Greetings-

I've read numerous postings where forum members prefer IE fixed camber plates over Dinan plates (and vice versa) but have never seen the specific reasons why those preferences were held (other than it was the brand the poster had purchased....) . Has anyone critically examined both offerings and can objectively explain why one would be better than the other?

My driving style is almost all street driving and I am interested in a low (or no) maintenance solution to increasing negative camber for improved tire wear and steering response.

Thanks !!

Smoothy58

 

FWIW, my mini is a daily driver over craptastic roads. From my readings, the Dinan camber plates are actually brackets that fit over the OEM top strut bearing and bushing. The IE plate uses a factory bearing and bushing from a heavier BMW. I have busted through the OEM bushing via pothole punishment. Not to mention the mushrooming. I figured the IE plates have a better chance of survival, so that's wot I ordered.

Don't forget, the dinan brackets are designed to work with their springs and koni struts and the OEM top bearing/bushing. They may not need to be as beefy due the higher spring rate and/or damping. IE's design looks to be more of: "hey the stock piece looks to be so-so, how can we make it better?"

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

Dinan camber plates will add a few cm to your ride height, unless you have an adjustable suspension. I have the JCW suspension so that's what made my mind up.

 

Thanks for the quick replies! For my Florida freeways, I'm gonna stay with Dinan!!
Cheers!!

Smoothy58

 

IE fixed plates also add about 3/8" or a little less to the ride height, per Jeff Ireland.

I've opted for their street adjustables - partially because my current camber is not balanced, and I'd like to correct that as well. The street plates are suggested to need rebuilding (new bearing - @ $20/ea) every 20k or so miles, so I'll have to do this about annually. I can accept that, but some wouldn't want the hassle. They do have some amount of shock (NVH) absorption as the bearings are potted in urethane, which for me is better than rigidly mounted, though not as plush as big rubber bushings. I have yet to receive them. I expect to get them in about a week, but I'm not sure when I'll find the time for the install at this point. Might be late Feb. Also, they were only about $50 more than getting the fixed plates for me, since I needed one custom plate to correct the imbalance if I went that route.

So much for not modding!

 

Not to go too far OT n'here, but does anyone make a low/no maintenance plate? Read: no rebuilding. Thats the first I've ever heard of them needing a rebuild. Even more surprising is how often they recommend it. Every 20K miles?