Need spring and spacer recommendations.

Downeaster1 · 09-14-2014, 01:34 PM

Howdy All,
I have a 135is and I want to lower it a bit as well as pushing the wheels out far enough so as they line up with the fenders. I'm fairly new to the suspension world, so please forgive me. Thanks!

fboutlaw · 09-14-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downeaster1

Howdy All,
I have a 135is and I want to lower it a bit as well as pushing the wheels out far enough so as they line up with the fenders. I'm fairly new to the suspension world, so please forgive me. Thanks!

It really sounds like you want to buy my Dinan spring / strut setup

Pushing the wheels out either involves new wheel/tire combos or wheel spacers. Measure how far you want the wheels to move outward, select that spacer thickness.

brocklanders · 09-14-2014, 04:02 PM

I have 1/2" spacers front and back with swift springs, it looks much better and even with the fender. You could go with 15mm spacers but it won't look any different.

128Convertibleguy · 09-14-2014, 07:09 PM

If you're "fairly new" to suspension, the best thing you can do, by far, is buy a complete package from a good professional, and have it set up by a pro. Suspension is far more complicated and difficult than many think.

BMW Performance suspension installed by a dealer comes to mind. As an alternative you could do a whole lot of studying suspension. Be sure it includes stuff specifically about McPherson strut front suspension, they're very different from purpose built race cars.

Bottom line, it's easy to modify a 1-series, and wind up with something worse than stock, and troublesome. For example, many who've lowered and also pushed wheels out too far with too big tires have wound up spending a lot of effort eliminating rub. The space available is small, and the offsets critical. Search "tire rub" on this site for examples.

chris82 · 09-16-2014, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downeaster1

Howdy All,
I have a 135is and I want to lower it a bit as well as pushing the wheels out far enough so as they line up with the fenders. I'm fairly new to the suspension world, so please forgive me. Thanks!

I suggest reading this. You'll know everything there is to know about spacers: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-te...l-spacers.aspx

09-14-2014, 01:34 PM	#1
Downeaster1 BMW Master Tech 587 Rep 852 Posts Drives: Bunch of leaking water pumps Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 Aston Martin V ... [0.00] 2010 Lamborghini LP ... [0.00] 1985 Alpina C2 2.7 [0.00] 2017 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2013 BMW 135is [0.00] 1992 BMW 325i [0.00]	Need spring and spacer recommendations. Howdy All, I have a 135is and I want to lower it a bit as well as pushing the wheels out far enough so as they line up with the fenders. I'm fairly new to the suspension world, so please forgive me. Thanks! __________________ 135is #502 of 586 BMW LED Performance Wheel \| OEM FULL Carbon Fiber \| E9X M3 Gauge Cluster \| E9X Exterior Mirrors \| E9X M3 Full Suspension \| E9X M3 Diff \| PT-CAN2 Enabled \| Bilstiens \| Michelin PSS's \| NBT Navigation Retrofit with Touch Pad
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09-14-2014, 04:02 PM	#3
brocklanders Major 107 Rep 1,428 Posts Drives: the uno, mineral white Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: houston iTrader: (3) Garage List 06 325 [0.00]	I have 1/2" spacers front and back with swift springs, it looks much better and even with the fender. You could go with 15mm spacers but it won't look any different. Last edited by brocklanders; 09-14-2014 at 04:08 PM..
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09-14-2014, 07:09 PM	#4
128Convertibleguy Captain 60 Rep 704 Posts Drives: 2010 128 Covertible Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Mountains iTrader: (0)	If you're "fairly new" to suspension, the best thing you can do, by far, is buy a complete package from a good professional, and have it set up by a pro. Suspension is far more complicated and difficult than many think. BMW Performance suspension installed by a dealer comes to mind. As an alternative you could do a whole lot of studying suspension. Be sure it includes stuff specifically about McPherson strut front suspension, they're very different from purpose built race cars. Bottom line, it's easy to modify a 1-series, and wind up with something worse than stock, and troublesome. For example, many who've lowered and also pushed wheels out too far with too big tires have wound up spending a lot of effort eliminating rub. The space available is small, and the offsets critical. Search "tire rub" on this site for examples. Last edited by 128Convertibleguy; 09-14-2014 at 08:49 PM..
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