[SM335i]

Hey guys, I want to lower my ride and improve handling, but I'm trying to stay on budget, so I decided to do springs+shocks combo. I also want to stick with OEM as much as possible, so I was wondering what would I need to fit performance springs to my 335 xdrive? Any help with part numbers would be great! Thanks

[Welterweight]

I just ordered some H&R Sport Springs today from TMS.....nervous they might be too low though

[SM335i]

I been reading that the ride quality on H&R is horrible, are you getting shocks?

[Welterweight]

Didn't plan on it. Just wanted a very affordable way to drop the car a bit. The awd cars are so high!!!! All my money is being saved to spend on bolt on performance mods. I may just return springs and go with Dinan as they are meant to work with stock suspension and only drop the car about .5 inches.

[CWysong]

I went throuhg this very thing!

One thing to remember is AWD has some grandpa shocks on them, and even the "sport" mode has very floaty and non performace shocks so even the BMW i sport springs are too agressive long term for our stock floaty shocks.

335i sport springs work, and work well with your stock shocks! a little lower, much more attractive and springy, but the shocks are no better so overall its a minor performance difference, but you can probably find some used ones for $150.

Dinan springs are a fancy way of saying BMW springs imo, sold at dealerships and spec'd by bmw... have not read much about them but they are also a safe bet and would probably be around the same performace or slightly tighter than the sport springs.

Eibach and H&R are good priced spring sets. But most everyone highly recomends you get bilsten or koni shocks to go with either of these. From what I read Eibach is lower than the i sport springs but more geared towards stock performance, so it is not so necessary to get shocks but recommended. the H&R is the lowest drop with an agressive rating and most say it tears up the stock shocks... so you might consider getting the koni or bilstens just so you dont have to pay twice to get in there and do an install.

Local shops around here in Ohio, ... found out that install for this type o thing ranged from 400-800 bucks! There are not many car shops around tha do this regularly, 2 maybe 3 in a 6 hour drive and even they were that pricey (forum guys say you can find it for less but I could not).

I bought the i sport springs to try first. I was going to chance not installing shocks... but I had a real hard time paying someone minimum 400 bucks plus allignment to install a 150 part, and I knew going in there might be a need to replace the struts (for another install cost!) So I held off installing and did my shocks research, and read up on those koni or bilstens...

And then I realized I was spending almost as much as KWv1 coils... so I sold the springs and just went all out. All things considered, they are not very much more than getting it all seperate but here in Ohio, the adjustability is a blessing in the winter months!

[SM335i]

What do I need to fit RWD springs on my xdrive?

[CWysong]

nothing but the springs, they are a direct swap!

[SM335i]

Originally Posted by CWysong

nothing but the springs, they are a direct swap!

Sweet! What about the shocks?

[awawd335]

No need to change dampers. Just use the i sport springs.

[aadum]

I have H&R and they are to harsh for OEM shocks.
If you are not planning to buy shocks stay away from those springs

[GOS51]

Hey CWysong where did you have yours installed?

[SM335i]

Can someone give me part numbers for a compete swap to "I" springs and shocks? I wanna do eibach and bilstens

[pits200]

I shocks don't work in front, different mounting points. I know the car sits high but I have to stress that doing springs only will be a big mistake and lead you to not like the new handling aspects of the car.

[SM335i]

So do I get xDrive shocks and i-drive eibach springs?

[Mike.]

hmm I may get some 35is springs.. if you guys think it will work

[SM335i]

Can someone answer my question please? This thread is getting extra jacked

[vapore0n]

Originally Posted by SM335i

So do I get xDrive shocks and i-drive eibach springs?

the xdrive doesnt have sports suspension at all. That means that there are no OEM sport struts or springs.

You can put in OEM sport i springs, but your struts will wear quicker and handling might or might not be ideal. I cant confirm.

I went with Koni/Eibach and, while I like the handling/looks, it does have the problme of bottoming out on large pot holes or bumps.
I believe getting Koni struts with custom valves solves this, based on another thread in this forum area.

[SM335i]

Originally Posted by vapore0n

the xdrive doesnt have sports suspension at all. That means that there are no OEM sport struts or springs.

You can put in OEM sport i springs, but your struts will wear quicker and handling might or might not be ideal. I cant confirm.

I went with Koni/Eibach and, while I like the handling/looks, it does have the problme of bottoming out on large pot holes or bumps.
I believe getting Koni struts with custom valves solves this, based on another thread in this forum area.

Koni FSD?

Also eibach only makes springs for rwd right?

also if the eibach RWD or "i" springs are made for both coupe and hardtop and since the hardtop is 3900lbs (approx.) and xdrive is 3700lbs (approx.), how come the springs are too soft? is it the rates or is the uneven weight distribution of the xdrive that makes it bottom out?

[vapore0n]

Originally Posted by SM335i

Koni FSD?

Also eibach only makes springs for rwd right?

also if the eibach RWD or "i" springs are made for both coupe and hardtop and since the hardtop is 3900lbs (approx.) and xdrive is 3700lbs (approx.), how come the springs are too soft? is it the rates or is the uneven weight distribution of the xdrive that makes it bottom out?

Koni yellows. I think the FSD are not made for the xdrive.
The Eibach used are for the 335i. Fitment is perfect.
I have questioned the same thing. But some people say that the extra weight is unsprung so it wouldnt affect. Still, the bottoming out doesnt affect me that much as I avoid holes and bad roads.

[SM335i]

Originally Posted by vapore0n

Koni yellows. I think the FSD are not made for the xdrive.
The Eibach used are for the 335i. Fitment is perfect.
I have questioned the same thing. But some people say that the extra weight is unsprung so it wouldnt affect. Still, the bottoming out doesnt affect me that much as I avoid holes and bad roads.

They do have Koni FSD for xDrive see link:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...cks/ES2626473/

I feel like the reason it bottoms out is because the extra weight over the front axles. But going by this theory would mean that BMW designed special shocks for the front to handle the extra weight, so then it should deal with aftermarket springs...right?

[ajsalida]

The springs aren't too soft, Eibachs are approx same spring rate as stock non-XI ZSP. What happens is XI starts off very tall on much stiffer OEM springs than non XI. So when putting softer shorter springs in it drops more. Then the bottom of the shock has to sit higher than non XI in the hub to give clearance to front axles. So when you lower the XI to what looks "good", you end up with a lot less shock travel. Also some people don't bother to trim or use shorter bump stops and all of this (plus other issues) causes XI to tend to bottom out more in front. Rear of an XI except for spring rates and ride height is exactly the same as a non-XI in fact many M3 parts swap over (sway bars, subframe bushings, control arms etc.). Front only springs swap from non XI almost nothing else, and nothing M3.

The fix is to either be very careful about shorter bump stops and lowering, or get custom Konis with shorter shock bodies, or get full on coil overs with appropriate travel. And still be careful about bump stops and lowering.

There are literally tons of threads on this issue, please search and learn. One of the easiest and cheapest things to do is swap in a full set of used OEM ZSP rwd springs, keep stock shocks or go with aftermarket, and trim the OEM bump stops. $100 or so not including install and alignment.

[putnampunk]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

Eibachs are approx same spring rate as stock non-XI ZSP.

One of the easiest and cheapest things to do is swap in a full set of used OEM ZSP rwd springs, keep stock shocks or go with aftermarket, and trim the OEM bump stops. $100 or so not including install and alignment.

I was sad the prokit for e91 (rwd) seem to be discontinued. But maybe it is a lot better to save and go with OEM ZSP springs instead. I assume there's not a huge difference between e90 and e91 ones?

I already have konis and bought the e36/z4 shorter bump stops.