Got a 330i today, few questions. (Cry Mango, CRY.)

Hello everyone, I bought a 330i today, and the PO had the front end lowered by cutting the springs. I'm looking into getting a set of springs. The car's front, is LOW. Like, it's too low to even be in that hellaflush crap. The maintenance was good, and that was one of the reason of me buying it. The story of the car will come tomorrow, with pictures and all of that glory. BUt my question is, I'm down to either TEIN H.Techs, or H&R springs. Here's the link to the Tein's I'm looking at. Here's a link to the H&R's.
Goals of suspension job are to Raise the front a bit, and maybe lower the rear a bit, and level the car out. Lower than stock sport, but not low to the point of scraping.
Also, One of the headlight's have the black bezel, and one has the silver one, I'm thinking about just plasti-dipping the silver one, to make it match the black one. Would that be okay, and would the colors atleast somewhat match, as I plan to just get a black bezel from a junkyard in the near future. (Or from a fellow fanatic who is in Atlanta, either works)
Thank you guys, and again, thank you to all who gave me aid and comfort when I wrecked my last one.

Congrats on the new car.

How many miles are on it? It would be cheaper to buy a set of sport package springs for the front and then get new shocks and struts. I'd hope there isn't underlying issues because most people who cut their springs are to cheap to do anything else on the cars.

The old cutting springs forum folklore is not true. Ive seen people use this technique in the scca. You have to do it right and know how much more spring rate you getting tho. The question i want to ask is not what springs your going to put in there but how you expect the car to be aligned and not chew through your tires with just replacing the springs? Two options are....getting a set of sports package springs used off ebay and maybe the struts too if you so desire for better dampening rate. Or get a fully adustable suspension kit. Be prepared to shell out more than a grand for that though...

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

Congrats on the new car.

How many miles are on it? It would be cheaper to buy a set of sport package springs for the front and then get new shocks and struts. I'd hope there isn't underlying issues because most people who cut their springs are to cheap to do anything else on the cars.

130K. Luckily, there isn't anything wrong with the car. I took a mechanic with me when I went to see the car. All the lights came on and turned off, as normal, no codes were thrown, etc. If I can get just the front sport suspension, struts and springs, for less than 125, I'd do that. OEM is best right?

Originally Posted by Loaded325i

The old cutting springs forum folklore is not true. Ive seen people use this technique in the scca. You have to do it right and know how much more spring rate you getting tho. The question i want to ask is not what springs your going to put in there but how you expect the car to be aligned and not chew through your tires with just replacing the springs?

Gonna replace springs, and get an alignment. Shouldn't that work? I'm open to ANY advice you guys can give me, as I want it all. c:

Cut springs= bad sign
I once bought a car with a stick (from a tree) holding the window up and no regulator. Bad choice.


Sent from BimmerApp mobile app

Originally Posted by aahmed2016

130K. Luckily, there isn't anything wrong with the car. I took a mechanic with me when I went to see the car. All the lights came on and turned off, as normal, no codes were thrown, etc. If I can get just the front sport suspension, struts and springs, for less than 125, I'd do that. OEM is best right?

You can get the front sport springs for less than $100 most likely or you'll find people who sell the whole set for that price. But you are going to want to go ahead and replace the shocks/struts since you'll be replacing springs. I went with Bilstein Touring for $320 and they are great. With all the mounts and gaskets it came to $480 with tax. Ride is good, handling is good.

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

You can get the front sport springs for less than $100 most likely or you'll find people who sell the whole set for that price. But you are going to want to go ahead and replace the shocks/struts since you'll be replacing springs. I went with Bilstein Touring for $320 and they are great. With all the mounts and gaskets it came to $480 with tax. Ride is good, handling is good.

+1


With what hes talking about you will be in range for a stock alignment. but you want the car to be low to the ground right? anything with more than a half inch drop than stock (depending on the vehicle) will cause alignment difficulties. not sure about bmws since mine comes with the sports package. If you can find a full set of bmw sport suspension.4 springs 4 struts and both sway bars you will be more than enthused. I promise!.

Sorry i cant be more of help.

Whatever you do, do it right. Don't buy just springs. As for the bezels, paint both. Easy enough. And the rest, see sig, do it all. At least cooling.

No pics?

Congrats

Originally Posted by Mango

Whatever you do, do it right. Don't buy just springs. As for the bezels, paint both. Easy enough. And the rest, see sig, do it all. At least cooling.

