[stashtrey]

Have 08 335xi sedan.

A few months ago I had Koni sports and H&R Sport springs installed. The rear came out way lower than anticipated and lower than other e90 and even e90 XI cars on here.

A reputable BMW shop did the work. It drives well. I tracked it and it handled beautifully. The front is good. The rear just bugs me being so tucked and low.


I'm considering picking up some alternate springs and playing with the rear to see I'd I can get it to come up .5 " or so ideally.

The only other springs I have been able to find online for the XI are the Tein and Eibach.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Photos for reference in a few. Phone acting up.

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by stashtrey

Have 08 335xi sedan.

A few months ago I had Koni sports and H&R Sport springs installed. The rear came out way lower than anticipated and lower than other e90 and even e90 XI cars on here.

A reputable BMW shop did the work. It drives well. I tracked it and it handled beautifully. The front is good. The rear just bugs me being so tucked and low.


I'm considering picking up some alternate springs and playing with the rear to see I'd I can get it to come up .5 " or so ideally.

The only other springs I have been able to find online for the XI are the Tein and Eibach.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Photos for reference in a few. Phone acting up.

Eibach will be low as well, may be not as low as H&R, but I am having similar concerns. My set up is Eibach/H&R installed earlier in May. I thought about Tein as well, or going to coilovers for adjustable height. May try stock on the rear as the Eibach and OEM xDrive springs have very similar ratings 148F/456R (confirmed) and 145F/460R (unconfirmed), respectively, per the post below that I found. The delta in length for the rear spring is ~ 1.2" (measured). Have to say, love the handling currently, though...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10723673

[stashtrey]

Yours look much better than mine in the rear. At certain angles sometimes you can hardly see any rubber!

OEM was 4x4 high....

Tein has me intrigued. Scoping for a used set of Eibavh to try.

But yes....simple (yet expensive) solution would be to go KW and set to my liking. Wish I'd done that from the start. Time machine!!!

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by thegrinchboy

Eibach will be low as well, may be not as low as H&R, but I am having similar concerns. My set up is Eibach/H&R installed earlier in May. I thought about Tein as well, or going to coilovers for adjustable height. May try stock on the rear as the Eibach and OEM xDrive springs have very similar ratings 148F/456R (confirmed) and 145F/460R (unconfirmed), respectively, per the post below that I found. The delta in length for the rear spring is ~ 1.2" (measured). Have to say, love the handling currently, though...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10723673

I posted this over in the other thread too, I think going to OEM would be a mistake, too high. The ZSP (sport) may be a better choice. The drop with 2092.140 on the RWD coupe (ZSP) is 0.8", if you saw 1.2" then putting the ZSP in would give you back roughly 0.8. Going back up 1.2" to stock with the drop on the front would look kind of weird. You might get even more than 1.2" as the weight transfer is exaggerated to the front.

I have a set of the ZSP's, and the OEM XI's here at home let me look closely at them.

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by stashtrey

Yours look much better than mine in the rear. At certain angles sometimes you can hardly see any rubber!

OEM was 4x4 high....

Tein has me intrigued. Scoping for a used set of Eibavh to try.

But yes....simple (yet expensive) solution would be to go KW and set to my liking. Wish I'd done that from the start. Time machine!!!

LOL! I was thinking the same thing... Time machine... I was trying to decide Koni/Eibach or KW V1... Please share any info on Tein. Thx.

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

I posted this over in the other thread too, I think going to OEM would be a mistake, too high. The ZSP (sport) may be a better choice. The drop with 2092.140 on the RWD coupe (ZSP) is 0.8", if you saw 1.2" then putting the ZSP in would give you back roughly 0.8. Going back up 1.2" to stock with the drop on the front would look kind of weird. You might get even more than 1.2" as the weight transfer is exaggerated to the front.

I have a set of the ZSP's, and the OEM XI's here at home let me look closely at them.

I was thinking the same thing about the front vs. rear drop appearance as well.

From all the research, I was trying to find info and PN for the ZSP springs as a possible option. Do you have the PN info? How many miles on yours? Interested in getting rid of them

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by thegrinchboy

I was thinking the same thing about the front vs. rear drop appearance as well. Interesting... From all the research, I was trying to find info and PN for the ZSP springs as a possible option. Do you have the PN info? How many miles on yours? Interested in getting rid of them

I bought them used from someone here before I got going on modding this car. Intending to keep them at present, in case I want to swap them in for the Eibachs at some point. They are super cheap used. Not sure about the PN's (they are in boxes in my garage attic) but they are for 335i sport (ZSP).

Note that ALL 335i coupes have sport springs/suspensions, they are already lowered. If you got the ZSP package on a sedan you just got coupe springs (among other bits), which lowered the car a bit.

edit: sorry I keep writing ZCP (competition package) when I mean ZSP (sport package). ZCP is for M3, ZSP is a sport package which only on the RWD sedan involves a suspension change. On the RWD coupe and all AWD cars (coupe and sedan) there are no suspension changes with sport package. I know it is confusing. But the springs on the ZSP for the sedan are the same as the standard RWD coupe. Make sense?

[gtaccord]

The eibach prokit should be a little higher than h & r sports. I run them and am about even maybe a small gap in the rear where the stock zsp springs I had about a finger gap.

[stashtrey]

Great info, guys! Thank you for getting this discussion going. It's been nagging at me for some time now. I don't like the dumped look i have.

I'm AWD.

