[Force[FED]]

They are Linea Corse LC818 wheels (19*8.5F / 19*10R) with Hankook V12 tires (235/35/19F & 265/30/19R). No need to roll the fenders, I think the backs are the +37 offset

I didn't want to have to roll the fenders. I think if you go lower offset in the rear, or even some 275 width tires, it might be a problem. Mine have never rubbed, at any corner.

Kev

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I did the Eibach pro's with stock shocks. Couldn't be happier with both the price AND the way it drives....

[DonJuan360]

I have heard that eibach ride is not as stiff as H R ...

[whoosh]

I've heard the same about Eibachs in general. I had the H&R sport/Bilstein combo on a car in the past, and it was harsh on anything but pool table smooth pavement, so I'm reluctant to go with these given the roads I currently have to drive over.

To the poster with the Eibachs on stock struts, how many miles on this setup, and any issues with the struts yet? The car looks amazing.

[DonJuan360]

so which shocks would you use with eibach?

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Originally Posted by whoosh

I've heard the same about Eibachs in general. I had the H&R sport/Bilstein combo on a car in the past, and it was harsh on anything but pool table smooth pavement, so I'm reluctant to go with these given the roads I currently have to drive over.

To the poster with the Eibachs on stock struts, how many miles on this setup, and any issues with the struts yet? The car looks amazing.

Not many yet only 1500 on the odo total so far. However I don't feel any harshness at all- nor any excessive bounciness. I'm attributing it to the fact it's a very conservative drop. The issues I hear with ride quality relating to NOT upgrading the shocks are usually attributed to the H&Rs.

Admittedly I like the way the H&Rs front sits but the rears are way to "slammed" for my taste. On my car the rear is just about as perfect as I could ask, with the fronts having a little bit of residual wheel gap. To me, it was an excellent trade off. Drives better than stock, improves the looks, and didn't break the bank.

Thank you for the compliments.

[BAL278]

[QUOTE=e85sbm;10878666]I chose not to add that option because I understand the H

[335_MI6]

im lowered on kw v3, they have a really hard ride but you just have to learn to slow down to like 2mph on bumps and stuff.

more pictures at http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568936

[e85sbm]

I am not a fan of a harsh ride, been there, done that in 2003. Now I want to take advantage of newer technologies and maintain my OEM ride quality, or even improve it.


COLES NOTES:
Improve looks
Reduce float
Maintain plushness (possible degradation of no more than 15-20%)
Increase road grip

[Doyle]

Originally Posted by e85sbm

I am not a fan of a harsh ride, been there, done that in 2003. Now I want to take advantage of newer technologies and maintain my OEM ride quality, or even improve it.


COLES NOTES:
Improve looks
Reduce float
Maintain plushness (possible degradation of no more than 15-20%)
Increase road grip

Canadians and their "Cole's Notes", lol.

Improve looks: Subjective, but any of those choices will suffice.
Reduce float: Eibach/Koni, TC Kline, and V3 are your options here. I have heard many complaints about float and pitch issues with the V1s (first hand from owners).
Maintain plushness: Plushness is, again, subjective. I feel like properly setup c/o's (ASTs and TC Kline) actually ride better than stock. Plushness of V3's are a compromise (see below).
Increase road grip: TC Kline or V3's. However, unless you swap out to linear springs on the V3's, the nature of the valving will force you to choose between road grip and ride quality.

Eibach/Koni: 3
KW V1: 1
TC Kline: 4
KW V3: 2.5 (-.5 for either/or valving if spring rates are left stock)

[AWD Addict]

Originally Posted by Force[FED]

I went with the KW V1s, but did not slam the car (the V1s could be set way lower, I just didn't want it that way...about 1.5" lower than stock at all 4 corners), and have been happy with my choice for over 15 months now. I despise the stock xi suspension (so wallowy, but had this strange rebound effect that was downright scary), it actually made me question going with the xi at all. The stock sport suspension on my previous 330i was better (not even comparable).

Kev

That looks amazing, but if that were my car there would literally be pieces of it flying off as I drove around Boston.

Total disaster.

[AWD Addict]

Also, does Cole know Cliff?

[HellsBells]

I did the Eibach/Bilstien combo and I am pretty happy with it. It is an improvement over stock in both ride quality and stiffness. I used to bang the crap out of my wheels over every bump with stock and now I can take most bumps without too much difficulty.

[AWD Addict]

Originally Posted by HellsBells

I did the Eibach/Bilstien combo and I am pretty happy with it. It is an improvement over stock in both ride quality and stiffness. I used to bang the crap out of my wheels over every bump with stock and now I can take most bumps without too much difficulty.

