Raise front suspension

[tlow98]

Hi all looking to build an M3 suspension for my wagon. In the non-M world, there are different front spring perches available from other BMW models that can be used to raise and lower the front ride height.

Does something like this exist for an otherwise stock M3?
In the form of perches or "rough road" spacers on top of the strut mounts or thicker spring pads perhaps?

The rear is easy with spring pads, but the front I'm having difficulty finding a way to raise the front suspension with otherwise stock hardware.

RealOem didn't seem to help much on this one, which doesn't give me a good feeling, ha!

I'm in the decision phase and this is the one thing giving me pause. And yes, I know, brakes, shocks, and all the other hardware needs to be changed - not worried about that stuff.

I appreciate the knowledge of the M community!

[roastbeef]

i think you're the first person to want to raise their M. congrats. you'll need a spacer like a "leveling kit" that they make for trucks, which doesn't exist because you're the first person to want to raise their M. lol
a quick but expensive solution would be to buy coilovers and you could adjust the spring perch down a little.

[6ixSpd]

Ummm...wat.

[Bpark1977]

So you're non M suspension is currently too low for you? I'm guessing you have your rims/tires/fenders sorted already. I'm pretty sure, and the forum can correct me if I'm wrong, but most M3 owners end up dropping theirs a touch. Never heard of raising...

[tlow98]

Yeah, well, the wagon is used for lots of things and is a dual driver car. I want the spring rate and design for non run flat tires that the M3 suspension offers, but I want it at non-sport ride height. Bc, ya know, the other driver is much more ‘adventurous’ than I am and I’d prefer my bumpers to stay on the car.

In the rear this is easy to accomplish.

In the front I’m coming up short for an easy solution.

It’s quite common in other markets for suspensions to come with options to make them ride higher for poor roads, etc. Wondering if anyone on here knows of any easy solutions. 3/4 of inch is all I’m asking for.

If you don’t appreciate the use case, that’s fine just searching for solutions :-)

I want a wagon that handles great but isn’t scraping stuff and I refuse to buy an SUV. Many of the coil over systems on the market won’t even make it to stock ride height in the front... been there done that.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Bpark1977

So you're non M suspension is currently too low for you? I'm guessing you have your rims/tires/fenders sorted already. I'm pretty sure, and the forum can correct me if I'm wrong, but most M3 owners end up dropping theirs a touch. Never heard of raising...

Non-sport ride height is fine but the handling is not fine. The M3 setup has everything I want, except the ride height. Pretty hard to find as reliable and well-rounded suspension that stock M3 provides. I’d go Ohlins DFV, but they really ride quite low even at the highest setting.

Yep, I understand about never heard of raising. Most people in the US haven’t.

If the M3 route isn’t possible I’ll raise the Sport non-m setups which is quite easy, but the shocks and all else on the M3 are preferable. Except for maybe the extra rotating mass of the large M3 brakes. Lightweight wheels can easily counter that tho.

[tsk94]

You'd need some kind of custom 'lift' kit for factory/stock suspension to raise you to your desired ride height - similar to what is commonly used for trucks.

The easier and likely simpler solution would be going to coilovers and simply adjust your ride height to the desired setting. I'd think something like KW V1-3 would allow you to go high enough. You could always contact them to find out exact measurements if it would work for your situation.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by tsk94

You'd need some kind of custom 'lift' kit for factory/stock suspension to raise you to your desired ride height - similar to what is commonly used for trucks.

The easier and likely simpler solution would be going to coilovers and simply adjust your ride height to the desired setting. I'd think something like KW V1-3 would allow you to go high enough. You could always contact them to find out exact measurements if it would work for your situation.

Yeah, a 15-20mm delrin spacer at the top of the strut mounts with longer bolts would work. Just trying to see if there is an easier OE solution.

Had several sets of coils in the past. Not interested in that for this car - more of a daily, so smoothness is desired and don’t really feel like adjustment provides much value other than ride height.

Maybe I’ll reach out to TC Kline directly if I decide to go coils. They are such a great company to work with.

[E90M3velocity]

sooo you're trying to build a safari-M3-wagon?

Originally Posted by tlow98

Yeah, well, the wagon is used for lots of things and is a dual driver car. I want the spring rate and design for non run flat tires that the M3 suspension offers, but I want it at non-sport ride height. Bc, ya know, the other driver is much more ‘adventurous’ than I am and I’d prefer my bumpers to stay on the car.

