[Jarrod]

Just took delivery on a 2012 E93 335is with 34k a couple weeks ago. Getting used to the car. It rides great, no handling or ride issues to note other than the expected "sporty" feel of the 19" rims over bumps. But I just noticed the other day that the right rear tire is just about flush with the top of the fender opening, where there is about 1" of clearance on the left rear, and both fronts. I'm a complete suspension noob, what should I be looking for here?

[Manual Transmission]

It sounds like you bought the car from a dealer, I would take it back and complain. If not I would jack the back of the car up and see what shocks/springs are on each side to confirm that someone hasn't put different shocks/springs on each side. I would then inspect the shocks for any leaks. Of course look for any obviously bent/broken components as well.

[forgemarco]

Battery is over the rear right wheel also.

[maxoutput]

When you check make sure your in a flat car park as slight lumps and gradients can throw the weight of the car.

Also check for a broken spring on the back.

[Wingnut335]

1" is way too much for a slight grade difference or to account for the battery weight.

[buzzard]

Strange. Gotta be mismatched springs or a broken spring mount, right? I would take it back and mention these things. If it's a crooked seller and they won't attempt to fix it, take it to an independent BMW shop and have them inspect it. Take their repair estimate back to the seller and try to get them to make the repairs. Buyer beware. Do you know the car's history, is it a salvage? Good luck.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by buzzard

Strange. Gotta be mismatched springs or a broken spring mount, right? I would take it back and mention these things. If it's a crooked seller and they won't attempt to fix it, take it to an independent BMW shop and have them inspect it. Take their repair estimate back to the seller and try to get them to make the repairs. Buyer beware. Do you know the car's history, is it a salvage? Good luck.

No, not a crooked dealer. Car has clean title and history (was a CPO car to the last owner). They had a BMW dealer go through the car. I got the report from the service manager, flew 700 miles, drove it, found 2 more things for them to fix, put those in the contract and bought it. They fixed them and shipped me the car. It's possible that the BMW dealer and I both missed this (like I said it drives and handles completely fine) but I'm actually wondering if maybe it happened on the car carrier. I've seen those guys crank the cars down so tight that it damages suspension parts. Still have not been under the car to look. Will look this weekend.

[buzzard]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

I'm actually wondering if maybe it happened on the car carrier. I've seen those guys crank the cars down so tight that it damages suspension parts.

This sounds very possible. You probably would have noticed the sagging when you first saw the car. Glad to hear it was a reputable dealer, they'll probably make good on the repair cost without too much hassle. I'm curious to know the outcome of this, keep us updated.

[Makeuwunder]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

Just took delivery on a 2012 E93 335is with 34k a couple weeks ago. Getting used to the car. It rides great, no handling or ride issues to note other than the expected "sporty" feel of the 19" rims over bumps. But I just noticed the other day that the right rear tire is just about flush with the top of the fender opening, where there is about 1" of clearance on the left rear, and both fronts. I'm a complete suspension noob, what should I be looking for here?

It's to compensate for the drivers weight.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by buzzard

This sounds very possible. You probably would have noticed the sagging when you first saw the car. Glad to hear it was a reputable dealer, they'll probably make good on the repair cost without too much hassle. I'm curious to know the outcome of this, keep us updated.

That's the thing - it's subtle enough that I'm not 100% sure I would have noticed it. In fact I just went back and reviewed photos that the dealer had up on their website and I do think it was there. Or you can tell me I'm crazy, either way ;-)

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by Makeuwunder

It's to compensate for the drivers weight.

Sources?

[Makeuwunder]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

Sources?

It was just a suggestion, but there is a lot of talk about it on other sites. How true it is I'm not sure. I also read on few sites when I noticed it on my car. That if the car is below or close to half a tank of fuel that it can cause it to sit higher since that tank has two sides to it. Basically the passenger side of the tank is holding more fuel. So I filled the tank full and put my wife in the driver seat and it sat pretty close to level. Just my thoughts on it but no I do not have solid data to back it up other than my own experiment.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by Makeuwunder

It was just a suggestion, but there is a lot of talk about it on other sites. How true it is I'm not sure. I also read on few sites when I noticed it on my car. That if the car is below or close to half a tank of fuel that it can cause it to sit higher since that tank has two sides to it. Basically the passenger side of the tank is holding more fuel. So I filled the tank full and put my wife in the driver seat and it sat pretty close to level. Just my thoughts on it but no I do not have solid data to back it up other than my own experiment.

Cool, I appreciate the response. I will pay attention to how/if it changes with fuel level and passengers. Also with top up/down since obviously this shifts the weight around quite a bit.

[bmw325i]

I noticed the same when I had stock suspension. The battery is on that side but doesn't seem heavy enough to make much of a difference.

When I got coilovers the shop used scales to adjust the weight of each corner and it was still uneven. We compromised and adjusted it so its less noticeable.

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

Just took delivery on a 2012 E93 335is with 34k a couple weeks ago. Getting used to the car. It rides great, no handling or ride issues to note other than the expected "sporty" feel of the 19" rims over bumps. But I just noticed the other day that the right rear tire is just about flush with the top of the fender opening, where there is about 1" of clearance on the left rear, and both fronts. I'm a complete suspension noob, what should I be looking for here?

You need new rear shocks.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Makeuwunder

It's to compensate for the drivers weight.

Originally Posted by Jarrod

Sources?

Originally Posted by techwhiz

You need new rear shocks.

E9x is 10y old and this is still being asked? 1"? Doesn't look like is 1". Show us with measure tape. Anyhow, is normal, battery, most of the exhaust, most of the fuel tank, engine leans to the fight. This is the reason BMW needs to be aligned with driver sitting behind the wheel. Also, shocks wouldn't help. Chassis rides on springs. If bothers you much you can "fix" it with pads. They come in 5, 7.5, 10 & 15mm. I would leave it alone.

[tmo24]

Oem suspension? Mine was the left side rear sagging after aftermarket suspension. By the front right was sitting higher. One to find out, the front right strut about an inch away from being pushed all the way into the knuckle. They fixed that and it brought the rear up. Just a thought.

[Jarrod]

First snowflake morning here. Left the house and got the TPMS warning light. Turned around to check tires for the first time and the left rear tire was 20lb low!! For crying out loud how low do the tires have to get before the TPMS warns you?

They were all at least 5lb low. After putting all 4 corners back to spec and rechecking fender clearance on a level surface, the issue seems to have all but vanished.

Could I have just been seeing a shorter sidewall profile on the tire that was so much lower than the rest, making it appear that it had more fender clearance? Going to have to keep an eye on that left rear...

[maxoutput]

Shock absorbers wouldn't make a jot of difference as the springs set the height, the shocks just soak up rebound

If the springs haven't broken or become corroded (weak) and there is no damage to the spring seats this may be within specification. Also check the springs are marked with a dot that's the same colour and someone's not swapped a spring with one from a non M car if they are M springs.

[expressfish]

they are all like that