[TMc135]

I already have H&R springs with oem struts and either need to add Bilstein shocks or go to a KW V1 setup. The obvious benefit of the KW is height adjustability but is it worth the extra $. Thanks guys!

[ajsalida]

Just ordered a set of Koni yellows & Eibach Pro Kit springs, will report once I get them installed.

[ccraig13]

My right rear shock leaked a ton of oil out this weekend. They're stock and have 81k miles on them. Now I have an excuse to upgrade

AWD Addict, you still satisfied with your setup? Right now, I'm almost positive I'm going that route.

ajsalida, any word yet on your Koni Yellows?

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by ccraig13

My right rear shock leaked a ton of oil out this weekend. They're stock and have 81k miles on them. Now I have an excuse to upgrade

AWD Addict, you still satisfied with your setup? Right now, I'm almost positive I'm going that route.

ajsalida, any word yet on your Koni Yellows?

Yes:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...7&postcount=94

[ccraig13]

Nice!

[ajsalida]

Just to be clear I had the Bilstein/H&R Sport previously on the e36 M3, not on the 335xi. Also on the 335xi Koni/Eibach install I used new e36 M3 front bumpstops (untrimmed as they were ~1" shorter than OEM 335 already) and trimmed the rear OEM 335xi bumps 1" (from the bottom) as recommended by Eibach's installation instructions.

[AWD Addict]

Originally Posted by ccraig13

My right rear shock leaked a ton of oil out this weekend. They're stock and have 81k miles on them. Now I have an excuse to upgrade

AWD Addict, you still satisfied with your setup? Right now, I'm almost positive I'm going that route.

ajsalida, any word yet on your Koni Yellows?

Love 'em. Bit rough on really bad roads (The Tobin sucks), but generally, the car looks and feels so much better than stock.

Part of my issue is running 19s with barely any sidewall. 18s will be much more forgiving on potholes/freeze joints.

Compared to the H&Rs though, it's a lot more compliant.

[ccraig13]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

Love 'em. Bit rough on really bad roads (The Tobin sucks), but generally, the car looks and feels so much better than stock.

Part of my issue is running 19s with barely any sidewall. 18s will be much more forgiving on potholes/freeze joints.

Compared to the H&Rs though, it's a lot more compliant.

19s yeah I would imagine that would be kinda rough . Well I'm getting my Bilstein HD's at the end of the month. I would imagine that the jump in handling is pretty dramatic since we're coming from non-sport suspension to a suspension that's supposed to outperform the Sach sport suspension.

When I bought this car I also tested a 1 Series. It handled phenomenally, but when I drove this it was clearly not as good. I figured it was because it was a 3 Series and they just didn't handle as well ( I didn't do my research ). Then I find out about a year later that our so called "Sport Package" is a sham! But I digress... I can't wait for these things to come!!!

[AWD Addict]

You'll want Bilstein sports if you're going to lower the vehicle with H&R or Eibach or Swift Springs.

HDs are valved for stock height setups.

[nyc3r]

I have the same setup, Bilstein Sport + Eibach springs

[ccraig13]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

You'll want Bilstein sports if you're going to lower the vehicle with H&R or Eibach or Swift Springs.

HDs are valved for stock height setups.

I'm not lowering, so I'm good.

[mjlav3]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

You'll want Bilstein sports if you're going to lower the vehicle with H&R or Eibach or Swift Springs.

HDs are valved for stock height setups.

Hey AWD Addict
I am looking to go the same route - Eibach/Bilstein sport (or Eibach/Koni Yellow). What are your longer term thoughts? I commute into Boston every day, with an '09 335i xDrive. Don't want to drop too much (H&R seems much lower and stiffer) but have heard good things about Bilsteins from other friends (non BMW cars, though). Any input would be appreciated. Also, did you DIY, if not, where did you go?

[mjlav3]

Originally Posted by ccraig13

I'm not lowering, so I'm good.

Please update bilstein hd's (stock springs) when installed! Thanks.

[ccraig13]

Originally Posted by mjlav3

Please update bilstein hd's (stock springs) when installed! Thanks.

Will do! I'm finally getting them installed tomorrow. Took a month for my shop to get them, hopefully it will be worth the wait!

Ok here's my review: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=767059

[AWD Addict]

Originally Posted by mjlav3

Hey AWD Addict
I am looking to go the same route - Eibach/Bilstein sport (or Eibach/Koni Yellow). What are your longer term thoughts? I commute into Boston every day, with an '09 335i xDrive. Don't want to drop too much (H&R seems much lower and stiffer) but have heard good things about Bilsteins from other friends (non BMW cars, though). Any input would be appreciated. Also, did you DIY, if not, where did you go?

I had it installed at Eastside Performance in Waltham. This is probably the highest level of performance mod work I'd give them, as they do a lot of more cosmetic related work (HIDs, wheels and tires, exhaust, tints, decals etc.) The price is right though, and Lorenzo is a super guy.

My review holds water still. The ride is stiffer, flatter and the stance is perfect. Braking performance is substantially improved. The car finally looks like the sports car it should look like, but doesn't have the dumped, civic with cut-springs look that doesn't belong on a BMW (imo).

With 19's, you'll get a lot better at avoiding sunken manholes and potholes on your typical routes. But as a daily driver into the city, and constant driving around the city and burbs for work, I have no regrets.

Personally, I'd stay away from the H&Rs. I found that ride quite a bit less forgiving, and the stance was too low (rears were tucked, which i think cheapens the look of this vehicle).

[klov335]

I have h&r sports and blistein.. The ride is sure stiff.. It does handle pretty good but the rake just kills it im waiting for eibachs cant wait.. Put in lower offsets in the back since the h&r dumps my rear..

[AWD Addict]

^ Yeah. The rake was much worse on the H&Rs. which surprised me.

[ajsalida]

I do not get how the good rep that H&R has developed, my experience with them was not so good and I read a lot of other folks on other forums did not like them much either. Maybe marketing? I had a bad QC issue with them years ago on some springs (e36 m3) and never bought another thing from them. Plus the ride height was all screwed up. Like someone did not even test fit them or do basic design work before mass producing & selling them. The H&R sway bars I bought for that car at the time were fine though.

[lunchbox]

Originally Posted by E92xiSS

same setup here. eibachs with bilsteins sports.

18x8.5 32 front 18x9.5 35 rear.

I think thats a nice drop, not to low and you can still get over bumps. Awesome color on that car. I have the same one

[lunchbox]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

Yes:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...7&postcount=94

Would you say they absorb bumps as well as stock setup? I actually like the stock ride but just hate the look . I was thinking of going Dinan stage two but from reading your review you seem pretty happy and that setups less then the Dinan.

[lunchbox]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

Just a negative point of the driving experience. The ride would have been even nicer and more fun had the car been properly aligned.

Fair challenge. Maybe rating it as a negative wasn't fair. I'll definitely report back once the alignment is done and confirm that was the issue.

Here's another non-comparo shot.

Did you run the 19's on the stock setup? I was going to buy those same style rims off of my friend who's taking them off his m3. He insists I do suspension before we install them but I was curious if the rake was terrible with larger rims?

[Nonecure]

Originally Posted by 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.

I have heard about this on another forum. Has anyone done this or can tell me more about it? The guy on the other forum said to replace the tophat with an non-xi tophat. What do you guys think?