#fail

everlast · 06-02-2012, 11:31 PM

edit: I hate when people use ambiguous subject lines. I was guilty of it. I changed it.

So I ordered eibach springs for the 335i.. 2092.140 *EDIT, I had the wrong part number in there*. I installed the front today on my 328xi wagon. All the specs say that my wagon should weigh about 100 lbs more at each end than the 335i.

After settling, it only ended up about 5mm lower. FML.

I didn't bother with the rear.

The springs are actually a lot shorter but stiffer, so the ride is actually noticeably firmer. So I guess that's ok, I'm just disappointed in the drop.

The front were 660mm and the rear 656mm. Now the front is 655mm so the reverse rake is gone.

I cut the bump stop on one side to see if it made a difference; it did not. So now I need another bump stop too lol. Dammit!

There was another dude here who installed the 335i perf springs on his xi and the height went up, so I'm wondering if the spring hat or stack height / strut tower is not the same on the 328ix as the RWD variants?

I'm running style 189 so the height isn't horrible, but I was hoping to go a little lower than this lol. At least I won't blow my shocks.

jeguth1s · 06-04-2012, 08:27 AM

Shouldn't you have used P/N 20106.140?? Not sure but just a thought.

everlast · 06-04-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeguth1s

Shouldn't you have used P/N 20106.140?? Not sure but just a thought.

Well, they don't make any specifically for the xi. So I was looking at the significant differences in weight distrubution:

Code:

car		weight	front %	rear %	front #	rear #	drop F	drop R	eibach part #
E90 335i	3571	50.9	49.1	1,818	1,753	1.4	1	2092.140
E91 328i	3527	48.4	51.6	1,707	1,820	1.2	1	20106.140
E91 328ix	3770	50.9	49.1	1,919	1,851
E92 335i	3560	51.1	48.9	1,819	1,741	1	0.8	2092.140
E92 335ix	3759	52.2	47.8	1,962	1,797

You can see that the E91 non AWD is very light on the front end.. So that set doesn't make sense from this point of view.

However, the sprint set for the E90 335i looks perfect: the distribution is identical and it's ~ 100lbs heavier at each end.

So, it should be a touch lower than a dropped 335i. But alas, it is not.

Since the "i" guys seem to be able to swap springs all around and they all seem to work, the strut tower from 328 to 335 must be the same. Also, the 335xi guys use the 335i eibach springs.

So, I fail to see where I went wrong.. but I did.

ajsalida · 06-04-2012, 01:50 PM

Possibly the xi wagon has more/higher rated load capacity (payload) so you'd already have stiffer springs to start with (certainly than the stock 335i, or even 335xi). Springs/shocks need to have some travel left at max rated weight. Just guessing however.

I am not sure if anyone has checked this but I'd be surprised if the front 335xi springs rates and dead length were the same as 335i (regular or sport), or a 328 for that matter, or that the assembled travel length of the struts were the same (they are different struts obviously, xi vs i, 335 vs 328).

The fact that one can install springs across all these platforms does not necessarily mean they were intended to be, or that ride height/load capacity will be within intended range. It just means the upper and lower spring perches are the same general shape.

So, I'd check load capacity on your wagon and if it is significantly greater than a 335i, you maybe started with way stiffer stock springs.

everlast · 06-04-2012, 11:16 PM

Yeah I think you could be right. For the price, it was worth a shot.

Strangely though, the spring *was* a lot short but compressed to the same amount, so it must be stiffer than the OEM spring. It feels stiffer, less wallow. And, the look is growing on me a LOT. The gap around the wheel is the same at the sides vs. the top, front and rear.

ajsalida · 06-05-2012, 06:14 AM

That is one nice looking wagon.

hurricane56 · 06-05-2012, 08:21 AM

Do you have any before pictures? I have the Eibach springs on my XI sedan. While I wish it could be another 3/8" lower, overall I knew before going with the Eibach springs it was going to be a mild drop at best.

Either way, you wagon is looking good!!

AWD Addict · 06-05-2012, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajsalida

That is one nice looking wagon.

