E46 Ride Height

[Challo]

Currently have a E46 323ci convertible and toying with the idea of selling it (in classifieds at the moment) but wanted to check a couple of things on the ride height as the back looks very low compared to the front and wondering if the rear shocks / springs are gone.

When pushing down on the rear corner of the car the suspension does creak, but the front doesn't make the same noise. Im 50/50 on getting rid of the car for something else, or spending a bit of money on getting it looking good for the summer. If I was to keep it does the suspension look like it needs a refresh?

It had an MOT in Nov and nothing was flagged as in terms of shocks leaking or broken springs.

Rear



Front



Side view

[De Sisti]

Looks like it's been lowered by the previous owner.

[Hyy]

Breaking of rear springs is a 'common' issue on E46.
(together with a lot of other suspension fragility issues)

[Longnose]

The right rear has a hard life with the fuel tank, battery and driver all adding weight. My 330CI convertible has had two broken springs on that corner in 8 years. Thankfully very easy to replace DIY with no special tools.

[Challo]

De Sisti said:

Looks like it's been lowered by the previous owner.

The rear does but the front looks too high.

Hyy said:

Breaking of rear springs is a 'common' issue on E46.
(together with a lot of other suspension fragility issues)

Longnose said:

The right rear has a hard life with the fuel tank, battery and driver all adding weight. My 330CI convertible has had two broken springs on that corner in 8 years. Thankfully very easy to replace DIY with no special tools.

Its odd as the MOT didn't flag any broken springs or leaking off the shocks. I wonder if they are just knackered.

[Challo]

Car came back from the garage and confirmed all the springs are fine. He did say that the rear is much lower and it’s looked like the rear springs have been replaced but they used the wrong ones.

Checking the history file and the rear springs have been replaced, but no idea on the part number. Do you think I could get away with some M Sport springs and putting them on the front? Or just buy a set of eibachs?

[helix402]

Go for a set of Eibachs. Then they will match.

[SebringMan]

Welcome to the joy of pattern springs.

On another car I fitted a set of 'OE' Lesjofers onto the front of it. Within 6 months the car had a nose down stance, despite the rear still being on the factory setup.

Previous cars on the manufacturer springs didn't have this problem at all and covered some huge mileages (about 300k).

[Total loss]

Picked up a Convertible a week ago, the rear looks a little lower than the front, but it's still a good 1 to 1 1/2 inches lower all round than yours !
I haven't had a look underneath yet, so don't know if it's on lowering springs or standard height for a sport model?
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[corozin]

The convertibles do sit lower at the back than the coupes. Mine's an M-Sport model and it does the same thing, despite having the rear springs replaced about a year ago.

I'm guessing it's the approx 80kg of engineering in the back which operates the roof mechanism. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Challo]

corozin said:

The convertibles do sit lower at the back than the coupes. Mine's an M-Sport model and it does the same thing, despite having the rear springs replaced about a year ago.

I'm guessing it's the approx 80kg of engineering in the back which operates the roof mechanism. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks. Seen a pair of front Eiback springs which I’m tempted to buy and perhaps just fit and level it up?

[Rsdop]

Challo said:

corozin said:

The convertibles do sit lower at the back than the coupes. Mine's an M-Sport model and it does the same thing, despite having the rear springs replaced about a year ago.

I'm guessing it's the approx 80kg of engineering in the back which operates the roof mechanism. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks. Seen a pair of front Eiback springs which I’m tempted to buy and perhaps just fit and level it up?

OP I bought some nearly new Bilstein B8s and Apex springs for my coupe last year that were removed from a cabriolet, and the rear end sits too high now. I’ve just bought some M-Sport coupe springs to replace the rears so will have a set of Apex rear cabriolet lowering springs spare. No use to me so your welcome to them if you cover P&P.

[Challo]

Rsdop said:

Challo said:

corozin said:

The convertibles do sit lower at the back than the coupes. Mine's an M-Sport model and it does the same thing, despite having the rear springs replaced about a year ago.

I'm guessing it's the approx 80kg of engineering in the back which operates the roof mechanism. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks. Seen a pair of front Eiback springs which I’m tempted to buy and perhaps just fit and level it up?

