[08rookie]

2006 330

right now i have a 1500 budget for some mods. id like to eventually drop, rims, tint, black window trim, (even thought about that new hood i see on 328 that has more lines then my hood on an 06)

i know i can get a wheel and tire package for that amount...i have seen some online...but i dont know whats more practical to do first. is there a reason people drop before they install rims or vice versa? does alignment become an issue if you do one before the other?!

some people suggest lowering springs on stock shocks will be acceptable and more budget friendly when compared to a spring/shock combo....and budget friendly is kinda cool when you want to get the most bang for your buck...however, somebody posted that eventually your stock shocks will give out with aftermarket springs so it might be a good idea to save on installation fees and just get a suspension done the right way the first time...

1500 bucks or less...how would you approach this mod?

[08rookie]

http://bit.ly/d681ll

what about this??

[MOTO69JOE]

Rims can really set a car off. It will be more noticeable. I got way more compliments on my stock E90 with HB CSL's then any other mod since I installed them.

[USC2000]

I would go with rims then a drop.

[02themax]

Since you're xi drop it first for sure. You'll look like a 4x4 with rims and no drop.

[EastCoast335i]

Originally Posted by MOTO69JOE

Rims can really set a car off. It will be more noticeable. I got way more compliments on my stock E90 with HB CSL's then any other mod since I installed them.

+1

[bavarian19]

Xi, I would drop it properly with coilovers. Then rims.


Otherwise, I would say rims first. Thats what I did and got 230's on my E92 328. I have not changed any suspension bits in the past 3.5 years of ownership (but I am contemplating BMW Perf. Suspension now)

[jfisher160]

If you want I would go the KW Street Sports, its a coilover, those are what i put on my car and did a 1.7 drop in the front and 1.5 drop in the rear. Those handle so good i love them. You can adjust them to go as low as 2.2 if you want. Here is a picture for you.

[lamia2super]

rim then drop for sure. its not that noticeable when you drop it with the stocks on. I recently sold my wheels and put the stocks for now so i can show you how it looks it you drop it on stocks

[Wlew]

^ +1 please do post some pics up on that. I am installing my spring/shocks tomorrow and would love to see some before and after pics if you have them on stock wheels.

[DJKhan85]

Originally Posted by 08rookie

http://bit.ly/d681ll

what about this??

don't walk...RUN AWAY FROM KSPORTS. Have to be the crappiest suspension components I have ever seen. Noisy, difficult to work with, rough spring rates, heavy, rough ride and only good for a coupe thousand miles if you have semi smooth roads. Won't last a season if you have rough roads. You get what you pay for in suspension components and KSport is the Kmart of the group.

[lamia2super]

here you go i just took a quick pick now and uploaded some old pictures

stock

lowered on KW v1s with stocks and my fenders are rolled

lowered with my old rims

[08rookie]

thanks guys for the posts....i do like the coilovers! i think i need to do some research and find what options works best financially for me...i can only imagine what a shop will charge to install coilovers, rims ...lol...thanks again

[gizmo335i]

I say drop it first.....

[ah gon]

Drop first for sure!

[lamia2super]

I think it better to change the rims first because that is what changes the car then you can lower it. you can do springs thats the cheapest way or go to a shop and tell them you want to cut your springs

[ModBargains.com]

A coilover suspension basically gives you a matched lowering spring and shock absorber combination with the added benefit of adjustable ride height and spring rates through a moveable spring perch or perches. Coilovers are to your car's advantage by reducing unsprung mass, increasing suspension travel, and allowing the car to be corner balanced.

The answer is simple, you get what you pay for when it comes to vehicle suspension. As such a crucial component of your vehicle, suspension is definitely something you do not want to cheap out on.

I would recommend that you go with suspension first especially on an XI equipped vehicle. As others already stated, the XI will definitely look like a 4x4 without a proper drop.

Sure, springs are a cheap and quick solution to lower your vehicle but there are negative repercussions to doing so. For example, your OEM sport or non-sport shocks are not meant to handle aftermarket spring rates. What that means for you is that after running the aftermarket springs for about 25-30k miles down the road you're most likely going to have to either purchase brand new OEM or aftermarket shocks.

Let's break this down in terms of cost. You'll spend about $230-300 bucks for aftermarket springs, another $250-300 for an installation, and another $65-125 for an alignment. When your OEM sport or non-sport shocks blow your going to have to spend another $700-800 on shocks, another installation fee, and another alignment. If you calculate that all together, you would saved a whole lot more money doing it right and going with a coilover system the first time around!

I'll shoot you over a PM with more details

- Alan

[328iguy]

drop first

[Gavin@MMW]

XI needs a drop first, then some spacers on the stock wheels before you spring for rims

[Yvette]

I would go for proper suspension first, unless you find something super good deal on the rims.

[idrveslow]

do a drop first, the car looks better low

[jeveryday]

Im selling my wheels for 1200 if you interested. With the money left over you could still afford some H&R springs from someone on the board