e36 dodgy ride height

[OptiManc]

Hi there!

Recently I noticed my e36 (320i coupe) was noticeably higher, by at least an inch on the front nearside, above the wheel arch. Its also higher on the rear end too same side, but not by an inch only 2-3CM at the most. But the offside is exactly as it was since I’ve owned it.

Parked on a level surface looking from behind this can be clearly noticed, looking from front and no different.

I went to one BMW Specialist and they said it could be that the front coil springs are weak or about to break on the offside so the car has sunk on one side. Whilst another BMW Specialist insisted it was the rear offside coil spring which apparently “goes first and goes a lot”.

When I brake, accelerate or corner the car does not pitch or dive to one side in fact it doesn’t behave differently in anyway at all.

Has anyone experienced this before, or does anyone have an idea what it could be?

Thanks guys!

[Pickled Piper]

Lop sided E36s are very common. IIRC rear springs are a weak point.

pp

[OptiManc]

thanks dude!
dont suppose you know why this is do you? i'm thinking its because of the fuel tank, constantly pushing on the spring?

[turbo tim]

I had the same on mine - RH rear spring had started to go. Was going to replace the spring but OEM BMW springs are very expensive, so decided to get some Eibach lowering springs instead.

As PP says, very common condition on E36's....

[OptiManc]

so did the repair balance the front end equally?
do you mind me asking how much the repair job cost?

none OEM ay..? any regrets?

[bennyboysvuk]

Mine did this too. I was a bit surprised, but then after 130,000 miles I guess something's got to give.

I replaced mine with the standard springs initially, but then thought that I ought to replace all four really, plus the shocks.

I went for the Eibach Pro-Kit springs and they feel absolutely superb. They're slightly stiffer than M3 springs and make the car sit just a touch lower than an M3 which imho is the perfect height for the car since it's not silly low and thus speed humps never become the issue that they are with ridiculously low ride heights.

I ought to mention, I went for Bilstein Sprintline dampers at £350. Eibach springs were £150.

[turbo tim]

OptiManc said:

so did the repair balance the front end equally? do you mind me asking how much the repair job cost? none OEM ay..? any regrets?

I got the Eibach Pro-kit too (same as ^^^^^^)

No regrets going non-OEM - car sat beautifully afterwards - balanced front and rear, with a perfect ride height and big improvement on looks and handling with no real noticeable effect to ride quality (standard springs were a bit soft for my liking anyway).

[OptiManc]

Thank you for your impartial advise.

[kinetic]

I have the same problem with my M3 E36. The gap between wheel arch and top of tyre is about "3/4 greater on the nearside rear!but not on the front. I thought it was down to knackered dampers and springs but I have just had a new coilover kit fitted and the difference is still there!!

Any ideas?

Steve T