e46 sport suspension vs Stock Suspension

Sebastian C. · 12-24-2009, 06:19 PM

Hi to all, please i want know how much drop sport springs vs OEM non sport springs on a e46.

Thanx

niko084 · 12-24-2009, 06:25 PM

I believe it's like .5-.75".

Sebastian C. · 12-24-2009, 06:26 PM

Thanx a lot.

silentak1 · 02-09-2010, 11:44 AM

Can you install non-sport springs on a car that came with sport springs? Yes right? Just checking the obvious...

ryanwhite74115 · 02-09-2010, 01:28 PM

yes you can, most try to get the ZHP sport springs since they drop even a little more, I think another .25"

Hrvat · 02-09-2010, 02:50 PM

When I swapped my non-sport suspension for sports, this is what I saw

David F · 02-09-2010, 03:40 PM

I did the change from normal to sport and I remember the drop being on the order of about 1" to 1.25"

silentak1 · 02-10-2010, 07:28 PM

I'm actually thinking of raising my car to the highest available OEM spring (which would be the non-sport I guess).

I encounter too many steep driveways in LA...

Thanks for the confirmation!

dabdibridgep · 02-10-2010, 07:30 PM

15mm, .6 inches

shadyb421 · 02-10-2010, 08:26 PM

any way to get some ssprings that are gonna get that hideous front end lift that my non-sport e46 has... if theres no option im probally gonna go with the eibach sportline springs

SDKmann · 02-10-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hrvat

When I swapped my non-sport suspension for sports, this is what I saw

It would be really nice if someone could post a similar comparison with non-sport, sport and ZHP springs side by side.

shadyb421 · 02-10-2010, 08:35 PM

wait so you can swap out springs for non-sport springs for like lower oem springs that were on a 330 or a zhp?

SDKmann · 02-10-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadyb421

wait so you can swap out springs for non-sport springs for like lower oem springs that were on a 330 or a zhp?

Yes.

RAFF112 · 02-10-2010, 08:57 PM

not sure if zhp springs are a different size i think the spring rates are little stiffer though.

BMWfever · 02-10-2010, 09:36 PM

Hope this is not a thread hijack, but I have a noob question.

I have the window sticker that came with my '06 330Ci. It lists having the Sport package, with wheels, tires, and seats (no mention of different springs).

To me this car looks lower than some other E46's driving around. Does Sport package always mean lower springs too?

Thanks

jzwu · 02-10-2010, 09:47 PM

Yes and stiffer shocks/struts.

genuity · 02-10-2010, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadyb421

any way to get some ssprings that are gonna get that hideous front end lift that my non-sport e46 has... if theres no option im probally gonna go with the eibach sportline springs

From my research, eibach springs are 0.5" lower on than OEM sports springs. My sports package is already too low. There was a few times when I bottomed out on an entrance to a shopping center

When I am changing my shocks, I'm reusing the springs. It is hard enough to get a floor jack under it even with a low profile jack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDKmann

It would be really nice if someone could post a similar comparison with non-sport, sport and ZHP springs side by side.

+1

@Hrvat: Thanks for the picture with that...I always wondered what was the difference.

silentak1 · 02-10-2010, 10:05 PM

Would it be a problem or issue if I use my current H&R shocks/struts and install OEM non-sport suspension? I currently have the H&R Touring or Sport springs installed.

Just wondering if the shock/strut would have an issue because it's now "compressed" further OR if for some reason this combination is not compatible.

zhp pilot · 02-10-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuity

@Hrvat: Thanks for the picture with that...I always wondered what was the difference.

Just want to add this. Pictures of uncompressed springs only tell half the story. Depending on the spring rate, the compressed lengths can be different between to the two. So the difference between uncompressed lengths will not be the same as the difference in ride height of the car.

pifane · 02-11-2010, 04:34 PM

4 bilstein sport + H&R Race Spring Sets ( Approximate Lowering, 2.0 Inch Front, 1.4 Inch Rear ) + Racing shock mount = The way its have to be!

12-24-2009, 06:19 PM	#1
Sebastian C. Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Santiago of Chile, South America Posts: 11 My Ride: e46 330i View My Garage	e46 sport suspension vs Stock Suspension Hi to all, please i want know how much drop sport springs vs OEM non sport springs on a e46. Thanx

02-09-2010, 01:28 PM	#5
ryanwhite74115 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,751 My Ride: 2011 Hyundai Sonata View My Garage	yes you can, most try to get the ZHP sport springs since they drop even a little more, I think another .25" __________________ (\ /) or \(`–' )/ ( . .) c('')('')

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12-24-2009, 06:25 PM	#2
niko084 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 143 My Ride: '02 330ci View My Garage	I believe it's like .5-.75".

12-24-2009, 06:26 PM	#3
Sebastian C. Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Santiago of Chile, South America Posts: 11 My Ride: e46 330i View My Garage	Thanx a lot.

02-09-2010, 11:44 AM	#4
silentak1 Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: LA Posts: 799 My Ride: '03 330ci cabrio View My Garage	Can you install non-sport springs on a car that came with sport springs? Yes right? Just checking the obvious...

02-09-2010, 03:40 PM	#7
David F Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 319 My Ride: 323i, 740iL, 633CSi View My Garage	I did the change from normal to sport and I remember the drop being on the order of about 1" to 1.25"

02-10-2010, 07:28 PM	#8
silentak1 Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: LA Posts: 799 My Ride: '03 330ci cabrio View My Garage	I'm actually thinking of raising my car to the highest available OEM spring (which would be the non-sport I guess). I encounter too many steep driveways in LA... Thanks for the confirmation!

02-10-2010, 07:30 PM	#9
dabdibridgep Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Temecula CA Posts: 177 My Ride: 04 330ci 6 M/T View My Garage	15mm, .6 inches

02-10-2010, 08:26 PM	#10
shadyb421 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 186 My Ride: 2001 325i E46 View My Garage	any way to get some ssprings that are gonna get that hideous front end lift that my non-sport e46 has... if theres no option im probally gonna go with the eibach sportline springs

02-10-2010, 08:35 PM	#12
shadyb421 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 186 My Ride: 2001 325i E46 View My Garage	wait so you can swap out springs for non-sport springs for like lower oem springs that were on a 330 or a zhp?

02-10-2010, 09:36 PM	#15
BMWfever Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 84 My Ride: '06 330 Ci View My Garage	Hope this is not a thread hijack, but I have a noob question. I have the window sticker that came with my '06 330Ci. It lists having the Sport package, with wheels, tires, and seats (no mention of different springs). To me this car looks lower than some other E46's driving around. Does Sport package always mean lower springs too? Thanks

02-10-2010, 09:47 PM	#16
jzwu Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,299 My Ride: 2005 BMW 330Cic View My Garage	Yes and stiffer shocks/struts.

02-10-2010, 10:05 PM	#18
silentak1 Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: LA Posts: 799 My Ride: '03 330ci cabrio View My Garage	Would it be a problem or issue if I use my current H&R shocks/struts and install OEM non-sport suspension? I currently have the H&R Touring or Sport springs installed. Just wondering if the shock/strut would have an issue because it's now "compressed" further OR if for some reason this combination is not compatible.

02-11-2010, 04:34 PM	#20
pifane Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Province of Quebec, Canada Posts: 126 My Ride: Many View My Garage	4 bilstein sport + H&R Race Spring Sets ( Approximate Lowering, 2.0 Inch Front, 1.4 Inch Rear ) + Racing shock mount = The way its have to be!