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      05-14-2018, 09:10 AM   #1
whatnot
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Any lowered xDrives?

I am thinking of getting new springs for my 320iA xDrive Touring, just to make the car look a bit better and firming up the ride a bit - I don't want to slam it since I live in Finland and you actually need some ground clearence during Winter.

Anyone got any suggestions or experience on running lowering springs on xDrives (Touring)?
- Will the steering rack survive?
- How about the front drivetrain? Will it be too stressed with lowered chassis (meaning more angle on the joints).
- How bad will the camber be with otherwise stock setup.
- Which shocks should I go by? I can get slightly used ACS springs (for xDrive Touring) for 150 USD. Which is not bad.
- I know the ACS springs will not lower much on the non-xDrive-version, but any insight on xDrive cars? Since it is completely different (or atleast P/N) springs. AFAIK xDrive chassis has more ground clearance than RWDs.

Thanks.
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      05-14-2018, 09:40 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatnot View Post
I am thinking of getting new springs for my 320iA xDrive Touring, just to make the car look a bit better and firming up the ride a bit - I don't want to slam it since I live in Finland and you actually need some ground clearence during Winter.

Anyone got any suggestions or experience on running lowering springs on xDrives (Touring)?
- Will the steering rack survive?
- How about the front drivetrain? Will it be too stressed with lowered chassis (meaning more angle on the joints).
- How bad will the camber be with otherwise stock setup.
- Which shocks should I go by? I can get slightly used ACS springs (for xDrive Touring) for 150 USD. Which is not bad.
- I know the ACS springs will not lower much on the non-xDrive-version, but any insight on xDrive cars? Since it is completely different (or atleast P/N) springs. AFAIK xDrive chassis has more ground clearance than RWDs.

Thanks.
Will lower a lot in the back for xDrive, about 30mm. Looks a bit low for my taste after doing so, but perfect balance in the car.
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      05-14-2018, 10:05 AM   #3
whatnot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fupsaker View Post
Will lower a lot in the back for xDrive, about 30mm. Looks a bit low for my taste after doing so, but perfect balance in the car.
Thanks for the reply. You are talking about the ACS springs? Got any pics?
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      05-14-2018, 03:10 PM   #4
lonecitizenfour
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Here's my f32 lowered! H&R Sports
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      05-14-2018, 09:07 PM   #5
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I had my 335i XDrive on H&R Sport Springs, they looked great but the ride was like shit, it was bumpy and rough even on smooth roads. I had them on for a year and just took them out and put on KW V1s. Like them a lot so far, car rides great and feels great.
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      05-15-2018, 12:56 PM   #6
whatnot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lonecitizenfour View Post
Nice. Did you measure how much they dropped from stock xDrive?

Love the license plate

Quote:
Originally Posted by yogi2472 View Post
I had my 335i XDrive on H&R Sport Springs, they looked great but the ride was like shit, it was bumpy and rough even on smooth roads. I had them on for a year and just took them out and put on KW V1s. Like them a lot so far, car rides great and feels great.
Thanks for the reply. Did you measure the actual drop from stock xDrive suspension? Did you do any comparison with the ACS springs?
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      05-15-2018, 01:21 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatnot View Post
Nice. Did you measure how much they dropped from stock xDrive?

Love the license plate



Thanks for the reply. Did you measure the actual drop from stock xDrive suspension? Did you do any comparison with the ACS springs?
There's a significant drop. I didn't measure it. It was enough for me.
I also ordered Bilstein B14s and I should have them in 2 weeks.
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      05-15-2018, 02:12 PM   #8
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Its 25-35mm front 20-30mm rear for the AC schnitz
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      05-24-2018, 03:31 PM   #9
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Which site did u order ur bilstein b14s lonecitizenfour ? I’m thinking copping it but some of the sites are all backordered
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      05-24-2018, 04:20 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fr3sh View Post
Which site did u order ur bilstein b14s lonecitizenfour ? I’m thinking copping it but some of the sites are all backordered
I actually got them used from a member here
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      05-30-2018, 08:44 AM   #11
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I just finished upgrading my suspension with CATuned coilovers, Megan swaybar, Powerflex bushing inserts and rear upper camber bars. I have about 1" fender clearance over my tires and the handling is so much better than stock. I have it set stiff, 20 out of a max stiffness of 30 but that's the way I like it.
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      05-30-2018, 12:03 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatnot View Post
I am thinking of getting new springs for my 320iA xDrive Touring, just to make the car look a bit better and firming up the ride a bit - I don't want to slam it since I live in Finland and you actually need some ground clearence during Winter.

Anyone got any suggestions or experience on running lowering springs on xDrives (Touring)?
- Will the steering rack survive?
- How about the front drivetrain? Will it be too stressed with lowered chassis (meaning more angle on the joints).
- How bad will the camber be with otherwise stock setup.
- Which shocks should I go by? I can get slightly used ACS springs (for xDrive Touring) for 150 USD. Which is not bad.
- I know the ACS springs will not lower much on the non-xDrive-version, but any insight on xDrive cars? Since it is completely different (or atleast P/N) springs. AFAIK xDrive chassis has more ground clearance than RWDs.

