My XI has been lowered!

Getagrip · 09-02-2006, 04:51 AM

I finished installing an H&R sport spring set not long after mid-night tonight. I'm really tired. Took me approx 5 hours. The rears were super easy, much easier than my old E46 Xi. It took a lot longer than it should have to figure out how to get the exhaust pipe out of the way for the left rear control arm bolt. And the front stock springs were giving me fits when compressing them.....the are SOOO tall.
I took measurements before the work. I have not taken post-work measurement <yawns>, too tired afterwards. I'll take pics and measurements and hope to post tomorro night (read really late, for you east coasters)

therat · 09-02-2006, 11:47 AM

asweome man! can't wait to see your pics..did you need any special equipment to install them...i've never lowered a bmw before..but i've done an integra..didn't think i had to compress lowered springs since i thought it would be not as tall as stock? thanks

Getagrip · 09-02-2006, 12:30 PM

The only really special tools that I used were spring compressors. They are getting tired though. They've seem many a spring.
The shorter springs still have to be compressed, but not as extreme.

mosport70 · 09-02-2006, 02:03 PM

Will you do an alignment soon? How long to let the springs settle?

Pics please.

ska///235i · 09-02-2006, 03:22 PM

hurry with pics.....nice job man

MWcoupe · 09-02-2006, 11:13 PM

wow you really wanted them bad huh? lol
great job! show us some good pics please. and how the ride feels?

Getagrip · 09-02-2006, 11:21 PM

Will you do an alignment soon? How long to let the springs settle?Yes, I already had an alignment scheduled the day the springs arrived. Alignment will be done by the dealer on Tuesday. I don't know much about the settling, but I guess I could re-measure the ride height in how ever long one is supposed allow time to settle. Any suggestions? I suppose I could get another alignment next spring.

Quote:

wow you really wanted them bad huh? lol
great job! show us some good pics please. and how the ride feels?

Getagrip · 09-02-2006, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Will you do an alignment soon? How long to let the springs settle?

Yes, I already had an alignment scheduled the day the springs arrived. Alignment will be done by the dealer on Tuesday. I don't know much about the settling, but I guess I could re-measure the ride height in how ever long one is supposed allow time to settle. Any suggestions? I suppose I could get another alignment next spring.

Quote:

wow you really wanted them bad huh? lol
great job! show us some good pics please. and how the ride feels?

Yep, I wait a long time for H&R to finally release these babies. I had them pre-ordered with Turner back In April. Creative Autoworks came through first and charged me $45 less than Turner and CEC for 2nd day shipping.

I'll post pics later tonight or tomorro

creativeautoworks · 09-05-2006, 01:17 PM

We typically say to wait a week or so to allow the springs to fully settle.

mosport70 · 09-05-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Getagrip

Yes, I already had an alignment scheduled the day the springs arrived. Alignment will be done by the dealer on Tuesday. I don't know much about the settling, but I guess I could re-measure the ride height in how ever long one is supposed allow time to settle. Any suggestions? I suppose I could get another alignment next spring.

Yep, I wait a long time for H&R to finally release these babies. I had them pre-ordered with Turner back In April. Creative Autoworks came through first and charged me $45 less than Turner and CEC for 2nd day shipping.

I'll post pics later tonight or tomorro

Getagrip

Any comments on how it rides? Any change when travelling over bumpy or uneven surfaces?

Thanks

NSM · 09-05-2006, 11:18 PM

I also lowered my xi about a month back. The only thing that I am not happy with is the way the shocks behave on large bumps. I am thinking about changing the shocks at this point to fix the problem slightly. Have you experienced this at all?

Getagrip · 09-06-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSM

I also lowered my xi about a month back. The only thing that I am not happy with is the way the shocks behave on large bumps. I am thinking about changing the shocks at this point to fix the problem slightly. Have you experienced this at all?

The shocks do seem a little under-dampened for the springs, but it really is not that bad. The ideal thing would be to get some upgraded shocks. Do you know of any available? What springs are you on?

edawg · 09-10-2006, 02:51 AM

cant wait for pix..b4 and after

Getagrip · 09-10-2006, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edawg

cant wait for pix..b4 and after

before......then my sig is after.

dmitri · 09-10-2006, 07:09 PM

Im very excited to see some pics.

Im probably going to be lowering it myself sometime soon. Is it harder then lowering a non-awd car???? I have previous experience with other cars (friends hondas etc) but not bmw or the awd.

Getagrip · 09-10-2006, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmitri

Im very excited to see some pics.

Im probably going to be lowering it myself sometime soon. Is it harder then lowering a non-awd car???? I have previous experience with other cars (friends hondas etc) but not bmw or the awd.

Not hard at all. Check out the DIY section for some tips.

ShinBalNom · 09-11-2006, 07:48 PM

Don't expect it to be anything close to lowering Hondas...

ska///235i · 09-11-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Getagrip

Not hard at all. Check out the DIY section for some tips.

Hey getagrip,

so right now your setup is Dinan suspensions and H&R springs...
coilover in the future??

Getagrip · 09-11-2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska

Hey getagrip,

so right now your setup is Dinan suspensions and H&R springs...
coilover in the future??

No, the Dinan was on the E46. Dinan uses Eibach anyway. I have H&R sports on the E90. There may not be anymore suspension mods, but I might keep an eye out for shocks.

dmitri · 09-12-2006, 01:18 AM

pics yet besides the sig?

