Moderate lowering springs with stock shocks. Worth it?

jessemellow · 02-01-2017, 11:26 PM

I have a 2011 328i base model sedan. If I put just lowering springs on (looking for around a 1.5 inch drop front and rear) with as close to the same stock spring rate as I can get, how long before I start having problems? Or would I have them immediately?

6ixSpd · 02-02-2017, 12:09 AM

It's up to you, do the job once or twice.

Go Horns! · 02-02-2017, 09:43 AM

There are two ways that lowering springs cause problems.

First, they reduce the travel of the stock struts and shocks. Second, if the stock ratio of front spring rate to rear spring rate is not maintained, then the struts need extra dampening force to control the car and prevent pitching. Put those two things together and the stock struts and shocks are toast. How fast? That depends on the quality of the roads you drive on.

And a 1.5-inch drop is not what I would consider to be moderate. I would consider going from normal to sport suspension height as a moderate drop.

How many miles does your stock suspension have on it?

BSM n54iS · 02-02-2017, 10:58 AM

1.5" drop is moderate?? I mean really the only option you got are the eibach springs to keep stock rates, w/e that drop is for your 328 I'm not sure

Desmond79 · 02-02-2017, 01:55 PM

AC Schnitzer (ACS Springs in posts) has a spring set for the E90 and may have matching shocks. You get a less than moderate drop of 25-30 mm or 1-1.25 inches and ride improved as well as handling for me in an F10. It's less harsh than Eibach, and Eibach manufactures ACS springs based on the ACS design.

I'd go with shocks at the same time, and get it done. ACS also has shocks and bars. You can cut the bumpstops. I might think about it in the future when my OEM sport shocks wear out (84k on an E90).

http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/en/bmw-ca...2/suspensions/

Peter944 · 02-02-2017, 02:48 PM

Eh, I wouldn't bother with lowering springs on stock shocks. I had HR sports on stockies, and I ended up doing coilovers. Do it once correctly, then this way you have the ability to adjust.

SE7EN335 · 02-02-2017, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessemellow

I have a 2011 328i base model sedan. If I put just lowering springs on (looking for around a 1.5 inch drop front and rear) with as close to the same stock spring rate as I can get, how long before I start having problems? Or would I have them immediately?

Dont ever put lowering springs on stock shocks. You will regret it 200%. Get Koni Yellows with swift lowering springs if you want a 1.5 inch drop. And also get e36 m3 front bump stops, z4 M rear bump stops, new upper and lower Strut mounts (dinan preferably), spring perches and strut gaskets. And you are good to go!

flyinb501 · 02-05-2017, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SE7EN335

Dont ever put lowering springs on stock shocks. You will regret it 200%. Get Koni Yellows with swift lowering springs if you want a 1.5 inch drop. And also get e36 m3 front bump stops, z4 M rear bump stops, new upper and lower Strut mounts (dinan preferably), spring perches and strut gaskets. And you are good to go!

Any chance you have part numbers or can provide links of where to buy the above parts?

02-01-2017, 11:26 PM	#1
jessemellow Registered 1 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2011 328i sedan Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: greenville, sc iTrader: (0)	Moderate lowering springs with stock shocks. Worth it? I have a 2011 328i base model sedan. If I put just lowering springs on (looking for around a 1.5 inch drop front and rear) with as close to the same stock spring rate as I can get, how long before I start having problems? Or would I have them immediately?
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02-02-2017, 12:09 AM	#2
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6015 Rep 6,745 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	It's up to you, do the job once or twice. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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02-02-2017, 09:43 AM	#3
Go Horns! Second Lieutenant 96 Rep 206 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (1)	There are two ways that lowering springs cause problems. First, they reduce the travel of the stock struts and shocks. Second, if the stock ratio of front spring rate to rear spring rate is not maintained, then the struts need extra dampening force to control the car and prevent pitching. Put those two things together and the stock struts and shocks are toast. How fast? That depends on the quality of the roads you drive on. And a 1.5-inch drop is not what I would consider to be moderate. I would consider going from normal to sport suspension height as a moderate drop. How many miles does your stock suspension have on it?
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02-02-2017, 10:58 AM	#4
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2685 Rep 4,202 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	1.5" drop is moderate?? I mean really the only option you got are the eibach springs to keep stock rates, w/e that drop is for your 328 I'm not sure __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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02-02-2017, 01:55 PM	#5
Desmond79 Captain 332 Rep 736 Posts Drives: 2017 540i, 2009 328i Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southwest iTrader: (0)	AC Schnitzer (ACS Springs in posts) has a spring set for the E90 and may have matching shocks. You get a less than moderate drop of 25-30 mm or 1-1.25 inches and ride improved as well as handling for me in an F10. It's less harsh than Eibach, and Eibach manufactures ACS springs based on the ACS design. I'd go with shocks at the same time, and get it done. ACS also has shocks and bars. You can cut the bumpstops. I might think about it in the future when my OEM sport shocks wear out (84k on an E90). http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/en/bmw-ca...2/suspensions/ __________________ 2017 540i M, Carbon Black/Mocha, 20 in. on Michelin PS4S, CF Mirrors/Rear Spoiler 2009 328i 6 spd stick, Crimson Red/Sport Suspension, Bavsound Stage 1, 2 Former BMWs: '79 320i, '84 325e, 2000 328i, 2014 535i Last edited by Desmond79; 02-02-2017 at 05:37 PM..
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02-02-2017, 02:48 PM	#6
Peter944 Enlisted Member 16 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 328i Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0)	Eh, I wouldn't bother with lowering springs on stock shocks. I had HR sports on stockies, and I ended up doing coilovers. Do it once correctly, then this way you have the ability to adjust.
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