[MeeTsenPu]

First off, big shout out to AK Motorwerks for doing the install! Now on to the show and tell. I got Eibach springs and Bilstein Sport Shocks installed yesterday and I took some before and after shots. I tried to keep everything the same from distance to angle to time of day. Yeah OCD but I wanted a true representation. I drove about 150 miles back from the shop so any settling should be done by now. I think it is the perfect drop for balancing aesthetics with comfort.

The ride is great (havent got alignment yet either). It is noticibly stiffer but in a good way and the Bilstein shocks do a great job at dampening any bumps on the road. Going over a speed bump is actually better now then before. First thing I noticed was the increased sharpness at turn-in. It is so tight and quick.

For all of you who are on the fence about this combo, get off it and do it! I spent 3+ months reading threads on here before pulling the trigger and one day of driving confirmed my choice as the right one!

For all of you riding on stock shocks and after market springs, I do not know how you do it! I was able to play around with the stock shocks next to the Bilsteins and the stock ones are SOOOFFFTTT. I could compress it with one hand. The Bilsteins could not compress even with 2! I only had 6000 miles on the stock shocks so well within their life span.

In summary... Eibach + Bilstein Sport Shocks =

Update
New and larger close up pics as requested. I just got the alignment done and it wasn't that off, which confirms what I thought since the car tracked straight and true even before the alignment. Current drop looks like about 1" in front and maybe 3/4" in the rear from stock. The stiff shocks are also keeping it from being slammed any further as opposed to having the springs with stock shocks. Still satisfied and was exactly what I was looking for. Ill keep updating the thread with my impressions, especially after I get my new wheels on.

[Nick3237]

still seems kind of high, it probably hasn't fully settled yet.

[MeeTsenPu]

Originally Posted by Nick3237

still seems kind of high, it probably hasn't fully settled yet.

You might be right about that, after comparing measurements to what I remember of stock height looks like the front is only about .75" lower in the after pic. It should come down about another .25" I assume. I'll update the pics next week sometime after the alignment.

[Kylekuu]

could also be the wheels and tires making it look like the gap is still there

[yamazaho]

Ummm to be honest the drop looks way too minimal, but still as long as you are happy with it.

[howiedds]

looks good...eibach drop is minimal. I have the same springs. But for NYC roads..the clearance is just right. not too low not too high

[HRC]

That's eibach's signature pro-kit drop, always has been a tad higher/softer than h&r sports. Also pro-kits have had a history of sagging over a long period of time...again, vs. h&r. I've had both, I prefer the h&r sports but I'm not here to say have made the wrong choice.

Lots of people like both so really it comes down to what you want.

ENJOY!
Danny

[HRC]

No, with OEM wheels drops are more pronounced vs. having larger diameter after-market rims with low profile tires.

That's the pro-kit drop more or less.

Danny

Originally Posted by Kylekuu

could also be the wheels and tires making it look like the gap is still there

[ezy20004]

Wat did u do with the stock shocks.?

[nyc3r]

how much did this run you? i am considering the KW v1..

[MeeTsenPu]

Originally Posted by howiedds

looks good...eibach drop is minimal. I have the same springs. But for NYC roads..the clearance is just right. not too low not too high

That is exactly what I was trying to achieve...not too low and not too high.

Originally Posted by ezy20004

Wat did u do with the stock shocks.?

I have all the stock parts in my garage.

Originally Posted by nyc3r

how much did this run you? i am considering the KW v1..

I got a couple good deals on the parts and it came out to what the non Xi folks are paying for their Eibach & Koni FSD kits around $890.


I will keep this thread going and update it as time progresses. I do have 18's waiting to be put on as well.

[bolty]

Thanks for taking time to post your experiences.

One comment; the pictures are small and its hard to really see the drop.

Could you kindly take some closer shots and post them??

[MeeTsenPu]

Originally Posted by bolty

Thanks for taking time to post your experiences.

One comment; the pictures are small and its hard to really see the drop.

Could you kindly take some closer shots and post them??

You know I was such an idiot I forgot to switch my cameras settings from 640x480 (taking pics for ebay) back to large resolution. So I am screwed on the before pictures. I am getting the car aligned on Tuesday and also washed so later in the week or next weekend I will update with better pics.

[MassBimmer]

It'll be interesting to see how the ride quality is after 5-10k miles considering the Eibachs are not made for xi's...hopefully it won't get too harsh. Looks good so far..

[MMOTION]

I'm gonna be going similar route as you with Bilstein sport struts upfront, but putting adjustable koni yellows in the rear with H&R sport springs all around. I'm hoping to achieve a much lower stance with the H&R springs than your current setup though b/c that gap in the front and rear is still pronounced. Hopefully you settle a few mm more, especially if you plan on putting bigger rim/tire combo.

[MeeTsenPu]

Originally Posted by MMOTION

I'm gonna be going similar route as you with Bilstein sport struts upfront, but putting adjustable koni yellows in the rear with H&R sport springs all around. I'm hoping to achieve a much lower stance with the H&R springs than your current setup though b/c that gap in the front and rear is still pronounced. Hopefully you settle a few mm more, especially if you plan on putting bigger rim/tire combo.

Check out the new pic I posted as it gives a closer shot of the drop. I think the H&R drops the front less and the rear more (correct me if Im wrong). My assumption is if you go with the new shocks you will have something close to my outcome at least for the front.

[MeeTsenPu]

Originally Posted by bolty

Thanks for taking time to post your experiences.

One comment; the pictures are small and its hard to really see the drop.

Could you kindly take some closer shots and post them??

Done

[ucdbiendog]

You've got me much closer to picking up this setup. Like you, I've been toiling over the KWs and the eibach/bilstein combo. I love that your car isn't slammed, looks great! Looking forward to your followup posts.

[Ph0zenstone]

i have Bilstein and Eibach too but I'm slightly lower than that....i think you'll still settle after another week or two:

[MeeTsenPu]

Originally Posted by phozenstone

i have Bilstein and Eibach too but I'm slightly lower than that....i think you'll still settle after another week or two:

Hey i was hoping you would jump in eventually. I remember you posting that you thought that when you installed the Bilsteins that your ride height had increased. Have you noticed that it settled down some afterwards?

[Ph0zenstone]

Originally Posted by MeeTsenPu

Hey i was hoping you would jump in eventually. I remember you posting that you thought that when you installed the Bilsteins that your ride height had increased. Have you noticed that it settled down some afterwards?

yeh I had the Eibach's installed first, was at a nice ride height, then I installed Bilsteins and it seems like the height went up. but after about 3-4 weeks, i'm back to the lower ride height I liked. See the difference between first day installing Bilstein versus now. It's not a huge difference but its somewhat noticeable

First day:


Now:

[MeeTsenPu]

Originally Posted by phozenstone

yeh I had the Eibach's installed first, was at a nice ride height, then I installed Bilsteins and it seems like the height went up. but after about 3-4 weeks, i'm back to the lower ride height I liked. See the difference between first day installing Bilstein versus now. It's not a huge difference but its somewhat noticeable

Thats good to know, I wouldn't mind the front going down another 1/4"-1/3". If that happens I think it will be perfect. I also cant wait to get my new wheels and Non-Run Flats on as well!!!