Calling out to Xi drivers: with SonicTuning coilovers

Drock28 · 03-30-2014, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinall4335xi

Just ordered mine...

what back order time did they tell you..?

spinall4335xi · 03-30-2014, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drock28

what back order time did they tell you..?

Same back ordered.... till the end of this month.

Strombo · 03-30-2014, 09:14 PM

Mine are going on this Tuesday, review and pics to come shortly

RonaldSwanson · 04-01-2014, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strombo

Mine are going on this Tuesday, review and pics to come shortly

Get them on yet? Hopefully you get them in and set them up as low as they'll go..

Strombo · 04-02-2014, 11:07 AM

I will get some pictures later this week. I can tell you that you will not be able to eliminate the rake completely with these. I was/am not looking for a slammed look as it's my daily - and with these coils you will not be able to achieve a tucked look (or even flush) in the front.

I did not have any spring compression done, I have a 2 finger gap in the rear and a little more than a 2 finger gap in the front. Honestly, it's not super noticeable but the front is not lower than the rear - nor could it get that way.

Wheels I put on are 18x8.5 et 35 and 18x9.5 et 35 - I have no rubbing issues, except on a full lock turning in a parking lot per say there is a very mild tire rub on the front sway bar.

I haven't driven them extensively yet, but I could tell immediately the change in driving feel. Much tighter overall - I set the dampening to 5 and 5 and it's very very comfortable.

Again, I'll post pics up hopefully later this week.

RonaldSwanson · 04-02-2014, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strombo

I can tell you that you will not be able to eliminate the rake completely with these. I was/am not looking for a slammed look as it's my daily - and with these coils you will not be able to achieve a tucked look (or even flush) in the front.

Damn, well that's disappointing. Guess I won't be wasting my money on these. It sounds like it's bags or nothing if you really wanna slam an xi.

Strombo · 04-02-2014, 12:50 PM

Here's a quick cell pic, I know the detail isn't good showing front and back but you can slightly tell from this bad picture the front is still raised up a bit higher than the rear:

Drock28 · 04-02-2014, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strombo

Wheels I put on are 18x8.5 et 35 and 18x9.5 et 35 - I have no rubbing issues, except on a full lock turning in a parking lot per say there is a very mild tire rub on the front sway bar.

what size tires do you have in front.. still surprised there is rubbing. 8.5 in front should be no problem..

Strombo · 04-02-2014, 10:16 PM

225/40/18 in front and 255/35/18 in back, again, no rubbing on fender walls during driving, only on full wheel lock do I notice a slight rub on the sway bar. I'm hardly ever at full lock, but thought I would throw it out there...

Drock28 · 04-02-2014, 10:34 PM

it's very good to know.
how do you know it's rubbing?
is it possible it could be the spring twisting making noises at full lock.
some preload is needed on the springs so that there is no play.

Jacblack · 04-03-2014, 10:28 AM

I'm waiting for the more detailed pics, I was thinking of getting these, just want my car sitting flush on 19s

chris_stampe · 04-03-2014, 09:07 PM

maybe my suspension was a little worn but it only dropped about 1" in front. this is all the way with 1/4" or so of preload.
i am planning to raise the rear a 1/4-1/2" to even it up but they are close to flush with 19x8.5 235/35f and 9.5 265/30 in back.

Any suggestions on raising the rear vs preloading the front??

BTW, softest dampening setting and it still rides like a go kart.
it is as hard as the koni's on my old RX7. Feels like a completely different car.

Ill get it aligned and post my overall impression in a week or two.

Drock28 · 04-03-2014, 10:06 PM

are you xdrive?

regardless of your stock suspension being worm ( I assume this what you meant)
the sonic kit is supposed to drop 1.5" in front with no extra preload.
so what you're saying that it dropped only 1" doesn't make sense?

are you saying softest setting is still harsh or that it rides nice and still responsive?

chris_stampe · 04-04-2014, 05:38 PM

softest setting is still relatively harsh.
dropped 1" (26 3/4" from fender to ground before to 5 3/4" after) with max lowering and 1/4" of spring preload. car has 106k on it already. only explanation i can think of as to why it is only 1" lower is that I was riding .5" lower than a new car before installing them.

