Is it necessary to lower car when riding with after market wheels?

Vietballerz · 01-22-2008, 12:32 AM

Hi! I'm still a newbie. Don't know much about car. I want to get some wheels may be 19" or 20" wheels, but I heard that I may have to buy new shock and spring. I read some posts on KW V2, HR Spring, Eibach spring & shock/suspension, and they confused the heck out of me. Wheels and tires are going to cost around $2000, putting on the spring and shock would cost another $1000. I heard that putting on just HR spring will damage the OE suspension. Is this true? I have E92, 335i with Sport suspension. Can I get away with just HR spring? Is there an affordable way to drop the car? Thanks for your help.

Spool · 01-22-2008, 12:39 AM

H&R springs will do just fine...i used to have KW V2 on my last car, now im running H&R sport and it's smooth like OEM. Not harsh or bouncy. A lot of people use H&R on stock shocks and no one has reported any problems yet.

I say go for it, if you get rims you have to lower ur car, or it looks funny

NaTuReB0Y · 01-22-2008, 12:46 AM

H&R sport springs and OEM shocks

Vietballerz · 01-22-2008, 01:41 PM

is anyone running with 20" wheels, HR spring, and stock suspension? how's the ride comparing to OEM 18" wheels?

BMW F22 · 01-22-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vietballerz

is anyone running with 20" wheels, HR spring, and stock suspension? how's the ride comparing to OEM 18" wheels?

The ride should be about the same if not a little bit better than OEM wheels with runflat tires. I would also drop the car. Otherwise it will look like a 4x4. Just be sure to save up and get a set of aftermarket shocks too just so you dont have to spend money on another install down the road.

Fraggy · 01-22-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

H&R sport springs and OEM shocks

Id not do it.

BoostedBMW · 01-22-2008, 03:03 PM

I think aftermarket springs with stock shocks blows, but that's just me.

So, is it necessary to lower your car with 19" or 20" wheels? No, but it looks like crap if you don't.

yamazaho · 01-22-2008, 04:51 PM

Personally I would never have lowering springs with OEM shocks. I think eventually it will have it's problem, the only question is when. I had bad experience (not once but twice) before for not swapping in some after-market shocks. To answer your question, I think it's a personal preference. I am riding 19s without the drop, and people always ask me if I have lowered my ride. I will eventually drop my car, but definitely when I can afford a nice set of coilover. Until then, I am happy with where I am now.

Bottom line, it's your car man, do what you want and be happy with your choice.

Just my .2 cent.

Vietballerz · 01-22-2008, 07:09 PM

Would putting on 20" wheels have less of a gap than the gap of OEM wheels on stock Sport suspension? I thought the bigger the wheels will give less of a gap. Will the ride be rougher with 20" wheels and stock Sport suspension? Anyone here runs with 20" wheels on stock suspension? Sorry I still have a lot to learn.

solacebmw · 01-22-2008, 07:13 PM

having larger rims will not decrease the gap between your tire and fender.

BoostedBMW · 01-22-2008, 07:13 PM

If you look at pics, I have always thought that the bigger the wheels, the more need for a drop there is. Yes, it will fill up the wheel arch slightly more, but the gap just looks even more obvious in the front with 20's. Just my opinion though. Take a look at this thread, its a good example...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=meet+drops

cgnahc · 01-22-2008, 07:51 PM

I'm running 19" on OEM sport suspension and is ok with it for another couple years. If it is performance upgrade you are looking for, then something like Bilstein shocks, sway bar, etc. would be good. For looks, yeah, lowering springs will improve visually and also lower center of gravity for better handling.

cntlaw · 01-22-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgnahc

I'm running 19" on OEM sport suspension .

Agree. OEM Sports suspension drop looks ok to me for 19". Further drop done with aftermarket suspension can look even better, it is fairly a personal view thing.

Stock non sports suspension has large wheel well clearance it won't look any "sportier" regardless of rims size.

!Xoible · 01-22-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vietballerz

Hi! I'm still a newbie. Don't know much about car. I want to get some wheels may be 19" or 20" wheels, but I heard that I may have to buy new shock and spring. I read some posts on KW V2, HR Spring, Eibach spring & shock/suspension, and they confused the heck out of me. Wheels and tires are going to cost around $2000, putting on the spring and shock would cost another $1000. I heard that putting on just HR spring will damage the OE suspension. Is this true? I have E92, 335i with Sport suspension. Can I get away with just HR spring? Is there an affordable way to drop the car? Thanks for your help.

sup VIETBALLER

check in to socal chat some day haha

well congrats on ur car. Shocks + springs should be about 600 bucks, koni's on H&R, but you dont HAVE to do it, just looks better.

you can do H&R springs for a while, and tolerate a tad crappier ride, then get shocks later when ur stock shocks blow.

but then ur VIET BALLER status

u should do KW V3's hahaha

NaTuReB0Y · 01-22-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vietballerz

is anyone running with 20" wheels, HR spring, and stock suspension? how's the ride comparing to OEM 18" wheels?

