[Lotus99]

So I've been missing the handling of my old 535 wagon with sway bars on it, so this was the first step in getting the handling (and looks) of the X3 improved.

Actually, this was the second step. The first one was adding 12 mm spacers up front, and 20 mm spacers in the rear.

My car's already got the sport suspension fortunately (option 226), which comes with different springs, struts and sway bars (confirmed via RealOEM). So YMMV in terms of comparisons.


DECISION MAKING PROCESS - COILOVERS OR SPRINGS?

I briefly toyed with getting KW V2 coilovers (Part #: 1522000Z) for the car, as they would have dropped it even more than springs. I've got their V2 coilovers on my 335 and love them. They say:

Front Lowering: 1.2" to 2.0"
Rear Lowering: 1.2" to 2.4"

But at $2000 US for the kit plus install, as much as I'd have loved to do so, I couldn't justify it for what's not my DD.


SPRINGS IT WILL BE - CHOICES:

Eibach USA seems to have different specs for NA than their Euro springs, and it's less of a drop it seems:

Europe Part #: E10-20-024-02-22 – 30 mm lowering F&R
US website: # 20119.540 Front: 1.0 in / 25 mm | Rear: 0.5 in / 12.5 mm

KW / ST also make springs Part #: 28220160 – 30 mm lowering. They make quality stuff, but are hard to get here, and there are no reviews on them.

AC Schnitzer: 30 mm lowering - Way too expensive, and no reviews!

H&R - had the biggest drops at 1.4” F / 35 mm, 1.3” R / 33 mm, and notwithstanding one big negative review on them (the owner saying they were so harsh that he returned his car to stock springs), I went ahead with them, as quite a few dealers I talked to said H&R does their homework on BMW's and should be good. Their Part # is 28926-1.


REVIEW AND RESULTS

First off, after having driven them for a day, I have to say I'm super pleased. No harshness at all. Ride is a bit firmer as expected, and definitely feels more planted around corners. Driving around the city for 50 miles, I've not gone over any sections of road where I felt it was too harsh and wished it was softer. I don't know how the other owner felt they were that bad. Perhaps the stiffer springs are a better match with the already stiffer sport shocks.

I took pre and post measurements (after 50 miles of driving), which are from fender to center of the hub:

PRE
F: 440 mm
R: 435 mm

POST
F: 402 mm
R: 410 mm

DROP
F: 38 mm
R: 25 mm


The rear drop isn't anywhere near what's advertised, and I have heard they won't settle much more, so I wonder if it's because I was already on sport springs.


*** Note that right now, I'm riding on my winter setup, which are Bridgestone Blizzak WS80's (non runflat) on 18" rims, so I do expect that it will be even firmer when I switch back to the regular setup of my 19" rims on Goodyear Eagle LS-2 RFT's. ***

Some pics. The first one is taken before, though it's with the 19" wheels (they are the same diameter as the 18's, so the gap would be the same).
.

[nyalpine90]

I would put black grill on, already have amber blacked out.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

I would put black grill on, already have amber blacked out.

You noticed my dislike for chrome and orange? On my 535 wagon, the reflector was built into the bumper, so it was easy to just have it painted to match the car's colour. Not the case on the X3.

I've got a stealth turn signal bulb up front, and put black vinyl overlay on the headlights, as you can tell. I actually ordered the black gloss grills a few weeks ago and just need to install them now.

Next, I might put black vinyl on the roof, and I'm toying with plasti-dipping my summer wheels black.

Then for the rear, I've got light smoke tint which I'll cover the rear tails with, and will plasti dip the X3 badge black. I typically debadge my cars, but I might try this look first.

[nyalpine90]

i dont know why i chose carbon black, at first i wanted change of color instead of white..

now i want white..

black grill will be a nice touch

[ianfp]

The suspension setup on your car looks great and I really like your winter wheels - the best I have seen!

[guyver626]

Nice car. What's the exact name of that cargo box and how long is it?? Thanks

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by ianfp

The suspension setup on your car looks great and I really like your winter wheels - the best I have seen!

