[cycler]

I was wondering what i can do to lessen the gap in the front. I understand I would have to change the rear as well however my question is, if I have an xi how low should I go or actually how low can I go for the xi to still work. And my next question is regarding coil overs. Im not sure what they really are so here goes. If I installed coil overs are they adjustable or once I put in the desired height thats how the car will sit. If the ride will become slightly stiffer does that mean that if I hit a bump or pothole in the road I can damage my wheels easier since there is less rebound?

[18LLC]

check out kw's site. you can always adjust the height and rebound damping, bump damping. all you have to do is get out of the car, get your tools and do it outside of the car. kw only make v3 for your car and you can set bump damping softer. but you will loss stability at the same time. you can go as low as you don't want it on the street for this coilover.

[AWD Addict]

Any aftermarket adjustable coilover setup is going to be a lot rougher / less comfortable ride than stock. If you're willing to sacarafice daily driver comfort, adjustable coilovers are a fine option. It sounds like you really only have a problem with the wheel gap, not suspension feel/response. Living in NYC, I'd suggest against it unless you plan on spending a lot of time at the track.

Based on my read of your post, I think you'd be better off just getting some aftermarket springs and replace the stockers. They'll preserve more of the stock feel of the car (likely a bit sportier - depending on brand) and tighten up that wheel gap.

[18LLC]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

Any aftermarket adjustable coilover setup is going to be a lot rougher / less comfortable ride than stock. If you're willing to sacarafice daily driver comfort, adjustable coilovers are a fine option. It sounds like you really only have a problem with the wheel gap, not suspension feel/response. Living in NYC, I'd suggest against it unless you plan on spending a lot of time at the track.

Based on my read of your post, I think you'd be better off just getting some aftermarket springs and replace the stockers. They'll preserve more of the stock feel of the car (likely a bit sportier - depending on brand) and tighten up that wheel gap.

not true, spring only will not give you any close comfort feel to coilover, and a good made coilover can be more comfy than stock.

[Doc E]

AFMK springs are not matched for the OEM shocks. You'll bounce and float on the highway like WHOAAA. I speak from personal experience.

If you have the $$$ get the KW V3's, but they could be a PITA to setup right because the dampening settings are on top of the strut (compression-how hard you feel the bumps is on the bottom) so you better get the correct settings during the initial install (follow the KW's recomendations).
Usually the dampening is what people tinker around to get the perfect ride.

Still they are totally worth it, but it will cost you to setup your ride right.

Be prepared to pay for corner weighting too.

My install+weighting was $850 (it takes more time to remove the axles in the front on the Xi)

[AWD Addict]

While springs aren't matched to stock, a quick study of spring rates compared to stock will allow you to decide if they will suit your needs.

Saying coilvers will be more comfortable than stock is simply inexperience speaking. I've seen this dozens of times with inexperienced tuners online who spend the big bucks on coilovers only to have them removed because of bad daily driver comfort. Then they go and have good springs installed.

This guy just wants a slightly lower ride height, not the track functionality of coilovers. Assuming that all springs will be poor for driving is completely inaccurate. It sounds to me like you're talking about people who cut their springs with floating and bouncing. That said, you shouldn't just go out and buy any set of springs. H&R for example, typically tries to match stock settings, whether they are progressive or linear, rebound rates etc, while achieving a slightly lower ride height. I haven't used them yet on the E9x, but for other manufacturers that's their standard protocol.

[cycler]

What about changing the shocks as well as springs to lower the car?

[Doc E]

Originally Posted by cycler

What about changing the shocks as well as springs to lower the car?

there is no such option available yet and i doubt that it will ever come out.

looking at history, I believe that the only suspension solution for the E46 was also the KW, so i doubt that we'll see anything else.
Too bad.

[Doc E]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

While springs aren't matched to stock, a quick study of spring rates compared to stock will allow you to decide if they will suit your needs.

Saying coilvers will be more comfortable than stock is simply inexperience speaking. I've seen this dozens of times with inexperienced tuners online who spend the big bucks on coilovers only to have them removed because of bad daily driver comfort. Then they go and have good springs installed.

