Aftermarket suspension + snow/winter

Nebraska330xi · 07-17-2013, 08:19 PM

Hey all I just got my 06 330xi a few months ago and have been thinking about upgrading the springs/shocks for better road holding and lowered look.

My question is in regards to how well lowered and sport tuned suspension does in a Midwestern, or any, heavy American winter?

Anyone been in a winter with OEM as well as, say Konis and Eibach pros for comparison?

I bought xi for the sole purpose of decent winter drivability so if putting performance struts and shocks on will negate xi usability then I may as well stop looking around at 1000+ dollar mods.

zipstic · 07-18-2013, 08:57 AM

The main difference is going to be the ride height. If you're lower than OEM you have a greater chance of getting beached or running into issues with ice chunks scraping the underside of the car and/or bumper. However, lowering with Koni's or Eibach's isn't going to get you that low. You're going to be around the height of a 330i.

I drove in a MN winter with OEM xi suspension and then dropped on KW V1 coils the next and had zero issues with scraping or bottoming out.

Are you in an area where the plows get out and remove the snow quickly? Or do you have to deal with heavy snow fall and a long driveway?

I'd say go for the drop!

wdeerfield · 07-18-2013, 09:23 AM

get coils and just raise it back up for the winter.

Nebraska330xi · 07-18-2013, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipstic

The main difference is going to be the ride height. If you're lower than OEM you have a greater chance of getting beached or running into issues with ice chunks scraping the underside of the car and/or bumper. However, lowering with Koni's or Eibach's isn't going to get you that low. You're going to be around the height of a 330i.

I drove in a MN winter with OEM xi suspension and then dropped on KW V1 coils the next and had zero issues with scraping or bottoming out.

Are you in an area where the plows get out and remove the snow quickly? Or do you have to deal with heavy snow fall and a long driveway?

I'd say go for the drop!

The plows are relatively quick where I live but a heaven snow It may take a day to get snow out of neighborhood.

I'm coming from a mountaineer and have never not had a truck or 4x4 so I'm a little skeptical going from raised 4x4 to lowered sport sedan. But I really want new suspension and I am around 50k miles so I think they would help. Think I have original on car.

KG3356MT · 07-30-2013, 07:26 PM

Go for the performance suspension. It's the best mod I have done to my Xdrive. Total handling transformation. Go for it.

Yvette · 07-30-2013, 07:54 PM

mild drop, you are fine
and yes get coilover, do it right from the beginning.

critical05 · 07-31-2013, 06:25 AM

You probably end up with about 6" of ground clearance with the drop, i was cautious but didn't have any issues last year, but it was a mild winter.

I'm more concern about the chunks of ice coming off cars. You have to watch out on parking curbs, but speed bumps are no problem.

I have koni w eibach

Rat_House · 07-31-2013, 10:53 AM

i have run both airride and coils on previous cars for multiple winter here in the NE and never had any issues, you just have to be cautious avaoiding chunks of ice and snow in the road. really no different than being cautious avoiding potholes or raised manholes in the summer.

KMEninety335 · 07-31-2013, 01:03 PM

I had an awd a4 dropped to the ground in Rochester, NY when I was in college up until last year. I only raised it a little for the winter and sprayed the coils with wd-40 type stuff. ground clearance is the only concern really. I would buy coils more than anything else. i had my car pretty low in the winter as well and it was perfectly fine.

KMEninety335 · 07-31-2013, 01:04 PM

another thing is if you buy coils and raise it and lower it even slightly in the winter and summer, it is less likely to become seized especially if you spray it with anti-seize stuff

SaviorXi · 08-01-2013, 09:30 PM

Here is my old 2008 335xi having a little fun in the snow. I had Continental DWS all seasons I think. Also had H&R sport springs and Bilstein shocks.

BolderGold · 08-01-2013, 09:47 PM

Im on coilovers right now and would love to know what ride height you had with this set up. Right Now I have 4 1/4" front and 5" rear and Im thinking an inch.. what do you recommend?

Southjersey128 · 08-03-2013, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaviorXi

Here is my old 2008 335xi having a little fun in the snow. I had Continental DWS all seasons I think. Also had H&R sport springs and Bilstein shocks.

You were on Michelin Pilot a/s. Which were great in the snow, just too noisy on the hwy.

MassBimmer · 08-03-2013, 09:46 PM

I've been lowered on KW V1's and H&R Sports for many bad winters with zero issues. Go with the KW's, you absolutely will not regret it

SaviorXi · 08-05-2013, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southjersey128

You were on Michelin Pilot a/s. Which were great in the snow, just too noisy on the hwy.

Thanksssss

Nebraska330xi · 08-11-2013, 08:38 PM

Lots of good stuff here, that video really has me excited for some fun this winter!!

After much research I think the Coilover route is the smartest and really not a ton more than just new springs and shocks for what you get.

On that note I have to save up!

Seems that KW is the standard and have heard lots of good things.

I just finally started the modding of my 330 this week with a little charcoal delete, KN install, and bought the start of my sport steering wheel conversion. I'm hooked.

