[StradaRedlands]

Agypsy Thanks for posting the review! How did you get the rear on? Did you need to drop the subframe?

[Agypsy]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Agypsy Thanks for posting the review! How did you get the rear on? Did you need to drop the subframe?

hello, yes unfortunately there was no way we could do it without dropping the subframe. there's no room to push it through since there's no flex in the bar. once the subframe was dropped it wasn't too bad to get it through and only took a few minutes. the longest parts was installing the end links to the sway bar. you have to sit it just right to get the the bolts to line up. so that takes a bit of time fiddling with the bar. i got the Hotchkis end links. they looked to be a touch shorter than stock which actually made it a bit easier (but only marginally) to connect to the sway bars. probably took about 3 hours give or take to do front and rear. the front install was fairly easy and quick.

i got mine at Tirerack for $566 which is a bargain considering the amount of performance you'll acheive IMHO.

sorry for the huge pic
here is the rear sway bar comparison.
totally worth the time and effort. that's my stock exhaust above it. i installed a Cobb catback at the same time.

[StradaRedlands]

Agypsy Thanks for the reply and pics! I was hoping you would have a different take, but basically confirming the work needed. At some point I need to do my entire rear subframe, guibos, control arms, so I might as well add these to the list!!! Tempted to get the front for now and just go with that.
Thanks again!

[alex35i]

Originally Posted by Raptor04

Trying different setups. Suspension setup is a lot of trial error and experimenting. Based on my spring rates, dampeners, alignment settings, bump stops, tires/wheels, ride height, bushings, and spring preload....it all affects ride quality and handling; the bigger front bar and no rear bar feels great for me as it gets rid of a alot of understeer on the awd car. The m3 rear bar made it really stiff and actually created more understeer for me. No rear bar also means better compliance over uneven bumps. Again, this is just my current setup and the xi awd cars are completely different tuning than rwd cars mainly due to limited front dampener and sway bar options. Everyone will have a different setup based on their specific car and what they feel is best for them, but Suspension tuning is never ending it seems like.

curious what your spring rates are? im XI as well, i was previously running front and rear UUC sway bars and was experiencing some noticeable understeer . I was under the impression after some reading that softening the front and stiffening the rear that it would dial out some of that understeer but you seem to have done the opposite and it work out for you? I've since gone back to a stock front bar and uuc rear but havnt had a chance to test it out. Also was on staggered setup and looking to go squared in the near future to alleviate the understeer issue.

[Raptor04]

Originally Posted by alex35i

curious what your spring rates are? im XI as well, i was previously running front and rear UUC sway bars and was experiencing some noticeable understeer . I was under the impression after some reading that softening the front and stiffening the rear that it would dial out some of that understeer but you seem to have done the opposite and it work out for you? I've since gone back to a stock front bar and uuc rear but havnt had a chance to test it out. Also was on staggered setup and looking to go squared in the near future to alleviate the understeer issue.

I run 450 front / 800 rear, square setup on custom Ohlins R&T I put together.

[alex35i]

Originally Posted by Raptor04

I run 450 front / 800 rear, square setup on custom Ohlins R&T I put together.

Custom ohlins on the XI !? mind sharing your ohlins setup?

[Raptor04]

Rear Ohlins is the RWD R&T shocks. Nothing custom about them. Front is kind of a Frankenstein. Still experimenting with the front, so don't want to provide details yet.

[tphss]

I had the Eibach (2085.320) sway bar kit on the n54 e90 335i I had. It was one of the best handling upgrades, and I couldn't believe the change in handling (turns). If I recall correctly, it was a tiny bit stiffer when hitting a bump for example, but well worth it.

Installing the rear one is a PITA.