[Force[FED]]

I finally replaced my main gripe with my 335xi, the stock suspension. My 335xi has the "Sport Package", but we all know by now this means nothing for the springs/shocks. My 335xi did not have the same feel as my '06 330i with Sport Package. I knew when I bought the car that the suspension was subpar. The stock suspension has a very vague, scary, unsure feeling about it...it certainly does not inspire confidence. The car just always feels unsure about itself, and any undulation in the pavement sends the car into an oscillation that is downright scary.

I decided the KW V1s were perfect for my daily driver, and it seemed consensus was good from those who used them. Alex @ AK Motorwerks (thanks for install AK!) told me he had been using V1s for almost 3 years, and gave them high praise.

And he was right. I am stunned at how much of a change this was...I had forgotten how awful the xi suspension was compared to my 330i. The V1s are perfectly streetable, they are not abusive at all. But the body roll during acceleration, deceleration, and of course turning is now at a place where a proper sports car should be! It's a crime that BMW does not put this suspension on the car from the factory. And the car feels planted like it should, and it's so much more enjoyable to drive. If you plan to keep your xi for any length of time, suspension should clearly be the first mod.

I will wait a week or so, see how the suspension settles, and make any small corrections in height. I took measurements before and after, and the car is sitting ~1.25" lower on the V1s. They are not set to their lowest height. But compared to the stock xi suspension, the car looks much lower. I will include a before/after picture just to show the difference.

Kev

2008 335xi coupe with KW V1 coilovers:



2008 33xi coupe stock (with 17" winter wheel/tire combo):

[Ph0zenstone]

how is ride quality on the V1's compared to stock?

[Force[FED]]

Originally Posted by phozenstone

how is ride quality on the V1's compared to stock?

Well seeing as I think the stock xi suspension is very poor, the V1s are a HUGE step up. But I assume you mean the harshness?

That was a worry of mine, but I shouldn't have worried. You certainly can feel the huge bumps, but it is not jarring at all. The ride quality is no worse than my brothers old 335i with the factory sports suspension (which I think actually handled sudden transitions very poorly, was more jarring). I am very impressed with the ride quality...no one would guess it was on coilovers unless I told them. I bet my wife won't even notice the ride is any worse.

It's certainly no Town Car, but the ride quality is excellent for a daily driver. Hardcore track fiends would probably say it's not stiff enough. My old '06 STi had a much more abusive suspension stock, and even more so when I went with Tein SS coilovers. I have always heard that the Japanese coilovers are more stiffly sprung, and German coilovers were better for north american roads. Now I understand!

Kev

[pits200]

Im curious, how much higher can you raise the car if you wanted to? I know you said that was about a 1.25 inch drop but in the winter months id want it to only be about a .5-.75 drop. Do you think the coils would be adjustable to that point?

Thanks

[MassBimmer]

Very noticeable difference and a great upgrade
I will be doing the same to my xi soon!

[virtualbong]

You're killing me Kev...hahaha.

Glad you love them...now I need next Spring to come so that I can pick these up again.

[BMCoupe_782]

Very nice! I've got V1's sitting in my room and I can't wait to put them on my xi!

[Force[FED]]

Originally Posted by pits200

Im curious, how much higher can you raise the car if you wanted to? I know you said that was about a 1.25 inch drop but in the winter months id want it to only be about a .5-.75 drop. Do you think the coils would be adjustable to that point?

Thanks

Based off where the collars are located on the V1s now, I don't see why you couldn't raise it up quite a bit. Maybe not all the way to the stock xi height, but certainly seems like .5 - .75" drop seems like it's doable. I am certainly on the lower end of the threads on the height adjustment.


Haha, sorry virtual...at least you know they went to a good home where they will get lots of love

Kev

[blauner335]

I just put some V1's on my xi about 3 months ago and was also concerned with the drop due to winter driving. I kept my drop somewhat conservative. I think the backs are as high as they can go, but the fronts could still come up another quarter inch or so if i wanted. I would say its about as low as a stock 335i with sport suspension.

But I agree with everyone else, you will be incredibly happy after you put this suspension on. Completely changes the car.

[forza1976]

So the rears don't have as much adjustment up as I had hoped. This is mine at their highest (within KW spec) setting in the rear. As others have noted, the fronts have quite a bit more room so I suppose for winter months you could raise it up a bit for more clearance.

My tire/wheel setup fills the wheel well a bit due to the square setup 245/40/18's all around with spacers in front and back.

[JaysBlueE92]

Originally Posted by Force[FED]

...If you plan to keep your xi for any length of time, suspension should clearly be the first mod.

+1000000000. Congrats on the V1s..you'll love 'em. Good job alex and Kev!

[cmattone93]

might be a stupid question but i have a 335xi coupe 08 as well and im looking at KW V3's because im more of an aggressive driver, can you still run v3's on an xi coupe? i was told i cant ride with a v2... any ideas?

[Got Euro ?]

How much do you have left that you can lower it in the front of the coils?

[virtualbong]

Originally Posted by cmattone93

might be a stupid question but i have a 335xi coupe 08 as well and im looking at KW V3's because im more of an aggressive driver, can you still run v3's on an xi coupe? i was told i cant ride with a v2... any ideas?

Yes. I believe the choices for xi e9xs are KW V1 or KW V3 at least for KW.

btw. Kev I bought a used set earlier this winter and also picked up some 19s...I guess after seeing it installed on your e92, I had to get it again...haven't opened the box yet so hopefully the seller included everything.

[djkrajzi]

I assume the V1 cause zero problems for xi since so many of you have them??? Seems like an awesome mod to do look and performance wise

[pits200]

I wouldn't say everyone loves the KWs but part of the reason so many XI guys have them is because the options for coilovers are limited on the XI.

You only have the choice bewteen the KWs and now the AST (but those take 4 months to get so I'd steer clear) coilovers.

[Got Euro ?]

I have H&R coils on my XI

[pits200]

Ah man, I forgot about the HRs.. Ok, 3 options.

[vgtek]

Just got the V1s finally put on my '08 XI (I've had them for a year, but everyone in Michigan was quoting ridiculous install prices, waited to come back to CA)...the difference like the OP stated was stunning...I noticed the difference when I took the first on ramp to the freeway, I'm glad I finally got them installed. Just gotta drive now and let them settle and should be good to go.

[virtualbong]

Originally Posted by vgtek

Just got the V1s finally put on my '08 XI (I've had them for a year, but everyone in Michigan was quoting ridiculous install prices, waited to come back to CA)...the difference like the OP stated was stunning...I noticed the difference when I took the first on ramp to the freeway, I'm glad I finally got them installed. Just gotta drive now and let them settle and should be good to go.

Take some pics and also post how you configured the fronts and rears so that we see what the drop would look like with the configuration. Thanks!

[seis-speed]

I thought about V1's vs the sport springs route, but the guy who does the intalls said they are much harsher than a spring swap. What is the consensus on this?

[UltraRacer13]

Originally Posted by pits200

I wouldn't say everyone loves the KWs but part of the reason so many XI guys have them is because the options for coilovers are limited on the XI.

You only have the choice bewteen the KWs and now the AST (but those take 4 months to get so I'd steer clear) coilovers.

maybe- but they are gunna be the $hit when they get here!