07-17-2013, 08:19 PM	#1
Nebraska330xi Lieutenant 42 Rep 551 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Sonora Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nebraska iTrader: (1)	Aftermarket suspension + snow/winter Hey all I just got my 06 330xi a few months ago and have been thinking about upgrading the springs/shocks for better road holding and lowered look. My question is in regards to how well lowered and sport tuned suspension does in a Midwestern, or any, heavy American winter? Anyone been in a winter with OEM as well as, say Konis and Eibach pros for comparison? I bought xi for the sole purpose of decent winter drivability so if putting performance struts and shocks on will negate xi usability then I may as well stop looking around at 1000+ dollar mods. __________________ 2006 Sonora Metallic 330xi. DIY: Charcoal Delete, K
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07-18-2013, 08:57 AM	#2
zipstic Major 484 Rep 1,188 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 335xi Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi Coupe [10.00]	The main difference is going to be the ride height. If you're lower than OEM you have a greater chance of getting beached or running into issues with ice chunks scraping the underside of the car and/or bumper. However, lowering with Koni's or Eibach's isn't going to get you that low. You're going to be around the height of a 330i. I drove in a MN winter with OEM xi suspension and then dropped on KW V1 coils the next and had zero issues with scraping or bottoming out. Are you in an area where the plows get out and remove the snow quickly? Or do you have to deal with heavy snow fall and a long driveway? I'd say go for the drop! __________________ http://www.ishopwheels.com
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07-18-2013, 09:23 AM	#3
wdeerfield A family of bimmers 2745 Rep 7,741 Posts Drives: '18 G01 X3M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Clifton Park, NY iTrader: (0)	get coils and just raise it back up for the winter. __________________ 2018 PB/Black G01 X3M40i \| 699M \| ZDA \| ZPP \| ZPX \| Maxton front lip \| X3M vents \| 15mm Spacers \| Diamond G20 style grills
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07-30-2013, 07:26 PM	#5
KG3356MT Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 292 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Xdrive M Sport Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	Go for the performance suspension. It's the best mod I have done to my Xdrive. Total handling transformation. Go for it. __________________ 2015 435i Xdrive Black on Black with loaded
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07-30-2013, 07:54 PM	#6
Yvette Major General 760 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	mild drop, you are fine and yes get coilover, do it right from the beginning.
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07-31-2013, 06:25 AM	#7
critical05 First Lieutenant 36 Rep 311 Posts Drives: E92 335xi 6 spd Join Date: May 2012 Location: IA iTrader: (0)	You probably end up with about 6" of ground clearance with the drop, i was cautious but didn't have any issues last year, but it was a mild winter. I'm more concern about the chunks of ice coming off cars. You have to watch out on parking curbs, but speed bumps are no problem. I have koni w eibach Last edited by critical05; 07-31-2013 at 04:32 PM..
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07-31-2013, 10:53 AM	#8
Rat_House First Lieutenant 221 Rep 364 Posts Drives: M2 Comp, Gated R8, DatsunZ, mk Join Date: May 2013 Location: Stamford, CT iTrader: (2)	i have run both airride and coils on previous cars for multiple winter here in the NE and never had any issues, you just have to be cautious avaoiding chunks of ice and snow in the road. really no different than being cautious avoiding potholes or raised manholes in the summer.
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07-31-2013, 01:03 PM	#9
KMEninety335 First Lieutenant 13 Rep 342 Posts Drives: E90 Monaco Blue 335i xdrive Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i xdriv ... [10.00]	I had an awd a4 dropped to the ground in Rochester, NY when I was in college up until last year. I only raised it a little for the winter and sprayed the coils with wd-40 type stuff. ground clearance is the only concern really. I would buy coils more than anything else. i had my car pretty low in the winter as well and it was perfectly fine. __________________ 2010 E90 335i xdrive \| Monaco Blue with Black Interior \| All Packages except Sport :/ \| Apex EC-7 \| Active Autowerke Strut Bar \| Roc Euro DCI \| Roc Euro Hyperboost DVs \| aFe Scoops \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| BMWCCA member
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07-31-2013, 01:04 PM	#10
KMEninety335 First Lieutenant 13 Rep 342 Posts Drives: E90 Monaco Blue 335i xdrive Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i xdriv ... [10.00]	another thing is if you buy coils and raise it and lower it even slightly in the winter and summer, it is less likely to become seized especially if you spray it with anti-seize stuff __________________ 2010 E90 335i xdrive \| Monaco Blue with Black Interior \| All Packages except Sport :/ \| Apex EC-7 \| Active Autowerke Strut Bar \| Roc Euro DCI \| Roc Euro Hyperboost DVs \| aFe Scoops \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| BMWCCA member
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08-01-2013, 09:30 PM	#11
SaviorXi Lieutenant 21 Rep 578 Posts Drives: 2009 335i xDrive coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Dirty South Jersey iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 335i Xdrive Coupe [10.00]	Here is my old 2008 335xi having a little fun in the snow. I had Continental DWS all seasons I think. Also had H&R sport springs and Bilstein shocks. Last edited by SaviorXi; 08-01-2013 at 09:46 PM..
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08-01-2013, 09:47 PM	#12
BolderGold Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Xdrive Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Bham Wa iTrader: (0)	Im on coilovers right now and would love to know what ride height you had with this set up. Right Now I have 4 1/4" front and 5" rear and Im thinking an inch.. what do you recommend?
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08-03-2013, 09:46 PM	#14
MassBimmer Major General 306 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: 2023 i4 M50 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 BMW [9.24]	I've been lowered on KW V1's and H&R Sports for many bad winters with zero issues. Go with the KW's, you absolutely will not regret it
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08-11-2013, 08:38 PM	#16
Nebraska330xi Lieutenant 42 Rep 551 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Sonora Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nebraska iTrader: (1)	Lots of good stuff here, that video really has me excited for some fun this winter!! After much research I think the Coilover route is the smartest and really not a ton more than just new springs and shocks for what you get. On that note I have to save up! Seems that KW is the standard and have heard lots of good things. I just finally started the modding of my 330 this week with a little charcoal delete, KN install, and bought the start of my sport steering wheel conversion. I'm hooked. __________________ 2006 Sonora Metallic 330xi. DIY: Charcoal Delete, K
	Appreciate 0 Quote