Need camber plates?

500e · 06-18-2013, 07:14 PM

Lowered my 08 e90 335xi on eibach pro kit on Saturday. Got an alignment today and the front alignment was -1.2/-1.0% and rear was -2.0/-2.2%.

Wondering if that's acceptable or if I need camber plates? They told me front wont need it and rear will. The camber is visibly off on the rear. Let me know your thoughts and if needed which ones should I get? Also are there any cons to camber plates? Like vibration etc?

Thanks!

fazman · 06-18-2013, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500e

Lowered my 08 e90 335xi on eibach pro kit on Saturday. Got an alignment today and the front alignment was -1.2/-1.0% and rear was -2.0/-2.2%.

Wondering if that's acceptable or if I need camber plates? They told me front wont need it and rear will. The camber is visibly off on the rear. Let me know your thoughts and if needed which ones should I get? Also are there any cons to camber plates? Like vibration etc?

Thanks!

I have an 08 335xi as well, I'm thinking about doing the KW V1 or V3 coilovers, wondering if I would need camber plates as well? I'm not looking to lower the car, more about getting better adjustments and hopefully more travel in the suspension.

GTKrockeTT · 06-18-2013, 08:31 PM

the alignment looks fine for the camber, as far as tire treadwear. a little negative camber never hurt anyone. what's the toe?

however, your rear has more negative camber than the front, which won't help with the understeer. is that the most neutral the alignment guys could get with the rear camber? if so, you may want to consider getting camber plates for the rear. for the front, do you have your alignment pins pulled? may be able to get a little extra negative if they are not.

GTKrockeTT · 06-18-2013, 08:38 PM

in case you haven't come across this, here are the OEM specs for various wheel/vehicle combos - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78566. you're within factory spec, so i wouldn't sweat it. but, if you're anal...i'd try getting to the lower spec for the rear.

i'm roughly the same up front on my wagon, but i'm around -1.5% in the rear.

500e · 06-19-2013, 09:25 AM

Hey GTKrockeTT - So the manager at the shop said the 2008 335's do not have alignment pins up front. I didnt know enough to challenge that, is he correct?

He also mentioned with BMW's there is always a lot of negative camber, and I should consider camber plates because I will end up wearing the inside of my new tires really fast, especially in the rears. My 04 M3 barely has any negative camber or uneven tire ware so I don't know how much of what he said is correct. FYI this was not a BMW shop.

I just want to make sure I am not burning through tires.

David1 · 06-19-2013, 12:09 PM

The guy at your shop has no clue to what he is talking about especially BMW set ups. The camber is fine. I would want even more. Less camber in the rear will make the car handle worse.

GTKrockeTT · 06-19-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500e

Hey GTKrockeTT - So the manager at the shop said the 2008 335's do not have alignment pins up front. I didnt know enough to challenge that, is he correct?

He also mentioned with BMW's there is always a lot of negative camber, and I should consider camber plates because I will end up wearing the inside of my new tires really fast, especially in the rears. My 04 M3 barely has any negative camber or uneven tire ware so I don't know how much of what he said is correct. FYI this was not a BMW shop.

I just want to make sure I am not burning through tires.

as long as your toe is close to zero, your camber looks fine, and shouldn't cause any excessive wear.

i'm fairly certain your vehicle should have alignment pins, but i don't have a 2008 335i.

500e · 06-19-2013, 10:37 PM

Are you guys sure? Only reason I'm hesitant is because the rear tires have a very noticeable angle to them ( top is tucked in and bottom is out more). It's to the point where When looking at the car you notice it immediately.

fazman · 06-19-2013, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500e

Hey GTKrockeTT - So the manager at the shop said the 2008 335's do not have alignment pins up front. I didnt know enough to challenge that, is he correct?

He also mentioned with BMW's there is always a lot of negative camber, and I should consider camber plates because I will end up wearing the inside of my new tires really fast, especially in the rears. My 04 M3 barely has any negative camber or uneven tire ware so I don't know how much of what he said is correct. FYI this was not a BMW shop.

