[feuer]

Originally Posted by deeLow

So as of right now, what is your setup? I know you've previously said koni/bmw performance springs. Is your strut clevis cut and do you currently run the SP perches w/mods? And lastly what's your ride height?

I plan of running Koni yellows with ZSP springs. New strut mounts as well when I do it.

Yellow Koni, BMWPS and GC camber plates. Same ride height as my previous setup: yellow Koni, ZSP and SP perches.

*I was busy last night afterword replacing my water pump (2nd replacement, they seem to go out every 3y) and could not take photos from the mounts*

[chris@strutmonkey]

This is good, easy mod but need to make sure inner tire does not rub strut perch. Since everyone seems to have different wheels, tires, offsets, etc., it is not something I can recommend. I have 245-40-18 et35 in front and the clearance is too small for me to attempt it. Once you cut it, you can't uncut it.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by chris@strutmonkey

This is good, easy mod but need to make sure inner tire does not rub strut perch. Since everyone seems to have different wheels, tires, offsets, etc., it is not something I can recommend. I have 245-40-18 et35 in front and the clearance is too small for me to attempt it. Once you cut it, you can't uncut it.

perch is far enough not to make problems, I'm running 18x9 et30 with 255/35, zero issues.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by feuer

perch is far enough not to make problems, I'm running 18x9 et30 with 255/35, zero issues.

yeah but strutmonkey's tire is 3/8" taller than yours, so he could have an issue.

this is a tempting mod but one should measure carefully and consider that it may prevent some tire sizes in the future.

[chris@strutmonkey]

Agree 100%. In a pinch, I could probably add a 5mm spacer... but that's a big "probably". Just going to install my SM200 (Bilsteon B8/Eibach Prokit) kit instead!
Best regards, Chris

Originally Posted by mlifxs

yeah but strutmonkey's tire is 3/8" taller than yours, so he could have an issue.

this is a tempting mod but one should measure carefully and consider that it may prevent some tire sizes in the future.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by chris@strutmonkey

Agree 100%. In a pinch, I could probably add a 5mm spacer... but that's a big "probably". Just going to install my SM200 (Bilsteon B8/Eibach Prokit) kit instead!
Best regards, Chris

Post pics when you're done.

I may do this clevis thing down the road, but I do plan to move from 245/35 to 245/40 in a year or two. Thus I can't judge the clearance of my more than half worn tires to new 245/40. Also plan to do dinan camber plates and I would rather know that I can easily part them out without facing a tire rub afterwards...thus it might not be worth it (clevis mod) for me.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by chris@strutmonkey

Agree 100%. In a pinch, I could probably add a 5mm spacer... but that's a big "probably". Just going to install my SM200 (Bilsteon B8/Eibach Prokit) kit instead!
Best regards, Chris

Taking a look at my own car, now I get your hesitation. I can get a pair of plyers (3/8") between tire and perch with some wiggle room, not a lot. My tires have worn ~ 1/8th inch and my planned size change would bump new to new by almost 1/2 inch. I doubt think the clevis clip would work for brand new 245/40/18 (and I'm ET31, so I basically have your 5mm spacer).

[deeLow]

And just like that this is now out of my mind. I don't want to permanently hack my new Konis and change tire size down the line only to be SOL

[chris@strutmonkey]

When my 245-40 Falcon 912s we new, I could barely fit my finger between the bottom of the perch and tire. And that was only because of the curvature of the sidewall.

FWIW, my brand new 245-40 tires would rub the inner fender lining on big bumps. No big deal, just for your info...

Best regards, Chris

Originally Posted by mlifxs

Taking a look at my own car, now I get your hesitation. I can get a pair of plyers (3/8") between tire and perch with some wiggle room, not a lot. My tires have worn ~ 1/8th inch and my planned size change would bump new to new by almost 1/2 inch. I doubt think the clevis clip would work for brand new 245/40/18 (and I'm ET31, so I basically have your 5mm spacer).

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by deeLow

And just like that this is now out of my mind. I don't want to permanently hack my new Konis and change tire size down the line only to be SOL

buy new struts with each set of tiers.... Just don't tell the misses

[Tr1ppy]

Has anyone tried this mod with the MSport 19" wheels (MV4)? I'm currently on half-worn 235/35 19 tyres on the front and wonder if this mod can be done?

Also since only the front is lowered without affecting spring rates, damping rates etc. is the handling of the car affected in any way? MY instinct tells me the car will be prone to oversteer

Thanks

[YoungBlood]

Bringing this thread back from the dead a bit, I'm planning on doing this, and removing the front plate from the top of the strut to level out the sport suspension. I figure between the two I can lower the front 3/8 total which should be very close to even with the rear fender gap on sport suspension, I'll post my results

[chris@strutmonkey]

If you remove the top plate from the upper strut mount, you risk damaging your strut tower on hard impact. The plate serves a purpose - to distribute the impact evenly. Also, it is only 1/8" so not worth the squeeze in my opinion.

Originally Posted by YoungBlood

Bringing this thread back from the dead a bit, I'm planning on doing this, and removing the front plate from the top of the strut to level out the sport suspension. I figure between the two I can lower the front 3/8 total which should be very close to even with the rear fender gap on sport suspension, I'll post my results

[YoungBlood]

I'll have to find the thread I was reading, where several XI owners had their removed.. Still not set on taking the plate out. But, here's a thought, what if I put it on top of the strut tower? It would still provide structural support, being that it's bolted over the top. Maybe not quite the same, and probably not worth the results. If I can get results anything like the original picture, I think I'll be satisfied. I'm on one tire size narrower, but with 10mm more offset, and his drop looks perfect, and more offset would make it look even better.

[PhaseP]

Check your car with realoem.com yours not being xi may not have that plate anyway

[YoungBlood]

I do have the plate, it was there when I did lowering springs, but I want a more moderate ride height that my springs provide, I actually have a spacer above my clevis right now to raise the front end 1/4, since I was way to low and rubbing the bumper and tire. I essentially have no shock travel in the front though, since I'm 1.5" lower than sport suspension, even on trimmed bumpstops, I've got under 1" of travel. The oem suspension just about rides the bumpstops as well, but for what I want, OEM works the best so I'm going back to it, but I want the wheel gap to be a bit more even

[The Nightman]

Can't believe I missed this thread. I've been looking for a way to lower my front end a tiny bit and this is perfect. I don't think I'll have any clearance issues with my 284 wheels (17x8, ET34) with 12mm spacers and 225/45R17 tires on non-Sport suspension

And approved by Chris and Feuer? Say no more.

[YoungBlood]

I'm going to be doing this tab trimming and pulling the plate, hitting it with a coat of paint so it looks fresh, and bolting it over the top. This is essentially what many companies sell to prevent this exact issue (look up e46 or mini cooper ones) so I don't see it being an issue at all. Just waiting on new rear bumpstops to get here

[feuer]

Removing the plate on e9x chassis is non issue like it was on e46 and e46 where the strut tower develops cracks. Remove it worry free. Plenty on e9x with altered strut towers in order to allow camber/caster plates. Platform is over 10 y old now. No reported issue know to me as of yet.

[YoungBlood]

Ah, I guess I would have to cut it into a C shape to make it fit

[feuer]

Originally Posted by YoungBlood

Ah, I guess I would have to cut it into a C shape to make it fit

C shape ? Please circle the area on the photo.

[YoungBlood]

to make the reinforcement plate fit over the top, I'd have to cut a portion of it out, because of where the strut brake bolt on. That area is also probably part of the reason e90 can get away without it though