Me.........the ride is excellent........runflats

!Xoible · 01-22-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vietballerz

is anyone running with 20" wheels, HR spring, and stock suspension? how's the ride comparing to OEM 18" wheels?

the ride deteriorates as you drive. you go over socal freeways and u feel chassis is gonna blow up, it becomes really bounch, just a shitty ride IMO. i couldnt take them more than like 2 months. switched to coilovers.

now H&R's + shocks is good. you can go on stock shocks for a while until ur ready to invest in shocks if you want

Rodrigo · 01-23-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoostedBMW

If you look at pics, I have always thought that the bigger the wheels, the more need for a drop there is. Yes, it will fill up the wheel arch slightly more, but the gap just looks even more obvious in the front with 20's. Just my opinion though. Take a look at this thread, its a good example...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=meet+drops

+1

It's a perception thing. I think that the smaller the tire's sidewall, i.e. lower profile, the bigger the wheel gap looks, everything else equal, because that's all you really have to compare to in that area. The tire/wheel diameter may be the same or most likely bigger when you go with 19/20s compared to stock 18s, but the lower profile tires make the wheel gap stand out more.

dr.roro · 01-23-2008, 06:19 PM

Why would it make the gap look bigger if the total diameter is the same?

BoostedBMW · 01-23-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr.roro

Why would it make the gap look bigger if the total diameter is the same?

Take a look at a picture and compare them.

01-22-2008, 12:32 AM	#1
Vietballerz Private First Class 19 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Is it necessary to lower car when riding with after market wheels? Hi! I'm still a newbie. Don't know much about car. I want to get some wheels may be 19" or 20" wheels, but I heard that I may have to buy new shock and spring. I read some posts on KW V2, HR Spring, Eibach spring & shock/suspension, and they confused the heck out of me. Wheels and tires are going to cost around $2000, putting on the spring and shock would cost another $1000. I heard that putting on just HR spring will damage the OE suspension. Is this true? I have E92, 335i with Sport suspension. Can I get away with just HR spring? Is there an affordable way to drop the car? Thanks for your help.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-22-2008, 12:39 AM	#2
Spool ****** 601 Rep 6,169 Posts Drives: A few Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (24)	H&R springs will do just fine...i used to have KW V2 on my last car, now im running H&R sport and it's smooth like OEM. Not harsh or bouncy. A lot of people use H&R on stock shocks and no one has reported any problems yet. I say go for it, if you get rims you have to lower ur car, or it looks funny __________________ MKIV 6spd 1000hp Club
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 12:46 AM	#3
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD 371 Rep 7,369 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire iTrader: (12)	H&R sport springs and OEM shocks __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 01:41 PM	#4
Vietballerz Private First Class 19 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	is anyone running with 20" wheels, HR spring, and stock suspension? how's the ride comparing to OEM 18" wheels?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 03:03 PM	#7
BoostedBMW Moderator 134 Rep 6,775 Posts Drives: TiAg E92 335 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (14) Garage List 2003 S2000 [0.00]	I think aftermarket springs with stock shocks blows, but that's just me. So, is it necessary to lower your car with 19" or 20" wheels? No, but it looks like crap if you don't. __________________ -Michael. Berlina Black S2000 CR is now in the garage l 19" Rial Daytona Race l KW V2 l Eisenhaus Race Exhaust l
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 04:51 PM	#8
yamazaho Wang D.D.S. 189 Rep 7,054 Posts Drives: 14' WRX, 15' W205 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 325i [7.76]	Personally I would never have lowering springs with OEM shocks. I think eventually it will have it's problem, the only question is when. I had bad experience (not once but twice) before for not swapping in some after-market shocks. To answer your question, I think it's a personal preference. I am riding 19s without the drop, and people always ask me if I have lowered my ride. I will eventually drop my car, but definitely when I can afford a nice set of coilover. Until then, I am happy with where I am now. Bottom line, it's your car man, do what you want and be happy with your choice. Just my .2 cent. __________________ Official Houston Chat Thread
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 07:09 PM	#9
Vietballerz Private First Class 19 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Would putting on 20" wheels have less of a gap than the gap of OEM wheels on stock Sport suspension? I thought the bigger the wheels will give less of a gap. Will the ride be rougher with 20" wheels and stock Sport suspension? Anyone here runs with 20" wheels on stock suspension? Sorry I still have a lot to learn.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 07:13 PM	#10
solacebmw Private First Class 6 Rep 184 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (1)	having larger rims will not decrease the gap between your tire and fender.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 07:51 PM	#12
cgnahc Major 86 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: TiAg E90 ZSP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Westlake Village, CA iTrader: (9)	I'm running 19" on OEM sport suspension and is ok with it for another couple years. If it is performance upgrade you are looking for, then something like Bilstein shocks, sway bar, etc. would be good. For looks, yeah, lowering springs will improve visually and also lower center of gravity for better handling. __________________ Need someone to install angle eye bulbs December 2018
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2008, 06:19 PM	#18
dr.roro Captain 213 Rep 847 Posts Drives: 2025 G05 X5 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2025 BMW X5 xDrive40i [0.00]	Why would it make the gap look bigger if the total diameter is the same?
	Appreciate 0 Quote