This guy just wants a slightly lower ride height, not the track functionality of coilovers. Assuming that all springs will be poor for driving is completely inaccurate. It sounds to me like you're talking about people who cut their springs with floating and bouncing. That said, you shouldn't just go out and buy any set of springs. H&R for example, typically tries to match stock settings, whether they are progressive or linear, rebound rates etc, while achieving a slightly lower ride height. I haven't used them yet on the E9x, but for other manufacturers that's their standard protocol.

go drive in a car with H&R springs and any CO system, the CO will ride better because:
1. you can adjust it to your liking
2. from the factory the springs and shocks are designed to work together even the the harshest/softest settings.


also when you swap the springs only, your shocks WILL wear out faster than on the OEM springs. Now that could man 20k, 30k miles, but i've seen it as low as 5k and 10k-that's an expensive chance to take.
That you gotta pay for installation/alignment...etc

With a more agressive springs, more pressure is also transferred to the other suspension components (bushings, CA joints) which could also begin to wear out much faster.

Here's another tidbit.
The Xi (non-sport) shocks are way too soft. What do you think will happen when yo pair them up with a stiffer spring? I dont have the rates on hand, but H&R springs are def. stiffer than OEM.
The soft shock won't be able to compensate for the stiffness, which will mean that the spring will absorb all of the suspension travel=bouncy

[AWD Addict]

I hear the Eibach Pro-Kits are softer than the H&Rs, but I've still yet been able to locate the spring rate comparisons for all 3 (stock included) and if they're progressive or linear rates.

Any help there would be appreciated. I'm about halfway through searching the site for the info...

As for the above post, unless you've got the spring rate data, you can't quantify how drastic the effects on the car will be. I will note that any performance mod will have some negative effects on your car anyways. Even a well engineered mod like a ProCEDE will have SOME negative effects on the useful life of componants. Given this forum has so many members modding cars, I figured that was a giant given (it is on other tuner forums for that matter).

Your comments about everything else are general and unfounded. When trying to help someone, I typically prefer to have some good data before being so sure about something (like having the spring rates and comparing them to stock). Reccomending $1200+ coilovers for someone that wants to tweak ride height is simply an awful suggestion, and really speaks for itself imo.

$0.02

[18LLC]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

While springs aren't matched to stock, a quick study of spring rates compared to stock will allow you to decide if they will suit your needs.

Saying coilvers will be more comfortable than stock is simply inexperience speaking. I've seen this dozens of times with inexperienced tuners online who spend the big bucks on coilovers only to have them removed because of bad daily driver comfort. Then they go and have good springs installed.

This guy just wants a slightly lower ride height, not the track functionality of coilovers. Assuming that all springs will be poor for driving is completely inaccurate. It sounds to me like you're talking about people who cut their springs with floating and bouncing. That said, you shouldn't just go out and buy any set of springs. H&R for example, typically tries to match stock settings, whether they are progressive or linear, rebound rates etc, while achieving a slightly lower ride height. I haven't used them yet on the E9x, but for other manufacturers that's their standard protocol.

i drove my xi with stock suspension b4. also stock shocks with h&r sport spring, now i'm with kw v3, i don't know if you have any experience with all 3 setups, but as i know, v3>stock>h&r. v3 factory recommend setting is stiffer than stock, but if you just soft the rebound damping, don't even have to touch the compress damping, the car feels like lexus flagship already. have you ever sat in xi with any brand coilover setup? if so, which brand? i will make sure to think twice b4 i purchase anything made by that brand.

[18LLC]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

I hear the Eibach Pro-Kits are softer than the H&Rs, but I've still yet been able to locate the spring rate comparisons for all 3 (stock included) and if they're progressive or linear rates.

Any help there would be appreciated. I'm about halfway through searching the site for the info...

As for the above post, unless you've got the spring rate data, you can't quantify how drastic the effects on the car will be. I will note that any performance mod will have some negative effects on your car anyways. Even a well engineered mod like a ProCEDE will have SOME negative effects on the useful life of componants. Given this forum has so many members modding cars, I figured that was a giant given (it is on other tuner forums for that matter).

Your comments about everything else are general and unfounded. When trying to help someone, I typically prefer to have some good data before being so sure about something (like having the spring rates and comparing them to stock). Reccomending $1200+ coilovers for someone that wants to tweak ride height is simply an awful suggestion, and really speaks for itself imo.

$0.02

v3 is much more than $1200... but people will never regrade. i regrade that i put h&r on my car before, totally waste money for parts and labor.

[cycler]

What about the Eibach pro kit suspension kit. Isnt that a shock spring combo kit. Can I lower my car using that system. And if I decided to use a co system would I be able to soften the ride so it wont be to harsh for everyday driving?

[Babe]

I heard that BMW performance is comming out any day now with a package for lowering the XI. I would wait till it comes out. Can't go wrong with OEM stuff..

