Performance Suspension and axle alignment

[Slider128]

This may be a dumb question but in looking at the description of the BMW Performance Suspension, it states 'Two front and rear suspension springs are required and the axle must be aligned at installation'. My brain is curious about the part: 'the axle must be aligned at installation'. Is this about the four wheel alignment that one would normally get after the installation, or is there a separate alignment of the axle? I do not know of a different axle alignment. Or maybe this is German speak?

[old1]

It's just the normal alignment. But be advised that BMW has different alignment specs for cars with the PS. Make sure your shop has them.

[Alow]

They do? What are they?

Originally Posted by old1

It's just the normal alignment. But be advised that BMW has different alignment specs for cars with the PS. Make sure your shop has them.

[old1]

I knew as soon a I mentioned this that someone would want them. I'll try to remember to scan the readout at work and post it tomorrow when I get home. Blogs are blocked on my office computer.

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by Alow

They do? What are they?

the PS lowers the car. lowered cars will have greater negative camber.

[My135]

A small negative camber is good for handling. So, sometime a small drop may not need a 4-wheels alignment. Based on my personal experience, I had installed lowering springs in my other car and did not do any wheel alignment and had good handling improvement with no side effect and the tire wear were normal. I know the manufacturers always recommend a 4-wheel alignment after an suspension upgrade and I am just provided another reference point based on my own experience.

[Alow]

I would be really grateful if you do!

Originally Posted by old1

I knew as soon a I mentioned this that someone would want them. I'll try to remember to scan the readout at work and post it tomorrow when I get home. Blogs are blocked on my office computer.

Originally Posted by nordique14

the PS lowers the car. lowered cars will have greater negative camber

I see what you are saying, but not if they adjust the camber back to its original value.. It would just be nice to know what specs they are supposed to do so that I can make sure it was done on my car.

[old1]

If I did this right there should be an attachment to this post. It is the printout of the alignment the dealer gave me when I picked up my car after the PS was installed. The BMW dealer uses the same machine as my tire dealer and I noticed that the specs were different from an alignment I had prior to changing to the PS. Also note that the header specifically mentions the BMW Performance Suspension.

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by Alow

I see what you are saying, but not if they adjust the camber back to its original value.. It would just be nice to know what specs they are supposed to do so that I can make sure it was done on my car.

front camber is not adjustable on BMWs (aside for the small amount from moving the strut tower a tiny bit if you remove the alignment pin). So you get what you get. You lower the car, you get more negative camber. Note that rear camber is adjustable.

You should always get an alignment after changing springs/shocks. The camber change is not going to affect the handling of the car (except for the better) but the toe will likely be thrown off and that can really screw with handling and tire wear.