Lowering & Alignment E36 - United Bimmer Community

**4themasses** · 05-03-2005, 05:25 PM

My friend runs a NAPA store so he called in a favor for me to an associate at Midas. The guy axplained that he can put the springs on no problem. Problem is the alignment.

He explained that BMW has a pretty complex suspension (imagine that). He said a guy came to him and he explained this to him, the guys says "Sears could do it", so he said 'go ahead'. Well, 12,000 miles later his tires were showing cords.

So should I call a BMW dealer by me and ask them what they do? I just never heard of an alignment place pretty much saying they couldn't do an alignment. I had my 5 lowered and the place had it done, brought it somewhere, though the front suspension IS NOT what is was before. It's terrible!

Guess what...showing cords at about 15-17K on new tires!!!

Help me guys.....

**Addicted?** · 05-03-2005, 06:26 PM

same thing is happening to me... bmws come out of the factory with negative camber... but not to bad.... When the car is lowered it can/will cause the amount of negative camber and toe to increase which eats your tires really fast... Ways to correct it can be a 4 wheel alignment... but often times adjustable control arms (rear) or a camber kit is needed to bring the car back to factory specs for camber... If the car is lowered to much you cannot bring the car back and will need to either raise it up some, or get ready to buy a lot of new tires!

David

**94bmw325i** · 05-03-2005, 06:41 PM

I just got my alignment done at NTB (national tire and battery), but they did not have nay problems doing it on my car. I drive an e36 325i.

**Joey** · 05-03-2005, 07:19 PM

Well, they didn't appear to have any problems.
You'll know in ten thousand miles if they really did.

**vEloCitY 3.1.8** · 05-03-2005, 10:07 PM

I dropped my car with H&R race springs and I hav a TMS camber kit to adjust the rear camber back to stock...I have yet to get an alignment and have had my tires for over 10k and still have plenty of tread. Rotating your tires about every 4-6k will reduce wear

**4themasses** · 05-03-2005, 10:15 PM

I will call the local BMW dealership and see what they can tell me. Chances are they not gonna mess around a whole lot with someone lowering a Bimmer. I'll see what come of it. i hope this isn't going to cost an arm and a leg. The rear tires are already weaing on the inside bad with the stock springs. My wife take a rough rode to work and I think it's progressively throwing things out of whack so regardless of price of spring install $, I need an alignment.
I'll keep in touch......

Cheers

**Addicted?** · 05-04-2005, 12:36 AM

i got a quote for a 4 wheel alignement for 95$ or something like that.... that is if he doesnt need anymore parts... anyways some places dont like to mess around with aftermarket suspension it sucks...

Anyways make sure to check the inside of your tires a lot if you notice all your tread is getting worn out fast... i ran my hands on mine one day to only get cut by a wire sticking out.... thats when you know its time to spend 320$ for 2 new tires haha

David

**4themasses** · 05-04-2005, 09:31 PM

Well I taled to BMW of Orland Park, IL. The serv. rep. I talked to seemed pretty "up" on factory and aftermarket subjects. I explained my situation and he said they would not mess with this particular situation because the car would have aftermarket springs but for the most part the person doing the alignment would need specs from the spring manufac. to bring the car into spec with tthe lowering springs. So.....I call Bavarian and the guy says none of teh manuf. do that. I asked, 'so then does the guy try to bring it closer to an M3 spec?'. He said 'that might work'. So kinda a wash answer. I was referred to a shop who does race cars from him as well as people I know and that place sid he can align BMW's. So I don't know what's up. I will have the springs put on, new tires and bring it to this place and cross my fingers and let everyone know what's up.

Cheers.....

**STEVE36** · 05-09-2005, 05:19 PM

There are plenty of performance shops that will do a perfect and/or customized alignment for you. Just look around.

**komodo** · 05-09-2005, 05:35 PM

Though for some alignments, if you're car's too low they can't adjust the camber enough because your camber plates are maxed out, at which point you need to buy aftermarket ones of those too.

**Addicted?** · 05-09-2005, 05:47 PM

to go along with what harry was saying they sometimes cannot fix it because the car is to low and the tire will hit the fenders to much... which either a) raise it back up or b) rill your fenders

David

**komodo** · 05-09-2005, 06:01 PM

Yeah, and if you roll your fenders, you obviously need to upgrade your rim size too so it fills the well nicely. Then you have a slammed car on sexy rims with a perfect alignment.

**4themasses** · 05-11-2005, 11:38 PM

I had it lowered last week. Looks great. They are BAV AUTO springs so they're not too slammed. I think it looks just right. I am making an appoint with a place that does race cars for the Joliet Route 66 dragstrip. Says he can do Bimmers so we'll see what happens. With my 18" and real low pro tires, there seems to be plenty of clearance. I also had the OEM M3 pipe put on. Looks real nice.
Thanks for all the input.....you guys rock!!!!
OUT.........

**Addicted?** · 05-12-2005, 03:29 AM

so yo uare running bav auto springs... are you on the stock shock or have you upgraded those? if so what brand? i tried to look at your mod list but its 1:15 am and my eyes hurt sorry

David

**4themasses** · 05-12-2005, 12:05 PM

No I haven't upgraded those. They told me that my rears are shot. So that's the next thing I gotta check into. I just replaced front and rears on my 5 but I don't know what brand they stuck on there. I'd like to get something good for the 3. Any ideas? I've seen plenty of choices in BAV AUTO but like I said.....haven't really looked into it.