Re: Alpina Wheels

Subject:

Comments:
: The web site for Suspension Techniques is: http://www.belltechcorp.com/ : They were apparently bought out by Bell Tech, a company known for making lowering kits for trucks. With regards to the adj. rear subframe, it's main use is to cure excessive rear camber on lowered cars. Dinan and Korman both offer them. When I got my Dinan set up, they sent recommended alignment settings of 1/8" front toe in, 1.5 deg. neg. front camber (using their plates), and 2 to 2-1/2 deg. neg. camber in the rear. This is how I have my car set up, and it really sticks. Some cars may not need the rear adjustment after lowering. It varies from car to car. On my car, I put in all new bushings throughout when I installed all the Dinan stuff. I actually have my rear subframe set to max. neg. adjustment, and I am at 2-1/4 deg. neg. with tank full. These settings may sound scary for street use, but I have at least 10k miles on this set up with very even tire wear- except those melted outside edges :^) : : : I was on vacation for a couple of weeks and didn't get to reply to some of the questions about my wheel/tire/suspension setup. So here goes. : : : As noted before I have the "old-style" Alpina wheels 16x8 in back, 16x7 in front. The tires are Dunlop D60A2s all around - 225/50VR16 in back, 205/55VR16 in front. Having the wider tires in back seems to balance handling better. : : : By the way, the Alpina wheels (old-style) are still available. You can contact KSK Distributing. Two years ago, I paid $1142 for the full set including new lug bolts, wheel locks, and shipping! I think that price is still on. You can get their telephone number from http://www.quikpage.com/K/kskalpina/ : : : The suspension is stock, but newly rebuilt with new bushing everywhere including the rear subframe, and Bilstein HD shocks. I would like to lower the car, but can't find quite what I want. One inch is about all I can afford to lower it because I drive it to my folks' place in the country fairly often and the dirt road there already causes some "ground contact" if I'm not careful. : : : By the way, I'd like to know what sort of fender modifications were required for the Rev. X to get adequate clearance all around. Also, what tires are you running. : : I have a 1975 530i with an Alpina suspension (springs and Alpina Bilstein shocks/struts). I am running 16x7.5 w/225/50VR16 all around. I bought the car with this setup and have noticed : : that the inner front fender lips have been rolled and there is slight contact when the wheels are at full lock with the fender liner. Other than that, it is a great setup. : : The Alpina springs make the car sit quite low, lower than other lower kits I have seen on e12s. : : Does anyone know of a source for Suspension Techniques sway bars? I have looked for a web site, but have had no luck. : : What does the adjustable rear sub-frame buy you other than more even tire wear? Does the handling : : improve that much??? : : Hope that helps. : : Wietse

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: