Uneven Ride Height on Z4 3.0Si Sport Coupe

[dasherdiablo1]

I've just parked the wifes Coupe in the garage and noticed when looking from the rear it slopes down at the drivers side. So...got the tape measure out and measured from floor to underside of top of wheel arch. Results as follows:-

NSR=680
OSR=660
NSF=670
OSF=670

So I was right! Point to note is floor is level and even, car has a full tank of fuel and no one was sitting in it. Thing is this means that with a driver in it it will be even worse!!! Also handling appears ok but haven't really pushed it in the last month, car has brand new tyres on too so can't even compare tyre wear.

Will definitely be contacting the local stealer tomorrow but I'd appreciate it if people could check theirs and give me some feedback. I'm guessing it's either a sagging or snapped spring; which I'm guessing should be covered under warranty

Thanks in advance!

[ian in lancs]

Broken OS rear spring! Common problem - warranty job. Get both rears changed. Failure mode seems to be stones chip the paint, corrosion sets in and crack emanates from the pin prick corrosion and coil snaps. Usually the bottom coil on the RHS.

[Deano_BMW]

if it makes you feel any better all E46's iirc sit lower on one side at the rear as they were designed as LHD cars with the battery on the OSR. the driver would then have offset. with the english cars being RHD we dont get that offset.

[Fox-]

ian in lancs said:

Broken OS rear spring! Common problem - warranty job. Get both rears changed. Failure mode seems to be stones chip the paint, corrosion sets in and crack emanates from the pin prick corrosion and coil snaps. Usually the bottom coil on the RHS.

Not neccesarily. IME every BMW I have ever seen sits lower on one side than the other. It's very strange. Apparently its because on LHD markets it means the car sits evenly when the driver is sat in it. Yea, thanks for that BMW..

[ian in lancs]

Fox- said:

ian in lancs said:

Broken OS rear spring! Common problem - warranty job. Get both rears changed. Failure mode seems to be stones chip the paint, corrosion sets in and crack emanates from the pin prick corrosion and coil snaps. Usually the bottom coil on the RHS.

Not neccesarily. IME every BMW I have ever seen sits lower on one side than the other. It's very strange. Apparently its because on LHD markets it means the car sits evenly when the driver is sat in it. Yea, thanks for that BMW..

20mm? Anyway, I've laid my bet - lets see what the OP's dealer has to say!

[paoloh]

dasherdiablo1 said:

I've just parked the wifes Coupe in the garage and noticed when looking from the rear it slopes down at the drivers side. So...got the tape measure out and measured from floor to underside of top of wheel arch. Results as follows:-

NSR=680
OSR=660
NSF=670
OSF=670

So I was right! Point to note is floor is level and even, car has a full tank of fuel and no one was sitting in it. Thing is this means that with a driver in it it will be even worse!!! Also handling appears ok but haven't really pushed it in the last month, car has brand new tyres on too so can't even compare tyre wear.

Will definitely be contacting the local stealer tomorrow but I'd appreciate it if people could check theirs and give me some feedback. I'm guessing it's either a sagging or snapped spring; which I'm guessing should be covered under warranty

Thanks in advance!

If it was a snapped spring, would that not have an affect on the front height also?

If back was sitiing lower, front would be forced up.

Both your fronts are indentical.

[hughjayteens]

I have had 2 bmws which had uneven ride height but can't say I've noticed it on my last 3. I have also had a broken rear coil too so worth getting that checked.

[ian in lancs]

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&am...

[dasherdiablo1]

Well it's in with the stealer today, so eagerly await their comments. I've also asked them to look at the corrosion on the 108 alloys. They haven't mentioned any charge for looking at it so hoping there won't be anything to pay regardless of the outcome!

[squeezebm]

Lose the fat bird ??

[dasherdiablo1]

squeezebm said:

Lose the fat bird ??

Sorry fella...couldn't get your missus in...she was attached to your arm by your wrist......

[dasherdiablo1]

A quick update....BMW reckon all is ok with the suspension...nothing damaged or broken. Furthermore when they measured the Passenger side was lower than the drivers.
So guess what.....when I got home I measured it again myself.....and...yep still 20mm lower on the drivers side.
They've taken photos of alloys and referred to BMW UK...

[Fox-]

I'm sticking with my idea that 'they all do that sir'

[M3_chaz]

Well I got the the 'they all do that' line on my then 4 month old E46 M3

[squeezebm]

dasherdiablo1 said:

squeezebm said:

Lose the fat bird ??

Sorry fella...couldn't get your missus in...she was attached to your arm by your wrist......

nerve hit me thinks

[dasherdiablo1]

squeezebm said:

dasherdiablo1 said:

squeezebm said:

Lose the fat bird ??

Sorry fella...couldn't get your missus in...she was attached to your arm by your wrist......

nerve hit me thinks

Actually no...my mrs is a size 6....just that you come across as a right t055er

[Rhodri1985]

Nothing wrong with a fat bird!

[dasherdiablo1]

Rhodri1985 said:

Nothing wrong with a fat bird!

Sorry to sound sizeist....but can think of nothing worse than a big bird working up a sweat whilst you're trying to enjoy yourself.....imagine having to stop to ask her to re-apply some deodorant.....

Nope...not for me.....lol

[Fox-]

dasherdiablo1 said:

Actually no...my mrs is a size 6....

Can't she afford to eat?

[squeezebm]

dasherdiablo1 said:

squeezebm said:

dasherdiablo1 said:

squeezebm said:

Lose the fat bird ??

Sorry fella...couldn't get your missus in...she was attached to your arm by your wrist......

nerve hit me thinks

Actually no...my mrs is a size 6....just that you come across as a right t055er

Get back in your box