Has anyone lowered just the front?

URBAN LEGEND · 01-13-2010, 07:23 PM

Hello, I have considered lowering only the front because I believe the rear is low enough for my tastes. So has anyone only lowered the front? Thanks in advance. Urban Legend out!

mPlasticDesign · 01-13-2010, 07:35 PM

I actually did that on my E36. E46 was left at stock heght. With the sedan it might not be a bad idea, if you have 4 people and a trunk full of luggage, the back can seem a bit too low. Currently lowered on Dinan f&r, might consider what you are mentioning on this car.

STALKER · 01-13-2010, 08:41 PM

Get some coils and you can adjust it to what you like, but if you don't do it properly, you will upset the front to rear balance of the car.

rwchrist · 01-13-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

Hello, I have considered lowering only the front because I believe the rear is low enough for my tastes. So has anyone only lowered the front? Thanks in advance. Urban Legend out!

I was thinking the exact same thing...I like the rear stance, but feel the front needs to come down. I actually have a set of H&R Sport spings in the box sitting here...just not sure I want the back down as far as those will take it. Will be interested in seeing if anyone else has any ideas on just lowering the front.

MrHarris · 01-14-2010, 04:29 AM

I would do Eibach

Technic · 01-14-2010, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

I would do Eibach

... and that's it.

URBAN LEGEND · 01-14-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STALKER

but if you don't do it properly, you will upset the front to rear balance of the car.

Describe how so.

URBAN LEGEND · 01-14-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

I would do Eibach

Need more info other than a free post.

DoNDoN · 01-14-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

I would do Eibach

+1

Take a look at the specs for the Eibach's. The rear is barely lower than stock.

TonyTone · 01-14-2010, 10:05 AM

Coilovers for the win

STALKER · 01-14-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

Describe how so.

You would be changing the weight distribution of the car by lowering just the front.

mPlasticDesign · 01-14-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STALKER

You would be changing the weight distribution of the car by lowering just the front.

You definately will change the handling dynamics a bit with the slightly stiffer/lower springs up front, but not necessarily for the worse. There is no way that lowering your car just in the front by .5-.75" is going to make any significant weight distribution changes.

URBAN LEGEND · 01-14-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoNDoN

+1

Take a look at the specs for the Eibach's. The rear is barely lower than stock.

So why bother with the rears then? The spring rates and height for the rear is fine with me.

The front is where I have a very small issue with.

I could always go Mustang shade tree mechanics and cut the front springs.

808MGuy · 01-14-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

So why bother with the rears then? The spring rates and height for the rear is fine with me.

The height might be similar to stock in the rear for Eibach but the spring rate might be different to ensure proper handling and balance of the car due to the changes in the front. There are so many variables that go into suspension design its borderline idiotic to try and mix and match different components from different manufacturers unless you have the ability to fully customize all the necessary parameters.

URBAN LEGEND · 01-14-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

The height might be similar to stock in the rear for Eibach but the spring rate might be different to ensure proper handling and balance of the car due to the changes in the front. There are so many variables that go into suspension design its borderline idiotic to try and mix and match different components from different manufacturers unless you have the ability to fully customize all the necessary parameters.

Like adding spacers and what not right?

rsmamg · 01-14-2010, 03:24 PM

Remember that the cars front half is closer to the ground than the cars rear half.

The front fender gap appears larger because of the larger space cut inside between the top of the front tire and the fender allowing for suspension travel while the wheels are turned, for example.

You can see this by viewing the car at stock height on a flat surface from a crouched position. You will see that the car as a whole is slightly angled downward toward the front.

Conclusion: lowering just the front will give the car a significantly more downward "hot-rod" look.

Correct me if I am wrong. These are just my observations.

STALKER · 01-14-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Metak

You definately will change the handling dynamics a bit with the slightly stiffer/lower springs up front, but not necessarily for the worse. There is no way that lowering your car just in the front by .5-.75" is going to make any significant weight distribution changes.

Im gonna disagree with you there.
Suspension tuning is complicated and everything must work in sync together.

01-13-2010, 07:23 PM	#1
URBAN LEGEND Rocky 413 Rep 3,085 Posts Drives: 16 M5, 18 ZL1 1LE, 18 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brenham TX iTrader: (0)	Has anyone lowered just the front? Hello, I have considered lowering only the front because I believe the rear is low enough for my tastes. So has anyone only lowered the front? Thanks in advance. Urban Legend out! __________________ 22 Audi RS E-Tron GT 21 Model S Plaid
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01-13-2010, 07:35 PM	#2
mPlasticDesign Major General 684 Rep 5,069 Posts Drives: BMW 230i Msport w/LSD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr' iTrader: (16) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 997.2 [10.00] 2019 Hyundai N (Sold) [10.00] 2013 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [8.78] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [8.60] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [9.50] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00]	I actually did that on my E36. E46 was left at stock heght. With the sedan it might not be a bad idea, if you have 4 people and a trunk full of luggage, the back can seem a bit too low. Currently lowered on Dinan f&r, might consider what you are mentioning on this car. __________________
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01-13-2010, 08:41 PM	#3
STALKER Brigadier General 169 Rep 3,833 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3, Golf R Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (5)	Get some coils and you can adjust it to what you like, but if you don't do it properly, you will upset the front to rear balance of the car. __________________
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01-14-2010, 04:29 AM	#5
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	I would do Eibach __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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01-14-2010, 10:05 AM	#10
TonyTone Major 207 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: M3 VERT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Coilovers for the win __________________ Tony Tone "I drive a blue car with a V8, but sometimes a white car with twin turbos"
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01-14-2010, 03:24 PM	#16
rsmamg Flying First Class 30 Rep 582 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Remember that the cars front half is closer to the ground than the cars rear half. The front fender gap appears larger because of the larger space cut inside between the top of the front tire and the fender allowing for suspension travel while the wheels are turned, for example. You can see this by viewing the car at stock height on a flat surface from a crouched position. You will see that the car as a whole is slightly angled downward toward the front. Conclusion: lowering just the front will give the car a significantly more downward "hot-rod" look. Correct me if I am wrong. These are just my observations.
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