[jwebb335xi]

Hey guys,

Does anyone have real-world experience with Dinan fixed camber plates on an XI? They're only $150 and the install looks easy.

I'm curious how much negative camber they really add and whether it's worth the effort? With a square set-up with 255 PSS, my car is so much less likely to understeer than it was before, but I'd like the option to get the front end to hook-up just a bit better on turn in..

[matteblue3er]

I'm running them on my 330xi.

I'm on the lowest setting for my H&R coilovers and am able to get -2.5

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by matteblue3er

I'm running them on my 330xi.

I'm on the lowest setting for my H&R coilovers and am able to get -2.5

I'd be happy at -1.5....!

[Shrike360]

I was wondering that as well. If you can manage -2.5 with the plates and lowering, could you achieve -1.5 with some lowering and alignment pin removal?

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Shrike360

I was wondering that as well. If you can manage -2.5 with the plates and lowering, could you achieve -1.5 with some lowering and alignment pin removal?

I removed the pin on the right side and I hope it will get back into spec. Also replaced wishbones and suspect right side was bent. I plan to get alignment checked and will get a sense of what moving pins alone does by comparing results with last sheet and left side where I only changed the wishbone.

I will post a note as to the result on Friday. I am likely to order the plates and will post before and after camber specs as well, but that will be a few weeks..

[AtlasM]

I had seen something about maybe the Dinan plates raise the front a little bit because they go between the strut mount and the strut tower? I didn't have definitive info on that but with the xi rake I was concerned with the potential for a slight raise of the front since I'm doing springs and not coilovers.

I actually just ordered the Ground Control xi-specific plates and am putting them on with B&G springs and Koni FSDs in a couple weeks. They have actual rubber bushings in them rather than pillow ball mounts, for more street-friendliness.



I can report back with alignment specs once they're on the car and the new shocks & springs settle.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by AtlasM

I had seen something about maybe the Dinan plates raise the front a little bit because they go between the strut mount and the strut tower? I didn't have definitive info on that but with the xi rake I was concerned with the potential for a slight raise of the front since I'm doing springs and not coilovers.

I actually just ordered the Ground Control xi-specific plates and am putting them on with B&G springs and Koni FSDs in a couple weeks. They have actual rubber bushings in them rather than pillow ball mounts, for more street-friendliness.



I can report back with alignment specs once they're on the car and the new shocks & springs settle.

I've only looked at Dinan plates online and haven't measured their thickness, but the support plates on the XI (which I've had in my hands while working on struts) are about 1/4 to 3/8" thick. Unless Dinan is thicker, they shouldn't add to our XI rake issue. I wish the front of my car was about 1.5 inches lower, but I really don't want to get into the super low springs with a "slammed" look. I also don't need much stiffer springs as this is 99.9% street use.

I'd be interested how your install goes and how you like the ground control plates Good luck!

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by Shrike360

I was wondering that as well. If you can manage -2.5 with the plates and lowering, could you achieve -1.5 with some lowering and alignment pin removal?

Yes.

[Shrike360]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

Yes.

Interesting, guess I may not order the plates after all.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Shrike360

Interesting, guess I may not order the plates after all.

It would be interesting to see before and after with 1) stock springs, 2) lowered springs, 3) alignment pins removed.

Removed one pin on Wednesday. Will have before and after later today..

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Shrike360

Interesting, guess I may not order the plates after all.

I don't know if this helps much or not, but I had my alignment done a couple days after installing my new struts, shocks and mounts. At that time my left and right front measurements were:

L - Camber: -0.10
L - Toe: +0.07
L - Caster: +7.30

R - Camber: +0.50
R - Caster: +7.00
R - Toe: +0.06

Total Toe: +0.13
Steer ahead: 0.00

After installing new lower control arms (wishbones) AND pulling the pin on the right side my new after alignment measurements are

L - Camber: -0.70
L - Toe: +0.05
L - Caster: +7.20


R - Camber: -0.60
R - Caster: +7.10
R - Toe: +0.05

Total Toe: +0.10
Steer ahead: 0.00

So, on the left front, by changing wishbones, my camber became more negative by 0.6 to -0.7. By changing wishbone AND removing pin on the right, I went from +0.5 to -0.6, which is a huge change. But, the right side with pin pulled is approximately equal to the left side with pin intact. What's reasonably clear is that on the left, changing the wishbone alone bought more negative camber for my car. I don't have as much on the right even with the pin pulled, but both sides are perfectly in spec and nearly as negative as BMW recommends.