[cycler]

If they do then I will buy it from Tisher BMW. Im sure the pricing there is a hell of a lot better than if I went straight to Hassel BMW. And the funny thing is that Hassel BMW wont even match the price that Tisher gives. They would rather lose the sale than make less on the deal. Just like they lost 5 euro delivery sales to life quality and will lose my brother in law as a 6th because of being greedy

[cycler]

Originally Posted by Babe

I heard that BMW performance is comming out any day now with a package for lowering the XI. I would wait till it comes out. Can't go wrong with OEM stuff..

did you hear what the cost might be?

[NM_BMW]

IIRC the only suspension options us XI guys have is the H&R springs, the KW v3's and I think the Bilstien, but I havce yet to see anyone with the Bilstien setup.

I want to see what BMW can offer when this package comes out. Do we have an ETA on the package?

[devo]

Originally Posted by 18LLC

v3 is much more than $1200... but people will never regrade. i regrade that i put h&r on my car before, totally waste money for parts and labor.

Are your trying to spell "regret"? Anyway, tell me why H&R is a total waste of money. If you are making that statement because you put lowering springs (only) on with stock shocks, then you are misleading others on this board.

H&R, like some of the other well known suspension builders, have been the choice of German manufacturers and tuners around the world for many, many years. H&R may be considered by some to be a little more harsh, but that is a subjective opinion.

I plan to have the H&R coil overs installed on my 335Xi coupe soon. They lower the body 1.3 and .75 inches minimum, which is likely perfect for me. Obviously, they are adjustable too. Turner Motorsports suggested them and has had countless experiences with them on other 3 series variants. Turner Motorsports' name should speak for themselves. They are a top notch BMW tuner shop with an extensive racing backround as well as street performance mods.

At least, one, of our own members has installed them on his car. He speaks highly of the handling improvements and ride quality.

It really cracks me up how many people here are willing to just go with springs only and deal with a crappy ride. I wouldn't even consider driving my new BMW with improper shock/spring pairing and a bouncey ride and/or brutal ride.

This forum should be a source of valuble information to be shared amongst others, not a source of some random, misleading statements.

[devo]

Originally Posted by Babe

I heard that BMW performance is comming out any day now with a package for lowering the XI. I would wait till it comes out. Can't go wrong with OEM stuff..

I have heard the same thing, however, it will likely be roughly $1300-$1400 for a non-coil over set up. Add $300 +/- for the lighter lower control arms, then add labor.

I have also heard that it will be a static lowering that will only drop the front about 15-17 mm, not enough for me.

[NM_BMW]

Devo,

What did the H&R CO run you installed?

[AWD Addict]

Originally Posted by devo

It really cracks me up how many people here are willing to just go with springs only and deal with a crappy ride. I wouldn't even consider driving my new BMW with improper shock/spring pairing and a bouncey ride and/or brutal ride.

So you're saying there is never a spring setup that will match the stock pistons and drive comfortably, or god forbid, with some improvement? Seems like an uber-generalism to me, particularly given how many spring manufacturers specifically design their spring rates to match stock dampers.

Sort of like how people claim that just installing springs will ruin stock struts - meanwhile there hasn't been a single report of anything even remotely close to that on the E90s.

I'm sure, of course, you have the spring rates and type for both stock and aftermarket to back up that claim, right? If you do, please post them up. I've been unable to find them on the forum or anywhere on the web. I've found some of the aftermarket company spring rates, but without knowing if the stock BMW springs are linear or not, and what the rates are, it's silly to speculate.

Originally Posted by devo

This forum should be a source of valuble information to be shared amongst others, not a source of some random, misleading statements.

Couldn't agree more.

[devo]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

So you're saying there is never a spring setup that will match the stock pistons and drive comfortably, or god forbid, with some improvement? Seems like an uber-generalism to me, particularly given how many spring manufacturers specifically design their spring rates to match stock dampers.

Sort of like how people claim that just installing springs will ruin stock struts - meanwhile there hasn't been a single report of anything even remotely close to that on the E90s.

I'm sure, of course, you have the spring rates and type for both stock and aftermarket to back up that claim, right? If you do, please post them up. I've been unable to find them on the forum or anywhere on the web. I've found some of the aftermarket company spring rates, but without knowing if the stock BMW springs are linear or not, and what the rates are, it's silly to speculate.



Couldn't agree more.

I am not making a claim that they is never a matched set up available. I am saying that I am humored by the people that will put springs on their cars that are not paired with the shocks. If you found springs compatible with your OEM shocks, congratulations and please share the info.

I am curious how you know that they are matched since the specs are proprietary to BMW.