B4 & after pics of lowered E34 with 18s: you like? (archive)

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I browsed MANY archive articles before deciding on the springs to lower my 525. I thank you for the time you take to write the info you do.
I was dead set on Eibach, but I decided on Bavarian Auto after reading this board.
My factory bottlecaps and Pirelli's were ok, but dents caused anoying vibration at high speed. I got a sweet deal on 18x8.5 with 235/40/18 Nittos, installed them but was disturbed by 2 probs: vibration still existed and not too cool ride height w 18s. I went to another store to get re-balanced, but problem got worse, could not drive over 45MPH w/o serious steering shake, and vibration. Mechanic blamed problem on loose idler arm. It WAS loose, so I had him change it.
Problem was better (almost the same as when I got there) but still had vibration.
During all this I ordered a set of sport springs from Bavarian Auto. I installed them on a Sat, interestingly, vibration was a little improved. Anyway I drove to the place I bought my wheels, and had them test drive it.
Without much discussion, they installed hub centering rings and the problem was solved. Apparently some newer bimmers have a larger hub center, so some wheel manufacturers make all wheels to fit the larger hub. Even tapered lugs don't center the wheels accurately on the hub. Each time the wheel was removed and re-installed the vibration characteristics changed. WHAT a difference. Lowered ride height, and no vibration.
Just to be sure, I hit the highway at varying speeds up to 115MPH and have a smooth ride w/o annoying shimmies.

As for the Bav Auto springs, ride is almost stock like with the original style BOGE shocks all around. I can however get the car to bottom out if I hit a pothole while cornering at high speed.

Also, with the stock wheels and 235/60/15s I could race over a speed bump at about 20MPH w/o trouble.
With the new setup I have to hold it below 12MPH to prevent bottoming out.
I observed that with vehicle at rest and w/o any load, the coils of the Bav Auto springs are quite close together, not allowing much room for compression. If there was a design that lowered the car, used less coils turns with a firmer spring material, I assume the bottoming out wouldn't be that much of an issue.
I drive on well paved Florida roads, so the bottoming out is quite rare.

front before lower: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1581144&a=12028910&p=43459332
rear before lower: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1581144&a=12028910&p=43459330
front after lower: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1581144&a=12028910&p=43459328
rear after lower: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1581144&a=12028910&p=43459325
front wheel: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1581144&a=12028910&p=43459320
rear wheel: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1581144&a=12028910&p=43459322
Front after lower: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1581144&a=12028910&p=43459328

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