I spent $200 in parts, plus an alignment... Pretty good insurance considering potential for massive tire wear. Good result!

If Dinan plates add -0.7, I could arguably get to -1.4(L) and -1.3(R), respectively without lowering.

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

I'd be happy at -1.5....!

Originally Posted by Shrike360

I was wondering that as well. If you can manage -2.5 with the plates and lowering, could you achieve -1.5 with some lowering and alignment pin removal?

Yes. The Dinan plates only add about 0.75 degrees of negative camber. I was slightly higher on my coilovers at -1.4 before installing the plates.

You can oval out the holes in the strut tower a bit as well if your ride height is higher.

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

I've only looked at Dinan plates online and haven't measured their thickness, but the support plates on the XI (which I've had in my hands while working on struts) are about 1/4 to 3/8" thick. Unless Dinan is thicker, they shouldn't add to our XI rake issue. I wish the front of my car was about 1.5 inches lower, but I really don't want to get into the super low springs with a "slammed" look. I also don't need much stiffer springs as this is 99.9% street use.

I'd be interested how your install goes and how you like the ground control plates Good luck!

The Dinan plate is about 1/4"

The OEM reinforcement plate is about 3/8" thick.

You can remove that reinforement when using the Dinan plate. I took mine out.

[AtlasM]

It's going to be a few more weeks before I get the Ground Control plates on my car. I also ordered UUC sway bars for this project and turns out their front sway bar bushings are back ordered, so I'm waiting on the install until everything arrives, even though I have the camber plates chilling at my house.

[AWDBooSTIn90]

So the Xi's come with an OEM installed re-enforcement plate that goes between the upper strut mount and the strut tower?

I don't remember seeing this on my 335i rwd... I wonder why BMW decided only the xdrive cars needed the plate..

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by AWDBooSTIn90

So the Xi's come with an OEM installed re-enforcement plate that goes between the upper strut mount and the strut tower?

I don't remember seeing this on my 335i rwd... I wonder why BMW decided only the xdrive cars needed the plate..

It's definitely installed on the XIs. I read that they are supposed to support use on rough roads. I suppose the plate would minimize deformation of the strut tower if used on rougher roads and/ or gravel as opposed to smooth pavement. That said, I don't think if my XI as a rally car.

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by AWDBooSTIn90

So the Xi's come with an OEM installed re-enforcement plate that goes between the upper strut mount and the strut tower?

I don't remember seeing this on my 335i rwd... I wonder why BMW decided only the xdrive cars needed the plate..

I think the RWD models also have this plate but sometimes they get stuck to the strut tower and don't come down with the strut hats.

They are installed to prevent strut tower "mushrooming."

[AWDBooSTIn90]

Originally Posted by matteblue3er

I think the RWD models also have this plate but sometimes they get stuck to the strut tower and don't come down with the strut hats.

They are installed to prevent strut tower "mushrooming."

Good to know! I hope my car has that plate. Ill check next time i have the struts off to upgrade. More of piece of mind. And just thinking if the Xi has it and mine doesn't im sure i can add it. Bc why not lol.

Bmw says all xdrive cars are rally cars!! Lol

[feuer]

Originally Posted by AWDBooSTIn90

So the Xi's come with an OEM installed re-enforcement plate that goes between the upper strut mount and the strut tower?

I don't remember seeing this on my 335i rwd... I wonder why BMW decided only the xdrive cars needed the plate..

What are you talking about? All RWD 335i have it. XI have different strut mount.
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