e30 cabrio rear suspension

Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:13 am

Hi. I am new here and seeking advice on my e30 neon design cabrio. I have owned the car for 15 years, and have recently had the suspension replaced. The mechanic I use has always been great, old school and genuine. However, since he replaced the rear suspension, the car sits way too low, and the rear wheels are rubbing on the inner arch. Anything in the boot is out of the question, as is a front passenger. The car is just about driveable with one person. This was never a problem before, I only got him to change the suspension as I intend keeping the car and as the car is 23 yrs old,etc etc.
I have scoured the net for info on this particular model, some say the suspension m-tech, others say its standard convertible.
Another mechanic has inspected the rear of the car and told me the springs are way to soft, hence the rubbing. If any body could help me or knows the correct springs and shocks for this model I would be very grateful. Thank You in advance

Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:13 am

Welcome to the zone! You've posted in a forum exclusively for help on BMW models other than E30s, so I'll move it to the correct place.
Sounds like your rear springs may have been replaced by saloon ones, which are softer, or even possibly, lowered saloon springs. What colour are the springs? What tyre size do you have?
I have a neon design cab. as well, and AFAIK, it runs standard cab. suspension, although either could have been specified from new.
Dampers (shocks) have no effect on static ride height, but worn ones could allow the car to go lower on bounce than it otherwise would.

Sat Jan 17, 2015 3:52 pm

Hi and thank you for your reply. I don't know what colour the springs are at this moment. Tyre size is 205/55/15. The second mechanic I sought help from suggested if the tyre size was smaller I may not notice the rubbing. I shall order cabrio springs and take them to show him before he fits them. Do you think original BMW ones or do you know of an better alternative? Cost isn't an issue.
Once again, many thanks for your help

Sat Jan 17, 2015 10:20 pm

Tyre size is correct, and while a smaller tyre might help, that's introducing another 'fault' to mask a fault. That's not good practice and does nothing to address the underlying problem that there is something wrong with your rear suspension!
http://2009.bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/ ... l_springs/

http://2009.bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/ ... ing_strut/

The first link above show the range of springs fitted as standard to your car, and the second shows the rubber pads that sit at each end of the spring. These are available as three different thickness's, all of which affect the ride height. Check that these pads are there at all, and are in good condition.
Most people would consider than even the M tech springs ride a little high, and a popular (rightly so) alternative is to use Eibech lowering springs, along with Bilstein B4 dampers. These should lower the car 30mm all round from standard height, which is just 5mm more than the genuine M tech.

Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:45 am

My neon green cabbie,standard size tyres and BMW-supplied cabrio rated M-tec springs all round.

I have never experienced rubbing from the rear tyres.

Sun Jan 18, 2015 3:34 pm

I have ordered new m tech springs and spring pads from BMW. Thank you for all your help, the links made it easier for me to understand what I need. Fingers crossed I can get the problem fixed now

Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:17 pm

when i had the suspension of my cabby replaced i recall that one of the back springs was a differtent part no (if memory serves me) as i was advsied that one spring was stiffer to compensate for the weight in the drivers side part of the boot.

mine does not rub.

Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:39 pm

Quick question, what wheels have you got on the car?
Is there any spacers fitted?

The rear wheels on an E30 if the correct size should tuck into the arches right up to the bump stops with no rubbing. I think they will even go in to nearly metal/metal contact.

What part of the arch is touching the tyre, inner or outer arch?

Edit - just spotted you say inner arch, is the offset of the wheels correct? could they be too high an offset?