[Tjalle]

I have lowered my X4 - review and pictures in X4 forum.
There seem to be no one else. Since same springs for X3 - any experience?

[Portimao318]

No offence, but why would anyone lower an X3 (or X4) ?
First you buy a car with extra ground clearance, a wonderful raised drivingposition and four wheel drive, and than you would lower it, thus making the fourwheeldrive useless for offroad, and reducing your higher driving position...... makes no sense to me.

If you want a low car buy a BMW 3 series, I would say.

[MartinHattingh]

Exactly Endre2, if I could raise the suspension on my X3 slightly, I would be very happy. I got it specifically because of AWD, OK-ish ground clearance (which I fully utilise) and the ability to lug my mountain bikes up slippery, dusty and muddy jeeptracks to where the good trails start. All of this in a package that still drives mostly like a sedan for the 90% of time spent on tar. If you want something low, get a 3 or 5 series.

I think we're in the minority on these forums!

[plymjack]

Originally Posted by MartinHattingh

I think we're in the minority on these forums!

No I think thats why most of us buy an X3 - If I wanted a lower one I would get an X1 ifI wanted a higher one I would get an X5....

[plymjack]

and at OP - again without pics or a link to them its harder for others to comment.

Like I said on other thread it looks OK on the X4 but doubt it would make much difference on the X3.

[Tjalle]

To me, X3 is a "normal" SUV - and it fits with the current ride height.
X4 is, in my eyes, a combi coupe - built on a SUV platform (X3) and should have "normal" fit - wheel/wheelhouse.
BMW choose to maintain X3 rideheight - probably because of US rules, which benefits SUV:s/pick-ups - one criterium being 8" groundclearence.
I tried a 3-series GT, but it was to cramp and had bad in/out.

X4 meets all of my criteria:
-looks
-petrol (gas) inline six
- very good 8-speed AUTO/man
-very good AWD
-easy in/out

Living i Europe, high seating is not so important - even a lowered X4 fulfills req.

[MartinHattingh]

OK, fair enough Tjalle. Good luck with your investigation!

You're correct in saying that the X3/X4 is much easier to get into and out of than a 3-series (normal or GT).

[Portimao318]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

Living i Europe, high seating is not so important - even a lowered X4 fulfills req.

I live in Europe too, but to me high seating is very important. I like the elevated view over the road. Also, because of problems with my back, I don't want a low car to get in and out .

But everybody has his own preferences, and that's just fine.

[VinX3]

OP, there are a few members who lowered their X3 with H&R springs. Check out the Photo Gallery Section.

I'm not going to lower my X3, but I do understand why some people would do it. One reason is for aesthetic by reducing the wheel gap. Second is having less body rolls, and the car will be flatter during cornering. Depending on youruse and lifestyle, not everyone needs the extra clearance that SUV provides.

[Lotus99]

For you guys over in Europe, don't forget, we don't get any of the beautiful larger wagons anymore that you do. Like the 5 series wagon, or the A6 Avant... So for those of us here in North America, who do love wagons, this is why we might want to lower an SUV:

I'm about to hopefully buy an X3 35, and have been considering right off the bat lowering it, with either just springs or coilovers.

I don't know why people think it is such a big deal, 1st of all. Clearly there are many other people who want to do so, and it makes sense to a certain segment of the market, which is why the Audi SQ5 exists (comes factory lowered in Europe as you know, but not here to make it easy for certification as a light truck), Porsche makes the GTS Cayenne, and even BMW makes the X5M and X6M.

You're dropping the car 1 inch - that's 2.5 cm's for you Euros. So the ground clearance will go from 8 inches to 7 inches. Big whoopee. 99% of people with X3's, will never go off road, nor notice a difference between 7 and 8 inches of clearance.

As far as why I would do it, as I said I am coming from a beautiful BMW 535 wagon, and if there were any luxury wagons of that size still available here in North America, I would be all over them. But unfortunately the way the market here has gone, wagons have become extinct. Mercedes right now is the only one bringing over such a wagon, the E wagon. Besides the amazing handling of the wagon, which is the same as its sedan, the extra height of the roof is also a pain because I leave a roof box on the car all year long, but never have any problems entering underground garages. So that's one thing that is going to change right away now with an SUV.

[Tjalle]

Ski box is a pain even with my lowered X4 - I could not enter my garage. Box stored in roof of garage. Had to install my box on daughters SAAB 9-5, when we went skiing.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

Ski box is a pain even with my lowered X4 - I could not enter my garage. Box stored in roof of garage. Had to install my box on daughters SAAB 9-5, when we went skiing.

Different boxes are different heights of course. But any clue with yours, what is the minimum limit in height for a garage you can enter in, with the box on? Have you measured the total height of your car with the box on?

On my wagon, 2.3 meters (7 foot 6 inches) was the minimum clearance I needed with my box not to scrape, and almost all garages were fine.

Based on what I've read online, the X3 is about 20 cm (7 inches) taller than the 535 wagon.

[Tjalle]

Entry to my garage is 210 cm - no go for any box on X4. I have to make do with skirack - or use my 9000 MY-97.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

Entry to my garage is 210 cm - no go for any box on X4. I have to make do with skirack - or use my 9000 MY-97.

OK, Sounds like your garage is lower than the typical North American height, so even my wagon wouldn't have fit with the box. :-)