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      04-26-2013, 11:05 AM   #1
vantagesc
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BMW PS Install: Rear 1" higher than the front, will it settle?

I recently installed the BMW PS and see that the rear ride height is about an inch higher than the front. At the same time, I installed all of the bolt on M3 parts except the camber links. The front suspension was installed about a week prior to the rear suspension, but the car was not driven in that intervening time.

Will the rear ride height settle down? My mechanic told me that the rear will surely settle because there is a lot of new rubber in there. I've done a lot of searching and many people have said that springs can settle up to 1". Other people have said that springs don't settle if installed properly. I just got the car back 5 days ago, so I will give it more time, but something seems off because the front is already at the correct ride height, without any driving. I'm hoping that the rears springs / shocks were seated correctly.
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      04-26-2013, 11:12 AM   #2
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How are you taking the measurement? Measure from the edge of the fender down to the center of the wheel. Differences in inflation pressure can greatly skew measurements to the ground. Also be sure you're on a very flat level surface.
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      04-26-2013, 11:33 AM   #3
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Ive had a few sets of different types of suspension in different cars and i never found that springs "settled." They can and will move around a little and seat into proper position assuming they were close to begin with, however.

10mm drop is about right for the drop in front, so they seem to have installed those properly. I would bring it back in and have them re-confirm that they are installed properly so that ~30 days down the road when you bring it back in because it didnt "settle" they cant give you grief over it.
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      04-26-2013, 01:31 PM   #4
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Agreed, the back does not sound right at all. It will change a little over time but nowhere near what you are hoping for.

I haven't had this car apart yet, but some I've owned in the past had multiple positions that a rear spring perch can be placed on a strut body, perhaps that's the case here and the "wrong" location was used? Or perhaps the wrong springs were ordered and installed, something intended for a heavier car.
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      04-26-2013, 04:06 PM   #5
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The PS springs are VIN specific. You are sure your dealer gave you the right ones?

Springs DO settle. Sometimes it takes a few weeks. Maybe take some(three) large friends for a ride in your car?
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      04-26-2013, 04:17 PM   #6
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Wrong shocks/struts might put the spring perch too high if my other idea doesn't apply. Did you get springs & shocks both?

Are there any other components in there that could have been assembled upside down? A plate of some sort? (Again I haven't had this car apart yet but past cars that can apply, there's a few parts intended to nestle into each other that can get flipped accidentally).
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      04-26-2013, 04:27 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tracer bullet View Post

Are there any other components in there that could have been assembled upside down? A plate of some sort? (Again I haven't had this car apart yet but past cars that can apply, there's a few parts intended to nestle into each other that can get flipped accidentally).
A friend of mine over here has a 120d. When he lowered his with H&R springs his rear end was too high for his liking. He took the car back to the shop that did the install. They used a combo or Z8 and the last 6er rear spring perch rubber pad. The 6er uses a thiner spring perch pad than our cars. Sorry I don't have any other info.

Btw... when you measure the ride height, measure from the wheel arch to the wheel center lines.

#8 in this pic...
Name:  rear springs 135i  237.png
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http://realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?mo...22&hg=33&fg=45


You might want to ask a second dealer to double check the spring part numbers that you have. Maybe Dan@United or Jason@Tischer can help you out here.
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      04-26-2013, 05:01 PM   #8
vantagesc
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Thanks guys.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tracer bullet View Post
Wrong shocks/struts might put the spring perch too high if my other idea doesn't apply. Did you get springs & shocks both?

Are there any other components in there that could have been assembled upside down? A plate of some sort? (Again I haven't had this car apart yet but past cars that can apply, there's a few parts intended to nestle into each other that can get flipped accidentally).
I'll check the part #'s of the shocks when I take it back to the mechanic. Tischer provided all the parts, but I thought that BMW pre-packs the suspension and then the dealer just has to supply the correct springs. I suppose BMW could have messed up with which mounts to supply.
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      04-26-2013, 05:14 PM   #9
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Way too much gap something is wrong...
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      04-26-2013, 05:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vantagesc View Post
Thanks guys.



