How low is your car?

[Lotus72D]

So let's get an idea of how low these cars are. One correct way to determine this is to measure the distance from the center of the front wheel to the lower edge of the fender over that wheel. Same for the back.

Let's see some measurements. Maybe you can throw in your springs/shocks info if you have it and it would be good to hear a few 'my car is stock' numbers too.

This will help us put together a real-life list of the drop provided by some spring/shock combinations.

12.5 front and 11.375 rear ST (old) and Bilstein (new)

[shifty]

Don't forget that mileage and type of shock makes a difference in the ride height. Some springs start to sag after a while.

I can get some good stock numbers if it gets warmer today. I'd have to take everything out of my trunk, though. !@#$

My rear end doesn't seem to sag as much as other stock E28s I've seen.

. . . that last sentence just didn't sound right. . . %)

[.45shooter]

Here are my measurments.....

approx 25,000 miles on Bilstein sports and H&R springs all from the Center of the wheel to the lower edge of the fender

Front 13 1/2"
Rear 11 1/2"

[John in VA]

My car is so low the tires touch the ground!

On 50K ST springs & Bilsteins, with some things + spare in the trunk:
12.63" front
10.5" rear

[Edit by John in VA on [TIME]1140475574[/TIME]]

[a]

low enough so that I have to drive up on 2bys to slide the drain pan under when I'm changing the oil. I have zero interest in going any lower.

[Lotus72D]

any more data points to add to the list?

[booker]

Just as soon as I get mine back from the beauty salon, I'll measure and post up.

[DRP535]

Front: 13"
Rear: 12.1/4"

Koni Sport adjustables with progressive rate King springs all round. .45shooter must have a hella saggy arse with those figures. Higher in front and lower in back than mine. Mine sits dead flat wet and 10mm rake foward dry.

10mm rake forward is stock stance for the M-Technic springs which is what I had before. For info I was going for a replica of the B10 3.5 Alpina version of the M535i for my running heights and these numbers are within a bee's dick of that. They are ~5-8mm lower than stock E28 M5 all round.

Edit: Forgot to mention that measurements were taken on driver's side (which
will make a difference, so you should specify), but in my case it doesn't because car is RHD and leans to right as stock due to LHD design. Strut mounts have been appropriately shimmed and spaced to correct lean. Now sits dead flat left to right without passenger weight.

[Edit by DRP535 on [TIME]1140755200[/TIME]]

[Robert in STL]

Front 12 15/16"
Rear 12"
Dinan springs and shocks (Bilstein). Rear spring perch on second lowest setting and front springs have 3/4 coil removed.

[Damon in STL]

Just installed ST springs with Bilstein Sports

Front = 13.75
Rear = 12.5

Damon in STL

[tsmall07]

what is the factory ride height for these cars? i need to know how much mine is drooping before i know how much to lower it.

[C.R. Krieger]

what is the factory ride height for these cars? i need to know how much mine is drooping before i know how much to lower it.

As you can see, this topic has been used before. In other threads, you'll find that OEM coil springs on these cars don't really sag measurably unless they're damaged or broken. If you have intact OEM springs in your car, chances are it's very near its OEM height.

[Bimmerguy2002]

wont rim and tire size change this Anyway?

[Bimmerguy2002]

13" in the front and 11.5 "in the back

[E28makaveli]

Front = 13.75" and Rear = 12.5".

Suspension is H&R, Koni's front and rear. Rear spring perch is on the highest setting.