Sport / Non Sport Suspension Ride Height

[Incompatible]

A thread on another forum got me thinking about this so I thought I would ask the general forum. My interest in ride height is because I've heard a variety of numbers for the difference between the standard and sport (M) suspension on our non M cars. I've been told everything from 0.5 to 1.5 inches with 0.5-0.75 being the most common. I'm not aware of a spring brand which differentiates the amount of drop between standard and sport suspension oem ride height, if it makes a difference. (The sport/non sport springs could have the same height to maintain the same amount of travel while the spring supports are lower on the sport then the non-sport cars.) Since the question seems to come up on a regular basis, now might be a good time to find out.

To eliminate any differences in height for the various front bumpers, a good standard to use would be:
Option 1: The distance from the top of the fender wheel arch to the ground.
Option 2: Measure the distance from the center of the wheel (center cap) to the top of the fender wheel arch.

Measure both fronts in case there is a side to side difference. Using the fronts also helps to minimize differences in gas tank fill. If you have non stock size tires or springs please identify. For those using English measurement, please round to nearest 1/8 inch.

For those of you who wish to measure both methods and all four corners please do so and post. I can always create another listing with the additional info.

Thanks, I'll try to add to this as people contribute. If there is enough response, I will format into a easy to read/compare list and post.

2007 3.0Si Coupe - Sport suspension Stock tire size. Option 1
driver side = 26 inch passenger side = 26 1/4 inch Avg = 26 1/8 inch

Option 1 (Avg Hgt)
26 1/8 inch - 07 Si Coupe sport suspension, stock tire size
25 9/16 - 04 3.0 sport 18' rims OEM


Option 2 (Avg hgt)
14 1/8 inch - 03 non sport
13 3/4 inch - 03 as above with Dinan package
14 inch - 07 Si Coupe sport suspension
14 3/16 - 04 3.0 sport 18' rims OEM

[pungo]

Tire wear, brand, model and inflation amount can make a bit of a difference on the ride height, so you'll get many different measurements from people. I would suggest measuring from the center of the center cap on the wheel to the top of the wheel arch, that way you will be getting an accurate measurement without the tire variables, regardless of different tire/rim sizes. Also I'd take measurements at all 4 corners. What do you think?

[vachss]

I can't find the reference right now but I remember the BMW's literature on the Z4 saying that the sport package lowered the car by 15mm.

[Chuck I]

Pungo, I agree. I'll quote from the instructions that Dinan gave me for checking ride height when I was installing new Dinan springs on my 2003 Z4 Non-sport. "C-F Center of wheel to fender lip: Measure the rim diameter and devide it by 1/2, next measure the bottom of the rim lip to the bottom of fender lip, now subract the 1st # from the 2nd #, this will get you the true Center of wheel to fender lip #." As far as the numbers for my Non-sport Z4;

Stock - Left Front - C-F 14 1/8 --- Right Front - 14 1/8
Stock - Left Rear - C-F 14 1/2 --- Right Rear - 14 1/2

Dinan Kit installed - Left Front - C-F 13 3/4 --- Right Front - 13 7/8
Dinan Kit installed - Left Rear - C-F 13 3/4 --- Right Rear - 13 7/8

I've noticed that exact measurements of ride height are hard to get. You have to have the car "perfectly" level and depending on a multitude of different reasons, the car may not return to rest at the same height each time.. Chuck I

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by Chuck I

Pungo, I agree. I'll quote from the instructions that Dinan gave me for checking ride height when I was installing new Dinan springs on my 2003 Z4 Non-sport. "C-F Center of wheel to fender lip: Measure the rim diameter and devide it by 1/2, next measure the bottom of the rim lip to the bottom of fender lip, now subract the 1st # from the 2nd #, this will get you the true Center of wheel to fender lip #." As far as the numbers for my Non-sport Z4;

Stock - Left Front - C-F 14 1/8 --- Right Front - 14 1/8
Stock - Left Rear - C-F 14 1/2 --- Right Rear - 14 1/2

Dinan Kit installed - Left Front - C-F 13 3/4 --- Right Front - 13 7/8
Dinan Kit installed - Left Rear - C-F 13 3/4 --- Right Rear - 13 7/8

I've noticed that exact measurements of ride height are hard to get. You have to have the car "perfectly" level and depending on a multitude of different reasons, the car may not return to rest at the same height each time.. Chuck I

I agree that the Dinan method is more accurate, I wanted to keep this simple to maximize people posting. What I will do is to add a second option to my original post. ChuckI, if you would, please post your heights by the first method also for comparison purposes.

Originally Posted by pungo

Tire wear, brand, model and inflation amount can make a bit of a difference on the ride height, so you'll get many different measurements from people. I would suggest measuring from the center of the center cap on the wheel to the top of the wheel arch, that way you will be getting an accurate measurement without the tire variables, regardless of different tire/rim sizes. Also I'd take measurements at all 4 corners. What do you think?

I agree that there are a number of variables to deal with, again, trying to keep this simple for everyone.

Thanks all for the info.

[Chuck I]

Sure, we're having some bad weather here, but when I get out to the garage, I'll get the measurements from the lip to the ground.. Chuck I

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by vachss

I can't find the reference right now but I remember the BMW's literature on the Z4 saying that the sport package lowered the car by 15mm.

I have heard that this is the definitive answer but I've never been able to track it down in print.

[vachss]

http://www.vistabmwpompano.com/0170-resNewsZ4.html

An old Z4 press release that's still up on a BMW dealership's website. Check Sport Package specs near the bottom. Google is your friend...

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by vachss

http://www.vistabmwpompano.com/0170-resNewsZ4.html

An old Z4 press release that's still up on a BMW dealership's website. Check Sport Package specs near the bottom. Google is your friend...

Great info and a great read! I've never run across this before, something else to add to my Z4 info file.

Thanks for the post, I think a number of Z4 owners will find this informative.

[imz4n]

front option 1= 25 9/16

front Option 2= 14 3/16

04 3.0 sport 18' rims OEM

My $0.02 worth.

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by imz4n

front option 1= 25 9/16

front Option 2= 14 3/16

04 3.0 sport 18' rims OEM

My $0.02 worth.

Your $0.02 worth is always welcome.

[rc'Z]

this dealer website also has Z4 film telling about how the DSC works. check it out

[rosierobins2003]

All I know is that the sport package MUST be lower. I had a Z4 friend drive mine and it was lower than his non sport version. AND I am always dragging, at least once a week I bottom out. I had no idea that it was because of the sport package until just recently. However, I love the sport package and wouldn't give it up.

Rosie