I'll check the part #'s of the shocks when I take it back to the mechanic. Tischer provided all the parts, but I thought that BMW pre-packs the suspension and then the dealer just has to supply the correct springs. I suppose BMW could have messed up with which mounts to supply.
The PS shock kit is all pre packed. But there are MANY different springs listed for the PS. They are VIN specific bc your car's options can effect which springs are correct for your car.
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      04-26-2013, 06:31 PM   #11
vantagesc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
The PS shock kit is all pre packed. But there are MANY different springs listed for the PS. They are VIN specific bc your car's options can effect which springs are correct for your car.
But are there multiple springs that are all labelled as T3? Because I already confirmed that T3 is correct for my car, unless there are more springs within the T3 label.
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      04-26-2013, 06:33 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vantagesc View Post
But are there multiple springs that are all labelled as T3? Because I already confirmed that T3 is correct for my car, unless there are more springs within the T3 label.
I do not know. Most springs I have seen before (VAG stuff) have paint dots on the coils. I'm not sure how BMW marks their springs. Thats why I think you need to double or triple check.
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      04-26-2013, 06:37 PM   #13
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amazing wheel gap bro lol..somethings wrong
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      04-28-2013, 09:35 PM   #14
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I have PS suspension and there is a fair bit of rake.
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      04-29-2013, 07:26 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vantagesc View Post
But rake with the rear higher? Here's a zoomed out pic.
Yep
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      05-01-2013, 04:28 PM   #16
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Here's a quick cell phone pic of mine on BMW PS. I bought my springs used from a forum member, however I have no idea which model number they are. I didn't know there were different model numbers. I only knew he had the same basic model as me, but I'm not sure how close the vehicles were on the VIN level. The ride now is much improved and I don't have any complaints. The only issue I have are with my tires and I can't wear through them fast enough so I can get some PSS's or RE-11's.

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// [Sold 08/16] 2009 135i SG 6MT | Cobb | Wagner FMIC | MadDad | OCC | RB PCV | MFactory LSD | Forgestar F14 | PSS | ECS 2pc | Ferodo | Goodridge | M bits | Koni Sport | BMW PS, PE, Side Skirts | Rieger | Blacklines //
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      05-01-2013, 04:58 PM   #17
vantagesc
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Thanks for the pics.

If anyone with BMW PS knows what number is printed on their rear springs, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Sometimes you can stick your phone camera under the car and snap a pic to find out. My car has "T3" rear springs, but I've also read that some 3-series cars have T3 or T4, which gives me pause.
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      05-01-2013, 05:59 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vantagesc View Post
Thanks for the pics.

If anyone with BMW PS knows what number is printed on their rear springs, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Sometimes you can stick your phone camera under the car and snap a pic to find out. My car has "T3" rear springs, but I've also read that some 3-series cars have T3 or T4, which gives me pause.
I know t2 is for 1 series front. I am not sure about the rears
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"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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      05-01-2013, 08:04 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vantagesc View Post
Thanks for the pics.

If anyone with BMW PS knows what number is printed on their rear springs, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Sometimes you can stick your phone camera under the car and snap a pic to find out. My car has "T3" rear springs, but I've also read that some 3-series cars have T3 or T4, which gives me pause.
Don't know if this is any help.
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      05-03-2013, 10:30 PM   #20
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I just got mine installed today and my front shows T3 but i havent looked at the rears yet. I will check them out for you...I know for a fact that something is wrong with yours because my fender gap does not have 1 inch difference...its a little bit high right now but i know that it will settle within few weeks or so and il have them align it as well
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      05-03-2013, 10:38 PM   #21
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A thread with H&R OE type springs had no drop int he rear, turned out the spring was for e90 not e8x
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"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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