E46 330D Sport Touring BBS/FSD/Eibachs - Help

[Steviebeee]

Hi All,

hope you can help.

The Mrs has a 53 330D M-Sport Touring and thought I'd treat it to a little makeover.

Had a set of BBS Reps fitted along with the new Koni FSDs with Eibach Springs.

Now, the car looks great, but I'm getting rubbing at the back. Its still on RE040 255/35/18s as fitted??

Is it the drop or the offset thats causing the problem? And has anyone else had this? Apparently the Tourings have less clearance?

The car looks great - just need to get it to drive as well as it looks and I'll be a happy bunny.

Here are a few pics;





Stevie

[phelix]

From the photo I would guess the rubbing is on the outside because the wheel offset is too high a number. What's the offset and how does it compare to the factory 18s?

[Steviebeee]

Thanks for the Reply,

I'm not sure? I bought them titled; 'BMW Fitment' so didn't think I would need to ask.

I know what you mean, the rears do site out. Does look awesome though

I have been told that Tourings have less clearance than the Saloons and Coupes? Does anyone know why?

Stevie

[Ti22]

The offset and size will be stamped on the wheel somewhere, I'd compare that to std and go from there.

if all else fails, roll the arches to move the inner lip out of the way! (tools/ people are available to do this)

[Craigwww]

That looks awesome!! Where did you get the BBS reps from and can you let me know a rough price? I fancy them for mine.

Thanks

[Steviebeee]

Hi,

just an update on the earlier topic. I've now managed to get the clearance issues sorted and car sits well on this set up, but I just can't get the car to handle.

I've had the cars geometry checked twice and although there has been an improvement, it just doesn't feel right with this combination.

To me, it feels like the Eibach springs just don't match the FSD shocks. The springs just feel too soft with the car lurching and wallowing all over with the slightest change in round surface and does not like changing directing at all.

I knew their were issues with people running the FSDs too low and specifically asked Larkspeed for just an uprated spring rather than lower - but don't think the spring kits any use.

Anyone else used the FSD shocks? I done lots of reading up before buying with NO negative feedback so a bit confused as to why the car handles so bad. The ride is amazing on a straight road, but thats not why I bought them!!

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Cheeers,
Stevie

[Fox-]

What tyres do you have? The E46 is very sensitive to tyre choice, if your reps came with crappy cheapo rubber this might be the reason.

[phelix]

I have FSDs with standard springs (coil on the front, air on the back) on an E61 sport and can't recommend them highly enough.

[Steviebeee]

Hi Guys,

thanks for the replies. No, def not the rubber. RE040s on the back and MPS2s on the front. Hate rubbish tyres!

I think the general consensis is - these shocks just work so much better on std springs. Quite disappointing as I specifically asked Larkspeed about spring choice!

Will call them today and let you know how I get on.

Stevie

[_bryan_]

Steviebeee said:

Hi Guys,

thanks for the replies. No, def not the rubber. RE040s on the back and MPS2s on the front. Hate rubbish tyres!

I think the general consensis is - these shocks just work so much better on std springs. Quite disappointing as I specifically asked Larkspeed about spring choice!

Will call them today and let you know how I get on.

Stevie

It's the tyres that are the problem. The e46 setup hates a mixture of tyres front to back, no matter how good a tyre they are. Do a search on bmwland, quite a few people had the same issues and it turned out tyres front to back were different.

I've honestly only ever heard good things about the fsd/eibach setup. Most saying that it handles better than the standard sport setup but also rides better too.

On another note though. When were all the bushes last changed, front and back? Can make a huge difference to how an e46 feels.

[HellDiver]

RE040 are a bit ancient now too - they've also very hard sidewalls.

Put Sports on all round, I bet it'll cure your problem.

[Fox-]

I'm going for tyres as well. Have read numerous complaints about questionable handlign from the E46 when mismatched tyres are fitted front to back. Pretty sure end of the car was on PS2's in the last case I read, as well.

I've always made sure I have the same tyres front and back.