[TE1E91]

Hi

I'm new to the Forums

I have a 2011 E91 Xdrive with 120K KM and the time has come to refresh the suspension. I've noticed in the last few months the suspension has gotten progressivly worse. The rear of the car especially gets upset when going over even mild bumps in the road. The car is strictly a daily driver, mainly commuting and occasional road trips, as well as lots of trips up to the mountains to ski in the winter.


Basically I'm just looking for guidance on what set up to get. I'm really not looking to lower the car too much. First priority would be to improve the handling, especially for highway and twisty mountain roads. As a starting point from the reading I've done here some good options would be:

1. Eibach Pro-Kit springs with Koni FSD from this thread http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1349178
2. Bilstein B12 kit (This I believe comes paired with the same eibach springs as above)

I'd also be open to getting a coilover set-up if that allows for better control of the ride-height.

I've also read a lot of posts about rear sub frame bushings and the front tension strut bushings. Are bushings something I should be looking at doing at the same time or should I do springs and dampers first and then worry about the bushings?

thanks

[JETmn]

I would definitely do the bushings. I did my front tension bushings recently and the difference is huge. My rear subframes are next, sway bars and coilovers after that. I am hunting for worn components too, but so far most are holding up well.

[martinblair]

I've got a 2010 e91 xDrive, and went with the Bilstein B12 kit. Definitely a fantastic choice. I opted for the rear subframe inserts rather than the full bushings, which made a marked difference as well to the drive. I didn't have it in me to deal with lowering the subframe enough to do the bushings. I'm sure if you do both of those, you will be quite happy. The kit I got for my touring was 46-180629.
As for the tension bushings, I've heard great things. I have had a set of the bushings sitting my garage for 8 months that I haven't gotten around to installing yet.

[TE1E91]

Originally Posted by martinblair

I've got a 2010 e91 xDrive, and went with the Bilstein B12 kit. Definitely a fantastic choice. I opted for the rear subframe inserts rather than the full bushings, which made a marked difference as well to the drive. I didn't have it in me to deal with lowering the subframe enough to do the bushings. I'm sure if you do both of those, you will be quite happy. The kit I got for my touring was 46-180629.
As for the tension bushings, I've heard great things. I have had a set of the bushings sitting my garage for 8 months that I haven't gotten around to installing yet.

Thanks, At this point I'm leaning towards the B12 kit. How was the ride height after installing?

[martinblair]

The height change was pretty minimal. It says the kit will lower it 30mmf/25mmr but in the end mine dropped only 12f/10r. I'm actually ok with that, as it's my DD in the winters anyways. When I installed the kit I also installed all new bushings, pads, and mounts.

[eurojulien]

I have bilstein sport & euro spec eibach (bought off ebay.co.uk) and I'm very happy with the results:

[NiNeTyOne]

I'm running the same Eibach springs (from a source in Germany) with FSD's until we get the Ohlins DVF setup worked out for xDrive. I have a test damper with ERS springs at my disposal, but I have not had time to test it out yet to check the driveshaft clearance.

[Rocklicker]

I've got the Koni FSDs and stock springs. The FSDs were a nice upgrade by themselves but had a bit too much rebound. Incredibly, simply swapping out rear upper strut mounts from OEM to $20 Monroe rubber ones significantly improved the rebound issue and the rear is now planted. I think the OEM foam is in the upper mount acts as an unnecessary "second" shock that the FSDs don't deal with well. Don't know if Bilstein would be similarly improved. No change in NVH going from foam to solid rubber.

I do want to add the Euro-sourced Eibachs, but life keeps getting in the way. NinetyOne or Eurojulien, how much did those Euro-Eibachs drop the car? I actually don't want much or any drop, I'm already wrangling a car seat at current height and I drive through deep snow in winter (see avatar).

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Rocklicker

I do want to add the Euro-sourced Eibachs, but life keeps getting in the way. NinetyOne or Eurojulien, how much did those Euro-Eibachs drop the car? I actually don't want much or any drop, I'm already wrangling a car seat at current height and I drive through deep snow in winter (see avatar).

I went with the yellow Strongflex mounts in the rear. The drop was 1.25" rear, 1.33" front. I have never once scraped anything, and I have a terrible steep transition in my driveway.

I will say that the drop actually improved my mileage by a couple mpg on average for Hwy driving.

