E46 2000 323CI Vert: Passenger rear lower then driver side by 5/8"

[TH1BMW]

I hope someone can help.

I have 2000 323CI Convertible with 106,000 KM. I have just replaced the coils and shocks. The difference between the Passenger front vs Driver front is 1/8". The difference between the Passenger side rear and driver side is 5/8" (16mm)! The measurements were taken from the bottom edge of the rim to the fender. When I park the vehicle in the driveway it is noticeable and drives me crazy

I have taken it to another mechanic that has verified the new parts are good and nothing looks out of the ordinary other then the height difference in the rear. We will look to replace the coils with another new set. If the new coils show similar results, should I use 10mm Spring Pads from BMW on the passenger side rear to help minimize the difference?

Any thoughts, ideas?

[TH1BMW]

bump

[Randy]

perhaps this is something that'll settle over time? the higher side will bear a greater portion of the weight, and eventually flatten out? - i dont know anything. just guessing. maybe give it 10Km and see what happens?

[TH1BMW]

It's has been 2 weeks on the new coils and shocks. I should have also mention that I had new tires put on and an alignment was done.

Any ideas?

[Junaid]

If it's coilovers then maybe they aren't evenly matched up

[TH1BMW]

No Coilovers yet! Working that any a few mods for the future.

I did minimize my height difference by using a thicker spring pad. With a driver in the vehicle I came very close to having the height even all the way around the car. I can only assume the car was designed to be lower on the passenger side to compensate for the driver???

[pmills325i]

if you park on a hill with your ebrake, or a slant, the rear suspension drops a bit cause thats whats holding all the weight of the car, and maybe one wheel is holding more, or is gripping the brake harder.....it could be that ....then theres your height difference

sorry for the shitty explanation.... but i observed something similar with mine, except with me it just sits a lot lower in the rear when im parked on my drive, (which is pretty much vertical) lol

[hamant]

you used a spring pad?
why?

thats probably your reason right there

[hamant]

also, have you taken into consideration what was in your trunk?
maybe you have someone thats closer to the drivers side

[TH1BMW]

I used a 10mm spring pad which is 5mm thicker on the passenger side rear which was the low side. 5mm is the standard thickness for this vehicle so i figured 5mm would increase the height just right (probably should of used a 15mm spring pad vs the 10mm which would of made it very close to even). This is something I read in numerous threads and thought I would give it a go.

The only thing in my trunk is the battery (sits on the passenger side rear) and a full tank of gas. Apparently a majority of the fuel sits on the passenger side rear. I believe someone had described the fuel tank like a saddle bag where the fuel pump (driver's side) pulls the fuel from the other side (passenger rear).

[Blocked_Out]

You are absolutely correct, BMWs are designed to be a little higher on the drives side to accommodate for the drives him self (usually calculated to be a 185 lbs drives).
That said, if you replaces you springs with aftermarket ones the heights should be identical (as only the OEM springs are factoring the height difference).

But it seems to me you replaced them using OEM parts, and thats why your driver side is higher, its normal, your car was designed this way.

[TH1BMW]

Yes, the springs, shocks, etc were all BMW OEM parts. Once I realized all this it was too late to consider coilovers. I'll start saving!

Thanks so much for verifying the height difference. You would be surprised how many people said otherwise.

[Blocked_Out]

No problem.
Every BMW, my old E46 and even my new E39 has that heights difference, but its not that noticeable as the springs are pretty worn, in your case they are brand new, so the difference is REALLY noticeable.