lowering my xi...

If you have more than 50,000 miles on the original shocks, buy some Koni Sport shocks and a set of Eibach ProKit springs.
OEM springs are prone to breakage in the back. The life of OEM shocks is around 50,000 mi, and about then the gas pressure is gone.

I've had to replace the axles once and cv boots a few times. In my opinion I would go for it and take my chances. The wheel gap looks awful.

H&Rs gave me a pretty good drop. I'd say my car sits about the same as a sport package non xi model.

im in need of new suspension as well, looking to lower a tiny bit as well. thinking about an inch or so tops. i have read a ton of reviews but have yet to see someone comment on bavatuo. They have a set on their website that is bilstein sport shocks and bavauto springs. anyone care to comment or have experience? they are selling the set for $625

DO NOT go with bavauto springs.

The line that lowering an XI will kill your front axles is a freagin MYTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a myth passed on by those who have zero first hand experience.

Yes, lowering an XI changes the front axle geometry, but the front axles have inboard and outboard CV joints, thus they are designed for changing geometry applications!!!!

What will happen. When you lower your XI, it will change the load on the CV boot clamps. From factory, these clamps are very poor and are not a good design for sealing the boots. Gone unchecked, your boots will empty of grease and the joint will fail and fanboys will groan that the lowing springs did it. BS!!!!

If you install new boot clamps, preferably the more robust type, not the cheap chinese or even OEM ones, you will be fine. I have 23k miles on my lowered XI and have had zero axle issues.

LOWERING AN XI DOES NOT KILL THE AXLES !!!!!!! POOR CLAMPS ARE TO BLAME!!!

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

DO NOT go with bavauto springs.

Seems to me like they are re-branded H&R springs...

I'm trying to make a decision on suspension parts for my car as well. Like a lot of XIers, I'm looking for a modest drop and tightening things up without frigging up the frontend too much. After lots of research and chatting with a few board members here, I'm somewhere between Koni sports + Eibach prokit or Bilstein Sports + Eibach prokit.

Shox.com has a set of Konis on for $551, and Turner Motorsports has Bilsteins for $440. You should be able to pick up Eibachs for around $250.

Originally Posted by Mark M

If you install new boot clamps, preferably the more robust type, not the cheap chinese or even OEM ones, you will be fine.

Agree with you on this, I change the boot because was leaking, and when I went under the car I notice that the boot wasn't broke, it was the poor fitting of the clamp ( the big one ) , anyway I change the boot just because I have the kit.

Mark, What is the lowering set on your car ?
How many inches ?
How is the ride ?

I do not know if someone already ask you this .

Thanks,

Originally Posted by cardsfan007

im in need of new suspension as well, looking to lower a tiny bit as well. thinking about an inch or so tops. i have read a ton of reviews but have yet to see someone comment on bavatuo. They have a set on their website that is bilstein sport shocks and bavauto springs. anyone care to comment or have experience? they are selling the set for $625

Do not get bavauto! biggest waste of money ever and an expensive lesson. front is raised higher while rear is dropped by an inch. they are made by some unknown german manufacturer with a bavauto stamp. it was a pain to get bav auto to reimburse me some of the install/removal costs. they have no knowledge of XI's

Originally Posted by Ivanhoe

Agree with you on this, I change the boot because was leaking, and when I went under the car I notice that the boot wasn't broke, it was the poor fitting of the clamp ( the big one ) , anyway I change the boot just because I have the kit.

Mark, What is the lowering set on your car ?
How many inches ?
How is the ride ?

I do not know if someone already ask you this .

Thanks,

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...67&postcount=1

Not sure if he re-used the coilover kit after the accident but that's the setup he ran for a while.

Originally Posted by E-rock

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...67&postcount=1

Not sure if he re-used the coilover kit after the accident but that's the setup he ran for a while.

Yup, coilovers did not take any damage. They are still on the car and are performing fine.

Mark M, thanks for giving me hope buying coils right now.

i have koni with eibach, didnt lose much ride quality. also gave it a decent drop. (refer to the sig photo) something tirerack.com has koni struts on sale for a good price.

I just purchased h&r springs for my xi and I Dont want to burn through tires so How do you align it after. I dont have camber plates or anything like that. Ive done research and Ive found that dealerships and shops will say you cant fix it because of the springs...

^ Get them to go as far as they can without camber plates. That's the best you can do. There is a pin on the upper strut mount that can be knocked out to give a little more adjustment room.

How much will the pin help? Is there negative effects of that

Originally Posted by TheModdedXI

How much will the pin help? Is there negative effects of that

I have no idea and no as long as the top nuts are torqued properly.

maybe you should try calling H&R tech support. I'm sure they have their own alignment specs afterall they did design these springs

What are some good website to buy from? I'm going to buy some for my 330xi, sorry I don't have a lot of knowledge on suspension components. Thanks

Turner Motorsports, UUC, EST Tuning. Not hard to find at all.