[Mizh]

I recently picked up a 2011 LCI M sport 335i and I'm very content with the rear suspension and height, but I would like to lower the front of the vehicle. From my experience of owning 2x 2010 e92s before, the rear is always the pain in the ass anyways.

Where can I buy an affordable pair of front lowering springs as a pair of 2 instead of 4?

Are there any downsides to only lowering the front while keeping the rear suspension M sport stock?

It's not a pressing issue or anything, maybe I just wait around and pick up a pair from a member used?

Thanks.

[BSM n54iS]

Get the SP Lowering perch and call it a day

[SnapCoupe]

Originally Posted by Mizh

I recently picked up a 2011 LCI M sport 335i and I'm very content with the rear suspension and height, but I would like to lower the front of the vehicle. From my experience of owning 2x 2010 e92s before, the rear is always the pain in the ass anyways.

Where can I buy an affordable pair of front lowering springs as a pair of 2 instead of 4?

Are there any downsides to only lowering the front while keeping the rear suspension M sport stock?

It's not a pressing issue or anything, maybe I just wait around and pick up a pair from a member used?

Thanks.

The Dinan lowering springs for our cars lowers the front about 1/2 an inch and keeps the rear the same height. The springs rates are also a tad bit stiffer to help with body roll. That would be a good alternative if you don't want to mess with the spring perches.

Also, there is no down side to having the front lower and keeping the rear the same height. That being said, if you only replace the two front springs and not the rear, i'm sure the suspension will feel a bit wonky at times depending on the difference in spring rate.

[Biginboca]

If you have stock suspension you can trim the front strut tabs to get about 1/2” lower. This is the easiest method in my opinion. When I had stock suspension I was able to trim both front strut tabs and drive off in less than an hour. Lowering perches give about same result and will take much longer to install.

[Alex335is]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

If you have stock suspension you can trim the front strut tabs to get about 1/2” lower. This is the easiest method in my opinion. When I had stock suspension I was able to trim both front strut tabs and drive off in less than an hour. Lowering perches give about same result and will take much longer to install.

How do you do this? 🤔

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Alex335is

How do you do this? 🤔

You just go little north to see Biginboca .... Forget SP perches.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Get the SP Lowering perch and call it a day

...and when they start to interfere with strut mounts you can call for another day, of cussing and cursing.....

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by feuer

...and when they start to interfere with strut mounts you can call for another day, of cussing and cursing.....

Do they? I never heard about that, I retract then.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Do they? I never heard about that, I retract then.

Yes, when rubber collapses from being old the perch will start rubbing on the strut mount causing steering occasionally to jam. Not fun. I have discussed this years ago. Posted photos too.

[Emilime75]

This could obviously be a problem, but if you start with new rubber, how long does it take before problems arise? In other words, if it's gotten to the point where the lowering perches start to bind, wouldn't it be time to replace those mounts, anyway?

Originally Posted by feuer

Yes, when rubber collapses from being old the perch will start rubbing on the strut mount causing steering occasionally to jam. Not fun. I have discussed this years ago. Posted photos too.

[SikhE90]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

If you have stock suspension you can trim the front strut tabs to get about 1/2” lower. This is the easiest method in my opinion. When I had stock suspension I was able to trim both front strut tabs and drive off in less than an hour. Lowering perches give about same result and will take much longer to install.

Care to share the process? What are front strut tabs?

[mpathic]

Keep it low tech and free.
Don't get caught up in spring swaps that throw off the suspension balance, and you never know where the ride height ends up til you put it all back together, so if its too low you have to undo the whole thing again.
Simple and effective method:
Remove the rubber spring pads. Drops the front 1/4 - 1/2 inch, quick and easy. Spray Silicon spray all over the spring coils where they meet the rubber perches. Pry and pull on the rubber at the gap between the first and second coil. Cut and pull like heck with pliers tightly on the rubber til it slides right out from between the spring and the perch. Use a lot of silicon spray!

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by SikhE90

Care to share the process? What are front strut tabs?

Cut the thing I circled. It will drop the front about 1/2” by allowing the strut to sit deeper into the knuckle...



Post 24 in this thread has a pic of it on the car after the cut...

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...1124654&page=2

Originally Posted by mpathic

Remove the rubber spring pads. Drops the front 1/4 - 1/2 inch, quick and easy.

Terrible idea...modifying the strut tab makes more sense.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Terrible idea...modifying the strut tab makes more sense.

Not only that is terrible idea I don't think will lower anything near 1/4 to 1/2 inch he is suggesting. 1/8 at the best.

[mpathic]

Sounds like you're drinking your own KoolAid about cutting that tab.
Removing springs pads is one of the first steps in tightening up a suspension. Ever see a Koni that blew out its bottom from hard impact? Removing or trimming the tab lessens or removes the safety margin that's designed into the car.
The stub is meant to slip down under dangerously hard impact in order to prevent other more severe damage.
Ya wanna piss on my post, then I'll shit on your's.
2 spring pads at 3 to 6+ mm thick each = 6 - 12mm lowering by removing.
Ya don't agree with something someone else posts? Then state your factual first hand measured or researched basis, instead of spouting anecdotal crap.

[dleccord]

Originally Posted by Mizh

I recently picked up a 2011 LCI M sport 335i and I'm very content with the rear suspension and height, but I would like to lower the front of the vehicle. From my experience of owning 2x 2010 e92s before, the rear is always the pain in the ass anyways.

are u saying the rear suspension is harder to work with than the front?

Originally Posted by mpathic

Ya don't agree with something someone else posts? Then state your factual first hand measured or researched basis, instead of spouting anecdotal crap.

I removed the spring pad when adding drop perches a couple years back. After going back in, removing the welded tension "keeper", and re-adding the initially removed spring pad, there was absolutely zero difference in height before/after weight was applied to the vehicle.

We aren't talking about mid-90s domestic suspension setups here where the spring is mounted seperate from the strut/shock on two 1/2"+ thick rubber isolators. As feuer mentioned, the bits of rubber on this platform are so thin to begin with, they aren't going to make as much of a difference as you are suggesting.

You want to "tighten up" the suspension? There are plenty of other softer/more compliant bushings around the car that you should spend your time worrying about instead.

[feuer]

FCobra94 you are correct! Rubber pad is so thin that spring cuts through it. Also most importantly rubber pad serves as spring stop to prevent rotating on the lower perch. Cut the tab. Remove the reinforcement plate... Better alternatives to small drop. Happy new year!

[SikhE90]

I read the last couple of posts and addition to the op post, I would like to ad that I have a 2007 335i base model lowered with BMW sport springs and Bilstein B4 Non-Sport shocks. I have the option of installing Eibach pro-kit. My question is looking at the photo, should I pair the Eibachs with Non-sport Bilstein B4 and call it a day or should I put 245-40-18 M3 size tires instead of 225-40-18 to decrease the front fender gap or do both of the mentioned above. In Addition I will be installing TRW M3 Control arms and Tension Arms along with Meyle HD steering arms followed by an alignment off course. My goal is to stiffen up the front suspension so there is no shimmy at high speed(car starts to shake above 60-70mph) and eliminate fender gap. Thanks in Advance.

Brett