OP I bought some nearly new Bilstein B8s and Apex springs for my coupe last year that were removed from a cabriolet, and the rear end sits too high now. I’ve just bought some M-Sport coupe springs to replace the rears so will have a set of Apex rear cabriolet lowering springs spare. No use to me so your welcome to them if you cover P&P.

PM sent.

Thanks

[Total loss]

Challo said:

Thanks. Seen a pair of front Eiback springs which I’m tempted to buy and perhaps just fit and level it up?

unfortunately you won't find out if it works till you've fitted them, better fitting a set which they make for stock original or lowering

[2354519y]

Had the same problem as OP on my touring
It seems the wrong springs had been fitted.



Since replacement it sits correctly.

[Funk]

corozin said:

The convertibles do sit lower at the back than the coupes. Mine's an M-Sport model and it does the same thing, despite having the rear springs replaced about a year ago.

I'm guessing it's the approx 80kg of engineering in the back which operates the roof mechanism. I wouldn't worry about it.

My E36 convertible was the same; lower at the back than the front.

Edited by Funk on Monday 12th March 13:41

[helix402]

It’s very easy to get a BMW ride height wrong with non BMW springs. If you want new springs from your dealer they will look up the options on your car. Then put them into a spring table and the table will give the correct spring based on the weight of the options.

The chances of an aftermarket spring matching the original are slim. A set of new Eibachs/H&R etc will be a matching set.

[SebringMan]

helix402 said:

It’s very easy to get a BMW ride height wrong with non BMW springs. If you want new springs from your dealer they will look up the options on your car. Then put them into a spring table and the table will give the correct spring based on the weight of the options.

The chances of an aftermarket spring matching the original are slim. A set of new Eibachs/H&R etc will be a matching set.

This. I've had it happen a few times to me.

As an example Ford will sell about 10 different springs for a Mondeo, depending on the engine it has, the wheels it as and even the spec it is. ECP? Two. One for non-STs and one for STs. It doesn't matter if you have a light 1.8 petrol or a heavy diesel auto under the bonnet ECP will sell you the one spring. The ST spring is oddly the same money as what Ford want: It's probably why they are cheaper as they buy more of the same in bulk.

If you think they are different for a BMW don't kid yourself. BMW specify a different damper for the E46 M3 'vert and Coupe. ECP? One for both.

[Challo]

So I got some rear springs from a fellow PHer (top man), but now been offered a full set of M Sport springs off a 325 convertible. I have been trying to find out what is supposed to be on the car to make a choice but checking the VIN its not clear.

From the list below, anyone got any idea's?

VIN WBABR32070EG07304

Type Code BR32

E Series E46 (C)

Series 3

Type CABRIO

Model 323CI (EUR)

Steering RL

Doors 2

Engine M52/TU

Displacement 2.50

Power 125

Drive HECK

Transmission AUT

Colour TITANSILBER METALLIC (354)

Upholstery STANDARDLEDER/SCHWARZ (N6SW)

Prod. Date 2000-04-24

Vehicle options
L812A National version Great Britain

S205A Automatic transmission

S255A Sports leather steering wheel

S299A BMW LA wheels with mixed tires

S302A Alarm system

S380A Hardtop-preparation

S388A Softtop, black

S399A Softtop, electromech. all-autom.

S428A Warning triangle and first aid kit

S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip

S441A Smoker package

S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory

S473A Armrest front

S520A Fog lights

S534A Automatic air conditioning

S550A On-board computer

S661A Radio BMW Business (C43)

S692A Preparation, BMW 6-CD changer I-bus

S832A Battery in luggage compartment

S850A Dummy-SALAPA

S853A Language version English

S863A Retailer Directory Europe

S877A Delete cross-pattern operation

S880A On-board vehicle literature English

[E-bmw]

Just because the car came with standard springs from the factory doesn't mean that is what is on it now.

Over the years absolutely ANYTHING could have been put on it by Billy the bodger, maybe not even BMW springs.

So the best thing anyone can advise you is to get a full set & then you know.