Ride height with coilovers

[M3MATT]

What ride height are you guys running? I need a bit of help deciding what’s best, I’m finding numbers all over the place

[tdott]

What's best, for what purpose? or for who?

There is no one size fits all here. Perhaps a rule of thumb might be what you are looking for, but there will always be exceptions based on setup, wheel/tire combo, aero, spring rates, etc, etc.

You've mention nothing about your setup or purpose.

Perhaps that is why you are finding numbers "all over the place".

[derbo]

I'm at M3 GTS "race" height as BMW TIS says.

It's about -16mm/-12mm from stock ZCP height, measured from fender to bottom of rim edge.

[M3MATT]

Originally Posted by tdott

What's best, for what purpose? or for who?

There is no one size fits all here. Perhaps a rule of thumb might be what you are looking for, but there will always be exceptions based on setup, wheel/tire combo, aero, spring rates, etc, etc.

You've mention nothing about your setup or purpose.

Perhaps that is why you are finding numbers "all over the place".

Stock wheel size and tire.
On KW V3’s with solid subframe and diff, full bimmerworld spherical and adjustable arms in the rear, hotchkiss swaybars, SPL Front end, etc.
cars used as a daily and track car lol

[M3MATT]

Originally Posted by derbo

I'm at M3 GTS "race" height as BMW TIS says.

It's about -16mm/-12mm from stock ZCP height, measured from fender to bottom of rim edge.

Do you happen to know the number from group or rim to fender? If you have time would you mind measuring?

[TboneS54]

The best ride hieght is the lowest you can go without sacrificing bump travel to a point that ruins the car's behavior.

If you have camber plates or cut guide tubes, you can go a little lower in the front, but retain the same bump travel as someone with stock mounts forexample.

Spring rate also determines ride height. Both cars could be at the same, lowered ride height, but the one with softer springs can bottom out sooner, so it needs to ride higher. Stiffer springs won't use as much bump travel.

[spammysammich]

Originally Posted by M3MATT

Do you happen to know the number from group or rim to fender? If you have time would you mind measuring?

Derbo and I are running the same ride height. I’m on KW clubsports. Reference the attached photo. Not my car.

[M3MATT]

Originally Posted by spammysammich

Derbo and I are running the same ride height. I’m on KW clubsports. Reference the attached photo. Not my car.

Do you have the measurements for 19”?

[spammysammich]

No

[andrewmega]

I went through some ride height adjustments recently as well, found some documents that I cropped/saved this data from. Don't have the page I got this info from bookmarked or anything, unfortunately.
The third image is GTS information for 19" wheel, which seems to be ~13mm/0.5in difference from 18"

[derbo]

Originally Posted by spammysammich

Derbo and I are running the same ride height. I’m on KW clubsports. Reference the attached photo. Not my car.

Lol that’s my car.



And the text about race height measurement is in 19s.

The JDM market 18” is same springs as ZCP. Essentially a ZCP 18” measurement.

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by andrewmega

I went through some ride height adjustments recently as well, found some documents that I cropped/saved this data from. Don't have the page I got this info from bookmarked or anything, unfortunately.
The third image is GTS information for 19" wheel, which seems to be ~13mm/0.5in difference from 18"

Scroll down to the bottom and you'll find what ride height and suspension configuration i'm running on my car (it's pretty much the same for E92).

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2001829

[wyatth]

I have my Ohlins set to ZCP height, which is also their recommendation. I think it's a great balance between looks and drivability.

[TboneS54]

Once I install the ohlins, I'll probably do similarly, maybe a few MMs lower than that.

I have to say, looks-wise at least, the swift spec R lowering springs are the ost perfect drop I've ever seen from a set of lowering springs on any of the cars I've had (e36/46/8x/9x). But I think, just looking at it, it's a hair too low, esp in front, with its full 1" (25mm) drop.

[M3MATT]

Originally Posted by andrewmega

I went through some ride height adjustments recently as well, found some documents that I cropped/saved this data from. Don't have the page I got this info from bookmarked or anything, unfortunately.
The third image is GTS information for 19" wheel, which seems to be ~13mm/0.5in difference from 18"

Wait so which one is gts? That chart is kinda confusing

[M3MATT]

Originally Posted by derbo

Lol that’s my car.



And the text about race height measurement is in 19s.

The JDM market 18” is same springs as ZCP. Essentially a ZCP 18” measurement.

So “GTS Race” is the 19” setup? So I should just go with that?

[derbo]

Originally Posted by M3MATT

So “GTS Race” is the 19” setup? So I should just go with that?

andrewmega posted a picture that starts with the word "Procedure". This is from BMW TIS service manual how to adjust the GTS normal height (ZCP on 19s) and then how to measure the GTS "race" height.

Just follow that. 597mm front, 585mm rear. (19")

[M3MATT]

Originally Posted by derbo

andrewmega posted a picture that starts with the word "Procedure". This is from BMW TIS service manual how to adjust the GTS normal height (ZCP on 19s) and then how to measure the GTS "race" height.

Just follow that. 597mm front, 585mm rear. (19")

Ahhhh I found it lol!
Thank you for the help