Anyone expirience driving problems after lowering?

[dunhill]

First a little background.

I put aftermarket rims and lowered it on the first day, (8.5x20, 10.5x20, Eibach springs), so not sure if this problem goes away if stock, or I actually have a problem.

Under hard accelaration, the front gets extremely squirly. I meen scary. The front end feels like it's hovering, not making contact. I need to correct the steering to keep it in line, but the steering inputs are all over, put a little left, goes extremely hard, correct with the same amount of right, not enough.

I can't figure out if it's an alignment issue, or the tires, or maybe the springs, or what. All I know, it's scary. The car is not even broken in yet, so when I say hard accelaration, it's still under 5k. I'm scared to see what it will feel like above that. I had another e92 for a few weeks, (crashed it) and it never did that. That one was not lowered, and had 19's.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm getting the car back from 2k service today, and though I can't wait to flog it, I'm scared as to what it may feel like @ 8k.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by dunhill

First a little background.

I put aftermarket rims and lowered it on the first day, (8.5x20, 10.5x20, Eibach springs), so not sure if this problem goes away if stock, or I actually have a problem.

Under hard accelaration, the front gets extremely squirly. I meen scary. The front end feels like it's hovering, not making contact. I need to correct the steering to keep it in line, but the steering inputs are all over, put a little left, goes extremely hard, correct with the same amount of right, not enough.

I can't figure out if it's an alignment issue, or the tires, or maybe the springs, or what. All I know, it's scary. The car is not even broken in yet, so when I say hard accelaration, it's still under 5k. I'm scared to see what it will feel like above that. I had another e92 for a few weeks, (crashed it) and it never did that. That one was not lowered, and had 19's.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm getting the car back from 2k service today, and though I can't wait to flog it, I'm scared as to what it may feel like @ 8k.

This is what happens when you modify cars based upon form instead of function.

Good luck.

[dunhill]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

This is what happens when you modify cars based upon form instead of function.

Good luck.

Thanks for the input. Very helpfull.

[addy85]

Did you check the pressure of the tires? Maybe its need a serious alignment

[addy85]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

This is what happens when you modify cars based upon form instead of function.

Good luck.

What makes m3/e90etc. posters different then your regular bmw driver is that we love modifying our cars

Your input has no relevance to the op's questions so try to be a little more helpful next time instead of wasting space with wasteful posts.

[mkoesel]

[addy85]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

[BMWDEMON]

make sure your springs are not broken, check the spring rate, get an alignment...

M

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by addy85

What makes m3/e90etc. posters different then your regular bmw driver is that we love modifying our cars

Your input has no relevance to the op's questions so try to be a little more helpful next time instead of wasting space with wasteful posts.

It would be nice if people actually understood what the mods they put on do to alter the cars performance. I never understood why people choose to mod cars right off the lot. Wouldn't it be better to actually drive the car stock for awhile to get a feel for what needs improvement and what doesn't? Just because its a mod doesn't mean its better.

[335 S]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

This is what happens when you modify cars based upon form instead of function.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by dunhill

Thanks for the input. Very helpfull.

Mr. Dunhil, RJ was being helpful. Lowering a car by simply cutting the spring length is insane. To put it in simple terms, your car's suspension is in the position of partial compression. Your arms are sitting at different angles from the original engineering. To effectively replicate the original geometry, you would have move the suspension pick up points.

I'd be happy to do it for $100.

[elm3]

You have what is called Toe out. Your front end toe is out (positive), the left side might be out a little more, if it goes more towards the left. Also, you will have to make sure that your camber is adjusted also. Usually by adjusting camber and caster and the toe, all of your problems will get corrected. It is not something you did wrong, everytime you altered a car's suspension, you will have the same feeling as you describe. Also, check your tires and make sure you are not having an over pressure issue. Anything over 40psi, will get a feeling of the car hovering, instead of just sticking to ther road. Let me know if that is helpful.

[Radiation Joe]

Dunhill,

I appologize for being a d!ckhead about this. I didn't realize you were a Roadflyer. Automatic pass. Do the following in order.

First make sure nothing (likely the front sway bar) got disconnected while the lowering springs were being installed. Your symtoms sound like a disconnected front sway bar.

Make sure you have at least 38 psi in those rubber band tires; and that all tires are at the same pressure.

Have the car aligned.

