Heavy duty shocks or Sports for my Xi?? - Page 2

pjo33us · 10-20-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimwest1

well, I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and have the shop put on the front springs and struts. They wanted 3.5 hours to put the front springs on so I'll have to see what they want with the struts included. It would stink to have to pay for the labor twice in the long run. Having them do an alignment sounds like a good idea too. Thanks for all of your advice!

It should cost the same as you have to remove the struts with the springs.

slimwest1 · 10-20-2010, 10:53 AM

Good point pjo33us. I got the Eibach Pro-kit yesterday and the Bilstein HD's are due this Friday. I called the shop and they said to add the struts/shocks to the install, it would minimally increase the labor charge. He didn't quote me a true time which was a little iffy but since I'd be getting the alignment anyway...I expected it to cost more. Hoping the ride isn't too harsh but since I have a broken rear spring and it feels like the front struts are bad....how much worse could it be? My other car is a 1994 Pontiac Formula with lowering springs so I've been there.

OrientBlau · 10-20-2010, 11:05 AM

I had Bilstein HDs on NYC roads; they do not do well, especially as a daily driver. The shocks are really great, but I had to switch back to the SACHS because of it. SACHS are softer, with slightly more roll, but are much more comfortable on NYC roads. The Bilsteins were incredible on the smooth highway roads though. Very tight feel. I hope to move out of NYC, one day.

pjo33us · 10-20-2010, 11:22 AM

OP...what did you decide to do? I live in Colorado where the roads are fairly decent and am trying to decide between Eibach or bav auto springs (I think they are the same) and Bilstien HDs versus sports. The car is a daily driver and takes me skiing etc. If I wanted a race car I would get an old E30 or 2002 and build it that way.

Also, you can get a coilover kit for your xi: http://hrsprings.com/scripts/appguid...Find3&MakeID=4

I am not sure why anyone would ever want to though.

Kubica · 10-20-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrientBlau

I had Bilstein HDs on NYC roads; they do not do well, especially as a daily driver. The shocks are really great, but I had to switch back to the SACHS because of it. SACHS are softer, with slightly more roll, but are much more comfortable on NYC roads. The Bilsteins were incredible on the smooth highway roads though. Very tight feel. I hope to move out of NYC, one day.

I disagree. I have the Bilstein HDs and I don't think they are too much stiffer than sachs shocks. They do great in Boston . . .

ganicki · 10-20-2010, 01:24 PM

I have Bilstein HDs and H&R Springs--and yes the ride is harsh on rough roads--but I wanted good handling and thats what I got--also, put on urethane control arm bushings and updated ALL the front suspension parts--Handles like I want, but again, is harsh. Roads here in KY aren't too bad but some are rough and I just have to take it a little easy or find a better way home and believe me there is always a better way home.--the drop is pretty good and the car looks a little more aggressive--which is what most of us are looking for.--heres some pics of the drop.

skybmw · 10-20-2010, 07:00 PM

I have koni & bavarian = good
My fd's 330I has koni & Eibach = better

*** Don't use Bilstein with Bavarian which is = bad (I have that before & I switched to Koni)

pjo33us · 10-21-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganicki

I have Bilstein HDs and H&R Springs--and yes the ride is harsh on rough roads--but I wanted good handling and thats what I got--also, put on urethane control arm bushings and updated ALL the front suspension parts--Handles like I want, but again, is harsh. Roads here in KY aren't too bad but some are rough and I just have to take it a little easy or find a better way home and believe me there is always a better way home.--the drop is pretty good and the car looks a little more aggressive--which is what most of us are looking for.--heres some pics of the drop.

Car looks good... like the wheels. Where did you get the mudflaps?

Kubica · 10-21-2010, 11:52 AM

^yeah i kinda like those mudflaps.

ganicki · 10-21-2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjo33us

Car looks good... like the wheels. Where did you get the mudflaps?

On the car when purchased--They fit perfect has to be a BMW issued part

TiAgXi · 10-21-2010, 02:13 PM

Dinan stage 1 ftw. Modest drop, not too harsh, good handling. Very expensive, though, if bought from Dinan new.

officer140 · 10-21-2010, 04:42 PM

In NYC too and that stops me from buying a lower setup. Low profile 19's make it feel harsh as is!

ganicki · 10-23-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganicki

On the car when purchased--They fit perfect has to be a BMW issued part

Heres the mudflaps that some of you guys asked about--Penskeparts.com or realoem.com

pjo33us · 10-25-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganicki

Heres the mudflaps that some of you guys asked about--Penskeparts.com or realoem.com

Thanks for the info...