Do you find cornering at speed flatter? any change in balance?

What are the biggest negatives with this setup? I'm leaning strongly toward this as I use the car as a daily driver (and for work), which is 50/50 highway and city, so I need to strike a balance.

My suspension's got almost 50k on it, so anything is going to feel dramatically improved, but I'm looking for something that will be reliable, improve the wheel gap a bit, improve cornering and bump effects but still be comfortable (high WAF required).

[Kevin M]

Guys...new 2011 335 xDrive M Sport 6 spd sedan here.

Love my new car, don't like that there is more body roll than my 05 ZHP coupe, and really hate the wheel to fender gap. I'm really just looking for a bit more stiffness and a bit lower. I do not want to slam the car as I will be driving it in the snow.

I'll probably stop short of getting coilovers because of the cost and difficulty in setting them up properly.

Any issues with putting aftermarket springs on a leased car?

Thanks

[AWD Addict]

Just springs is a bad idea. The shocks won't last very long, and I've heard too many people unhappy with ride quality. It's really only a looks solution based on my reading.

Aside from your lease, it sounds like you're in a similar boat as I am. I'm still reading, but I'm pretty sure I'll be going with the Bilstein struts and Eibach springs.

[arsenal37]

Ok So Im Not The Only One Thats Been Trying To Figure Out Which Suspension Setup To Go With... Im In The Same Dilema So If You Guys Could Please Help

[HellsBells]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

Do you find cornering at speed flatter? any change in balance?

What are the biggest negatives with this setup? I'm leaning strongly toward this as I use the car as a daily driver (and for work), which is 50/50 highway and city, so I need to strike a balance.

My suspension's got almost 50k on it, so anything is going to feel dramatically improved, but I'm looking for something that will be reliable, improve the wheel gap a bit, improve cornering and bump effects but still be comfortable (high WAF required).

This removed almost all of the body roll, cornering is tight. I was like you did this about 45-50k. I definitely needed new shocks but did not really realize the difference until I put on the Bilstiens. This is my daily driver and I drive on highway to the city. I am happy all around, the wheel gap, cornering and overall handling. I don't think stock handled bumps very well, so to me this was an improvement. Maybe it is just my car, but it never felt "plush", so I really like it now.

[nailer335]

Good thread going here. Consensus is: stock ride height on the xi is heinous. Idk if there are others like me... but I always tell myself that hp/tq mods come first because I dont have to look at it, others do while i drive it but... now I've probably smoked my turbos... and the suspension will have to wait until summer I'm guessing. The only time it really gets to me is when I am washing it. then I almost get lost in the front wheel gap... and then I can't stop staring at how far inside the body the back wheels are... and I get mad.

My dilemma is that I wouldn't want springs/shocks to save on cost if coilovers are a better combination of everything considered... I wouldn't want H&R coilovers if KWV3s are better performing... and then if I have to replace my turbos soon and would get coilovers too around the same time frame... then I might as well put the suspension off until end of summer, turn down the boost for the next few months, save up a bit longer, and replace the stockers with RBs... and have some real fun dogging on almost everything from light to light (my favorite)... But... my xi doesn't have an oil cooler... and probably should if its going to have upgraded turbos... and probably should have a bigger FMIC too... tough call on the opportunity cost. its so hard to have such a fun car

I need to go to a car modding rehab. For the next months until maintenance projects are done and my suspension decision is made, or I find such a rehab... I hope we keep this thread going. my car is my daily driver too. I dont have to worry about the elements as much here in Phoenix. Driving is kept to short bouts around town and trips to LA/SD. would love to go as low as possible without breaking everything underneath the car going over speed bumps.

Another factor I have to consider now- idk if anyone has experience... in the next month or so I'll have an interior mod, in my back seat. a car seat :-) anyone here carrying precious cargo / thinking that any of these set ups would be too upsetting to a newborn?

Thanks. lets get everyone else with upgraded suspensions to report what they have, how much and how long theyve had it and anything else relevant.

[Kevin M]

Where are xi Eibach Pros sold? Couldn't find them anywhere.

Originally Posted by Bubba Ho-Tep

I did the Eibach pro's with stock shocks. Couldn't be happier with both the price AND the way it drives....

This is exactly what I'm looking for.

If its a small drop, I don't see any problem with going with stock shocks.

Bubba...sent you a PM

[Kevin M]

Just saw H&R sports on a 2011 xi M Sport sedan. Nice drop and owner said that the ride is still very smooth. Running on stock shocks.

[HellsBells]

it really depends on how many miles you have on your shocks, if you have 40-50k on them, it's probably a good idea to get new shocks when adding springs.