Thanks.
I just swapped my 428i XDrive springs to coil overs. If the H&R Sport springs fit in your car, I'll let them go for real cheap. It only has 150 miles on them with stock shocks.
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      05-30-2018, 12:05 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zole2112 View Post
I just finished upgrading my suspension with CATuned coilovers, Megan swaybar, Powerflex bushing inserts and rear upper camber bars. I have about 1" fender clearance over my tires and the handling is so much better than stock. I have it set stiff, 20 out of a max stiffness of 30 but that's the way I like it.
Photos.
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      05-30-2018, 12:07 PM   #14
lonecitizenfour
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zole2112 View Post
I just finished upgrading my suspension with CATuned coilovers, Megan swaybar, Powerflex bushing inserts and rear upper camber bars. I have about 1" fender clearance over my tires and the handling is so much better than stock. I have it set stiff, 20 out of a max stiffness of 30 but that's the way I like it.

How do the powerflex bushings help? if you don't mind explaining.
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      05-31-2018, 03:08 PM   #15
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I've also been considering options for my 335ix. Keep in mind that our Xdrive cars are different models so what I say may be different for your car. Here are the spring brands and specifications that I have found for my 335i Xdrive.
H&R has two different spring sets. H&R OEM Sport Springs (not available for 335ix) only lower the car 0.25-.75 inches but H&R Sport Springs lower the car about 1.5 inches and are the most radical of the springs that I have considered. Dinan springs lower the car about 0.75-1.0 inches and are about 30% stiffer than stock. Eibach Pro-Kit Springs are the mildest at about 10% stiffer and only lower the car about 0.8 inch in front and 0.6 inch at the rear. I also live in an area with a winter climate so I am considering the Eibach springs, possibly with the new Koni Active Red struts/shocks with their FSD technology which is sportier than OEM but milder than Koni Sport or Bilstein. Available June 2018. Hope this helps!
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      06-01-2018, 06:51 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnung View Post
I've also been considering options for my 335ix. Keep in mind that our Xdrive cars are different models so what I say may be different for your car. Here are the spring brands and specifications that I have found for my 335i Xdrive.
H&R has two different spring sets. H&R OEM Sport Springs (not available for 335ix) only lower the car 0.25-.75 inches but H&R Sport Springs lower the car about 1.5 inches and are the most radical of the springs that I have considered. Dinan springs lower the car about 0.75-1.0 inches and are about 30% stiffer than stock. Eibach Pro-Kit Springs are the mildest at about 10% stiffer and only lower the car about 0.8 inch in front and 0.6 inch at the rear. I also live in an area with a winter climate so I am considering the Eibach springs, possibly with the new Koni Active Red struts/shocks with their FSD technology which is sportier than OEM but milder than Koni Sport or Bilstein. Available June 2018. Hope this helps!

Excellent info thanks. Given this i too now am looking at eibach
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      06-01-2018, 10:58 AM   #17
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Just lowered my 2015 335i xdrive using the Eibach springs that are made for RWD. A local reputable shop (RMP) recommended doing this since the Eibach springs for the xdrive do not lower the car that much.

Lowered it perfectly!

Ride quality is still pretty good...would not say it is harsh at all.

Will get pics up next week after the springs settle a little and I get my alignment done.
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      06-01-2018, 07:48 PM   #18
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I had mine lowered on B8s and Dinan springs, but changed back to stock suspension after a few months.
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      06-02-2018, 07:52 AM   #19
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I have my lowered on msport springs from an F30..I think its the perfect drop!
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      06-03-2018, 03:53 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lonecitizenfour View Post
How do the powerflex bushings help? if you don't mind explaining.
I added them to my rear subframe. I did a lot of research on either doing the Powerflex insert or replacing the bushing completely. I talked to a couple of people who did the insert and they said they had great results with them so I decided to go with them. I lowered my rear subframe and the stock bushings are basically H shaped with a small gap on the front and back sides, maybe 3/16". The Powerflex inserts fill this gap from the top and bottom to reduce how much the subframe can flex.

I can't really give you a true evaluation of just the Powerflex since I added coilovers, rear swaybar and rear upper camber arms as the same time but my car handles so much better, night and day better. I set the coilovers stiff, 20 out of 30 clicks.
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      06-07-2018, 10:48 AM   #21
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Xdrive dropped on Eibach Pro-kits made for RWD

part no. E10-20-031-02-22

Rides great and is not too slammed
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      06-07-2018, 11:56 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark_tdot View Post
Xdrive dropped on Eibach Pro-kits made for RWD

part no. E10-20-031-02-22

Rides great and is not too slammed
I still haven't lowered my xDrive yet, but have ACS xDrive springs in my garage waiting for my lazy self to put them on. I really like how those RWD eibach's turned out on an xDrive car. Wondering if I made the right choice now.
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