[Boostin335]

The front gap on the xi is horrendous. I have 18" allseasons on miro 111s.

I am just looking for something simple and cheap to lower the front.

Do not want to replace shocks, and don't care to even go aftermarket if the oem i sports will lower the fronts.. I am sure the rears will lower a tad more also but I am not bothered by the rears now, the front is just plain 4x4.

So my question is who here has an xi that they've swapped i sport springs on and kept everything else stock?

Pics please!!!!

[Maxicooper]

I'd be interested to see as well.

[fdriller9]

I plan on doing this soon as well as removing the 1/4" reinforcement plate in the front strut towers.

[Boostin335]

Originally Posted by *********

I plan on doing this soon as well as removing the 1/4" reinforcement plate in the front strut towers.

can you elaborate about the reinforcement plate?
What does this do?

[pits200]

Call me a complainer, but I don't understand why you buy a semi-performance car but want to seriously degrade the suspension by doing what you're saying.

But to answer your question, you can put any i springs on you want, just expect a very poor ride afterwards.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by Boostin335

can you elaborate about the reinforcement plate?
What does this do?

There is a reinforcement plate between the strut and strut tower which prevents "mushrooming" of the tower. When you hit a pothole, most of the energy is concentrated at the top of the strut. Over the life of the car, the metal will weaken and could lead to "mushrooming."

I would just try to avoid potholes if you do this. These plates were optional on E46s so it shouldn't be a problem. Someone else recommended it to me and their car has been fine.

The plate I'm talking about is #3.

[CobraMarty]

It looks just like a spacer, in fact a wheel spacer.

[MeeTsenPu]

Originally Posted by pits200

Call me a complainer, but I don't understand why you buy a semi-performance car but want to seriously degrade the suspension by doing what you're saying.

But to answer your question, you can put any i springs on you want, just expect a very poor ride afterwards.

+1 also the way this car slams into pot holes stock I wouldn't remove that reenforcement plate. Any lowered springs should be accompanied by Bilstein struts. The stock Xi struts are just way too soft for anything else.

[fdriller9]

I only plan on running this setup for a year....just to see if it's worth it to get coilovers and drop the car. My shocks will most likely be shot after a year....I'm at 64k right now.

EDIT: You can also use a strut tower brace, preferably one that attaches to all 3 bolts, to reinforce the towers. This is what Mini owners do.....before BMW re-designed the strut towers in '06.

[EyeGuy]

Originally Posted by pits200

Call me a complainer, but I don't understand why you buy a semi-performance car but want to seriously degrade the suspension by doing what you're saying.

But to answer your question, you can put any i springs on you want, just expect a very poor ride afterwards.

How do you figure? I thought i-sport springs were more performance oriented?

[Boostin335]

back on topic.. just seeing who has done just this "mod" and ANY PICS?

[pits200]

Originally Posted by EyeGuy

How do you figure? I thought i-sport springs were more performance oriented?

My point is, obviously if he is going to go this route he doesn't really care what is the best performance. Therefore, I was just stating the (i) springs would work but obviously it is not ideal.

[EyeGuy]

I think theres a guy on her who is running i sport springs with bilstein shocks. He was concerned about the lessening the front gap and mantaining a decent ride comfort.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by EyeGuy

How do you figure? I thought i-sport springs were more performance oriented?

Yes with sport shocks. Xi shocks are valved for xi springs. Lowering an xi using the oem xi shocks and oem zsp springs WILL give a rougher ride. The xi shocks will be loaded at all times because they will sit lower than a xi with xi springs.

I'm no suspension expert but I also think this will make the rebound really high because the xi has alot of rebound to begin with and because the car will sit even lower, the rebound will be even higher. And the damper will be really low.....which = rough ride.

[Boostin335]

Originally Posted by *********

Yes with sport shocks. Xi shocks are valved for xi springs. Lowering an xi using the oem xi shocks and oem zsp springs WILL give a rougher ride. The xi shocks will be loaded at all times because they will sit lower than a xi with xi springs.

I'm no suspension expert but I also think this will make the rebound really high because the xi has alot of rebound to begin with and because the car will sit even lower, the rebound will be even higher. And the damper will be really low.....which = rough ride.

So I would want ZSP "i" sport springs AND shocks... that would lower my car, but also increase the handling and life.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by Boostin335

So I would want ZSP "i" sport springs AND shocks... that would lower my car, but also increase the handling and life.

Front ZSP shocks don't fit the xi....or it might be the rear that doesn't fit.

You want a spring and shock combo that will work with each other. Pairing aftermarket shocks with aftermarket springs usually provides a good combo because the shocks are valved for lowered springs.

[G-Man2011]

I have a Xi sport and all I did was put H&R sport spring 1 inch drop and car rides fine with stock everything else.

[MTP335]

so no pic ?

[BMW72]

Well if my new rims look like a 4x4 I will have the H&R's on next week... with no other suspension mods... time will tell.

[SS e93]

Originally Posted by BMW72

Well if my new rims look like a 4x4 I will have the H&R's on next week... with no other suspension mods... time will tell.

Rims won't change the wheel gap. It might look a bit less because you have more rim surface if you are going larger, but still will have the same gap between tire and fender.

[Kruz]

Beefier sidewalls?

[Avery]

The Dinan Susp. xi kit only replaces the front springs and keeps the factory shocks.