[petelazro]

Hi guys,

I finally got my kws's installed. I have a 2008 328xi sedan with 19" style 95 rims on conti DW tires. I wanted to lower the car so there is about a 2 finger gap between the fender and the top of the tire. it is about a 1.25inch gap to put it into perspective as everyone has different sized fingers. I had a few questions on the install.

1) The rears can only give you a 2 finger gap(1.25")? I almost maxed out the threads and I am only getting a 2 finger gap(unloaded- no passengers)

2) All I have in my trunk is the older shocks/spirngs and the rears are around 1 finger gap (0.6inch). Is that normal for it to go so low. I assume the weight of the old shocks is only about 60-70lb. I'm scared to think what will happen with 4 people in the car.

3) The rears don't have a locking pin like the fronts?

4) The tool kit came with a knob for the locking pin and another thin metal "key" shaped tool. what is that used for?

------------------------REVIEW-----------------

Overall I am very happy with the ride. The car feels more planted and can take sharp corners while staying flat. You feel more of the road while driving but it is not too harsh. I live in toronto where the roads are pretty bad but so far so good. I already hit a few smaller potholes and didnt feel it too much. I actually clenched my teeth thinking it would make a loud thump as it would with my XI suspension but it never did. Also while hard braking i don't feel the car dip as much. I know the xi suspension was really bad but wow these V1s are amazing so far! looking forward to leaving work and taking the long way home!

If anyone can chime in on the questions I had that would be great.

cheers

[jwzimm]

Sounds about right on the rear height. I set mine to the maximum allowed height per KW and I am about a 1 finger gap in the back. It is a lowering kit afterall. I would honestly have preferred a little more height in the rear as well. I have had my car fully loaded with four people and crap in the trunk and haven't had any issues though.

The rears adjusters do not have or need locks on the collars as they are designed to stay in position on their own. That is the trade off they gave for requiring the adjusters to be changed off the car.

I also got that little metal pin. No clue what it is for.

[petelazro]

thanks so much for the response.

After settling I have one side slightly lower than the other in the rear but when they were installed they both had the same number of threads for height. is this normal as well? do i just lower the one that sits higher? This would make about 1-1.25 finger gap in the rear and about 2 fingers in the front(the fronts didnt settle much).

should the front be lowered to 1.25 finger gap as well? or can they sit a bit higher? any problems with awd system or wear on tires/other components?

thanks again.

[jwzimm]

Well mine did not settle at all. I did re-index my bushings which is what causes most, if not all, settling after lowering the car.

Mine did end up a little different side to side but it was nothing that was noticeable to me so I didn't bother tweaking anything. The way I figure it, BMW does not have any adjustment on the stock suspension so the differences in height would be present in stock form as well. If you really want to get anal you could go get it corner balanced.

By the way, you did go get an alignment, right? Please do not roll around after major suspension work without one.

[petelazro]

So a little variation is not a major issue! Perfect. I am going to lower the one side just a few threads to make it around 1.25 on both sides.

I am going for a alignment next week. I just want all the settling to occur before i go for one. I noticed it went from 2 fingers and a bit to 2 fingers to 1.75 to 1.25 over a few days. i think one week should suffice for the bulk of the settling.

ill just get all 4 corners to around 1.25 finger gap just to keep me happy. the fronts will be easy..

thanks so much for the help.

[jwzimm]

I love all this finger measurement. The way I measure is I use a tape measure between the center of the wheel (the roundel provides a perfect center mark) and the top of the wheel arch. As I said, mine have not settled even a fraction of an inch since i did my install.

Good luck and enjoy the new ride.