[orionredwing]

Hi guys, I got a wonderful set of KW V3 w/ Swift Springs from Harold and had it installed today. I need your help.

My installer knew I was getting this more as a performance mod (for the track) as opposed to appearances. As a result, he made my car look level. The problem is I have a 1" gap in the front, but the rears are completely slammed in looks...like the tires are inside the fender well (not running spacers).

Both the front and the rears still have about 1" left to drop, so the rear isn't actually 'slammed' in reality, whatever that term means.

I went back to look at some of my stock pics where the wheel gap is even, and it does seem the car looks slanted towards the front (maybe my imagination). Now, the car definitely looks level:

Question:

For those of you who have installed KW V3s, did you have this problem where the rear has to be lowered less than the front to achieve the same gap?

Question 2:

For track purposes, do I want a level look so that there is less load on the front when braking and cornering? Makes the car more neutral, right?

Or do I want a little slant towards the front like the OEM look? (Edit: I'm not worried about center of gravity at this time, just the level of the car, as it affects the 'look')

I personally think it looks horrible like this...slammed in the back, and a gap in the front, but if this is the right track setup...I guess I'll live with it. Otherwise, I want to actually raise the rear....

I have bad pics since it's evening.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

[dieguito37]

What you want to do is have the car corner balanced. They'll put the car on four scales, figure out the cross weights, and raise or lower each side until balance is achieved. This is sort of the point of having coilovers.

It's normal for the front to be a little higher. Look at an M5. It really comes down to what level the spring hats are machined at. Mixing and matching suspension components is a trial and error process.

[TSM330i]

If you corner balance the car correctly, none of the gaps will be even. They can't be because you'll be throwing off the balance from side to side.

Professionals have a hard time telling when a car is corner balanced on the track. Just change the ride height as you want it and it'll be fine.

IMHO I'd raise the rear slightly.

[PKumarM3]

you don't want a front raked car - that is more for Straight line speed

you want your rear squatting and your front a bit higher. thats just how it goes. your mechanic did the right thing.

the proper ride settings on my e46 m3 are 13 inches center of wheel to fender in the rear, and 13.5 inches center of wheel to fender in the front.

[hoodie]

Closer shots please!

[edirtaynine]

i wouldnt really call that rear "slammed". just sayin.

just drop the front a lil more.

[DieselDiner]

OP, since you bought these from Harold, you should have a conversation with him about this. He has a world of experience with this chassis, and his advice will be golden.

[tscdennab]

The car does not look good but I think that the combination of rim type and color/low profile stretched tires not matching with the car color is the problem, not the drop. However, just drop it 1/2" more in front and see how it looks like.

[TSM330i]

This thread is over 3 months old. Why is anyone posting suggestions when I'm sure this has been taken care of a LONG time ago?

[edirtaynine]

Originally Posted by AW325xi

This thread is over 3 months old. Why is anyone posting suggestions when I'm sure this has been taken care of a LONG time ago?

oh shit i didnt even notice that LOL. and its actually 2years old!! hahah dammit

[DieselDiner]

LOL He's right!