Thank you very much. Feels like a Euro height car now. Like how SQ5's over in Europe are lower than in NA. The wheels are OEM style 135's off my last car, the 535 wagon.

Originally Posted by guyver626

Nice car. What's the exact name of that cargo box and how long is it?? Thanks

Thanks. That's a Thule Atlantis 1200, AKA Force Alpine now. It also came off my wagon. Its Dimensions are 81.5 L x 24.5 W x 17 H. It's only 12 cu. ft. capacity, which is on the smaller side, but it's served us well for years, and it wasn't that often I wished I had more space. I still get to use half the trunk when we travel. The other half is taken up by our German Shepherd. I chose it because it was narrow at 24" wide, vs. the typical 36", so I could put a few bikes up top with it as well in the summers.

My only gripe right now is that the car being as high as it is (which was never a problem with the wagon), the combined height of the box and the car is too high for almost all car garages around. I'm at about 85" IIRC - 65.5" for the car (though 1" lower now ), plus 20" for the box and the cargo feet.

So I've been debating getting a lower profile box, so I don't have to worry about underground garages, but the downside is that it might not be as useful with a 10" internal height... I can go 36" wide now also, as the bikes are behind the car on a hitch rack.

I'm considering the Yakima Skybox LoPro or the Lo Carbonite, which is only 11.5" high, and 15 cu ft. Its Dimensions are L 92.00” x W 36.00” x H 11.50”. So it would be 10" longer than mine, and overhang the windshield a bit alas. The Thule version of it, called the Sonic Alpine is even longer, but narrower at 27.5", and only has 10 cu ft. So it's a pass.

I'd get more space up top, though at a reduced interior height. If my calculations work out, I've got a 64.5" high car, plus the box, plus 3" of feet, and I should come in just under 80" high total, which is where most garages cut off at around here.

[Tjalle]

There are a lot of INFO re. lowering X4:s on X4 forum: "Lowering X4" and "X4 35d - Switzerland"- with adjustable air suspension.

[Lotus99]

I've now added a "before" picture of the car in the first post.

[Crashnbrn5]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

I've now added a "before" picture of the car in the first post.

looks great, smart choice

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

I would put black grill on, already have amber blacked out.

PS They're on sale for only $40 including shipping from ECS Tuning:

https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2739940/

[jmxIII]

Very nice, I have been contemplating to do the same for a while now. I too have the M Sport, did you have it done package or did you order the H&Rs and had it done? How much was the total cost and where was it done? My location is Toronto.

Thanks in advance and cheers to your great set-up!

[rodneychan]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

PS They're on sale for only $40 including shipping from ECS Tuning:

https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2739940/

The shipping to Canada is extra $50.. that's a lot..

[3002 tii]

What size is that Thule cargo box?

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by jmxIII

Very nice, I have been contemplating to do the same for a while now. I too have the M Sport, did you have it done package or did you order the H&Rs and had it done? How much was the total cost and where was it done? My location is Toronto.

Thanks in advance and cheers to your great set-up!

Hi, I'm on the West Coast. Not sure what you mean by "have it done package". The local distributor sells them for $360 CAD, and they charged me $400 for install, plus $120 for alignment. I'd call around a few places, because I was quoted up to 8 hours book time for it at one shop, whereas these guys were cool, and charged me 4 hours, which is their standard rate.

The tech did mention that it was a little bit of a PITA, as the interior trim does need to come out in the rear in some places for him to reach the bolts for the shocks from the inside.

[jmxIII]

Thanks, I mean "package" as in springs and all provided for in one price. Anyway you explain it well and got the information needed. Too bad your not nearby so I can go to your guys place and have it done. Will do check places over here and try to get similar great service and quotes.

Cheers!

[ornithology]

Curious, since you're in Vancouver (N.van it looks like), do you mind telling me where you bought the springs and installed them? What was the total including installation?

Thanks!