[AWD Addict]

Update:

I'm about three weeks on the new setup now.

The car's done settling, and I had my alignment done on Monday. The car has stopped tracking and behaving weird on pavement changes or hard turns, and feels fantastic. I'm running a little negative camber, and I'm really pleased. As reported previously, the car is much flatter in corners and braking, and is much more stable at speed on the highway, and much more responsive in the twisties. The vagueness in the steering is gone, and turn in feels much sharper and precise.

This setup really bridged a daily driver level of comfort and the need for increased performance in cornering and braking. As MassBimmer advised, I'll report back in a while and give a longer term review and update.

[everlast]

Thanks for the update AWD_Addict, much appreciated!

[avenger2540]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

Update:

I'm about three weeks on the new setup now.

The car's done settling, and I had my alignment done on Monday. The car has stopped tracking and behaving weird on pavement changes or hard turns, and feels fantastic. I'm running a little negative camber, and I'm really pleased. As reported previously, the car is much flatter in corners and braking, and is much more stable at speed on the highway, and much more responsive in the twisties. The vagueness in the steering is gone, and turn in feels much sharper and precise.

This setup really bridged a daily driver level of comfort and the need for increased performance in cornering and braking. As MassBimmer advised, I'll report back in a while and give a longer term review and update.

Thats great news!!!

[Alpineweiss e90]

On the xi's there is a 1/4" reinforcement plate between the strut hat and the strut tower. Did you remove that? If not, that will solve your front rake issue.

If you remove the plate, I would put a strut across the towers to stiffen it up a bit.

[JTWCT]

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

Yeah, I guess I'm coming from a different place as this is my first aftermarket sport suspension and I wasn't sure what to expect. I feel right now that the ride quality I have with H&R Sport and Bilstein Sport (ride quality mostly meaning comfort and ability to handle imperfections in the road) is a further drop from stock than I anticipated (issues with runflats aside). Maybe it's because the Bilsteins characteristically ride harsher than most aftermarket shocks. I've considered switching to Konis but I'm not sure yet. The handling is markedly improved so I have no complaints about that - just wish the set up was a little more compliant is all.

Has anyone cleared this up? I can't seem to find anyone that has H&R and Koni. I'm considering this setup. I'm also trying to figure out what's the best way to avoid rake in my 328xi E92.

[MassBimmer]

Originally Posted by JTWCT

Has anyone cleared this up? I can't seem to find anyone that has H&R and Koni. I'm considering this setup. I'm also trying to figure out what's the best way to avoid rake in my 328xi E92.

I don't know if I've gotten used to it after a year but I'm much more comfortable with the ride on my car now with H&R Sports and Bilsteins.

As for rake, coilovers are your best bet to alleviate this issue as they are height adjustable and you'll be able to dial in your drop exactly the way you want it.

[JTWCT]

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

I don't know if I've gotten used to it after a year but I'm much more comfortable with the ride on my car now with H&R Sports and Bilsteins.

As for rake, coilovers are your best bet to alleviate this issue as they are height adjustable and you'll be able to dial in your drop exactly the way you want it.

Thanks. Konis do tend to ride softer than Bilsteins though right? I had Bilsteins on my previous car. I wouldn't mind testing H&R springs with Konis.

I considered the KW V1 but that's an extra $400 which I couldn't really justify. But you are right, it's better.

[AWD Addict]

I think the springs will be more relevant in how harsh the ride is rather than struts.

[dangeris]

How long did you guys wait before you got it aligned? A week or so? Did you notice if the car tracked left or right aftrer the drop? How about the camber?...or is that not an issue since the drop isn't relatively that low.

[AWD Addict]

3wks

Car was kind of squirrelly, and would track on varying pavement or at certain yaw.

[dangeris]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

3wks

Car was kind of squirrelly, and would track on varying pavement or at certain yaw.

Wouldn't waiting that long to get an alignment chew up your tires? When I had my coils installed in my other car, it was spot on. No alighnment issues what so ever.

How's the camber?

[AWD Addict]

No, it will not "chew up" your tires.

Cambers negative about 1.5degs. The numbers were further off than I would have guessed pre-alignment. Car feels fantastic now. Feels like a different vehicle.

[SlantedEyeXI]

Originally Posted by JTWCT

Thanks. Konis do tend to ride softer than Bilsteins though right? I had Bilsteins on my previous car. I wouldn't mind testing H&R springs with Konis.

