always ask to re do it.

[GeoFX]

Went to the dealership. The alignment specs look better now and more consistent with what the M3 control arms should give regarding the front camber.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by GeoFX

Went to the dealership. The alignment specs look better now and more consistent with what the M3 control arms should give regarding the front camber.

Is perfect. Enjoy driving it!

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by GeoFX

Went to the dealership. The alignment specs look better now and more consistent with what the M3 control arms should give regarding the front camber.

So if the camber is non adjustable, what did the dealership do to increase the negative camber to get it within spec?

Prob pulled out the pins. Pop your hood and check.

Still not sure why your rear toe is so out of whack...

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

So if the camber is non adjustable, what did the dealership do to increase the negative camber to get it within spec?

Don't just assume the machine they used at the previous shop was calibrated and reading correctly. Most of them are not.

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Prob pulled out the pins. Pop your hood and check.

Still not sure why your rear toe is so out of whack...

Maybe they didn't have to remove the pins from the above reason.
Also rear toe although little high especially on the right is still within spec.

Originally Posted by feuer

Also rear toe although little high especially on the right is still within spec.

What a joke. Being "within spec" is pointless if each rear tire is at both ends of the extreme. If you're going to follow a guideline ("spec" exactly is just that; a guideline) at least be consistent.

Heck, I would have preferred the "before" numbers in this situation.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

What a joke. Being "within spec" is pointless if each rear tire is at both ends of the extreme. If you're going to follow a guideline ("spec" exactly is just that; a guideline) at least be consistent.

Heck, I would have preferred the "before" numbers in this situation.

He had 0.7 camber deference side to side before.
You can write what you want but this alignment is better.

[GeoFX]

Yes they removed the pins this time around so they could easily match the camber numbers on both sides.

I'm not sure what to make of the numbers beforehand as those were done on different machines. All I know is that it certainly drives better and having it done at the dealer with whatever their methods are with calibrating AFS (albeit $$) gives me more of a warm fuzzy feeling than having numbers all over the place from before.

Originally Posted by feuer

He had 0.7 camber deference side to side before.
You can write what you want but this alignment is better.

Camber both F/R is "fine" now. What I am talking about specifically now is REAR TOE. Try and keep up...

[GeoFX]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Camber both F/R is "fine" now. What I am talking about specifically now is REAR TOE. Try and keep up...

For an 18" wheel with my final rear toe settings:

toe (in) = wheel size * tan (toe degrees)

.12 degrees toe = .056"
.18 degrees toe = .037"

Difference is .019". Is this really that significant like you're making it out to be?? Esp. when the measurements are still within spec?

The fact that the camber lines up everywhere is more meaningful, right?