[e85sbm]

As the title states....I am looking to upgrade my suspension to reduce some wheel gap, but to also maintain a comfortable (soft-ish) ride quality.

There are MANY options, and I am not sure I want to buy some of the more expensive coilover sets ($2000) because I am worried it will take far too many days to get the right set-up and feel.

Any and all advice requested, but I live in a snowy area and don't want to drop the car much lower than the standard ride height of an i or even an M3.

Also, is there any additional parts required, or just the coils? Do I need to buy bushings, camber kits, etc?

Thanks,

[Ctm309]

Here's my e92 335ix with H&R coilovers with a modest drop. The ride is more controlled , no nose dive on stops, way less lean in corners with just a little less softness than stock. I too went through the options and cost vs need
won over. Nothing extra was needed, everything comes in the box. This is a DD car! I'm very happy with this set up. P.S. no RFT's. Same size tires in both pics.

[e85sbm]

Looks good....I am afraid of getting something and hating it....I want a good ride, but want the improved performance.

Roads around here are prone to many freeze-thaw cycles every year and we have lots of frost heaving, potholes or bad road repairs

[AWD Addict]

Why no bilsteins + eiback/ h+r spring option? I only ask bcs selfishly, I'm looking at going that way and I'd like to see the poll results.

[e85sbm]

I chose not to add that option because I understand the H&R's to be very stiff, I am not wanting that, prefer a softer ride so I don't have a sore back everyday

[Doyle]

I had the same concerns as you. Went with the TC Klines. The ride is smooth and very well controlled. TC personally likes his cars a little softer, so most of their dampers are valved to be extremely comfortable. Also, added bonus of being able to raise the car during heavy winter snows.

Additionally, the durability and customer service doesn't get any better.

[starmo]

For a daily? Stock!

[e85sbm]

Originally Posted by starmo

For a daily? Stock!

I want better performance than stock, plus I want better looks

[AWD Addict]

Originally Posted by e85sbm

I chose not to add that option because I understand the H&R's to be very stiff, I am not wanting that, prefer a softer ride so I don't have a sore back everyday

And the eibach/bilstein? (not as stiff as the bilstein/H&R setup purportedly)

Everything I've read says that combo will be far less stiff and rough than coilovers. If you're looking for a more comfortable ride, I'm surprised to see two coilover options, but not that.

[e85sbm]

the coilovers I have listed are rebound and dampening adjustable. These should be able to offer a comfortable ride, but I can try to adjust the poll to include a bilstein/eibach combo

[ilumo]

seems like there is a lot of subjective suggestions here. has anyone had multiple coilover setups and or springs/shock combos? I'm looking for a good alternative to the stock ride height/perf of our XIs as well. thanks.

[PKumarM3]

ride height is key. i had kw v1 on run flat tires and i was low....car felt like crap.

if i do coil overs again, i will use non run flat tires and retain the rwd ride height. i would also choose the tckline because springs are linear vs. progressive and also you can choose the spring weight.

[DonJuan360]

why not try just bilstein ...stiffer springs equal harder ride ...

With the NJ/NY roads i dont know what to use ... The stock ride is too stiff for these road I want something that give good ride and decent performance.

any suggestions

[MJR63]

I love my AST 4100's. Firm ride, great handling, adjustable (rebound).

[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

[Josh1a1h]

^^^^^ Thats how i want my car to sit.... BUT i would NEVER get over the speed bumps here, and if i do... i will definitely scrape my underside withoutadoubt!

- Looks aweosme!

[nyc3r]

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

Agree, stock XI suspension does NOT drive/ride like a BMW.. the body roll and rebound is crazy.

[DonJuan360]

Stock xi suspension is what I have , without chang springs what would you recommend

[QC135Vert]

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

You on the stock runflats or did you switch to non-runflats?

How does your kv1 ride compare to 330 sport?

[hoboken]

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

Do you scrap or have problems on driveways with inclines, speed bumps, etc?

[Force[FED]]

I do not run the stock runflat tires, my 18" OEM wheel/tire combo is in my basement (for when I sell the car). I run 19" Linea Corse wheels with Hankook V12s in the summer, and 17" Rial wheels with Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds in the winter.

I would say the V1 suspension is slightly rougher than the stock 330i Sport suspension. I was actually very pleased with the suspension on my 330i, never even considered swapping it. But as soon as I got the XI, I knew the springs/struts had to go. For me it wasn't about the ride height on the XI, it was the horrible over bounce that happened almost 95% of the ride, which BMW should be ashamed of. The stock XI suspension was really annoying.

Kev

PS Adding a pic of my car with the KW V1s and the 18' OEM wheels for comparison.

[Sam335ix]

Which lc wheels do you have? What are the offsets? What size tires do you run with? I am dropping my car as well with v1s after winter and was thinking of lc 818s.. Did you have to roll your fenders?