Getagrip · 09-12-2006, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmitri

pics yet besides the sig?

Sorry 'bout that. I threw a few over here http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28947

I'd like to go do another photo shoot sometime soon.

mosport70 · 09-12-2006, 08:39 AM

Ordered mine. Question: how much harsher is the ride? You or NSM mentioned the ride was different over large bumps.

Do you think new Konis really necessary?

The car looks amazing... what a transformation!

09-02-2006, 04:51 AM	#1
Getagrip Get a grip. Get Xdrive. 15 Rep 529 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, Alaska iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00] 2003 330xi [0.00]	My XI has been lowered! I finished installing an H&R sport spring set not long after mid-night tonight. I'm really tired. Took me approx 5 hours. The rears were super easy, much easier than my old E46 Xi. It took a lot longer than it should have to figure out how to get the exhaust pipe out of the way for the left rear control arm bolt. And the front stock springs were giving me fits when compressing them.....the are SOOO tall. I took measurements before the work. I have not taken post-work measurement <yawns>, too tired afterwards. I'll take pics and measurements and hope to post tomorro night (read really late, for you east coasters) __________________ 2006 330xi current
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09-02-2006, 11:47 AM	#2
therat Enlisted Member 4 Rep 39 Posts Drives: E90 325Xi Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	asweome man! can't wait to see your pics..did you need any special equipment to install them...i've never lowered a bmw before..but i've done an integra..didn't think i had to compress lowered springs since i thought it would be not as tall as stock? thanks
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09-02-2006, 12:30 PM	#3
Getagrip Get a grip. Get Xdrive. 15 Rep 529 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, Alaska iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00] 2003 330xi [0.00]	The only really special tools that I used were spring compressors. They are getting tired though. They've seem many a spring. The shorter springs still have to be compressed, but not as extreme. __________________ 2006 330xi current
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09-02-2006, 02:03 PM	#4
mosport70 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00] 2006 330xi [0.00] 2006 330xi [0.00]	Will you do an alignment soon? How long to let the springs settle? Pics please. __________________ 330xi Sparkling Graphite \| Terra with Burl Walnut \| ZPP \| ZSP with Style 162 \| Comfort Access \| Heated Seats \| PDC \| Navigation \| Satellite Radio \| OEM Alarm \| De-badged \| OEM Strut Brace \| Blacklines \| Rear Fogs \| Silver Front Indicator Bulbs Ordered: 4.3.2006 Scheduled for Production: 4.7.2006 Awaiting Transport: 4.13.2006 En Route: 4.19.2006 At Preparation Center: 5.11.2006 Performance Center Delivery: 06.01.2006
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09-02-2006, 03:22 PM	#5
ska///235i ***** noob 1416 Rep 10,477 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	hurry with pics.....nice job man __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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09-02-2006, 11:13 PM	#6
MWcoupe 24k GOLD 146 Rep 1,452 Posts Drives: Mineral White M4 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: BROOKLYN NY iTrader: (0)	wow you really wanted them bad huh? lol great job! show us some good pics please. and how the ride feels?
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09-05-2006, 01:17 PM	#9
creativeautoworks 29 Rep 392 Posts Drives: Ibis White 2007 Audi A4 S-Line Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (4)	We typically say to wait a week or so to allow the springs to fully settle.
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09-05-2006, 11:18 PM	#11
NSM Modeldater 22 Rep 641 Posts Drives: BSM M6 Vert & BSM 1M Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New England iTrader: (2)	I also lowered my xi about a month back. The only thing that I am not happy with is the way the shocks behave on large bumps. I am thinking about changing the shocks at this point to fix the problem slightly. Have you experienced this at all?
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09-10-2006, 02:51 AM	#13
edawg Auto Icons 16 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2006 325xit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: santa barbara iTrader: (2)	cant wait for pix..b4 and after __________________ ] nuff said!
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09-10-2006, 07:09 PM	#15
dmitri Private First Class 11 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Morristown, NJ iTrader: (0)	Im very excited to see some pics. Im probably going to be lowering it myself sometime soon. Is it harder then lowering a non-awd car???? I have previous experience with other cars (friends hondas etc) but not bmw or the awd.
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09-11-2006, 07:48 PM	#17
ShinBalNom Captain 23 Rep 669 Posts Drives: AW 330i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So. CAL iTrader: (1)	Don't expect it to be anything close to lowering Hondas...
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09-12-2006, 01:18 AM	#20
dmitri Private First Class 11 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Morristown, NJ iTrader: (0)	pics yet besides the sig?
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09-12-2006, 08:39 AM	#22
mosport70 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00] 2006 330xi [0.00] 2006 330xi [0.00]	Ordered mine. Question: how much harsher is the ride? You or NSM mentioned the ride was different over large bumps. Do you think new Konis really necessary? The car looks amazing... what a transformation! __________________ 330xi Sparkling Graphite \| Terra with Burl Walnut \| ZPP \| ZSP with Style 162 \| Comfort Access \| Heated Seats \| PDC \| Navigation \| Satellite Radio \| OEM Alarm \| De-badged \| OEM Strut Brace \| Blacklines \| Rear Fogs \| Silver Front Indicator Bulbs Ordered: 4.3.2006 Scheduled for Production: 4.7.2006 Awaiting Transport: 4.13.2006 En Route: 4.19.2006 At Preparation Center: 5.11.2006 Performance Center Delivery: 06.01.2006
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