[tom.gnade]

Hi all,

I have Swift Spec-R lowering springs on my 328i and it sits a bit too low. Is there any practical and safe way to use spacers to adjust the ride height upwards a bit? I'd like the car to sit a bit higher overall, and have a better rake from rear to front. I'd hate to have to dump thousands into a coilover system if there is a simple way to accomplish this, since it really does handle quite well right now as-is in any case.

Thanks!

[jaffles]

Have you spoken to Swift

How much is "a bit"

just thinking aloud, I'd imagine the 3D printing of a hard plastic seat can have some effect, but by how much is the question.

[tom.gnade]

Maybe 5mm in front and 10mm in the rear? Not sure, would have to see how it looked I guess. Swift rep did mention a lot of people were not happy with the way their springs were dumping the rear too low, and the springs they gave me were supposed to be a fix that didn't lower the rear as much. It was a pretty "flat" lowering probably 0.75" all the way around or so? I don't recall exactly it's been quite some time since I installed them.

[jaffles]

Sadly you may know your answer there. Swift are aware its a poor product and still haven't managed to jag it. With the passage of time perhaps little can/will be done from their side I imagine.

Might be better selling them and going to coilovers. Someone will like your look.

I'm guessing more than 5mm in a plastic seat may start to threaten the depth of the locating cup that houses the spring. Last thing you need is it unseat itself. All depends on the depth of the cup really, but can't see the rears being 15-20mm to accommodate a 10mm spacer.

[mattanderson]

For the front, E30 spring seats will add about half an inch of ride height AND suspension travel. I highly recommend. I'm using them with my Eibach Prokit.

For the rear, you can use spacers.

[Joe_in_WLA]

Why not change springs?

If you're adding spacers in a "practical and safe way," doesn't that involve removing/reassembling struts and dropping the rear perches? If you're going to that trouble (and expense, perhaps), a spring swap seems to be worth considering. What's a new set of H&R springs run ... $300?

How many miles do you have on your current suspension? Original Sachs? How old are mounts? Going from high mileage front mounts might raise the front ride height to your liking, so you might just need to change rear springs.

[mattanderson]

I'm not OP, but to answer for myself: we have limited available options for lowering springs. They are mostly too soft in the rear (the Swifts being one that isn't), and they all lower the front too much.

Yes, reassembling the strut assembly is a pain, but the E30 perches are pure win in my book.

[Joe_in_WLA]

Thanks!

[whyzee125]

Front: E30 front perches + optional 6 or 9mm pads if desired
Rear: custom cut pads to place between the spring cup and the chassis

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1157626