Lowering without using springs or coilovers

[Steeler]

As the title states I am looking for ways to lower my 04 a slight amount, the ride is perfect for me as it is just looking for a bit lower stance without having to change springs.
There are lowering cups out there for the front that lowers it approx 3/8-1/2 inches

I am yet to find an easy way to lower the rear.
Thinner spring pads would work but not achieve enough.

Any ideas out there?

[seank]

Add 300lbs to the front and rear will get you want you want, otherwise springs or coil overs.

Bigger tires will close the gap and make it a smoother ride.

[asirvr4]

Originally Posted by seank

Add 300lbs to the front and rear will get you want you want, otherwise springs or coil overs.

Bigger tires will close the gap and make it a smoother ride.

+1

[Steeler]

Was looking for more intelligent ideas

Oh well the search continues.
I will advise should I find an answer

[donoman]

The rear springs sit on some pretty thick rubber pads, as you say. The Ground Control units I have come with some smaller spring hats. I bet you could gain at least 1/2" there. Call them up and see if they're willing to sell you these pieces alone!

I'm not sure what you can do for the front because the geometry doesn't really allow for anything like this. The spring perches aren't really that thick either so if I were you I would check to see what kind of aftermarket camber plates you could use and maybe they will be thinner. I really doubt it, though.

[David70]

The cheap way to do it is to cut your springs. Not the right way but it will lower your car, you will also be more likely to bottom out.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Was looking for more intelligent ideas

Originally Posted by seank

Add 300lbs to the front and rear will get you want you want, otherwise springs or coil overs.

Bigger tires will close the gap and make it a smoother ride.

Actually SeanK's suggestion is about as intelligent as it gets, but it doesn't have to be 300 lbs. The rear springs are progressive and ranges from about 120lbs/in to 200lbs/in if I recall. putting a 50lbs sand-bag in the rear would lower the back end just enough to match the front, if you choose to go the direction of lowering perches up front.

And if the tire to fender gap is what's bothering you, you can go to a larger tire without sacrificing anything except actual ODO/Speed reading. A 225/40/18 to a 255/40/18 will make the gap disappear in both directions, height to the fender and width to the fender.

But there really isn't elegant solution to the rear besides getting new shorter springs, IMO. If it's the ride QUALITY you would like to retain, some manufacturers might be able to let you specify a specific spring rate to length, like Eibach has custom spring rates and length for race applications, but you'll have to figure that part out yourself.

[Steeler]

Thanks Hack that is a good suggestion.

What are your thoughts on removing the isolators and running steel on steel?
If the rubber is used to centre the spring on the upper and lower "thimble" it would be easy enough to machine some aluminum sleeves to press into the springs to centre them, or would the harmonics be terrible?

Just throwing around ideas don't crucify me for changing BMW's design

[ZStig]

no spring isulators will make it really really noisy

Honestly, you can find H&R spings for so cheap used, its not even worth other efforts

[The HACK]

The problem you're going to have, is the metal banging on painted metal. The springs are made of galvanized steel I think, and despite the galvanizing they still RUST. Once the frame wears through the painted area, and they will, you're left with metal susceptible to oxidation that's exposed, relative speaking, to the elements.

Not a solution I'd like to try, to be honest.

I still think this is probably your best bet:

http://www.ground-control-store.com/.../II=943/CA=211

The internal diameter is 2.5", BMW's spring pads are 60mm in internal diameter if I recall, so there'll be some issues with the springs not seating fully. You'll be off by about 3.5mm. If you can find springs of the right length and rate, you may be able to simply swap out the rear springs, retain the same relative spring rate as your OE springs, and lower it slightly.

But at this point you're probably much better off buying an aftermarket spring and adding some extra padding for height, it'll be cheaper, easier, and frankly...BETTER.

And since it's the same labor to swap out spring pads as it is to swap out springs, what really is the reason behind not wanting to use springs as a solution to your problem?

[donoman]

This is kind of a side note but have you seen this stanced Z4?

The guy actually did bodywork to lower the bumper covers. This is pretty crazy but I found it amazing. Anyway this is a way to "lower" the car without really sacrificing suspension. Of course your wheel to fender gap might look big still, but at this point... might as well throw some widebody fender liners on there and call it a day!!! This guy's name is Vader6 on Instagram



The final product:


Liberty Walk makes some rear fenders, very reminiscent of Porsche RWB style fenders. Not sure how extreme you want to go with this car. I wish I had the nuts to do this to one of my Z4's!!!

[Steeler]

Thanks guys all feedback is appreciated

[Incompatible]

Do you have the standard or sport suspension? From your mod list my guess would be sport. When I went from the oe sport springs to Eibachs I thought the ride quality actually improved slightly with the benefit of a 5/8" drop front and 1/2" drop rear. If you've got any amount of miles on your struts/shocks then replacement of those can have a big effect on ride quality.

[Steeler]

I do not have the sport option.
That is another option to put in "sport springs" although if I went that route I might as well do Eibach.And then the stock shocks and struts are no good and so on.

Originally Posted by Incompatible

Do you have the standard or sport suspension? From your mod list my guess would be sport. When I went from the oe sport springs to Eibachs I thought the ride quality actually improved slightly with the benefit of a 5/8" drop front and 1/2" drop rear. If you've got any amount of miles on your struts/shocks then replacement of those can have a big effect on ride quality.

[JM35]

I wouldn't try to lower your car without aftermarket springs or coilovers. You could do a ghetto spring chop that Mexicans love to do to their mustangs, but I would highly recommend just getting lowering springs.

[Steeler]

Yea not going there.
Just wanted some feedback to see if others had any gains besides using aftermarket suspension.

Originally Posted by JM35

I wouldn't try to lower your car without aftermarket springs or coilovers. You could do a ghetto spring chop that Mexicans love to do to their mustangs, but I would highly recommend just getting lowering springs.

[JM35]

Didn't think so haha, but yeah unfortunately I'm not really sure of many ways to get lower without going aftermarket. A set of springs will only run you $250 or so though depending on which you get. Could always pick up a used set around here!

[Steeler]

Lowering springs require shocks and struts designed for shorter stroke also.

Looking at coils and shocks now.

[JM35]

Lowering springs can be run on stock struts/shocks.

I'm a big fan of coilovers. You can get a decent set for just about the price of a spring/strut setup plus you get way more adjustability.

[BIMMERGUY91]

You could remove the spring pads but that's about it.

[tiltmode43]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Lowering springs require shocks and struts designed for shorter stroke also.

Looking at coils and shocks now.

Glad to see you're looking at other options now! Your signature implies you care about putting quality parts on this car so please go with a proper aftermarket suspension setup.

If ride height is the concern, I'm sure there are coilovers out there that can be run at near stock height with a minimal drop as desired while delivering an excellent ride. You can fine tune the height and dampening to your preference as well.

Springs can be run without replacing dampers but changing both out together is always recommended. You won't be losing any noticeable amount of articulation and honestly, a spring and shock combo sounds the best option for your situation.

[Steeler]

Thanks,

I have actually gone with the koni yellows and lowering springs on the advice of another forum member

I think it will compliment the H&R bars well
Next up is replacing the FCAB and engine /trans mounts.