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Technical Topics Suspension / Chassis / Brakes Ride height measurement - 330i/M340i, RWD/AWD, Adaptive/Standard

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      04-10-2020, 08:10 AM   #1
Burrcold
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Ride height measurement - 330i/M340i, RWD/AWD, Adaptive/Standard

I'm bored sitting inside like most of the world, so I wanted to see if anyone else was willing to help with some measurements. I've seen a lot of discussion around whether the RWD versions are lower than the xDrive...or the 330i vs M340i...or adaptive suspension vs fixed M standard suspension.

So here we go (hopefully I'm not the only one to actually do this lol). Measure from the center of the BMW roundel on the center caps to the top of the fender - see picture below. Do this front and back and fill in the following:

Model - M340i
Drivetrain - xDrive
Suspension - M Adaptive Suspension
Fuel Level - 1/2 tank
Front Measurement - 14.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 14.5 inches
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      04-10-2020, 09:30 AM   #2
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I was up for this, but I have a M340i, xDrive, adaptive suspension with exactly 1/2 tank of fuel :-(
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      04-10-2020, 09:45 AM   #3
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Model - 330i
Drivetrain - RWD
Suspension - M Sport Suspension
Fuel Level - 3/4 tank
Front Measurement - 14.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 14.5 inches
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      04-10-2020, 10:08 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl V View Post
I was up for this, but I have a M340i, xDrive, adaptive suspension with exactly 1/2 tank of fuel :-(
It would still be good to have a few measurement of the same just to rule out any mis- measurement or other factors?
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      04-10-2020, 10:30 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueM330i View Post
Model - 330i
Drivetrain - RWD
Suspension - M Sport Suspension
Fuel Level - 3/4 tank
Front Measurement - 14.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 14.5 inches
Thanks!

So this is why having multiple people measuring the same models will eliminate the margin for error.

I just went out and realized that my measurements are off because I was measuring from the top of the fender to the center of the cap, but quickly realized the cap is inset as the rims are concave.

Measured again and sure enough it was bang on 14.5 inches (front and back) as well.
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      04-10-2020, 10:41 AM   #6
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Might be easier to ask for fender to ground, that's more of a standard measurement for ride height...
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      04-10-2020, 11:06 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstnstr View Post
Might be easier to ask for fender to ground, that's more of a standard measurement for ride height...
Fender to ground is not the way to do it. Tires size, rim size, tire pressure, etc will change the measurements for everyone. The fender and the center cap are the only two static points.
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      04-10-2020, 11:09 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstnstr View Post
Might be easier to ask for fender to ground, that's more of a standard measurement for ride height...
Fender to ground is not the way to do it. Tires size, rim size, tire pressure, etc will change the measurements for everyone. The fender and the center cap are the only two static points.
Uh well all those factors will affect that type of measurement as well... but I guess only half as much
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      04-10-2020, 11:23 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstnstr View Post
Uh well all those factors will affect that type of measurement as well... but I guess only half as much
Reduces the variables from car to car comparisons, since only sprung weight is going to impact the fender to center cap measurement (which is why I asked about fuel level...I'm making an assumption that nobody is doing this measurement with a person in the car).
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      04-10-2020, 02:08 PM   #10
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Model - M340i
Drivetrain - RWD
Suspension - M Adaptive Suspension
Fuel Level - 1/2 tank
Front Measurement - 14.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 14.5 inches
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      04-10-2020, 02:18 PM   #11
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According to BMW the XDrive version is .3 inches taller overall.
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      04-10-2020, 03:14 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greekcs View Post
According to BMW the XDrive version is .3 inches taller overall.
But then I've heard that the Adaptive M Suspension lowers it by about the same. So far it looks like all variations have been 14.5. I'll wait to see more people logging measurements. Unfortunately we don't get the RWD version in Canada so I can't measure myself.
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      04-10-2020, 11:51 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
I'm bored sitting inside like most of the world, so I wanted to see if anyone else was willing to help with some measurements. I've seen a lot of discussion around whether the RWD versions are lower than the xDrive...or the 330i vs M340i...or adaptive suspension vs fixed M standard suspension.

