Switched to ZCP's from 220's(ride height increased??)

[Dub A]

Need some advice from you folks:

Recently i switched from OEM 220's to OEM ZCP's - i kept the same tires(245/35/19 & 265/35/19 Conti's OEM) and the car seem to "raise" up and sit "higher".

No suspension change - Eibachs with 15/12 MS spacers.

Any reason why switching to the ZCP's with the same tires would increase the ride height?

[slicer]

It takes a little time for the springs to settle after you jack up the car to change the tires. Tires have steel belts which dictate the diameter. The same tires will have the same diameter no matter what wheels they are on. The ZCP wheels are wider which stretches the tires more. That could also be creating the illusion of more fender gap.

[Dub A]

Hmm, really - the springs have been on the car for 20K+ miles. I guess ill be patient. The work was done yesterday afternoon, so its been approx 22hrs. Is that enough time for the springs to settle back?

Thanks for your response.

[tha_good_life]

Originally Posted by Dub A

Need some advice from you folks:

Recently i switched from OEM 220's to OEM ZCP's - i kept the same tires(245/35/19 & 265/35/19 Conti's OEM) and the car seem to "raise" up and sit "higher".

No suspension change - Eibachs with 15/12 MS spacers.

Any reason why switching to the ZCP's with the same tires would increase the ride height?

Probably an illusion effect.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Dub A

Hmm, really - the springs have been on the car for 20K+ miles. I guess ill be patient. The work was done yesterday afternoon, so its been approx 22hrs. Is that enough time for the springs to settle back?

Thanks for your response.

I did the same swap, no ride difference here. It does take some time for the suspension to re-settle.

[Dub A]

Maybe i need to get my eyes checked.

I was using my fingers to check the gap, and its increased a tad bit.

How long would it take for the springs to settle back?

[Denk]

Originally Posted by Dub A

Maybe i need to get my eyes checked.

I was using my fingers to check the gap, and its increased a tad bit.

How long would it take for the springs to settle back?

A drive around the block was always enough for every spring change I ever did. You're comparing different rim widths with slightly different offsets. The tires are slightly stretched on ZCP's...all these things are probably throwing you off. You're not comparing apples to apples. Don't sweat it.

[Dub A]

Yah I'm not sweating it - just want that same wheel gap in had with the 220s.

If i change to a 30 series tire will it reduce the gap?

The last thing I want to do a suspension mod.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Dub A

Yah I'm not sweating it - just want that same wheel gap in had with the 220s.

If i change to a 30 series tire will it reduce the gap?

The last thing I want to do a suspension mod.

Pilot Super Sports on ZCP wheels on a non-ZCP car (like mine) looks perfect!

[slicer]

Originally Posted by Dub A

Yah I'm not sweating it - just want that same wheel gap in had with the 220s.

If i change to a 30 series tire will it reduce the gap?

The last thing I want to do a suspension mod.

A 30 series tire in the same width is a lower profile and will increase the gap. You can switch to 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 tires if you want to reduce the gap. Those tires are slightly taller than OEM. Another trick is to add spacers which can give the illusion of less gap. Lastly lowering the car is the best way to reduce the gap... Based on your signature you already have eibach springs... Coilovers are the next step.

[chris s]

Originally Posted by Dub A

Yah I'm not sweating it - just want that same wheel gap in had with the 220s.

If i change to a 30 series tire will it reduce the gap?

The last thing I want to do a suspension mod.

It will INCREASE the gap!

[ChrisK]

Here are 3 pictures of my ZCP wheels + Stock Michelin Super Sports on my Non-ZCP car.

I have no spacers, suspension is completely stock.
I lightened the images up so you could better see the gap.


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[Dub A]

Originally Posted by slicer

A 30 series tire in the same width is a lower profile and will increase the gap. You can switch to 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 tires if you want to reduce the gap. Those tires are slightly taller than OEM. Another trick is to add spacers which can give the illusion of less gap. Lastly lowering the car is the best way to reduce the gap... Based on your signature you already have eibach springs... Coilovers are the next step.

Gotcha - that is the tire size i originally wanted to go with, but given the fact that the tires i have only 3k miles on them, figured i would burn em out before i spend some more $$$. Im almost temped to go out and do the 255/275 route now that you mentioned it though. :-)

Spacers - already got them on there.

My last resort will be to go do the KW sleeve's so i can adjust the ride height to my desire.

Thanks for your input.

[Dub A]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

Here are 3 pictures of my ZCP wheels + Stock Michelin Super Sports on my Non-ZCP car.

I have no spacers, suspension is completely stock.
I lightened the images up so you could better see the gap.


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Wow - looks eerily similar to my current wheel gap, and i have Eibachs, lol

[ChrisK]

Here is what's funny. I have measured my car against another ZCP car and we had the exact same gap. I have always thought BMW screwed up my car and I got ZCP shocks.

[Denk]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

Here is what's funny. I have measured my car against another ZCP car and we had the exact same gap. I have always thought BMW screwed up my car and I got ZCP shocks.

I hear you. I've measured ZCP's on the lot that had more gap than a couple of my non-ZCP suspensions. BMW has a 10mm tolerance on ride height from corner to corner so I'm told.

[Dub A]

Originally Posted by Dub A

Wow - looks eerily similar to my current wheel gap, and i have Eibachs, lol

Btw - does my wheel gap look "normal" for eibach's and 15/12 spacers?

Im still not happy with my drop - looking to get a couple of millimeters lower. Should i go with the 255 and 275 route or get the KW sleeve over kit?

[Richard@M-World]

Alright, this thread is getting a little silly...

1. Your 20,000 mile springs absolutely do NOT need to be settled after lifting your car up to install wheels. You may need to roll your car for a couple feet for the suspension/tires to get into normal position, but it has nothing to do with the spring settling.

2. As slicer mentioned, ZCP wheels are 0.5" wider than 220. This means that each tire is stretched 0.5" farther apart than before, which deformed the sidewall and created the larger fender gap (think hellaflush). But your ride height (as defined by BMW - measured from bottom of rim to fender) does not change.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Richard@M-World

Alright, this thread is getting a little silly...

1. Your 20,000 mile springs absolutely do NOT need to be settled after lifting your car up to install wheels. You may need to roll your car for a couple feet for the suspension/tires to get into normal position, but it has nothing to do with the spring settling.

2. As slicer mentioned, ZCP wheels are 0.5" wider than 220. This means that each tire is stretched 0.5" farther apart than before, which deformed the sidewall and created the larger fender gap (think hellaflush). But your ride height (as defined by BMW - measured from bottom of rim to fender) does not change.

I respectfully disagree - When I switch to winters or pull my wheels for cleaning, my springs need to settle.

[Rk-d]

Springs do need to settle after the car is jacked - but it only takes a few minutes of driving to take care of it, IMO.

I have Eibachs and 10/12 spacers on ZCPs. My rears do look a bit more tucked in than yours. Take some different pics, if you can. The shadows can play tricks on you. These pics were taken the same day of having all four corners jacked to install spacers.

*EDIT: Posted the wrong comparo pic

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by robotk

Springs do need to settle after the car is jacked - but it only takes a few minutes of driving to take care of it, IMO.

I have Eibachs and 10/12 spacers on ZCPs. My rears do look a bit more tucked in than yours. Take some different pics, if you can. The shadows can play tricks on you. These pics were taken the same day of having all four corners jacked to install spacers.

I was going to take some with my DSLR, but my car is too dirty

[Rk-d]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

I was going to take some with my DSLR, but my car is too dirty

My bad - I posted the wrong pic. Your car has stock suspension, so the ride height looks right on. I'm on Eibachs.