For those who still undesided regarding basic mods (springs,spacers)

[SchwarzerM3]

Hello,

I just started to slightly mod my M.
Goal was to get most bang for the buck....

I went with HR springs and 15mm H&R spacers all around.

Total in parts = $550
If installed at a shop appx. $200 - $400 in labor (my dealer would have charged me $900 for instalation ).

I did it myself... Total labor = $0

Here ist a DIY for the springs, great write up..straight forward install:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183011

I'll give the springs 2 weeks to set before I have the wheel alignment done which is appx. $200 at the BMW dealer.

The photos were taken right after the install, I'm sure the car will drop a little more after some time.

The car/ photos will be boring for 99% of the forum since it is besides the springs and the spacers pretty much bone stock, however, for "starters" it may provides a good before and after view to help them decide whether or not install springs/spacers.

The car's suspension feels with the H&R springs a little stiffer/firmer because of the higher spring rate of the aftermarket springs, it also seems like that the beam of the headlights is a little lower which very likely could be adjusted with the headlight level sensor, the right rear is rubbing a little bid (with 3 persons in the car going over rough roads), other than that, I did not recognize any other changes.

All in all, I'm very happy with the spring/spacer combo...Imho it makes a big difference for $550.

Alex

[aus]

Looks great.
Did you paint the hub or use some grease on the spacers? They can get stuck after only a few miles.

Here's some info on the headlights adjustment after a suspension job, but it sounds like you got it right since the lights are low.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ght=headlights

.

[SchwarzerM3]

Originally Posted by aus

Looks great.
Did you paint the hub or use some grease on the spacers? They can get stuck after only a few miles.

Here's some info on the headlights adjustment after a suspension job, but it sounds like you got it right since the lights are low.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ght=headlights

.

Hello,

thanks for your compliment, as said before, it's nothing special at all but the M3 looks bone stock already freaking good

I put grease between the hub's and spacers and between the spacers and rims and a little bit on the tip of the bolt's.


Before I took the leveling sensor off, I made a little sketch...if you look at the sensor leverage from the backside of the car, it must liik like a "C" and not like a mirrored "C".


Alex

[FrenchBoy]

No doubt. Much better. Congrats.

I am also running H&R sport springs but with 12mm spacers all around. I found that the 15mm spacers were causing excessive rubbing on the rear tires with the rearmost wheel well plastic liner.

[geneatals]

looks great...

[anthony @ eas]

Looks good. Spacers and springs work wonders for the M3.

[SchwarzerM3]

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

No doubt. Much better. Congrats.

I am also running H&R sport springs but with 12mm spacers all around. I found that the 15mm spacers were causing excessive rubbing on the rear tires with the rearmost wheel well plastic liner.

I had the rubbing as well, however, it only happened if I had someone sitting on the back-seat.
It was rubbing on the inner bumper plastic-liner. I just shaved off the very tip of it, caulked it afterwards....no rubbing anymore
Therefore 15mm spacers are duable with the posibility of small tweaking @ the bumper liner....
You may get lucky without doing anything, I only had to do it on the right side, the left side has enough clearance.

[SchwarzerM3]

Originally Posted by geneatals

looks great...

Originally Posted by anthony @ eas

Looks good. Spacers and springs work wonders for the M3.

Thanks, I agree, springs and spacers change the appearance of the car substantial.

[vividracing]

much, much better - car looks subtle, but much improved!

[stew330i]

Any issues going over speed bumps?

[SchwarzerM3]

if I go slow no problem at all