FYI, these are NOT for use with the sports package. Anybody konw if these are available for sports pkg cars?

xi_ter · 10-25-2010, 12:47 PM

I have installed the Koni Sports, Eibach ProKit and 5 mm rear upper pads.
This is the result:

I did not have any problem with slow settling. The ride and handling has impressed so far and the adjustability of the Konis is a plus since I've dialed the ride firmer (1 turn).

Kubica · 10-25-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjo33us

Thanks for the info...

FYI, these are NOT for use with the sports package. Anybody konw if these are available for sports pkg cars?

I think they mean not for cars with sport suspension, because they'd be too low and the mudflaps would drag. They should fit on all xi's, i'm guessing.

ganicki · 10-25-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubica

I think they mean not for cars with sport suspension, because they'd be too low and the mudflaps would drag. They should fit on all xi's, i'm guessing.

I would say thats correct--I have a lowered suspension and do not experience any ground clearance probs

10-20-2010, 11:22 AM	#24
pjo33us Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 207 My Ride: 03 330xi View My Garage	OP...what did you decide to do? I live in Colorado where the roads are fairly decent and am trying to decide between Eibach or bav auto springs (I think they are the same) and Bilstien HDs versus sports. The car is a daily driver and takes me skiing etc. If I wanted a race car I would get an old E30 or 2002 and build it that way. Also, you can get a coilover kit for your xi: http://hrsprings.com/scripts/appguid...Find3&MakeID=4 I am not sure why anyone would ever want to though. __________________

10-20-2010, 01:24 PM	#26
ganicki Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: louisville Posts: 93 My Ride: e46 325xi, e36 344ic View My Garage	I have Bilstein HDs and H&R Springs--and yes the ride is harsh on rough roads--but I wanted good handling and thats what I got--also, put on urethane control arm bushings and updated ALL the front suspension parts--Handles like I want, but again, is harsh. Roads here in KY aren't too bad but some are rough and I just have to take it a little easy or find a better way home and believe me there is always a better way home.--the drop is pretty good and the car looks a little more aggressive--which is what most of us are looking for.--heres some pics of the drop. Attached Thumbnails __________________ ganicki 2001 325xi 1994 344ic if you don't believe go to: http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...cki/?start=all Last edited by ganicki; 10-20-2010 at 02:55 PM.

10-20-2010, 07:00 PM	#27
skybmw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 46 My Ride: 330XI 2003 View My Garage	I have koni & bavarian = good My fd's 330I has koni & Eibach = better *** Don't use Bilstein with Bavarian which is = bad (I have that before & I switched to Koni) __________________ 2003 330XI Koni Sport w/Bavarian springs Tinted yellow fogs Tinted Red taillights Painted black on the stock rims 25mm spacers front & 20mm spacers rear Black front strut tower bar (Can last closed to 3 yrs & still in good shape before I changed to OEM one) M3 OEM front strut bar (broken in a month) Adjustable camber plate

10-25-2010, 12:47 PM	#35
xi_ter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 2,208 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	I have installed the Koni Sports, Eibach ProKit and 5 mm rear upper pads. This is the result: I did not have any problem with slow settling. The ride and handling has impressed so far and the adjustability of the Konis is a plus since I've dialed the ride firmer (1 turn). __________________

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10-20-2010, 10:53 AM	#22
slimwest1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 10 My Ride: 330xi View My Garage	Good point pjo33us. I got the Eibach Pro-kit yesterday and the Bilstein HD's are due this Friday. I called the shop and they said to add the struts/shocks to the install, it would minimally increase the labor charge. He didn't quote me a true time which was a little iffy but since I'd be getting the alignment anyway...I expected it to cost more. Hoping the ride isn't too harsh but since I have a broken rear spring and it feels like the front struts are bad....how much worse could it be? My other car is a 1994 Pontiac Formula with lowering springs so I've been there.

10-20-2010, 11:05 AM	#23
OrientBlau Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 2,453 My Ride: 2003 330i View My Garage	I had Bilstein HDs on NYC roads; they do not do well, especially as a daily driver. The shocks are really great, but I had to switch back to the SACHS because of it. SACHS are softer, with slightly more roll, but are much more comfortable on NYC roads. The Bilsteins were incredible on the smooth highway roads though. Very tight feel. I hope to move out of NYC, one day.

10-21-2010, 11:52 AM	#29
Kubica Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 3,907 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	^yeah i kinda like those mudflaps.

10-21-2010, 02:13 PM	#31
TiAgXi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CO Posts: 864 My Ride: 3.0 e46/16 View My Garage	Dinan stage 1 ftw. Modest drop, not too harsh, good handling. Very expensive, though, if bought from Dinan new.

10-21-2010, 04:42 PM	#32
officer140 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Bronx Posts: 302 My Ride: 01 330xi, 99 TLR View My Garage	In NYC too and that stops me from buying a lower setup. Low profile 19's make it feel harsh as is!