[trizzuth]

I couldn't take the pressure anymore. The constant pressure from being on this forum for 8 years invaded my veins and I finally did it.

My rust bucket is now dropped! I bought a set of Hotckis springs from a forum members last year sometime, with the intent of putting them into my car and removing my ZHP springs so I could use them in my wife's car as hers are beat. Well I finally got around to it and went at it last Friday. I really wouldn't want to go any lower than this, as it is, it makes the 135's look gigantic, but the drop is just perfect, even front and back, ride is actually a little less jarring than the ZHP springs even though I sit a bit lower now.

Now you can all rejoice!

Before (this was when I had the ZHP springs in, but she wasn't 100% settled yet)

After with Hotchkis springs:

 

[MightyY]

Needs moar lowerz!!

J/K. I like that ride height. I wouldn't go any lower either.

 

[trizzuth]

Needs moar lowerz!!

J/K. I like that ride height. I wouldn't go any lower either.

HA! I knew that was going to be the first comment! I am sorta worried about snow, speed bumps and curbs in parking lots, but I never go anywhere near them anyways, so I think snow may be my biggest worry. Just have to take the wagon in the snow, that's it!

Plus, if I rip my bumper off, it will be more motivation for me to get that Imola MTech II bumper out of my garage and do something with it.

 

[Restoring]

How would you compare the handling to the ZHP springs? I put these in my 323i that was riding stock and I felt the springs were a bit softer than stock. Either that, or the roll center is off enough to through it off. I feel like I need a sway bar now after dropping it on these. Not to say I'm upset, they still ride great and the car looks awesome. Then a few months later my rear struts blew, but that was slightly unrelated to the springs.

BEFORE on Stock springs and Style 44's

AFTER on Hotchkis springs and Style 44's

 

[trizzuth]

I haven't really pushed it around corners too hard yet, so I will have to see, but overall, in general the ride is a bit better and not as harsh as the ZHP springs. I can only assume that it may not corner as good if the springs are not as stiff, but it should be just about the same, not to mention you are lower, which also enhances cornering. Are you sure those are stock springs in your E46 before pic? Normally with all stock spring setups I have seen, there is more of a visible gap up front than in the rear, your car is sitting pretty even in the before pics.

Rear shocks blew out, why? were they Bilsteins? Or OE Sachs? How many miles on them? this all matters..

 

[Restoring]

I can only assume that it may not corner as good if the springs are not as stiff, but it should be just about the same, not to mention you are lower, which also enhances cornering.

vbo

That is not true. There is a law of diminishing returns you can apply to lowering your car. The suspension geometry is designed around a specific roll center, that excessively lowering you car can adversely effect the handling. I am not trying to start any ish over this, just saying.

The answer is no, I am not positive that they were stock springs. The previous owner seemed a bit aloof about the car so it is possible there were sport springs in it. The seats are not sport package and neither is the wheel, so I would sooner assume they are settled stock springs and not sport or ZHP. But who knows, I am nowhere near the old springs to be able to spit out number codes printed on them.

The struts are also what I bought the car with. The reason they ultimately blew out is because I loaded 5 people (including myself driving) into it, and stuffed the trunk full of gear. Then I drove it from Michigan to NY, a good 6-7 hours straight. It was half an inch from rubbing tire to inner fender. Even if they were brand new struts when I bought the car, it would have accrued 20k miles since then and again I doubt the previous owner replaced them and failed to mentioned it.

 

[trizzuth]

vbo

That is not true. There is a law of diminishing returns you can apply to lowering your car. The suspension geometry is designed around a specific roll center, that excessively lowering you car can adversely effect the handling. I am not trying to start any ish over this, just saying.

The answer is no, I am not positive that they were stock springs. The previous owner seemed a bit aloof about the car so it is possible there were sport springs in it. The seats are not sport package and neither is the wheel, so I would sooner assume they are settled stock springs and not sport or ZHP. But who knows, I am nowhere near the old springs to be able to spit out number codes printed on them.

The struts are also what I bought the car with. The reason they ultimately blew out is because I loaded 5 people (including myself driving) into it, and stuffed the trunk full of gear. Then I drove it from Michigan to NY, a good 6-7 hours straight. It was half an inch from rubbing tire to inner fender. Even if they were brand new struts when I bought the car, it would have accrued 20k miles since then and again I doubt the previous owner replaced them and failed to mentioned it.

haha, daaaamn that **** is loooooww! I'd venture to say that any shock in an E46 is pretty much done around 100K miles, some people on this forum say 60K, so if they were the original shocks and you bought it slammed it with 5 people and luggage and then drove another 20K, that is the reason they were done.

 

[Restoring]

haha, daaaamn that **** is loooooww! I'd venture to say that any shock in an E46 is pretty much done around 100K miles, some people on this forum say 60K, so if they were the original shocks and you bought it slammed it with 5 people and luggage and then drove another 20K, that is the reason they were done.

Bought it at 130k, Is now at 150k. Only replaced both control arms, bushings and the springs. I only drove with the excessive weight for 6 hours...not 20k. I am not questions why these things happened.

Please post when you have a good idea of the handling when the car is pushed a little bit. :thumbsup:

 

[trizzuth]

Bought it at 130k, Is now at 150k. Only replaced both control arms, bushings and the springs. I only drove with the excessive weight for 6 hours...not 20k. I am not questions why these things happened.

Please post when you have a good idea of the handling when the car is pushed a little bit. :thumbsup:

Will do man, I am just about to tackle my wife's 325iT wagon suspension and it hasn't been touched in 170K miles! Only thing I've done was control arms/bushings and sway bar links. Those shocks are so blown it isn't even funny!

 

[xuken]

Very nice bro!

 

[trizzuth]

Very nice bro!

Sup! Go get those wheels finished!

 

[Dino1394]

Looks great dude!

 

[JKid]

looks very good!

 

[HBizzo88]

NO moar low. Looks great! :thumbsup:


Sent from BimmerApp mobile app

 

[dmax]

Don't ever talk to me again. Return the key to the club and remove your bmw shrine from your closet.

I'm so disappoint. I don't even.

 

[cak323i]

Needs moar lowerz!!

J/K. I like that ride height. I wouldn't go any lower either.

you can go moar low....not bad though :thumbsup:

 

[CJW2OO4]

nice SUV you got there. I agree youre Explorer ride height is a little better than that H1 ride height you had earlier.

 

[Sam 330ci]

:thumbsup:

 

[trizzuth]

Don't ever talk to me again. Return the key to the club and remove your bmw shrine from your closet.

I'm so disappoint. I don't even.

DMAX for Comedian of the year!

you can go moar low....not bad though :thumbsup:

Can't hang with rubbing, had 4 adults in the car the other day, no rubs, I'm good!

:thumbsup:

Atta boy sammy!

CJW shut the F up with your man-loving clown shoe!