Exxxtacy · 04-05-2014, 04:01 AM

I think my mind is set that these aren't what I thought they were gonna be. glad I didn't jump the gun right away.

Sidewinderpb · 04-05-2014, 06:24 AM

Same here.

09E90utah · 04-06-2014, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_stampe

softest setting is still relatively harsh.
dropped 1" (26 3/4" from fender to ground before to 5 3/4" after) with max lowering and 1/4" of spring preload. car has 106k on it already. only explanation i can think of as to why it is only 1" lower is that I was riding .5" lower than a new car before installing them.

Chris - When did you get your Sonic coils? Apparently the old version only allowed for a 1.1" drop. The new version that came out 2 weeks ago, allows for 1.6".

Strombo · 04-07-2014, 10:03 AM

Haven't had a chance to get some real pictures yet, weather has been a bit sketch lately in the Midwest. Here's an updated pic at the shop - shows the drop a bit better:

Drock28 · 04-07-2014, 10:11 AM

thats a much better pic.. looks good.. im sure you are happy with the height, since you did not have intension/desire to go too low anyways..

is this all the way to the bottom in front..? hows the ride..?

did you have any issue on clearence of the front damper knobs fitting under the strutbar..?

at least it looks lower then that pic provided by sonic.. I knew that pic didnt look right..

Strombo · 04-07-2014, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drock28

thats a much better pic.. looks good.. im sure you are happy with the height, since you did not have intension/desire to go too low anyways..

is this all the way to the bottom in front..? hows the ride..?

did you have any issue on clearence of the front damper knobs fitting under the strutbar..?

Yeah - I'm happy with it as this was the height I was looking for.

It is the lowest possible in the front, rear has tons left. Ride is pretty good, noticeable stiffer than stock, but you're going to find that with any aftermarket suspension. I don't think it's too stiff, very smooth at crusing speed on the highways, you notice the stiffness a bit more on the city roads, but my fiance hasn't complained being a passenger yet

. I set dampening to 5 and 5, so I could go lower - but I honestly really like how it drives.

Had no issues with the clearence - honestly was pretty plug and play.

schach23 · 04-07-2014, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strombo

Yeah - I'm happy with it as this was the height I was looking for.

It is the lowest possible in the front, rear has tons left. Ride is pretty good, noticeable stiffer than stock, but you're going to find that with any aftermarket suspension. I don't think it's too stiff, very smooth at crusing speed on the highways, you notice the stiffness a bit more on the city roads, but my fiance hasn't complained being a passenger yet

. I set dampening to 5 and 5, so I could go lower - but I honestly really like how it drives.

Had no issues with the clearence - honestly was pretty plug and play.

Hey,

I am reading here those who aren't happy are looking for a slammed look. Would you agree? I don't want a slammed look but want to take some of the gap away from my 4x4 look. I have a daily driver e90 and like the dampening adjustments vs the KW V1 (and the price of course). How much did it cost for the install? Are you on 18's?

Scott

Strombo · 04-07-2014, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schach23

Hey,

I am reading here those who aren't happy are looking for a slammed look. Would you agree? I don't want a slammed look but want to take some of the gap away from my 4x4 look. I have a daily driver e90 and like the dampening adjustments vs the KW V1 (and the price of course). How much did it cost for the install? Are you on 18's?

Scott

You won't be able to achieve a slammed look with these, those looking for that or even flush should look a different direction.

I am very happy with the route I went, as it's my DD and I never was looking for much lower than it sits right now. I paid $850 shipped for the coils and $500 for the install after adjustments and everything...total of $1350 installed.

Wheels are 18x8.5 et 35 on 225/40/18s in front and 18x9.5 et 35 on 255/35/18s in rear. Hankook Ventus V12 Evo.

