[sle39lvr]

Sports Package is 0.6" lower than regular suspension. I have a non-sport and looking in to getting coil-overs pretty soon. So I am wondering what would be the best ride height for best handling. I have heard that if you get the control arms to be parallel to the ground, that is the optimum. But when I looked at my rear arms, I saw there's only like .5" lower I can go if I want them to be parallel to the ground.

[CJ421]

You'll be OK within an inch or so of the stock ride height (maybe 1.1-1.2" max though I lack scientific evidence to back that up). With MacPhearson strut cars like ours, going lower than that starts screwing with the suspension geometry as you're already seeing; excessive lowering alters the center of gravity and roll center beyond what the standard geometry is designed to work with plus opens up other cans of worms - bumpsteer issues, camber issues (especially in the front), etc.

Edit: this is a pretty good explanation, more than what I can post here: http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_artic...-your-car.aspx

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by CJ421

You'll be OK within an inch or so of the stock ride height (maybe 1.1-1.2" max though I lack scientific evidence to back that up). With MacPhearson strut cars like ours, going lower than that starts screwing with the suspension geometry as you're already seeing; excessive lowering alters the center of gravity and roll center beyond what the standard geometry is designed to work with plus opens up other cans of worms - bumpsteer issues, camber issues (especially in the front), etc.

Spot on

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by CJ421

You'll be OK within an inch or so of the stock ride height (maybe 1.1-1.2" max though I lack scientific evidence to back that up). With MacPhearson strut cars like ours, going lower than that starts screwing with the suspension geometry as you're already seeing; excessive lowering alters the center of gravity and roll center beyond what the standard geometry is designed to work with plus opens up other cans of worms - bumpsteer issues, camber issues (especially in the front), etc.
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thanks for this...guess I need to rethink some of my mods

[tIANCi]

mlifxs ... How slow does that person drive over speed bumps?? Wow ... That is low!

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by tIANCi

mlifxs ... How slow does that person drive over speed bumps?? Wow ... That is low!

pretty slow I would think. Found the pic under Google Image search

I think the lowered look (not in this pic) is great and understand why some pursue it, but I decided to stick with my sport ZSP suspension height when I recently did the BMW Perf V1 upgrade.

[tIANCi]

Very slowly I am sure! Fr my e90 325, I would lower it to a max of 1" ... Here the roads suck and I am sure the ride would be harder. What sucks is that my ride is new and I can touch the engine, shocks or brakes ... Another 18 months to go. Sigh ... Would love to remap her for another 25hp. 218hp is just no fun even for spirited drive.