In the interest of not spending a bunch of more money I think my options are as follows:

1. Pick up some ZSP springs used and swap them in the rear... see how it sits.

2. Pick up some Eibach springs and do the same if ZSP's don't get it right.

3. If either work in the rear but the front looks funky (I am fine with the front as it sits right now) go ahead and put the front springs from either the ZSP or Eibach on and call it a day!

4. If all of the above don't work out... take a break and save up for some KW's.

I know swapping out the springs in the rear is not a super difficult job so I'm pretty happy I'm not worried about the rear. Also seems good that it's too low which most people have the problem of wanting to go lower.

I'd be interested in those ZSP springs if you're selling them. I'm sure some will pop up on the board as well either way.

Anyone done a rear spring swap on their own? A shop with a lift would be able to do it pretty quick, right? Don't have to remove the shock.. just compress the spring and lift the car... correct?

Any help is appreciated!

[VTECaddict]

Rear is fine. Front is too high

[gtaccord]

Rear spring swap is super easy. Never did it before and first side took 45 mins, second took a little less than 30. Hardest part is pulling back the trunk liner to get to the top shock bolt.

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

I bought them used from someone here before I got going on modding this car. Intending to keep them at present, in case I want to swap them in for the Eibachs at some point. They are super cheap used. Not sure about the PN's (they are in boxes in my garage attic) but they are for 335i sport (ZSP).

Note that ALL 335i coupes have sport springs/suspensions, they are already lowered. If you got the ZSP package on a sedan you just got coupe springs (among other bits), which lowered the car a bit.

edit: sorry I keep writing ZCP (competition package) when I mean ZSP (sport package). ZCP is for M3, ZSP is a sport package which only on the RWD sedan involves a suspension change. On the RWD coupe and all AWD cars (coupe and sedan) there are no suspension changes with sport package. I know it is confusing. But the springs on the ZSP for the sedan are the same as the standard RWD coupe. Make sense?

When you get a chance, can you please check the marking on the ZSP springs e.g. "D#" and advise. Thanks!

[project335i]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Rear is fine. Front is too high

This is what should actually be done

[Boxtyp3]

I was under the impression that H&R's are notorious for rake. Or is it an xi vs. rwd thing?

[stashtrey]

Originally Posted by project335i

This is what should actually be done

I don't want it slammed. I'm in sales and want to keep my car somewhat OEM looking. Couldn't stand the XI 4x4 look but don't want it super low. Was really surprised it was as low as it is in the rear.

I'll poke around and see if I can find some used ZSP springs or others and play with it. I love the Koni's and don't want to sink another grand into the suspension unless it's some M3 bits and pieces.

FYI - all four jack points are equal distance from the ground. The rear fender is cut lower than the front so it does put off that rake look.

I did know H&R was known for the rake but also read that Eibach was pretty harsh in comparison. The company I got the Koni's from recommended the H&R's and said I'd only see < 1" drop.... boy was he wrong!

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by stashtrey

I don't want it slammed. I'm in sales and want to keep my car somewhat OEM looking. Couldn't stand the XI 4x4 look but don't want it super low. Was really surprised it was as low as it is in the rear.

I'll poke around and see if I can find some used ZSP springs or others and play with it. I love the Koni's and don't want to sink another grand into the suspension unless it's some M3 bits and pieces.

FYI - all four jack points are equal distance from the ground. The rear fender is cut lower than the front so it does put off that rake look.

I did know H&R was known for the rake but also read that Eibach was pretty harsh in comparison. The company I got the Koni's from recommended the H&R's and said I'd only see < 1" drop.... boy was he wrong!

OK. Think I've got this now (part of it anyways...) From what I found in various threads, the OEM springs from my 2011 E90 xDrive are I3/C6 F/R. The rear spring is the same as the 335D (C8/C6 F/R). For 335D, the M-Sport kit (ZSP) uses D8/D6 F/R. Therefore by reasoning the rear D6 springs from the 335D should work with the 335xDrive. Not sure how the I# for the front translates still...

[gtaccord]

The rear ZSP springs in my 07 335 sedan are D5 springs. I would go with those. The sport springs in the 335D are different than the regular 335 I believe.

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

The rear ZSP springs in my 07 335 sedan are D5 springs. I would go with those. The sport springs in the 335D are different than the regular 335 I believe.

Good to know about the ZSP D5 rear on the 335 sedan. Possible option (?). Given the OEM non-ZSP rear springs for the xDrive are the same as those on the OEM non-ZSP 335D e.g. C6, thus my thinking is that D6 from the 335D ZSP would be the closest OEM fit for a 335 XDrive.

[gtaccord]

Probably but that is going to put the rear really high if you leave the h&rs on the front since the 335 x drive/335d zsp springs are not as low as the 335 zsp springs.

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by thegrinchboy

Good to know about the ZSP D5 rear on the 335 sedan. Possible option (?). Given the OEM non-ZSP rear springs for the xDrive are the same as those on the OEM non-ZSP 335D e.g. C6, thus my thinking is that D6 from the 335D ZSP would be the closest OEM fit for a 335 XDrive.

Yeah but you are using Eibachs for the 335i. I would use 335i ZSP, not 335d. Should bump you up 0.8" (since eibachs drop 335i ZSP 0.8").

[thegrinchboy]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

Probably but that is going to put the rear really high if you leave the h&rs on the front since the 335 x drive/335d zsp springs are not as low as the 335 zsp springs.

Originally Posted by ajsalida

Yeah but you are using Eibachs for the 335i. I would use 335i ZSP, not 335d. Should bump you up 0.8" (since eibachs drop 335i ZSP 0.8").

Good points that you both made... Now need to track down some rear D5 springs...