Gap between wheel and arch

[Z4 Beemer]

Read on a few forums that the left hand side of BMW's sit slightly higher than the right side - basically the gap between the top of the wheel and the wheel arch is marginally greater on the left side of the car. Apparently this is so that when the driver sits in the drivers seat (left hand drive) things get evened out! Apparently BMW don't change this for right hand drive cars.

I decided to measure the gap on my own car, which doesn't have M Sports suspension. Very odd, but the rear left wheel arch has about a 10mm larger gap than the rear right side wheel. The car was parked on reasonably flat ground, so I don't think thats part of the issue

Does this sound right and should I be worried? Can anyone confirm with a quick measure?

[Z_Victor1]

Is this any use to you?

35i with M-Adaptive suspension.
Level surface.
Ignition OFF.
Fuel tank at 2/3rds.
No-one seated inside.
Car sat at rest for 6 hrs after 200 mile drive.
Odometer reading 800 miles.
Tyres cool.

Rear 6.5mm (each side EXACTLY equal)
Front 6.1mm (ditto)

Not sure I go for this "we make higher on one side" malarchy, sounds like smoke & mirrors to me.

After all, how on earth do they know what the driver weighs!?

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by Z_Victor1

Is this any use to you?

35i with M-Adaptive suspension.
Level surface.
Ignition OFF.
Fuel tank at 2/3rds.
No-one seated inside.
Car sat at rest for 6 hrs after 200 mile drive.
Odometer reading 800 miles.
Tyres cool.

Rear 6.5mm (each side EXACTLY equal)
Front 6.1mm (ditto)

Not sure I go for this "we make higher on one side" malarchy, sounds like smoke & mirrors to me.

After all, how on earth do they know what the driver weighs!?

I do know that BMW requires alignments be done with a weight in the drivers seat. I don't recall the specific amount. My 550i does sit a little higher on the drivers side but the Z4 looks level. I'll have to measure it though.

[siscobmw]

I believe that , once You sit down on the car, the level is equal on each side of the car....
For me this thread is pretty pointess....anyway I looked at my car as you scared me as well as some forum readers...AhAHAHAH!!!!!
My car sit perfectly on each side....so take a look at your measuring tools.....otherwise I cannot help you.....

[Z4 Beemer]

Originally Posted by siscobmw

I believe that , once You sit down on the car, the level is equal on each side of the car....
For me this thread is pretty pointess....anyway I looked at my car as you scared me as well as some forum readers...AhAHAHAH!!!!!
My car sit perfectly on each side....so take a look at your measuring tools.....otherwise I cannot help you.....

Yes, and this thread is so pointless you took the trouble to reply - thanks for that, and sorry to have scared you.

When washing the car I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I noticed the gap at the left rear wheel arch looked a bit bigger. I decided to measure and found out there was a difference of 10mm. I then googled and found a number of posts saying that it was common for one side of the car to sit slightly higher than the other.

Thanks Z_Victor1 for this info.