In the rear this is easy to accomplish.

In the front I’m coming up short for an easy solution.

It’s quite common in other markets for suspensions to come with options to make them ride higher for poor roads, etc. Wondering if anyone on here knows of any easy solutions. 3/4 of inch is all I’m asking for.

If you don’t appreciate the use case, that’s fine just searching for solutions :-)

I want a wagon that handles great but isn’t scraping stuff and I refuse to buy an SUV. Many of the coil over systems on the market won’t even make it to stock ride height in the front... been there done that.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by E90M3velocity

sooo you're trying to build a safari-M3-wagon?

Sure, can you help?

[roastbeef]

easiest solution is coilovers. seriously.

maybe look into strut tower reinforcement plates and install them upside down between the strut and the mount? not even sure if they'll fit. you're in uncharted territory, but coilovers will definitely work.

[M3ANMACHINE]

3/4" is really going to make enough difference for whatever it is you're trying to do?

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

3/4" is really going to make enough difference for whatever it is you're trying to do?

3/4” gets me to non sport height which works. So, yes?

In my mind a 3/4” spacer is easier than setting every corner ride height and corner balancing and blah, blah that it will take to set up coil overs correctly.

Well, ok, my dudes thanks for the old college try!

Will report back if I find something.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by tlow98

3/4” gets me to non sport height which works. So, yes?

In my mind a 3/4” spacer is easier than setting every corner ride height and corner balancing and blah, blah that it will take to set up coil overs correctly.

Well, ok, my dudes thanks for the old college try!

Will report back if I find something.

you'll definitely need longer strut bolts with a 3/4" spacer, and i'm not sure how easy they come off the mounts. if they don't- you definitely can't use a spacer. the "tops" of the bolts are flush with the strut nuts. there is a sleeve that reaches down a little bit, but its not 3/4".

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

you'll definitely need longer strut bolts with a 3/4" spacer, and i'm not sure how easy they come off the mounts. if they don't- you definitely can't use a spacer. the "tops" of the bolts are flush with the strut nuts. there is a sleeve that reaches down a little bit, but its not 3/4".

On the non M top hats you just hammer them out. They are press fit. I’ve done this to Install Dinan static camber plates which I believe are available for the M3, yes?

Actually, I could just get f8x M stuff as there’s a natural 5ish mm raise via the spindle then double stack a set of Dinan plates and I’m 15-20mm right there plus all the upgraded calipers etc. Of course, quite a bit more spendy than e9x take-offs.

EDIT: more spendy than I thought ~$2k used hardware on eBay.

Decisions in the safari wagon world are first world order. I quite like that safari moniker!

[E90M3velocity]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Sure, can you help?

The only thing I can think of is going to an air-ride system if any can fit on OEM suspension. I don't know any coilovers that raise the car and it will allow you to get back to normal height while on paved roads. But then again the complexity or running air lines and a tank taking up space... good luck with the solution and post a build thread. A safari M3? Why not

[SYT_Shadow]

If you use MCS for example you can ask for longer shafts and use a spring that is as tall as you like, so you could raise your car quite a bit!

I know you don't want to use coilovers but this is a straightforward way to accomplish it albeit expensive

[vilord]

Heya, sorry to necro this, but how did you do with your safari wagon suspension?

I'm currently putting on just the usual B6 shock/strut setup with new springs... the front on mine is about 2 inches higher than spec, so I think the springs I used are very wrong, but i'll see how things settle out... but I want to use this wagon for camping trips driving on rough road dirt paths.

I had originally considered going with an X1 suspension setup, though now that it's riding way too high I kinda like it, as if I accidentally installed a rough road package. Compared to the 14 year old 134k mile struts and broken springs that were on it before it handles great! lol

Originally Posted by tlow98

On the non M top hats you just hammer them out. They are press fit. I’ve done this to Install Dinan static camber plates which I believe are available for the M3, yes?

Actually, I could just get f8x M stuff as there’s a natural 5ish mm raise via the spindle then double stack a set of Dinan plates and I’m 15-20mm right there plus all the upgraded calipers etc. Of course, quite a bit more spendy than e9x take-offs.

EDIT: more spendy than I thought ~$2k used hardware on eBay.

Decisions in the safari wagon world are first world order. I quite like that safari moniker!