[Rocklicker]

NinetyOne,
I'm assuming that is measured from wheel center to fender lip, do you know what it is less than though? I for the life of me cannot find a stock ride height measurement, the best I've got is a statement that "e9x XI is 15mm higher than i from the factory", but I cannot even locate what a e9x i fender to wheel center measurement is in order to have something to add 15mm to. Bentley, e90pst, and Google have all failed me so far.

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Rocklicker

NinetyOne,
I'm assuming that is measured from wheel center to fender lip, do you know what it is less than though? I for the life of me cannot find a stock ride height measurement, the best I've got is a statement that "e9x XI is 15mm higher than i from the factory", but I cannot even locate what a e9x i fender to wheel center measurement is in order to have something to add 15mm to. Bentley, e90pst, and Google have all failed me so far.

I just measured mine on an alignment rack before and after.

[mfouty1]

where did you guys purchase your bilstein kit?

[TE1E91]

I guess I should update my own thread. Sorry I've been away for a while. Thanks for all the great info. I've decided to go with the Bilstein B12 kit. Unfortunately no one had any stock and the kit is special order from Germany. The official word from the local distributor was 2 to 3 months for delivery. I called bilstein North America and they said 4 to 12 weeks. I was on the fence about doing the suspension install myself but I've decided to let the shop I deal with handle the install. Still deciding about bushings mainly just due to cost. The shop put in the order for the B12 kit last week so hopefully in a couple months I can update everyone with how the new suspension is. I mainly commute by bicycle during the summer so I figured the suspension could wait a little longer.

[Rocklicker]

So I found somewhere else that stock ride height for a 328xi is 14.0" front and back.
I checked my ride height and sure enough it's 14.0" front and back, which is good news because that means the factory springs don't settle (mine are 9 years old and 100k mi, with new rubber perch inserts in front). This also means, using NinetyOne's measurements, that the Euro Eibach springs will lower the 328xi ride height to 12.66" front, 12.75" back.

Anyone with a Bilstein B12 kit want to measure their car?

[-zd]

Originally Posted by Rocklicker

So I found somewhere else that stock ride height for a 328xi is 14.0" front and back.
I checked my ride height and sure enough it's 14.0" front and back, which is good news because that means the factory springs don't settle (mine are 9 years old and 100k mi, with new rubber perch inserts in front). This also means, using NinetyOne's measurements, that the Euro Eibach springs will lower the 328xi ride height to 12.66" front, 12.75" back.

Anyone with a Bilstein B12 kit want to measure their car?

Does it have to be an xi? I have the B12, but on an RWD car.

[martinm0]

Originally Posted by Rocklicker

So I found somewhere else that stock ride height for a 328xi is 14.0" front and back.
I checked my ride height and sure enough it's 14.0" front and back, which is good news because that means the factory springs don't settle (mine are 9 years old and 100k mi, with new rubber perch inserts in front). This also means, using NinetyOne's measurements, that the Euro Eibach springs will lower the 328xi ride height to 12.66" front, 12.75" back.

Anyone with a Bilstein B12 kit want to measure their car?

Hmm. My 2008 328xi with 46k is showing 14.5" all around. i'm also considering going the B12 route as well...

EDIT: I'm an E90, so that may be the difference. I'll see myself out...

[-zd]

Originally Posted by mfouty1

where did you guys purchase your bilstein kit?

tire rack. fast shipped it from europe.

[Rocklicker]

Originally Posted by martinm0

Hmm. My 2008 328xi with 46k is showing 14.5" all around. i'm also considering going the B12 route as well...

EDIT: I'm an E90, so that may be the difference. I'll see myself out...

I don't think that should matter, at least certainly not for the front end. I believe the rear springs for the wagon are slightly different but I think that is just to handle the extra weight and bring it back up to the front ride height, so it should be the same.

Thanks for the data point!

[martinm0]

Glad I was able to offer some useful data for once!

MORE EDITS: Ordered the B12 kit and refresh kit from ECS tonight. Will post updates once I get things installed.

[-zd]

So this is way harder to measure than I thought it would be

But best I can figure, the front is ~13.75 and the rear is ~13.25

[Firewired1]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

.... until we get the Ohlins DVF setup worked out for xDrive. I have a test damper with ERS springs at my disposal, but I have not had time to test it out yet to check the driveshaft clearance.

Tell me more. I'd love to have Ohlins on my car

[Golaeui9]

o this is way harder to measure than I thought it would be

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