[jproject]

Hi, I just installed a set of KW V3 on my 18 LCI and on the fence whether I should keep the current ride height or raise it by 5mm or so. I know ride height is pretty subjective but thought I'll see what others think (and share a few pics), and do feel free to share pics of your car's ride height as well.

[hlm2c]

Looks really good to me. If you don't scrape or rub at that height and you're happy with the performance, I would keep it as is.

[Sundinisagod]

Is that the lowest setting I assume? Looks perfect to me. I’ve got a AW lci too and am investigating my lowering options still, but leaning kw v3 as well.

Agree with above poster, if you like the ride and no rub I’d leave it.

[VisualEcho]

To me it's a very fine line, and the front always needs to be at least 5mm lower to my eye or the rear looks like it's squatting. Your front looks like it could come down a bit.

I set my MPS to 595/600, and now I'm wishing I would have gotten the KWV3 because it needs just a bit more. But there are always tricks of light and tire shadow as well, so the same car can look very different depending on the lighting. Personally, with stock tires (not just stock size, real PSS), I like 590/595 the best.

All the pix below are 595/600 with OEM Conti tires.

[jproject]

Originally Posted by Sundinisagod

Is that the lowest setting I assume? Looks perfect to me. I’ve got a AW lci too and am investigating my lowering options still, but leaning kw v3 as well.

Agree with above poster, if you like the ride and no rub I’d leave it.

I was looking at various options like MPS and Ohlins, but decided on KW for being in the middle om price and performance. My dealership tried to charge me crazy labor to install MPS. All the best with your search. So far been happy with the KW.

[jproject]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

To me it's a very fine line, and the front always needs to be at least 5mm lower to my eye or the rear looks like it's squatting. Your front looks like it could come down a bit.

I set my MPS to 595/600, and now I'm wishing I would have gotten the KWV3 because it needs just a bit more. But there are always tricks of light and tire shadow as well, so the same car can look very different depending on the lighting. Personally, with stock tires (not just stock size, real PSS), I like 590/595 the best.

All the pix below are 595/600 with OEM Conti tires.

Thanks for sharing your photos, looks fantastic! I think that’s what I’m debating in terms of ride height. Mine does look just a touch lower than yours, and I’m trying to decide if I prefer your 595/600 set up vs my current set up on the KWs.

It’s also interesting that my installer mentioned that he usually sets up the front ride height to be a bit higher than the rear (half finger higher), whereas you have the height lower on the front vs. the rear.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by jproject

Thanks for sharing your photos, looks fantastic! I think that’s what I’m debating in terms of ride height. Mine does look just a touch lower than yours, and I’m trying to decide if I prefer your 595/600 set up vs my current set up on the KWs.

It’s also interesting that my installer mentioned that he usually sets up the front ride height to be a bit higher than the rear (half finger higher), whereas you have the height lower on the front vs. the rear.

I've never heard of anyone setting the front higher (visually) than the rear. BMW themselves recommends rake, and quite a bit of it, like 10mm IIRC. 595/600 is where you should be for the best performance, but visually I suppose you can do whatever you like.

As I said, with mine, in certain lighting it looks like the rear needs to go down a bit, and in other lighting it looks like it's good. It really depends on the light, and the tires make a huge difference as well. I positively hate the sidewall of my new PS4S rears. They're the same size as stock, but they look so much more bulbous, and don't match the fronts at all. It's very hard to tell in pix, but in real life it's glaring.

You might be able to see the difference in in these two pix, but trust me, in real life it's huge. I'm now on the hunt for a nice set of PSS to replace my PS4S with. I don't drive the car much, or in rain, so it won't make much difference to me either way.

[VisualEcho]

And I forgot to ask, what does your rear measure? It does look low to me, but I'd really like to know. You could raise the rear, or lower the front, but with how low the rear is, I wouldn't lower the front anymore. I'd honestly raise the rear a bit.

Waiting on that measurement!

[jproject]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

And I forgot to ask, what does your rear measure? It does look low to me, but I'd really like to know. You could raise the rear, or lower the front, but with how low the rear is, I wouldn't lower the front anymore. I'd honestly raise the rear a bit.

Waiting on that measurement!

Stupid question here as first time I installed coilovers. What's the right way to measure the height?

[x233]

Originally Posted by jproject

Stupid question here as first time I installed coilovers. What's the right way to measure the height?

[jproject]

Thanks for the diagram on measuring the height!!

Measured the height and it's 595mm in front and 590mm in the rear, so that is probably what my installer did and why the car does have that little bit of "squatted rear" look.

So I think I will have my installer raise the rear 5mm or 10mm so the rear is not lower than the front. Here are a few other photos that is a bit clearer of the wheel gap.

[VisualEcho]

Yeah, that rear needs to come up 10mm, but something inside me is begging to see the front lowered 5mm instead, first.

I think you'll end up at 595/600, it's honestly perfect. The car is lower, but not too low, if you know what I mean, it doesn't look aftermarketized, it just looks right.

[x233]

I'd raise the rear 1.5 turns on the spring perch. That'll get it about 5 mm higher. Also, that will load the front a bit more so you may end up slightly lower in the front without ever touching the said front. Let it settle for a few days, test drive it in the meantime, and see if that's what you like.

Of course, you'll need to re-align the car once you're happy with the ride height. I'd set the rear toe-in at 0.09 (0.18 total) and rear camber at -1.50/-1.55 and the front toe-in at 0.03 (0.06 total).

[jproject]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

Yeah, that rear needs to come up 10mm, but something inside me is begging to see the front lowered 5mm instead, first.

I think you'll end up at 595/600, it's honestly perfect. The car is lower, but not too low, if you know what I mean, it doesn't look aftermarketized, it just looks right.

I’ll post some photos after I get a chance to get the height tweaked

[Caduceus]

VisualEcho Outstanding photos. Better than any press or advertising photos I've seen of this car. As an OG LBB owner, I approve!!!!

[Caduceus]

Like many, I used 595/600 on my KW V3s. However, running slightly oversized tyres - M3/4 spec 255/275 I am getting frustrated by rubbing the tyre liners on high speed dips which are frequently found on Australian back country roads where a concrete causeway is set into the road to allow water to drain across during heavy rain. I get absolutely no rubbing on the track under heavy braking or maximum G-cornering but the tyres will kiss the liners in the scenario above.

I think rather than mess with the aesthetics of the suspension and the otherwise excellent handling, I will go back to OEM 245/265s next tyre change. That will give 4mm additional clearance to the liner under maximum compression...which is probably all it needs to avoid zingers.

[Sundinisagod]

Originally Posted by jproject

I was looking at various options like MPS and Ohlins, but decided on KW for being in the middle om price and performance. My dealership tried to charge me crazy labor to install MPS. All the best with your search. So far been happy with the KW.

Do you mind sharing that dealer quote for MPS ?

Also what the independent shop charged for the KW ?

I’m just outside Toronto myself.

PM if you prefer. Thanks.

Best of luck with the adjustments.

[jproject]

Got the suspension height tweaked after letting it settle for a bit. Really happy with the outcome! I could go a bit lower but decided to stay at right around 600mm front and back. Probably could have gone 595/600 but like the balanced stance.

As promised here are a few updated photos after the adjustment.

[Carrera2RS]

Anyone know what stock is ?

[jproject]

Originally Posted by Carrera2RS

Anyone know what stock is ?

I didn’t measure mine unfortunately before I got the KWs on

[x233]

Originally Posted by Carrera2RS

Anyone know what stock is ?

620 mm on all 4 corners.

[ericlr1225]

What's the minimum drop for M2s on KWv3?