Wheel well gap?

[PhilT3]

Does anyone definitively know WHY the gap is much larger in the front than the rear...?

From a aesthetics perspective, it's horrible. I HOPE it's a case where it's like that for a good reason (ie function)

[HXS]

Cheapest solution would be H&R springs. They even out the front and rear gaps.

[PhilT3]

Originally Posted by HXS

Cheapest solution would be H&R springs. They even out the front and rear gaps.

Thanks for the reply. I wouldn't do the springs. I would do Dinan's coilovers.

However, I'm NOT asking for a solution to the wheel well gap...

I am asking if anyone knows WHY there is a difference in the amount of space between the front and rear.

[Spinny02]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

Thanks for the reply. I wouldn't do the springs. I would do Dinan's coilovers.

However, I'm NOT asking for a solution to the wheel well gap...

I am asking if anyone knows WHY there is a difference in the amount of space between the front and rear.

How much gas is in your tank ??

[corrado79]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

Thanks for the reply. I wouldn't do the springs. I would do Dinan's coilovers.

However, I'm NOT asking for a solution to the wheel well gap...

I am asking if anyone knows WHY there is a difference in the amount of space between the front and rear.

My uneducated guess is because the front wheels need to turn.

[PhilT3]

Originally Posted by corrado79

My uneducated guess is because the front wheels need to turn.

Lol... I'm not sure if you're being serious...?

But... I don't know how that would make sense... MANY folks lower their cars and the front gets very low. I've never heard of anyone not able to turn after having their car lowered.

[PhilT3]

Originally Posted by Spinny02

How much gas is in your tank ??

Lol... Oh come on now! You must be kidding!

[Netwon]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

Lol... Oh come on now! You must be kidding!

80 liters of fuel is 129 lbs +/- 1. Place two 180+ lbs adults in the front and things might not remain as unbalanced. Also remember you need some room for brake dive on the front end which aids in weight transfer for max braking performance. Now factor wheels turned and hitting the brakes... Need a little bit more room for front wheel.

[Rant]
You can change out the suspension, however on a car with a healthy R&D budget and long development history (30+ years) unless you are have race team supporting you I'm not sure it is that easy to modify the car and keep the car within the desired performance specs. Changing any one thing will have unintended and sometimes undesired impacts on other suspension variables. Keep in mind in some locales this car is expected do go thru towns with speed humps and bad roads then hit the Autobahn for hours at 250+ km/h highway travel with expected heavy braking.
[/end Rant]

[PhilT3]

Originally Posted by Netwon

80 liters of fuel is 129 lbs +/- 1. Place two 180+ lbs adults in the front and things might not remain as unbalanced. Also remember you need some room for brake dive on the front end which aids in weight transfer for max braking performance. Now factor wheels turned and hitting the brakes... Need a little bit more room for front wheel.

[Rant]
You can change out the suspension, however on a car with a healthy R&D budget and long development history (30+ years) unless you are have race team supporting you I'm not sure it is that easy to modify the car and keep the car within the desired performance specs. Changing any one thing will have unintended and sometimes undesired impacts on other suspension variables. Keep in mind in some locales this car is expected do go thru towns with speed humps and bad roads then hit the Autobahn for hours at 250+ km/h highway travel with expected heavy braking.
[/end Rant]

Good points. Totally agree and understood. The height diff is there regardless of how much fuel I have in the tank.

And as for modifications... I totally agree 100%. Exactly why I haven't modified it.
However, I am considering Dinan due to their level of R&D and testing.

[Netwon]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

Good points. Totally agree and understood. The height diff is there regardless of how much fuel I have in the tank.

And as for modifications... I totally agree 100%. Exactly why I haven't modified it.
However, I am considering Dinan due to their level of R&D and testing.

I think with Dinan you get the best trade off for what is gained/lost. (comfort/performance)

[darkz]

I always wondered this myself as well, everytime I have a smoke in my garage, it just kills me to stare at that gap difference....

[PhilT3]

Originally Posted by darkz

I always wondered this myself as well, everytime I have a smoke in my garage, it just kills me to stare at that gap difference....

Yep. It's really the only aesthetic aspect of the car that I REALLY am displeased with. Oh well...

[Spinny02]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

Yep. It's really the only aesthetic aspect of the car that I REALLY am displeased with. Oh well...

So buy the kW or Dinan and get rid of it.

[PhilT3]

Originally Posted by Spinny02

So buy the kW or Dinan and get rid of it.

I'm evaluating that mod currently. Thanks for the advice!

[bake]

Originally Posted by corrado79

My uneducated guess is because the front wheels need to turn.

Lmao. I lowered my car last month and now I can only drive to places that are up the street from my house cause I can't turn anymore.

[PhilT3]

@bake

Lol!!!

[corrado79]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

Lol... I'm not sure if you're being serious...?

But... I don't know how that would make sense... MANY folks lower their cars and the front gets very low. I've never heard of anyone not able to turn after having their car lowered.

It is not a matter of not being able to turn, it is a matter of rubbing while turning. I have had to deal with that while lowering many cars, usually with coilovers and having to raise the height until it stops rubbing in a turn.

[PhilT3]

Originally Posted by corrado79

It is not a matter of not being able to turn, it is a matter of rubbing while turning. I have had to deal with that while lowering many cars, usually with coilovers and having to raise the height until it stops rubbing in a turn.

Completely understood from the get-go. But def appreciate you clarifying.

Thanks bud!

[dadysev]

Originally Posted by Netwon

80 liters of fuel is 129 lbs +/- 1. Place two 180+ lbs adults in the front and things might not remain as unbalanced. Also remember you need some room for brake dive on the front end which aids in weight transfer for max braking performance. Now factor wheels turned and hitting the brakes... Need a little bit more room for front wheel.

[Rant]
You can change out the suspension, however on a car with a healthy R&D budget and long development history (30+ years) unless you are have race team supporting you I'm not sure it is that easy to modify the car and keep the car within the desired performance specs. Changing any one thing will have unintended and sometimes undesired impacts on other suspension variables. Keep in mind in some locales this car is expected do go thru towns with speed humps and bad roads then hit the Autobahn for hours at 250+ km/h highway travel with expected heavy braking.
[/end Rant]

100% bang on! changing the height on your car from front to rear, rear to front changes the balance of the car. Its all about weight transfer. Lowering the front tends to give more grip to the front, which introduces over steering, and loosen the rear especially under braking (ok if you like that style of driving), but I believe BMW does pretty good job in that corner when it comes to 50/50 balance or close to it. W

Don't forgot when you drive the car the gap also changes. looks more even. just my 2 cents, from a guy with a 550i who wishes he had an M5! lol.

[dadysev]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

Yep. It's really the only aesthetic aspect of the car that I REALLY am displeased with. Oh well...

Do what i do if you have a driveway with an incline. Park the car with nose facing down the hill so all the weight is to the front of the car. put the car in reverse, pull up the hand brake also! lol. it works.

[PhilT3]

Originally Posted by dadysev

Do what i do if you have a driveway with an incline. Park the car with nose facing down the hill so all the weight is to the front of the car. put the car in reverse, pull up the hand brake also! lol. it works.

Thanks dadysev!

[corrado79]

Originally Posted by dadysev

Do what i do if you have a driveway with an incline. Park the car with nose facing down the hill so all the weight is to the front of the car. put the car in reverse, pull up the hand brake also! lol. it works.

Like the cheap mod!