I just want to make sure I am not burning through tires.

I'm going to raise the BS flag on this one, i have an e90 335xi 2008, i have the locking pins and can see them when i open my hood!!!!

fazman · 06-19-2013, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500e

Are you guys sure? Only reason I'm hesitant is because the rear tires have a very noticeable angle to them ( top is tucked in and bottom is out more). It's to the point where When looking at the car you notice it immediately.

I've had some very slammed cars in my days with the rears extremely butterflied because of camber. As long as your wheels are shooting straight... You are fine. If you have a square setup... You can try rotating tires often to get better wear out of them over time??? Also you can try flipping the tire on the rim 1/2 way thru its life to get more distributed inner wear.

500e · 06-20-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

I've had some very slammed cars in my days with the rears extremely butterflied because of camber. As long as your wheels are shooting straight... You are fine. If you have a square setup... You can try rotating tires often to get better wear out of them over time??? Also you can try flipping the tire on the rim 1/2 way thru its life to get more distributed inner wear.

Im staggered. I'll double check tonite but i think my toe was good.

SharkBait · 06-20-2013, 01:53 PM

-2% in more than stock but not by much. A little extra camber will help with handling in the corners though typically front camber has more influence than rear. Your tires may wear slightly faster on the inside but probably not much. Rotate them with the fronts as someone already suggested and you should be fine.

500e · 06-20-2013, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharkBait

-2% in more than stock but not by much. A little extra camber will help with handling in the corners though typically front camber has more influence than rear. Your tires may wear slightly faster on the inside but probably not much. Rotate them with the fronts as someone already suggested and you should be fine.

Unfortunately I cant rotate, I have a staggered setup 225/40/18 and 255/35/18

SharkBait · 06-20-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500e

Unfortunately I cant rotate, I have a staggered setup 225/40/18 and 255/35/18

Ah, oops. Of course. Still don't think you'll have an issue though.

500e · 06-21-2013, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

I'm going to raise the BS flag on this one, i have an e90 335xi 2008, i have the locking pins and can see them when i open my hood!!!!

Does removing the alignment locking pins help with setting the camber or just the toe?

fazman · 06-21-2013, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500e

Does removing the alignment locking pins help with setting the camber or just the toe?

Removing the locking pins... will get you a litttttttle more camber adjustment. Any time you adjust camber... you need to adjust the thrust/toe/cross camber/etc...

500e · 07-10-2013, 02:36 PM

Just check and my rear camber is actually almost -3, its right around -2.9-2.9%

jphughan · 07-10-2013, 02:57 PM

First I've heard of someone considering camber plates to REDUCE negative camber. I have plates upfront on otherwise stock suspension because I was killing the outside edges of those tires at the track, so plates should help with that while also offering some extra front grip I'm now at -2.3 with 1/16" toe-in at the front.

Rear is stock, not sure what that is numerically but probably not far from what you have. Yes on that axle I definitely wear the insides first, but that's the reality of owning a car that can accelerate quickly and driving it accordingly. Evening out your tire wear back there would require you to take a major hit on cornering performance and rear stability.

mike-y · 07-10-2013, 03:55 PM

the rear doesn't use camber plates anyway, as it isn't a strut-based design like the fronts. The rear camber is adjustable a bit via the eccentric bolts on the rear control arms, but -2 isn't anything to be worried about, as long as your toe is set properly. It takes a little time to adjust all the eccentric bolts, but you should be able to get the rear camber back in spec.

For further adjustment of the rear camber, you'd need to get adjustable arm/links.