I considered the KW V1 but that's an extra $400 which I couldn't really justify. But you are right, it's better.

That $400 would be well spent or could even get it for cheaper... but knowing that the wicked witch of "rake city" is dead, PRICELESS!!!
Love the V1's and ride quality isn't even harsh... Just fft

[icyhot e92]

Originally Posted by SlantedEyeXI

That $400 would be well spent or could even get it for cheaper... but knowing that the wicked witch of "rake city" is dead, PRICELESS!!!
Love the V1's and ride quality isn't even harsh... Just fft

I hear mixed things about the harshness. In general what I have summarized is that shock/springs ride a bit softer than coilovers.

[JTWCT]

Originally Posted by SlantedEyeXI

That $400 would be well spent or could even get it for cheaper... but knowing that the wicked witch of "rake city" is dead, PRICELESS!!!
Love the V1's and ride quality isn't even harsh... Just fft

Thanks. But actually if you get "I" front springs and "XI" rear springs, there won't be a rake from what some people that went this route told me. Also, Koni shocks allow you to adjust for dampening. Ride quality isn't an issue, the roads in my area are near perfect and I'm going with non-RFT. I factored in the $400 price difference because I can get new KW V1 for about $1,200 from a vendor.

[icyhot e92]

Originally Posted by JTWCT

Thanks. But actually if you get "I" front springs and "XI" rear springs, there won't be a rake from what some people that went this route told me. Also, Koni shocks allow you to adjust for dampening. Ride quality isn't an issue, the roads in my area are near perfect and I'm going with non-RFT. I factored in the $400 price difference because I can get new KW V1 for about $1,200 from a vendor.

Since most springs are sold as a kit of 4, how can you get I front, and XI rear springs without buying 2 sets?

[dangeris]

I just ordered Koni Yellows Sports Shocks and H&R Sport Springs. I was going to be lazy and have a shop install them but after what they quoted me for installation, I guess my brother and I have a weekend project.

Is anyone on here running that setup...Koni Yellow and H&R sport springs?

[ska325xi]

isnt the koni setup a 3-4 week wait?

[dangeris]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

isnt the koni setup a 3-4 week wait?

and why would it be a 3 - 4 week wait? .. Am I missing something here?

[SlantedEyeXI]

Originally Posted by icyhot e92

I hear mixed things about the harshness. In general what I have summarized is that shock/springs ride a bit softer than coilovers.

Well to me they def ride softer than what I thought.. and I'm coming from a pretty harsh bilstein pss9 setup on my e46. I was gonna go the shock/spring route, but was still unsure about the konis, and the bilstein with H&R's seems perfect but saw a few setups on the xi and it's just not "the stance" I wanted, plus just adjustability. Coulda gone with the "I" front springs route too but as stated, I'd have to search for 2 sets. Too Much to deal with so KW's it was. Easy install, did it myself in 3hrs with a lift.

[SlantedEyeXI]

Originally Posted by JTWCT

Thanks. But actually if you get "I" front springs and "XI" rear springs, there won't be a rake from what some people that went this route told me. Also, Koni shocks allow you to adjust for dampening. Ride quality isn't an issue, the roads in my area are near perfect and I'm going with non-RFT. I factored in the $400 price difference because I can get new KW V1 for about $1,200 from a vendor.

Bro I wish I had your roads here in throggs neck!! So what are you gonna go with? Since ride quality isn't an issue, you pretty much want a drop with a nice stance... def do post pics when you get it done. I'll post mine by wed after I bring down the rears a few threads.

[JTWCT]

Originally Posted by SlantedEyeXI

Bro I wish I had your roads here in throggs neck!! So what are you gonna go with? Since ride quality isn't an issue, you pretty much want a drop with a nice stance... def do post pics when you get it done. I'll post mine by wed after I bring down the rears a few threads.

I'm highly considering B&G S2 springs. They don't have that much of a rake issue, I believe that it's almost near perfect what what I'm seing and being told. It's for the 328i and 335i but works for the 328xi and 335xi. I've been in contact with this guy ( hajduk ) and he used it on his 328xi E90 for over an year. He runs a 275 rear tire with no rubbing. 19" ET 33. See his reviews:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521402
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521437

Another guy has it for over 5,000 miles with no issues.

Anyways, I plan to pair these with Koni Yellows for the xi.