03-30-2014, 09:14 PM	#47
Strombo New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi Touring Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Mine are going on this Tuesday, review and pics to come shortly
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04-02-2014, 11:07 AM	#49
Strombo New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi Touring Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	I will get some pictures later this week. I can tell you that you will not be able to eliminate the rake completely with these. I was/am not looking for a slammed look as it's my daily - and with these coils you will not be able to achieve a tucked look (or even flush) in the front. I did not have any spring compression done, I have a 2 finger gap in the rear and a little more than a 2 finger gap in the front. Honestly, it's not super noticeable but the front is not lower than the rear - nor could it get that way. Wheels I put on are 18x8.5 et 35 and 18x9.5 et 35 - I have no rubbing issues, except on a full lock turning in a parking lot per say there is a very mild tire rub on the front sway bar. I haven't driven them extensively yet, but I could tell immediately the change in driving feel. Much tighter overall - I set the dampening to 5 and 5 and it's very very comfortable. Again, I'll post pics up hopefully later this week.
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04-02-2014, 12:50 PM	#51
Strombo New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi Touring Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Here's a quick cell pic, I know the detail isn't good showing front and back but you can slightly tell from this bad picture the front is still raised up a bit higher than the rear:
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04-02-2014, 10:16 PM	#53
Strombo New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi Touring Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	225/40/18 in front and 255/35/18 in back, again, no rubbing on fender walls during driving, only on full wheel lock do I notice a slight rub on the sway bar. I'm hardly ever at full lock, but thought I would throw it out there...
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04-02-2014, 10:34 PM	#54
Drock28 Private First Class 13 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 2009 328XI coupe 6MT Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	it's very good to know. how do you know it's rubbing? is it possible it could be the spring twisting making noises at full lock. some preload is needed on the springs so that there is no play.
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04-03-2014, 10:28 AM	#55
Jacblack Captain 91 Rep 664 Posts Drives: F80 COMP Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I'm waiting for the more detailed pics, I was thinking of getting these, just want my car sitting flush on 19s
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04-03-2014, 09:07 PM	#56
chris_stampe New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2000 323i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: MPLS iTrader: (0)	maybe my suspension was a little worn but it only dropped about 1" in front. this is all the way with 1/4" or so of preload. i am planning to raise the rear a 1/4-1/2" to even it up but they are close to flush with 19x8.5 235/35f and 9.5 265/30 in back. Any suggestions on raising the rear vs preloading the front?? BTW, softest dampening setting and it still rides like a go kart. it is as hard as the koni's on my old RX7. Feels like a completely different car. Ill get it aligned and post my overall impression in a week or two. Attached Images
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04-03-2014, 10:06 PM	#57
Drock28 Private First Class 13 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 2009 328XI coupe 6MT Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	are you xdrive? regardless of your stock suspension being worm ( I assume this what you meant) the sonic kit is supposed to drop 1.5" in front with no extra preload. so what you're saying that it dropped only 1" doesn't make sense? are you saying softest setting is still harsh or that it rides nice and still responsive?
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04-04-2014, 05:38 PM	#58
chris_stampe New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2000 323i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: MPLS iTrader: (0)	softest setting is still relatively harsh. dropped 1" (26 3/4" from fender to ground before to 5 3/4" after) with max lowering and 1/4" of spring preload. car has 106k on it already. only explanation i can think of as to why it is only 1" lower is that I was riding .5" lower than a new car before installing them. __________________ 2009 335xi manual JB4 DCI Walbro FP ST Coilovers
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04-05-2014, 04:01 AM	#59
Exxxtacy Instagram @kyle_e92 13 Rep 187 Posts Drives: e92 335xi Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Ephrata, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	I think my mind is set that these aren't what I thought they were gonna be. glad I didn't jump the gun right away. __________________ 6MT l AWD l MHD l DCI l VRSF DP l ECS BOV l CUSTOM 3" CATBACK l 7" VRSF intercooler l H&R Coilovers
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04-05-2014, 06:24 AM	#60
Sidewinderpb Banned 329 Rep 1,739 Posts Drives: 2017 340i xDrive 6mt Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	Same here.
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04-07-2014, 10:03 AM	#62
Strombo New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi Touring Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Haven't had a chance to get some real pictures yet, weather has been a bit sketch lately in the Midwest. Here's an updated pic at the shop - shows the drop a bit better:
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04-07-2014, 10:11 AM	#63
Drock28 Private First Class 13 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 2009 328XI coupe 6MT Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	thats a much better pic.. looks good.. im sure you are happy with the height, since you did not have intension/desire to go too low anyways.. is this all the way to the bottom in front..? hows the ride..? did you have any issue on clearence of the front damper knobs fitting under the strutbar..? at least it looks lower then that pic provided by sonic.. I knew that pic didnt look right..
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