+1

everlast · 06-05-2012, 12:50 PM

Here's a before pic, with the shot taken at about the same level:

Remember the rear is the same, so given that, let your brain figure out the drop. The "before" has a slight reverse rake, very much enough to be annoying.

I've got a couple "things" to install on the wagon. I'll be getting that those pronto now that the ride height doesn't look totally whack.

06-02-2012, 11:31 PM	#1
everlast Malt'm'n'Salt'm 16 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 328xiT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON iTrader: (0)	#fail (at eibach install on 328xi touring, now with pics) edit: I hate when people use ambiguous subject lines. I was guilty of it. I changed it. So I ordered eibach springs for the 335i.. 2092.140 EDIT, I had the wrong part number in there. I installed the front today on my 328xi wagon. All the specs say that my wagon should weigh about 100 lbs more at each end than the 335i. After settling, it only ended up about 5mm lower. FML. I didn't bother with the rear. The springs are actually a lot shorter but stiffer, so the ride is actually noticeably firmer. So I guess that's ok, I'm just disappointed in the drop. The front were 660mm and the rear 656mm. Now the front is 655mm so the reverse rake is gone. I cut the bump stop on one side to see if it made a difference; it did not. So now I need another bump stop too lol. Dammit! There was another dude here who installed the 335i perf springs on his xi and the height went up, so I'm wondering if the spring hat or stack height / strut tower is not the same on the 328ix as the RWD variants? I'm running style 189 so the height isn't horrible, but I was hoping to go a little lower than this lol. At least I won't blow my shocks. Last edited by everlast; 06-05-2012 at 02:18 PM..
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06-04-2012, 08:27 AM	#2
jeguth1s Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (1)	Shouldn't you have used P/N 20106.140?? Not sure but just a thought.
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06-04-2012, 01:50 PM	#4
ajsalida Colonel 229 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 95 M3, 02 R1150GSA, 09 335xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA iTrader: (2)	Possibly the xi wagon has more/higher rated load capacity (payload) so you'd already have stiffer springs to start with (certainly than the stock 335i, or even 335xi). Springs/shocks need to have some travel left at max rated weight. Just guessing however. I am not sure if anyone has checked this but I'd be surprised if the front 335xi springs rates and dead length were the same as 335i (regular or sport), or a 328 for that matter, or that the assembled travel length of the struts were the same (they are different struts obviously, xi vs i, 335 vs 328). The fact that one can install springs across all these platforms does not necessarily mean they were intended to be, or that ride height/load capacity will be within intended range. It just means the upper and lower spring perches are the same general shape. So, I'd check load capacity on your wagon and if it is significantly greater than a 335i, you maybe started with way stiffer stock springs.
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06-04-2012, 11:16 PM	#5
everlast Malt'm'n'Salt'm 16 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 328xiT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON iTrader: (0)	Yeah I think you could be right. For the price, it was worth a shot. Strangely though, the spring was a lot short but compressed to the same amount, so it must be stiffer than the OEM spring. It feels stiffer, less wallow. And, the look is growing on me a LOT. The gap around the wheel is the same at the sides vs. the top, front and rear. Attached Images
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06-05-2012, 06:14 AM	#6
ajsalida Colonel 229 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 95 M3, 02 R1150GSA, 09 335xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA iTrader: (2)	That is one nice looking wagon.
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06-05-2012, 08:21 AM	#7
hurricane56 Lieutenant 37 Rep 432 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	Do you have any before pictures? I have the Eibach springs on my XI sedan. While I wish it could be another 3/8" lower, overall I knew before going with the Eibach springs it was going to be a mild drop at best. Either way, you wagon is looking good!!
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06-05-2012, 12:50 PM	#9
everlast Malt'm'n'Salt'm 16 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 328xiT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON iTrader: (0)	Here's a before pic, with the shot taken at about the same level: Remember the rear is the same, so given that, let your brain figure out the drop. The "before" has a slight reverse rake, very much enough to be annoying. I've got a couple "things" to install on the wagon. I'll be getting that those pronto now that the ride height doesn't look totally whack.
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