I think I done wrong... Highered suspension?

[e34.535i.sport]

Car in Question: 535i Sport - M-tech suspension...

Ok, so when I bought my front shocks I was in a bit of a bind as I couldn't get the ones I wanted for an affordable price, they were ridiculous.

I ended up getting standard Bilstein B4's I think they were called which went in perfect and are driving like a dream (the old shocks were dead - originals I think! :p)... The only thing is, it seems to have highered my front suspension - this isn't quite right is it? Take a look:

http://img32.picoodle.com/data/img32/3/8/27/f_Image011m_c62bc07.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/8/27/f_Image011m_c62bc07.jpg&srv=img32)

Now, I don't really want to be changing the shocks again and the springs are fine so I spotted this while I was out and about... And I know you guys aren't going to like it -

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_19 2395_langId_-1_categoryId_123108

This thing seems dangerous, but surely they couldn't sell it if it was? I'm very tempted as it would be a good cheap temporary fix to the ridiulous gap between the wheel and the arch... What do you think????

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_19 2395_langId_-1_categoryId_123108

This thing seems dangerous, but surely they couldn't sell it if it was? I'm very tempted as it would be a good cheap temporary fix to the ridiulous gap between the wheel and the arch... What do you think????

Don't use that crap...

Did you retorque your control arms under load afte the install

[632 Regal]

them clamps wont work on struts, not enough room. Like Bob said, did you torque the arms under vehicle weight?

Shocks wont raise the front more than 1/4 inch at the most, the springs control the height not shocks. They will settle down over time, mine dropped .75 an inch after a summer.

[BigKriss]

yeah get new (lowered) springs if the ride height is too high for you, but it looks okay to me.

[632 Regal]

after I first got my car I changed the thrust arms, they were not torqued properly because after it dropped what appeared to be an inch.
Don't use that crap...

Did you retorque your control arms under load afte the install

[uscharalph]

Do you have a before picture?

[sneekens]

Let it settle.. I think shocks to have a "break-in" period. But yeah, it looks higher with a lowering spring...

[e34.535i.sport]

Car in Question: 535i Sport - M-tech suspension...

http://img32.picoodle.com/data/img32/3/8/27/f_Image011m_c62bc07.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/8/27/f_Image011m_c62bc07.jpg&srv=img32)


Here it is BEFORE:

http://img28.picoodle.com/data/img28/3/8/28/f_popandcar11m_b1a55c4.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/8/28/f_popandcar11m_b1a55c4.jpg&srv=img28)

There's definitely a difference, and I torqued both lower and upper arms under load... I did replaced both sets of arms too (and the lowers are now aluminium) but I doubt that would make a difference?

[e34.535i.sport]

Let it settle.. I think shocks to have a "break-in" period. But yeah, it looks higher with a lowering spring...

I hope you're right! I go over a lot of speed bumbs day in day out so hopefully it will settle them soon... I don't like the look of it but it used to be fine with the old shocks.

[Tiger]

Looks normal for M-tech springs... Eibach or H&R is lower... M-tech is higher so there is a gap. Don't fret about it... let it settle.

[whiskychaser]

We are all trying to get our cars that bit better. I'm no suspension expert, but your car looks good and handles absolutely fine. At the risk of a hail of abuse I just want to say the word you are looking for is 'raised'. I dont think it is. But maybe we are entering custom tuning territory?

[Washburn]

While springs support the car of course, gas charging in new shocks can lift ride hieght over what you had, which was zero gas charge no doubt. Common autocross trick is to de-gas shocks for this reason.

[e34.535i.sport]

We are all trying to get our cars that bit better. I'm no suspension expert, but your car looks good and handles absolutely fine. At the risk of a hail of abuse I just want to say the word you are looking for is 'raised'. I dont think it is. But maybe we are entering custom tuning territory?

:D My english isn't great but I used highered on purpose as the silly-sounding opposite of lowered!!!! :D This was also the case with 'done' wrong! (refering to how stupid I've been... :p)

Thanks on the test drive review BTW!!!! :D

[e34.535i.sport]

Thanks guys... I'll see how it goes as I've got a long 500 mile round trip over the weekend - hopefully that might do the trick!

[BMWDriver]

That's the look I have with my stock setup. Some have suggested I lower the front, which I will not do because of winter.

[632 Regal]

if things dont settle I wil swap my fronts for yours, Mine are Eibachs that have settled.
Thanks guys... I'll see how it goes as I've got a long 500 mile round trip over the weekend - hopefully that might do the trick!