06-18-2013, 07:14 PM	#1
500e Private 7 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Nice Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: MA iTrader: (1)	Need camber plates? Lowered my 08 e90 335xi on eibach pro kit on Saturday. Got an alignment today and the front alignment was -1.2/-1.0% and rear was -2.0/-2.2%. Wondering if that's acceptable or if I need camber plates? They told me front wont need it and rear will. The camber is visibly off on the rear. Let me know your thoughts and if needed which ones should I get? Also are there any cons to camber plates? Like vibration etc? Thanks!
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06-18-2013, 08:31 PM	#3
GTKrockeTT Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 198 Posts Drives: Join Date: Sep 2007 iTrader: (1)	the alignment looks fine for the camber, as far as tire treadwear. a little negative camber never hurt anyone. what's the toe? however, your rear has more negative camber than the front, which won't help with the understeer. is that the most neutral the alignment guys could get with the rear camber? if so, you may want to consider getting camber plates for the rear. for the front, do you have your alignment pins pulled? may be able to get a little extra negative if they are not.
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06-18-2013, 08:38 PM	#4
GTKrockeTT Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 198 Posts Drives: Join Date: Sep 2007 iTrader: (1)	in case you haven't come across this, here are the OEM specs for various wheel/vehicle combos - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78566. you're within factory spec, so i wouldn't sweat it. but, if you're anal...i'd try getting to the lower spec for the rear. i'm roughly the same up front on my wagon, but i'm around -1.5% in the rear.
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06-19-2013, 09:25 AM	#5
500e Private 7 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Nice Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: MA iTrader: (1)	Hey GTKrockeTT - So the manager at the shop said the 2008 335's do not have alignment pins up front. I didnt know enough to challenge that, is he correct? He also mentioned with BMW's there is always a lot of negative camber, and I should consider camber plates because I will end up wearing the inside of my new tires really fast, especially in the rears. My 04 M3 barely has any negative camber or uneven tire ware so I don't know how much of what he said is correct. FYI this was not a BMW shop. I just want to make sure I am not burning through tires.
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06-19-2013, 12:09 PM	#6
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,951 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	The guy at your shop has no clue to what he is talking about especially BMW set ups. The camber is fine. I would want even more. Less camber in the rear will make the car handle worse. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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06-19-2013, 10:37 PM	#8
500e Private 7 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Nice Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: MA iTrader: (1)	Are you guys sure? Only reason I'm hesitant is because the rear tires have a very noticeable angle to them ( top is tucked in and bottom is out more). It's to the point where When looking at the car you notice it immediately.
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06-20-2013, 01:53 PM	#12
SharkBait First Lieutenant 14 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lost Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i (E92) [10.00] 1983 BMW 528e (E28) [10.00] 1988 BMW M6 (E24) [9.33]	-2% in more than stock but not by much. A little extra camber will help with handling in the corners though typically front camber has more influence than rear. Your tires may wear slightly faster on the inside but probably not much. Rotate them with the fronts as someone already suggested and you should be fine.
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07-10-2013, 02:36 PM	#17
500e Private 7 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Nice Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: MA iTrader: (1)	Just check and my rear camber is actually almost -3, its right around -2.9-2.9%
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07-10-2013, 02:57 PM	#18
jphughan Brigadier General 594 Rep 4,488 Posts Drives: '16 Cayman GT4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	First I've heard of someone considering camber plates to REDUCE negative camber. I have plates upfront on otherwise stock suspension because I was killing the outside edges of those tires at the track, so plates should help with that while also offering some extra front grip I'm now at -2.3 with 1/16" toe-in at the front. Rear is stock, not sure what that is numerically but probably not far from what you have. Yes on that axle I definitely wear the insides first, but that's the reality of owning a car that can accelerate quickly and driving it accordingly. Evening out your tire wear back there would require you to take a major hit on cornering performance and rear stability. __________________ '16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up) Gone but not forgotten: '11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans \| Black Nov w/ Alum \| 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)
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07-10-2013, 03:55 PM	#19
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	the rear doesn't use camber plates anyway, as it isn't a strut-based design like the fronts. The rear camber is adjustable a bit via the eccentric bolts on the rear control arms, but -2 isn't anything to be worried about, as long as your toe is set properly. It takes a little time to adjust all the eccentric bolts, but you should be able to get the rear camber back in spec. For further adjustment of the rear camber, you'd need to get adjustable arm/links.
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