[turbozeke418]

I just purchased a 2006 330xi manual with 176k miles. It is in amazing condition inside and out. The original owner installed coilovers to lower the car. The front left shock are shot and I'm looking to replace the whole coilover set up with OEM coils and struts. I've been looking on ebay and searching the internet and can't figure something out. Are the struts and coils the same on all of the e90 series years or is there a difference between RWD and Xdrive models? I would like the car at it's original ride height and the cheapest way is to purchase a used set from either CL or EBAY. I wanted to make sure I get the right ones for the car. It's regular suspension in it not sport suspension.
Thanks for any help.

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by turbozeke418

I just purchased a 2006 330xi manual with 176k miles. It is in amazing condition inside and out. The original owner installed coilovers to lower the car. The front left shock are shot and I'm looking to replace the whole coilover set up with OEM coils and struts. I've been looking on ebay and searching the internet and can't figure something out. Are the struts and coils the same on all of the e90 series years or is there a difference between RWD and Xdrive models? I would like the car at it's original ride height and the cheapest way is to purchase a used set from either CL or EBAY. I wanted to make sure I get the right ones for the car. It's regular suspension in it not sport suspension.
Thanks for any help.

RWD front struts won't work. You must get XI-specific. Furthermore there is no XI sport suspension, only one suspension available on XI cars. If you replace the front CO with OEM springs/struts you'll probably need to replace the rear also (assuming it is not OEM), ride height will be raised quite a bit. In the rear any RWD e9x part will fit, including a lot of M3 bits, but ride height will be wrong if you don't use rear XI springs with the front OEM XI springs.

You're probably not going to like the OEM suspension very much. If you were to ask me I'd recommend a lower-priced set of new coil overs instead. Like KW V1 or similar. Lot of stuff in the XI section to read up on. XI's are very tricky to mess with suspension wise. The OEM is awful but is is hard to get ride height and susp travel right with just OTS aftermarket springs and shocks, which is why I suggest budget CO instead.

[turbozeke418]

I had a 535xi and the suspension was fine for me. I would assume this is pretty much similar? It currently has KWV1 on it and it's too low and the front left is shock is shot. I want to spend as little money as possible to fix this since I won't have the car for more than a year or so. I get bored VERY easily and don't keep cars that long. I'm 41 years old and this is car #49 for me. I found out through some research here and there that even though the part numbers change alot, the whole e90 series XI suspension is compatible throughout the years. I found a complete set on Ebay for $200 and a rear coil set for $50. I'd like to keep it under $300 total for the change over. Gonna check a couple local salvage yards here in CNJ and see what there is close to home.

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by turbozeke418

I had a 535xi and the suspension was fine for me. I would assume this is pretty much similar? It currently has KWV1 on it and it's too low and the front left is shock is shot. I want to spend as little money as possible to fix this since I won't have the car for more than a year or so. I get bored VERY easily and don't keep cars that long. I'm 41 years old and this is car #49 for me. I found out through some research here and there that even though the part numbers change alot, the whole e90 series XI suspension is compatible throughout the years. I found a complete set on Ebay for $200 and a rear coil set for $50. I'd like to keep it under $300 total for the change over. Gonna check a couple local salvage yards here in CNJ and see what there is close to home.

If you don't mind the OEM e9x XI suspension then by all means replace what you've got with used OEM parts. If it's off an e9x XI it will fit, though the spring rates and damping may be a bit off due to heavier/lighter car. But the main thing is if you go with XI springs in front you must use XI springs in back for ride height and overall F/R stiffness balance. And make sure each axle is off the same car, ie LF/RF same car, LR/RR same car. Ideally entire susp off same car.

One thing you might consider if you have the opportunity is go to a car lot that has an older XI with OEM susp still on it. Test drive it see how it feels. If it meets with your approval grab the used parts and call it a day.

The 535XI is a bigger heavier car with very different suspension configuration. I have never driven one but I have driven a lot of XI and I versions of e9x cars. OEM XI susp is inferior to I, by a lot, IMHO and many others'. And of course I own an XI and spend far too much time messing around with its suspension.

Another thing you may consider is getting the front KW's rebuilt. I know you can do that for V3 I am not sure about V1. Or you can buy a used set, I see them (V1's) for not much more than what you might spend in total swapping out OEM's, once it's all said and done. These show up on eBay from time to time and often here in the classifieds.