Spacers to raise the rear ride height

[Gogud]

I searched for replacement rear spring pads for the 1er and found none. There are pads available for older models in 5mm, 7mm, and 10mm from BMW and 15mm aftermarket. How can you raise the rear if your 1? After having a look at the spring cup when changing springs, I saw that there might be a way to do it without screwing things up. Why not add a rubber spacer to sit on top of upper spring cup? There is a tapered part that fits into a socket in the body, so this should keep it centered. I picked up 3/8" rubber from the local Ace Hdw. and cut to fit. The material cuts fairly easily with a sharp utility knife. A pass on a grinder on the outside will clean it up. I started the inner hole undersized and used a sanding drum to bring the size out to a snug fit. The right side of my car sits 1/4" lower, so laminating a 1/8" piece to that one (1/2" thick) gave a ride height only 1/8" lower than the left. I figure that may help to compensate for the weight of the driver anyway. I don't feel comfortable with more than 1/2" total pad height, but you do as you see fit. The center post is tapered, so it gets sloppy when you space it out. Shim stock made for a nice tight fit. I used a thicker shim on the 1/2" side since it sits further out of the socket. I drove around yesterday and today and everything seems fine.

[Lester]

What problem does this fix?

[cpt97m3]

Originally Posted by Lester

What problem does this fix?

When you buy aftermarket lowering springs that end up lowering the rear too much, this will raise it back up some. This shouldn't be needed with OE springs at all. Some aftermarket springs do get too aggressive on lowering for street use.

[1013mm]

coilovers..

[M3R1]

I actually did this with my E46 M3 when I put Dinan springs and Koni shocks. The Dinan springs for that application had an aggressive rake which for me was too low in the front. I put a .200" rubber spacer (same as the OP), and made the cars ride height just about perfect.

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by jzhang

coilovers..

Some people do not like coil-overs and wish to stick with a shock\strut and spring combo.

[M3R1]

FWIW, this time around I will be doing coilovers. I paid for two installs and alignments to get it right. It did however work out well for me...

My worthless opinion...

[Gogud]

Coilovers will allow the car to be dialed in the way you want it (probably). I know this has been hashed out here and on other sites, but when you take a close look at the rear suspension, you'll see that the shock mounts were not designed to take the full weight of the rear of the car. Maybe they work and no one reports problems, but that doesn't mean it is a good idea. Opinions differ, and I don't claim the be the ultimate authority on anything, but to my failing eyes, it looks "a$$ over teacup". Do as you see fit.

[Ctebbs5]

How has this worked out for you? I am looking to raise my rear slightly as well. Is an alignment needed after doing this?

[Dackelone]

A German friend had the same problem with some H&R springs. The rear sat too low. The shop that did the install uses some rubber pads from the rear springs of a BMW E63/E64. I think he also used the bump stops from a Z8 as well. But cutting some rubber "donuts" like you did works too!

[trebila]

http://m.ebay.fr/itm/151088862460?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1

6mm spacer for E8x and E9x.

[trebila]

[spxxx]

[spxxx]

Used the same 3/8in rubber to raise the rear of my e92 on swift spec-r & koni yellows. Results are perfect... The rear ran about 1/2 in too low and it's perfect now

[BMW_ANTHONY]

To do this what steps do you need to take to actually get it on the spring? Do i need to get a rotor jack to compress the spring and holders to hold the compressed spring and take it out? or is there an easier way? Sorry, i really wanna do this, i just need a little help understanding how you actually get it on the spring? Im guessing the spring needs to come off, but that is just a guess.

[Skers 05]

Originally Posted by Gogud

Coilovers will allow the car to be dialed in the way you want it (probably). I know this has been hashed out here and on other sites, but when you take a close look at the rear suspension, you'll see that the shock mounts were not designed to take the full weight of the rear of the car. Maybe they work and no one reports problems, but that doesn't mean it is a good idea. Opinions differ, and I don't claim the be the ultimate authority on anything, but to my failing eyes, it looks "a$$ over teacup". Do as you see fit.

Agreed! PM'd