New lowering springs in the E36 M3

[nzsapper 82]

All

Thought Id post some before and after pics of my new H&R Lowering springs fitted

I have spent much time trying to get to the bottom of why my E36 was leaning, changed shocks, had some bushes done all made no difference and never were going to make any difference to the ride hieght issues

1.Tried for OEM springs - only rears avalible at $558

2. Locally purchased springs all where going lower the car further than I wanted , plus a number of firms didnt even bother to call me back when trying to find something local

3. Looked overseas - all pretty much the same as what was avalible here , except for Turner motorsports H&R OE Sport Springs for 1995 E36 M3 .

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-4343-hr-oe-sport-spring-set-e36-m3-1995-only-1996-99-with-additional-parts/

$247 us , $164 us postage and $194 NZ  for UPS here in NZ to sort out the customs side

Drop .7in in front and .3in in rear or 18mm front and 7.5mm in rear. , ended close at 13mm front and 5mm rear

4. Before LHS - worst side for my OCD, the front left was really pissing me off.

5. Pretty happy with ride height now and the imbalance is not so noticable to me anymore it is  still there and I do wonder why?, meh, I assume things still need to settle and it may even out. 

6. But not all went well at Manawatu BMW(not their fault) and the simple job turned into alittle nightmare. Approx 12mths ago I paid a suspension specialist in Palmy to fit new front Bilstien struts, they did . But they had according to Manawatu BMW crossed threaded the top nut and had most likely put it on with a rattle gun consequently the main shaft was striped in the 1.3 hrs it took to get it off. This the second issue I have had since the suspension specialisted worked on my car on that occasion. Taken to machinist who said , shock/strut needed to be pulled apart and the main shaft need to be rebuilt so a new thread could be done. Was going to cost over the price of a new bilstien replacement strut. So had to purchase a new strut, now need to approach said suspension specialist and try get some funds back - dont fancy my chances.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2019 by nzsapper

[Olaf 3317]

good result Paul!  

Re your stripped shaft, ISTR it even says in the instructions "do not use impact tools to tighten top nut" (or similar).  Some of these characters can't read, it seems.

OE Sport Springs were a very good call, on paper.  How's it feeling?  First impressions on back of a postcard, please....

[M3AN 4016]

That cross threading sucks... and I wince every time I see a wheel put on with a pneumatic gun... ?

Now, as for the lean, I've never seen an e36 without one so I feel chasing that is a fool's errand.

 

Edited February 4, 2019 by M3AN
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[nzsapper 82]

Olaf

The new springs have completely transformed the car, I didnt realise how bad the car had become over time and the Turner motorsport write up is basically bang on and couldnt have put it better myself

"H&R OE sport springs provide a minimal lowering and still maintain ride comfort. Only from H&R, OE Sport Springs are for those who desire a slight increase in handling and control. You can expect reduced body roll and superb ride comfort with better driving convenience. OE Sport Springs provide a subtle upgrade"

Edited February 4, 2019 by nzsapper
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[KwS 2425]

A couple of months on, how do you like the new springs?

[nzsapper 82]

Kelvin just seen your question.

Well still a huge improvement and loving the ride, sadly didnt fix the "lean" entirely but enough to keep me happy for now. Just looking at new tires now currently running Falken FK453s but want a change.

[jom 98]

They all seem to be 6mm lower (ish) on the drivers side. Live with it, or you could put thicker spring pads in on one side to even it up - they were originally for raising the car in "3rd World" markets.