Lowering E46

[milbogo]

Hi Guys,

Just bought an E46 and considering lowering it. The dealer advised to keep it orginal for resale value- any thoughts? It is expensive to do in Australia? Is it a big deal - or is it a relative simple thing to do.

Kind regards,
Mil

[MADALI]

What model do you have mate saloon, coupe, sports ? its a piece of cake to drop the height and you wont hurt your re sale....

[2000_328CI]

In the states, if you do anything to the car, it will hurt its resale... most people will mod their car and then before selling it will "part out their car" (selling out all their mods) and then sell the car itself....

after all, your cars resale can't be hurt if the buyer of it doesn't know that you lowered it before

[Scott_H]

In the states, if you do anything to the car, it will hurt its resale... most people will mod their car and then before selling it will "part out their car" (selling out all their mods) and then sell the car itself....

after all, your cars resale can't be hurt if the buyer of it doesn't know that you lowered it before
nicely said. Thats exactly what ive done with my car, all the mods have been installed with no hacking up of the car (except the exhaust but a welder can fix that ;) ) The easiest way to lower your car is to just go out and buy a set of king springs, they will be about $450 installed + a wheel alignment and make sure you keep your stock springs, because when you sell the car you can put them back in and noone will know it was even lowered. Just beware though, if you go with a spring that is too low with your stock shocks, you will wear out your stock shocks really easy. If you car has the sport package you should be able to run king spring lows without a problem though, thats the combo im running. But yeah, there is no need to worry about resale if what you do is reversable

[milbogo]

Thank you for your input. I have a 318 i - titaniam silver - 4 door sedan. It is not a sports model - but I want to do a few changes to make it look better.

If I have standard springs, and shocks will just changing the springs wreck the shocks? Will I get better handling if I lower the car? What size rims should I get for it to look good - are 17 inch OK.

One more questions - Is there a good place that can do this for me in sydney?

thanks guys.

[MaNgA]

I'd go for 18" or 19" mate. 17's look too small IMO. If you get some springs that don't lower your car too much you should be fine. I'd say about 30 mm max. Anything more than that you might want to go for coilovers which are very over priced in Australia.

[milbogo]

Thaanls MaNgA

What price I expect to pay to lower a car by 30mm?

By the way - what are coilovers?

[milbogo]

Hi MaNgA,

Is that a standard bumper (spoiler) on your car?

[MaNgA]

Nah its a hamann add on kit. As for the suspension it you should be able to get it lowered for around $450.

PS. Post a pic up of your car!

[aust_italian]

low kings springs, i got mine done here on the gold coast at JAX $380 including alignment. cant beat that !

[Scott_H]

low kings springs, i got mine done here on the gold coast at JAX $380 including alignment. cant beat that !
dude you are a gold coaster? describe your car or post up some pics, i probably know it :P

[milbogo]

dude you are a gold coaster? describe your car or post up some pics, i probably know it :P

I am based in Sydney. I have a silver 318i 4 door with sunroof, leather interior. It has has nothing done to it, but a few minor alterations may make a big difference.

cheers.

[cool_sydz]

Thaanls MaNgA

What price I expect to pay to lower a car by 30mm?

By the way - what are coilovers?


Coilover suspensions is an individual suspension solutions that enable customers to adjust vehicle height according to their wishes and needs.


Note: I put a Coilover already into my BMW E90, the ride a lot better than the standard. :thumbsup:

[milbogo]

Coilover suspensions is an individual suspension solutions that enable customers to adjust vehicle height according to their wishes and needs.


Note: I put a Coilover already into my BMW E90, the ride a lot better than the standard. :thumbsup:


Tell me more, how do you adjust them? Are they a lot more expensive than standards? Do you need to change shocks?

[cool_sydz]

Tell me more, how do you adjust them? Are they a lot more expensive than standards? Do you need to change shocks?


It give you an options on the shock to adjust it. Spring cost you around $700(good one such as H&R, Bilstein, KW Suspension) and coilover would cost you around $2500. Once you buy coilover, will change your standard shocks and also the spring(included on the package). That's why I told you mine is better ride than standard, after installed KW Coilover V2. Thanks.

[aust_italian]

It give you an options on the shock to adjust it. Spring cost you around $700(good one such as H&R, Bilstein, KW Suspension) and coilover would cost you around $2500. Once you buy coilover, will change your standard shocks and also the spring(included on the package). That's why I told you mine is better ride than standard, after installed KW Coilover V2. Thanks.
mate just buy kings springs they are just fine for the 318i dont waste you money on fancy stuff

[323Sum]

What the guys have been saying is spot on. Money saver is to buy your king springs 30mms max other wise if you go lower your shocks will be thrashed and your ride quite unwelcoming. I had Koni adjustables (rate only) all round which was great, but the back end was ALLOT higher than the front. Did some homework and found the adjustable coilovers where the bees knees of suspension. I shopped around and bought the PSS9's rate and height adjustable at the fraction of the cost (second hand) perfect condition, had them tested before fitting... I will post up pics during the week so you can see how the car sits. Once you get coil overs, you wont want anything else. I have wound mine all the way down and have adjusted the rate to be a little stiff. A little bouncey but the handling is perfect... Hope it helps ;)

[MaNgA]

take some pics kosta!

[323Sum]

Heheh hey Manga, I know mate, after work tmorrow I will take some photos and post up, im due for fresh ones anyway