Adjustable height springs

OR335d · 03-15-2019, 04:38 PM

Maybe not the oddest question, but maybe for the oddest reason. I tow a very small travel trailer with my 335d. The tow up to 4,400 lb in Europe, and I'm around 2,000 with the Execuhitch. This causes the back end to squat a little when properly loaded. I'd like to get the height back up by pre-loading the springs.

Anyone aware of adjustable height spring systems?

Emilime75 · 03-16-2019, 08:47 PM

There are air bladders available that install inside the spring. Air Lift is one company that comes to mind, look in that direction.

03-18-2019, 07:19 AM

Yeah, if a retrofit kit isn't available, bags are def the best option.

bluewater328 · 03-19-2019, 08:57 PM

Coilovers will give you height adjustability as well.

upshift_downshift · 03-24-2019, 07:17 AM

I work on heavy duty trucks at a major automotive manufacturer, and we tow heavy trailers a lot.

You need a tow hitch that can support a couple of spring bars. That's what we use on our trucks to keep suspension level, and equalize the load from the trailer across both axles. Also make sure your tongue weight is correct. A 2000 lb trailer should have a tongue weight of 200-300 lbs.

You do not need a $3000+ air lift suspension system, that is ridiculous.

Phyrexia · 03-26-2019, 12:13 PM

When I towed a trailer I just swapped my old non-sport springs back in

Didn't have nearly the torque that you do, though. I'm jealous :P

Image attached is with ~200 lb tongue load, light stuff in the trunk, BMW Performance Suspension dampers, BMW Perf. Susp. front springs, OE Standard rear springs.

Emilime75 · 03-26-2019, 12:27 PM

[QUOTE=upshift_downshift;24559493

You do not need a $3000+ air lift suspension system, that is ridiculous.[/QUOTE]

No one suggested a $3000+ suspension system. What was suggested costs roughly $100.
I also don't think he wants to bounce the rear end of his E90 down the road of his entire trip. .

upshift_downshift · 03-26-2019, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emilime75

No one suggested a $3000+ suspension system. What was suggested costs roughly $100.
I also don't think he wants to bounce the rear end of his E90 down the road of his entire trip. .

Okay. I thought everyone was referring to this:
https://www.airliftperformance.com/v...-3-series-e9x/

TheeGovernor · 03-27-2019, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upshift_downshift

I work on heavy duty trucks at a major automotive manufacturer, and we tow heavy trailers a lot.

You need a tow hitch that can support a couple of spring bars. That's what we use on our trucks to keep suspension level, and equalize the load from the trailer across both axles. Also make sure your tongue weight is correct. A 2000 lb trailer should have a tongue weight of 200-300 lbs.

You do not need a $3000+ air lift suspension system, that is ridiculous.

Stabilizer bars put a lot of strain on the hitch. I would not recommend. I tried doing the air spring route. Smallest diameter air springs i could find was 3 inches. Too big for my coil over springs. Might fit in stock springs.

OR335d · 03-27-2019, 11:03 AM

I like the adjustable coil overs idea. Any product recommendations? The hitch is too low for load distribution springs, and no room for the air bag options. My hitch replaces the bumper structure inside and bolts to the same points. Very solid and much stronger than hitches that bolt through the sheet metal of the car.

Emilime75 · 03-27-2019, 12:51 PM

Are you familiar with what adjustable coilovers are? You're looking at a minimum of $1k for something like BCRacing, they're intended for performance and lowering more so than keeping ride quality and raising, require removal of the wheels and spanner wrenches for height adjustment...

Not saying it's a bad choice, but much more involved than a helper air bag would be, also not sure which would be able to raise ride height from stock as most(if not all) are designed to lower.

