[RussV]

Noob here. I see many posts here and on other forums about lowering the car and was wondering about the reasoning behind that. Is it for looks or does lowering improve the handling of the car. And does it ride firmer. I see many enthusiasts doing this on other brands as well.

[Berzerker]

Looks mainly. Rides firmer and gives you better handling because of a different/stiffer suspension.

Mostly for looks from many here.

[wtwo3]

do it for the gram

[Needsdecaf]

Welcome!

There is an entire subforum here dedicated to suspension related discussions. Suggest looking at some of the larger / broad topic threads and getting a handle on things. But by in large unless you upgrade to a very expensive sophisticated adjustable coilover damper setup, and replace the stock electronic dampers, it's all about the looks.

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=890

[DoubleDave]

It’s mostly for looks. For many many years I’ve read arguments that lowering improves handling. Unless the lowering kit has been tested thoroughly and has data to back it up, it’s for looks.

[nu2M]

The front wheel gap on the G80 is hideous, to me, especially compared to the rear. Yes, for looks.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Lowering often throws the ride and balance of the car off from how it was engineered to be, its not for handling. Its for looks.

[harperium]

Originally Posted by nu2M

The front wheel gap on the G80 is hideous.

I used to think so, but every time I navigate a steep driveway, crazy speed humps, etc, I love the gap more and more… the gap means peace of mind. Nobody except enthusiasts sees the gap, and only when stationary.

Some lowering kits (such as KW coilovers) will improve cornering force. They ain’t all for looks. However, lowering will make Comfort mode like Sport mode. Keep that in mind.

[cozye]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

Lowering often throws the ride and balance of the car off from how it was engineered to be, its not for handling. Its for looks.

100% false.

[Pabloshky]

Would it be better to get bigger wheels like 20 in front and 21 in the back? Maybe even some 1000m bmw wheels? That way I’m not scared if scraping but at the same time it does help the gaps? Or would the drive be sacrificed more with the bigger wheels vs lowering it

[nu2M]

It’s all personal preference. Unless you slam the M3, the ride quality with lowering springs is hardly noticeable if any. I have H&R springs (not sports) and I think it rides like stock. JMHO. Every time I get in and out of any car, I have look at. Appearance of my ride is important to me. To each his own.

[cozye]

bigger wheels and tires will rub in the front, as well as throw off speedometer and computer. That said there are some people who have put 20” wheels on the front only.

Just get a HAS kit. If you get the BMW M Performance suspension kit, you can keep it covered under warranty and close the wheel gap nicely. Many other options out there. FWIW I had the HAS Kit optioned on the car when I ordered it, as well as the carbon front lip. I haven’t scraped anything yet.. Obviously you will need to be more careful on big driveway transitions, speed bumps, etc.. It only lowers the car about 20mm but makes a huge difference in wheel gap.

[mdr955]

The M4 looks shockingly better lowered.

The MP HAS to me is just the right amount between looks but not really impacting ride comfort and it feels more planted in the corners but that may be placebo.

I too came lowered from the port and have the front lip and haven’t scraped anything. Boston roads suck I can assure you of that.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by mdr955

The M4 looks shockingly better lowered.

Just no doubt - I've got the Eibach pro-kit. Super happy and after an X3M spring install - the M4 is easy...

1) In general, lowering a car helps handling. I'm sure there are plenty of crappy kits that hurt handling. Randy Probst just did a one lap of America's deal w/ a mildly lowered X3M - I'm sure it was lowered for just "cosmetic" reasons.

2) Like this post says - even a mildly/moderately lowered M4 looks way better than stock. You just have to see it in person.

[Higgs Boson]

Much better lowered.

[Luc@Speed&Tech]

The main benefit of lowering a street car is for looks. Most lowering springs inherently have stiffer spring rates which aids in body roll. But there are trade offs, cons of lowering on springs only include decreased shock travel, premature wear on stock shocks and bushings, rubbing on certain wheel set-ups, additional NVH, etc.

[Mike02z]

Personally I think it looks better lowered.

That said, no thanks. Too many big ass potholes and speed bumps around here. With the oil cooler where it is that’s a hard no for me

I love that my M4 can clear any driveway without scraping. I’ll give up form for function in this case. YMMV

[sdengineer]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

Personally I think it looks better lowered.

That said, no thanks. Too many big ass potholes and speed bumps around here. With the oil cooler where it is that’s a hard no for me

I love that my M4 can clear any driveway without scraping. I’ll give up form for function in this case. YMMV

^this totally. Having lowered a car in the past ('05 WRX STI), it was a nightmare for clearance and the ride was crazy stiff (that car was basically a race car already).

I actually think the G82 has a bit more of an issue looking a bit "jacked up" vs the G80 which I think already looks lowered. Lowering would look more mean etc., but just not practical even for my scenario where the G80 is a garage queen (at least for now).

Only do it if you really want the aesthetic, but be prepared to pay the price in when it comes to practicality.

[cozye]

apples and oranges. You can’t compare one completely unrelated lowered car to another. There are so many variables that factor into how well a car handles and rides. I once lowered a 370z with springs, and it beat you to death. I have a lowered 280z that rides pretty good. The g80’s suspension is magic. The damping is phenomenal, and with the BMW has kit, I can guarantee you there is no price to be paid. It rides better than my all stock 340ix it replaced, better than my wife’s 328 (given she does still use fun flats). I was skeptical but couldnt deal with the front wheel 4x4 look, so took a chance. After lowering my 370, I swore I would not lower a car again. I am very happy, as is everyone else that has posted in the M Performance HAS kit thread.

I totally understand that some do not want to lower the car and are happy with it as delivered, but for those who want to eliminate the wheel gap, you can’t go wrong with the factory has kit.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by cozye

100% false.

Exactly. When we are at Buttonwillow nobody is running stock suspension unless you’re a novice or a Corvette driver. lol And there is nothing wrong with being a novice or corvette driver. Just saying.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

The main benefit of lowering a street car is for looks. Most lowering springs inherently have stiffer spring rates which aids in body roll. But there are trade offs, cons of lowering on springs only include decreased shock travel, premature wear on stock shocks and bushings, rubbing on certain wheel set-ups, additional NVH, etc.

This was all true in my day and most of it’s true today but folks need to remember stuff will wear out faster but not overnight. We are talking 20k-40k miles. Not 500 miles. Most of you won’t even have the car that long. Just saying. Springs for this car barely lower it an inch all around. It’s not like the NSX days when we had 2 inch drops from springs and even then I never had anything wear out. And you forget some of us have Land Rovers as well with bags. So when I park it lowers my suspension two inches and I can drive that way as well and I am at 32k miles. No issues. Again the parts won’t fail as fast as a lot of shops tell their customers. 35 years experience here.

[Predatar]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

The main benefit of lowering a street car is for looks. Most lowering springs inherently have stiffer spring rates which aids in body roll. But there are trade offs, cons of lowering on springs only include decreased shock travel, premature wear on stock shocks and bushings, rubbing on certain wheel set-ups, additional NVH, etc.

Is it possible to lower a car without these detrimental effect to the suspension components?