So here we go (hopefully I'm not the only one to actually do this lol). Measure from the center of the BMW roundel on the center caps to the top of the fender - see picture below. Do this front and back and fill in the following:

Model - M340i
Drivetrain - xDrive
Suspension - M Adaptive Suspension
Fuel Level - 1/2 tank
Front Measurement - 14.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 14.5 inches
Your winter wheel package looks spot on for your car. It makes me want to order 19 x 8.5 wheels for my car when I purchase and then do 245/40r19 all around. I haven't seen anyone do this except you.
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      04-11-2020, 06:03 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyndi335I View Post
Your winter wheel package looks spot on for your car. It makes me want to order 19 x 8.5 wheels for my car when I purchase and then do 245/40r19 all around. I haven't seen anyone do this except you.
Thanks! We have winter rims/tires on for 5 months of the year. I want them to look as good as possible since it's such a long time. I don't like going down a size or getting super narrow tires. Just doesn't look good imo.
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      04-11-2020, 08:44 AM   #15
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Garage List
Model - 330i
Drivetrain - sDrive
Suspension - Base Suspension
Fuel Level - 1/2 tank
Front Measurement - 15.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 15.25 inches
Measurements taken on the driver's side.

I'm surprised the M-adaptive and M-Sport suspension has equal hub to fender measurements front and rear. Typically bmw has a larger measurement in the front.

What "two letter codes" are on the springs on your cars? You should be able to see the tag by jacking the car up, but don't need to take the wheel off. The codes correspond to a specific PN and are the only way to ID springs since no PN is put on them. The 330i sDrive base suspension I looked at had code "AE" in the front and "BB" in the rear.

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      04-11-2020, 02:51 PM   #16
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Model - 330i
Drivetrain - RWD
Suspension - M sport suspension
Fuel Level - 1/8 tank
Front Measurement - 14.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 14.5 inches
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      04-11-2020, 06:51 PM   #17
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I'm guessing fuel level isn't too important. Hopefully we get more people contributing, but it seems like 14.5 inch is across the board (with M Suspension) regardless of 330i or M340i, RWD or xDrive, adaptive or fixed suspension.
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      04-11-2020, 08:02 PM   #18
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Model - M340i
Drivetrain - xDrive
Suspension - M Fixed Suspension
Fuel Level - 3/4 tank
Front Measurement - 14.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 14.5 inches
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      09-23-2020, 02:40 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
But then I've heard that the Adaptive M Suspension lowers it by about the same. So far it looks like all variations have been 14.5. I'll wait to see more people logging measurements. Unfortunately we don't get the RWD version in Canada so I can't measure myself.
Hey man, can you give me the source of where BMW says it lowers it?
My car came back from the dealer about 1.5 inches higher and of course they are saying it's to spec.
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      09-24-2020, 08:10 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
I'm bored sitting inside like most of the world, so I wanted to see if anyone else was willing to help with some measurements. I've seen a lot of discussion around whether the RWD versions are lower than the xDrive...or the 330i vs M340i...or adaptive suspension vs fixed M standard suspension.

So here we go (hopefully I'm not the only one to actually do this lol). Measure from the center of the BMW roundel on the center caps to the top of the fender - see picture below. Do this front and back and fill in the following:

Model - M340i
Drivetrain - xDrive
Suspension - M Adaptive Suspension
Fuel Level - 1/2 tank
Front Measurement - 14.5 inches
Rear Measurement - 14.5 inches
What wheels are those tho?
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      09-24-2020, 10:28 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeegunkim View Post
What wheels are those tho?
It doesn't matter what kind of wheels you have if you are measuring from the center cap to the top of the fender (this measurement takes wheel and tire size out of the equation). To answer your question though, I have the staggered 792M 19" wheels.
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      09-24-2020, 12:10 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
It doesn't matter what kind of wheels you have if you are measuring from the center cap to the top of the fender (this measurement takes wheel and tire size out of the equation). To answer your question though, I have the staggered 792M 19" wheels.
My bad, don't think I provided the right context.

I'm not concerned about the measurement at all, your pic caught my eye because it looks like you have the 437M wheels in the photo, which is what I was trying to get for my G20 but my understanding is that the G20 bolt pattern wouldn't work on the 437M wheels from the F80. Maybe my eyes are deceiving me since you are saying they're 792M....
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