03-15-2019, 04:38 PM	#1
OR335d Enlisted Member 9 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2011 BWM 335d Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Salem, OR iTrader: (0)	Adjustable height springs Maybe not the oddest question, but maybe for the oddest reason. I tow a very small travel trailer with my 335d. The tow up to 4,400 lb in Europe, and I'm around 2,000 with the Execuhitch. This causes the back end to squat a little when properly loaded. I'd like to get the height back up by pre-loading the springs. Anyone aware of adjustable height spring systems? Attached Images __________________ 2011 335d, EGR race pipe, swirl flaps removed, DPF gutted, SCR gutted, AA/JR 2.8 tune, Carly module and IOS, 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 tires, Eurohitch, 12.895@109.47.
	Appreciate 1 Phyrexia502.50 Tweet Quote

03-16-2019, 08:47 PM	#2
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	There are air bladders available that install inside the spring. Air Lift is one company that comes to mind, look in that direction.
	Appreciate 3 squaredphoto369.00 Thorin117.50 Quote

03-18-2019, 07:19 AM	#3
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Yeah, if a retrofit kit isn't available, bags are def the best option.
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03-19-2019, 08:57 PM	#4
bluewater328 Colonel 626 Rep 2,100 Posts Drives: 2011 bluewater 328i LCI sedan Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (0)	Coilovers will give you height adjustability as well.
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03-24-2019, 07:17 AM	#5
upshift_downshift Private First Class 40 Rep 116 Posts Drives: BSM 07 E90 335i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ann Arbor, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00]	I work on heavy duty trucks at a major automotive manufacturer, and we tow heavy trailers a lot. You need a tow hitch that can support a couple of spring bars. That's what we use on our trucks to keep suspension level, and equalize the load from the trailer across both axles. Also make sure your tongue weight is correct. A 2000 lb trailer should have a tongue weight of 200-300 lbs. You do not need a $3000+ air lift suspension system, that is ridiculous. __________________ Last edited by upshift_downshift; 03-24-2019 at 08:16 AM..
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03-26-2019, 12:13 PM	#6
Phyrexia Resident Pedant 503 Rep 792 Posts Drives: '15 335i 8AT Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Limbo iTrader: (1)	When I towed a trailer I just swapped my old non-sport springs back in Didn't have nearly the torque that you do, though. I'm jealous :P Image attached is with ~200 lb tongue load, light stuff in the trunk, BMW Performance Suspension dampers, BMW Perf. Susp. front springs, OE Standard rear springs. Attached Images __________________ '15 F30 335i 8AT Estoril II/Black (12.218 @ 114.94mph) MHD Stage 2+ 93 / XHP Stage 3 / M-Goodies / K&N Filter / ER CP / CSF IC / NGK 97506 / ER DP / Michelin A/S 3+
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03-26-2019, 12:27 PM	#7
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	[QUOTE=upshift_downshift;24559493 You do not need a $3000+ air lift suspension system, that is ridiculous.[/QUOTE] No one suggested a $3000+ suspension system. What was suggested costs roughly $100. I also don't think he wants to bounce the rear end of his E90 down the road of his entire trip. .
	Appreciate 1 Quote

03-27-2019, 11:03 AM	#10
OR335d Enlisted Member 9 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2011 BWM 335d Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Salem, OR iTrader: (0)	I like the adjustable coil overs idea. Any product recommendations? The hitch is too low for load distribution springs, and no room for the air bag options. My hitch replaces the bumper structure inside and bolts to the same points. Very solid and much stronger than hitches that bolt through the sheet metal of the car. __________________ 2011 335d, EGR race pipe, swirl flaps removed, DPF gutted, SCR gutted, AA/JR 2.8 tune, Carly module and IOS, 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 tires, Eurohitch, 12.895@109.47.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2019, 12:51 PM	#11
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	Are you familiar with what adjustable coilovers are? You're looking at a minimum of $1k for something like BCRacing, they're intended for performance and lowering more so than keeping ride quality and raising, require removal of the wheels and spanner wrenches for height adjustment... Not saying it's a bad choice, but much more involved than a helper air bag would be, also not sure which would be able to raise ride height from stock as most(if not all) are designed to lower.
	Appreciate 1 Quote