No pics?

Congrats

Of course Mango! Lucky for me, the cooling system was done at 115K miles. PO said he did it because he wasn't sure of the original owner had done it. Maintenance is on point, but I might change the oil, just cause. Maybe the spark plugs as well, if the car is in need. This car is practically perfect, lol. Few cosmetic things here and there, but it drives beautifully.
<-- More pictures coming.

Go to Strictly German in Braselton.

I think everyone forgot that it was you who put the car through a house. Haha. Otherwise Mango's first advise would be to wrap the car in bubble wrap and throw away the key for you!

And your suspension from cut springs is going to be jacked. I cut the springs on my first car and almost instantly blew the shocks trying to drive over the streets of downtown Milwaukee. A full re-do is in order. Possibly consider a decent set of coilovers if you are in the market for a new setup. Thats the way I see it. Why re-do an OEM setup when trying to fix a problem if you were planning on upgrading down the road anyways. Apparently those street Edges are gaining some serious market share from what I have seen in the forums. More than a suspension refresh, but it will allow you to redo the entire car's suspension to your liking.

Originally Posted by aahmed2016

Of course Mango! Lucky for me, the cooling system was done at 115K miles. PO said he did it because he wasn't sure of the original owner had done it. Maintenance is on point, but I might change the oil, just cause. Maybe the spark plugs as well, if the car is in need. This car is practically perfect, lol. Few cosmetic things here and there, but it drives beautifully.
<-- More pictures coming.

highly doubt the PO replaced the entire cooling system. Nobody knows to do that unless they're a fanatic and follow my posts. and even then hardly here would do it. i'd double check your information and verify by way of receipts. otherwise assume it's not done.

and unless you can show me your oxygen sensors, engine, mounts, transmission mounts, coil boots, a/c service, battery, all fluids, filters, vr, fsr, etc. (forstarters) were done, maintenance is not "on point." Get to work, son.

Again, congrats

[QUOTE=aahmed2016;15447127]

Looks like you took that pic with a potato.

Also, might want to look into resizing your sig photo.

Congrats on the purchase! Be careful this time.

[QUOTE=TheJonRoss;15447209]

Originally Posted by aahmed2016

Looks like you took that pic with a potato.

Also, might want to look into resizing your sig photo.

Congrats on the purchase! Be careful this time.

Maybe he took that pic from behind glass as still grounded? Only joking, lovely car OP

How are you verifying the maintenance was done? If I saw a car with heated springs i'd think the exact opposite in terms of upkeep

Originally Posted by Mango

highly doubt the PO replaced the entire cooling system. Nobody knows to do that unless they're a fanatic and follow my posts. and even then hardly here would do it. i'd double check your information and verify by way of receipts. otherwise assume it's not done.

and unless you can show me your oxygen sensors, engine, mounts, transmission mounts, coil boots, a/c service, battery, all fluids, filters, vr, fsr, etc. (forstarters) were done, maintenance is not "on point." Get to work, son.

Again, congrats

Sir, yes sir! I will, first thing I'm getting at is an oil change and then I'm going to go back to the OEM sport suspension. It actually does need O2 sensors in bank 1 and 2, precat. (scanner told me) Gonna look up a DIY soon.

[QUOTE=TheJonRoss;15447209]

Originally Posted by aahmed2016

Looks like you took that pic with a potato.
Also, might want to look into resizing your sig photo.
Congrats on the purchase! Be careful this time.

Taken with an iPhone 3GS, lol. 'nuff said. Yeah, I will. All with time, my fellow kumquat.

Congrats on the "new" car! I enjoyed the tale of your previous one. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy this one for a few years.

Originally Posted by aahmed2016

Sir, yes sir! I will, first thing I'm getting at is an oil change and then I'm going to go back to the OEM sport suspension. It actually does need O2 sensors in bank 1 and 2, precat. (scanner told me) Gonna look up a DIY soon.

Didn't you say the maintenance was on point......



Sent from BimmerApp mobile app

Anyone that uses the phrase "on point" probably doesn't have the maintenance "on point". OP just watch out for houses and get to work on that service. It sounds like your new car needs to be completely gone over by a specialist to make sure everything is good. Don't trust any seller that cuts their springs when they tell you the maintenance is done. Good luck and keep the shiny side up.


Sent from BimmerApp mobile app