how low is too low

tomtom · 04-20-2009, 03:26 PM

I understand the lowest one should go on the 335i suspension is 1" around.
what is the technical reason for this?
Does it have to do with suspension travel? I know you need stiffer springs to support the lowered car?

VTECaddict · 04-20-2009, 04:39 PM

too low is when you scrape on flat roads.

BimmerJack · 04-21-2009, 10:53 AM

It really depends where you live.
I live in Hong Kong, and I've been into an indoor parking that I would get scratched if I didn't go diagonally on ramp, AND I'M RUNNING ON STOCK SPORT SUSPENSION, which there are like 4 fingers wheel gap at the front.

leftcoastman · 04-21-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomtom

I understand the lowest one should go on the 335i suspension is 1" around.
what is the technical reason for this?
Does it have to do with suspension travel? I know you need stiffer springs to support the lowered car?

If you lower the car too much, you will DEGRADE handling. People selling you the suspension will focus on center of gravity when selling you a lowering kit, but they don't talk about roll center.

When you lower a car, the drastic change in roll center will make a car MORE likely to lean in corners, unless you compensate by stiffening the springs.

Additionally, the geometry of the suspension goes to hell when you over-lower a car. I run a D/A Tc Kline kit with camber plates and I set it purely for track performance. I have it set to the highest possible ride height, to maintain optimum suspension geometry.

04-20-2009, 03:26 PM	#1
tomtom Captain 54 Rep 986 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ontario iTrader: (4)	how low is too low I understand the lowest one should go on the 335i suspension is 1" around. what is the technical reason for this? Does it have to do with suspension travel? I know you need stiffer springs to support the lowered car?
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04-20-2009, 04:39 PM	#2
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 487 Rep 6,066 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	too low is when you scrape on flat roads. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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04-21-2009, 10:53 AM	#3
BimmerJack newborn bimmer patriot 48 Rep 280 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: 604 --> 852 iTrader: (0)	It really depends where you live. I live in Hong Kong, and I've been into an indoor parking that I would get scratched if I didn't go diagonally on ramp, AND I'M RUNNING ON STOCK SPORT SUSPENSION, which there are like 4 fingers wheel gap at the front. __________________ 2008 E92 335i JB/SB/Alum \| Sports \| M3 Tri-Stiched Steering Wheel w/ paddles \| Full M-tech bodykit \| Vorsteiner Bootlid \| 19" LC Z2S \| and more's coming...
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