Have the car put on scales to make sure the corner weights are close. Right front plus left rear should be within 75 pounds of the sum of the left front and right rear. A faulty spring installation would show up here (unlikely).

This was nowhere near the abuse you would have got on roadfly with the same question, and you should know that.

[addy85]

Originally Posted by HIS4

It would be nice if people actually understood what the mods they put on do to alter the cars performance. I never understood why people choose to mod cars right off the lot. Wouldn't it be better to actually drive the car stock for awhile to get a feel for what needs improvement and what doesn't? Just because its a mod doesn't mean its better.

How did you come to the conclusion that the OP modded his car without knowing how the mods would alter the cars performance

I never understood why anyone would keep their car stock for so long so thats a matter of opinion

To the OP your getting helpful posts now so hope you figure out what the problem is.

[addy85]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

Dunhill,

I appologize for being a d!ckhead about this. I didn't realize you were a Roadflyer. Automatic pass. Do the following in order.

First make sure nothing (likely the front sway bar) got disconnected while the lowering springs were being installed. Your symtoms sound like a disconnected front sway bar.

Make sure you have at least 38 psi in those rubber band tires; and that all tires are at the same pressure.

Have the car aligned.

Have the car put on scales to make sure the corner weights are close. Right front plus left rear should be within 75 pounds of the sum of the left front and right rear. A faulty spring installation would show up here (unlikely).

This was nowhere near the abuse you would have got on roadfly with the same question, and you should know that.

[BarryC]

I've got the Eibachs with OEM 19" wheels and no problems. I doubt it's the aftermarket wheels/tires if everything was the right offset, tire size, hubcentric and correct inflation. If you still have the OEM wheels, you could try putting them back on to see if the problem goes away. Toe can make the car "darty" and that may be what you're feeling so an alignment check would be next on the list.

To the naysayers who criticize those who mod their cars for cosmetic purposes - why not just follow the old axiom "if you don't have anything nice(or constructive) to say, don't say anything". I personally have been down the mod for function only road and got tired of driving a psuedo race car everyday. Now I'm into "pimpin" my car and it's fun too!

Thx,
BC

[dunhill]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

Dunhill,

I appologize for being a d!ckhead about this. I didn't realize you were a Roadflyer. Automatic pass. Do the following in order.

First make sure nothing (likely the front sway bar) got disconnected while the lowering springs were being installed. Your symtoms sound like a disconnected front sway bar.

Make sure you have at least 38 psi in those rubber band tires; and that all tires are at the same pressure.

Have the car aligned.

Have the car put on scales to make sure the corner weights are close. Right front plus left rear should be within 75 pounds of the sum of the left front and right rear. A faulty spring installation would show up here (unlikely).

This was nowhere near the abuse you would have got on roadfly with the same question, and you should know that.

That's a much nicer and appreciated response. Also quite helfull. I will check.

And yes, I'm aware about the abuse

[dunhill]

Originally Posted by HIS4

It would be nice if people actually understood what the mods they put on do to alter the cars performance. I never understood why people choose to mod cars right off the lot. Wouldn't it be better to actually drive the car stock for awhile to get a feel for what needs improvement and what doesn't? Just because its a mod doesn't mean its better.

As I stated, I had another e92 for 5 weeks before it crashed. It was stock. Was going to do these mods anyway, after I had driven it stock for a while. Unfortunately, I lost the car before all my parts came in. Wheels, suspention, and all parts were here and waiting long before my new car arrived. Should I have waited even longer, just to make sure the new car drove the same as the old?

[dunhill]

All great advise.

I will put on stock wheels tommorrow, see what happens.

Next, I think RJ, elm3 and BarryC make sense. Now to find the right shop.

The guy that did the alighment is a great guy, been going to him for 15years, but his equipment is a little antiqueted. I asked BMW today at the servisce, they could not do it. Their allignment machine only mounts to stock rims (ahhh, that is what the 5 little hole next the the lug bolts are).

Any good shops in Toronto?

[dunhill]

Originally Posted by addy85

How did you come to the conclusion that the OP modded his car without knowing how the mods would alter the cars performance

I never understood why anyone would keep their car stock for so long so thats a matter of opinion

To the OP your getting helpful posts now so hope you figure out what the problem is.

Appreciate the support.
Thanks.

[icemang17]

odd....Eibach springs are well engineered so I don't think that will be the problem...however check your alignment and tire pressures...but most likely there is an offset problem with your front wheels, which causes the wandering