Suspension sag on right side

[AstroCreep]

Anyone else experiencing this? My ride is a 98/99 E39 528i.The car is slightly lower on the right, noticibly at the rear. Would changing the spring help? What about the bushes? Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[wglee]

Somebody I know also has the same problem with his 1996 UK-spec E39 528i. His mechanic said that's because the battery is on the right hand side of the car!

 

[vsmpyscho]

My previous 318is had the same issue. The tyre shop guys said that it could be the springs so they changed to new BMW springs....but this didnt help either.
Same with sports springs. When to AB and they didnt managed to rectify it as well. Maybe it is because Beemers are lop-sided.....perhaps mine was due to the extra weight from the driver! Cabuzzzz

 

[AstroCreep]

Asked my mechanic too, said it would not make any difference if I change the spring. But what other stuffs could possibly wear over time, contributing to the overall sag? Bushes? Rubber housing where the springs are seated?

The quest for perfection continues...

 

[wglee]

The quest for perfection continues...

Isn't that Lexus' slogan?

 

[chairoger]

Most probably worn bushes.....but Bimmers do then to sag a tiny bit on the right side cause its built and engineered to be left hand drives....

 

[AstroCreep]

wglee... no idea if that was Lexus' slogan, coincidence.

chairoger... sounds logical, but if it's true.. damn! Now each time when I tail an E39, I would check if they sag to the right or not. I guess I have to give up my new found habit!

 

[forge]

This is a problem with ALL BMWs apparently. Originally BMW (which are LHD by design) have the driver side about 1/2 inch higher than the passenger side. This is so that when the driver is seated in the car, the weight of the driver makes the car level. However the bloody BMW factory did not switch this around on RHD cars, so the RH side is still 1/2 lower than the LH. And even lower when the driver is seated in. I've asked around and apparently there is nothing to be done as the diff in height is in the subframe - so changing absorbers / bushings etc won't make a difference. Always pisses me off though.

 

[fabianyee]

open up the front bonnet and you'll see why...

see how the engine is leaning towards to driver side... and most of the time, it'll be SOV (Single occupancy vehicle), so only the driver.. if it doesn't sag on the right, then BMW has found a way to defy physics...

 

[XXX]

yup Mr Forge is right thats the main reason..the e34s also face the same problem

 

[fire]

It is very normal for BMW spring sag on the right side especially if yr ride is more than 5 years old...it happen on my e36 previously sag even worst..(left 3 finger right 2 finger) and start to sag a very little bit on my E46 now...