[scostu]

Parts soon.......

Suspension install soon...

Koni Special Active with Eibach Springs on 2016 F25 N20 with OEM non-Adaptive suspension.

[scostu]

So all the parts are here and it looks like one of the front struts is leaking and has markings like it was previously installed.....DOH!

Contacted Tire Rack .... sent pics .... and awaiting response.

UPDATE: per photos I submitted to Tirerack…..Koni will be shipping me a new front strut within the week and hopefully install will happen soon.

[scostu]

Springs...….….

[scostu]

Shocks...Struts...

[scostu]

I am going this option as I have followed these threads...…………..

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1529030

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1531759

[Wgosma]

Are you going to DIY the install or having a shop do the work?

[scostu]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Are you going to DIY the install or having a shop do the work?

My Indy mechanic. He was a Master Technician for BMW for 20+ years. Been going to him since 2006.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by scostu

My Indy mechanic. He was a Master Technician for BMW for 20+ years. Been going to him since 2006.

How many labor hours?

[scostu]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

How many labor hours?

6-7 hrs.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by scostu

6-7 hrs.

Thanks, good luck with new setup!

[x3sm]

Nice! Where did you buy the eibach springs?

[scostu]

Originally Posted by x3sm

Nice! Where did you buy the eibach springs?

Ebay vendor.....tunershop-worldwide... out of Naila, Bayern, Germany.

Took 3 days for delivery after purchased.

[WagonR]

The Koni Special Active are the shocks/struts that replaced the Koni FSDs, right? I know with the FSDs Koni was very specific that you were supposed to stay with the OEM spring. Something about how the shocks/struts were tuned that it required factory ride height and spring rates. Did you see anything about this for the Special Actives? I don't see anything on Koni's website, so maybe it's a non-issue now, but that seems a bit odd to me.

Edit - never mind, they say specifically on the website the Special Actives work with OEM or aftermarket springs. That's really cool. I look forward to the review!

[scostu]

Originally Posted by WagonR

The Koni Special Active are the shocks/struts that replaced the Koni FSDs, right? I know with the FSDs Koni was very specific that you were supposed to stay with the OEM spring. Something about how the shocks/struts were tuned that it required factory ride height and spring rates. Did you see anything about this for the Special Actives? I don't see anything on Koni's website, so maybe it's a non-issue now, but that seems a bit odd to me.

Edit - never mind, they say specifically on the website the Special Actives work with OEM or aftermarket springs. That's really cool. I look forward to the review!

Yes Special Active replaced the FSDs.

You will have to be selective on which springs to use...….I followed these very detailed threads and decided to do this suspension change.
SEE POST 5 ABOVE

Can't go really dropped springs like more than 1" .

[scostu]

Tire Rack review of Koni Special Active…………

https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/tests/koni_fsd.jsp

[pokerface]

We're on Eibach springs with stock non adaptives and 20" RFTs. Ride has gotten progressively worse after ~ 40,000kms (car has been driven 65,000kms total).

I'm contemplating going down to 19s non RFTs. Eventually will do a shock absorber refresh but hopefully the tire change will hold us off for a bit. Hope to hear some good feedback from your install!

[scostu]

Originally Posted by pokerface

We're on Eibach springs with stock non adaptives and 20" RFTs. Ride has gotten progressively worse after ~ 40,000kms (car has been driven 65,000kms total).

I'm contemplating going down to 19s non RFTs. Eventually will do a shock absorber refresh but hopefully the tire change will hold us off for a bit. Hope to hear some good feedback from your install!

I'm running 19" square GO FLAT tires....Conti DWS06. Within a 1000 miles after purchasing the X3, I dumped the OEM runflats and noticed an immediate improvement in ride handling.

I've also read several older posts that unless you have the OEM Adaptive Suspension on the F25 platform.....lower springs made the ride worse.

[x3sm]

Definitely need to upgrade the shocks to match the lowering springs. The other way I believe is to upgrade to OEM Adaptive springs along with nice Bilstein B4 Sports.

[TEF]

I would suspect that lowered springs, by their vary nature, would mean a harsher ride. Otherwise, the vehicle, with less spring travel, would hit its bump stops during normal driving. On the subject of 19 (and 20) inch wheels, these seem to be handsome affectations that don't add much. Replacement tires cost more, they ride harsher and both tire and rim that are more easily damaged. Moving from larger rims to smaller ones on an X3 can be amazing. Each Fall, I install 17" winter tires (non runflats) and it's hard to believe that this smooth riding vehicle is the same X3. The difference is even noticeable when switching from my OE 18" wheels to 17's.

For those who wanting customize his/her X3, that's great, however, every change to a vehicle's stock configuration can yield intended benefits (i.e. nimbler handling or better appearance), but often unintended ones as well (i.e. harsher ride and damage-prone wheels and tires). Also, it seems that these new problems often take the joy out of an expensive modification making one wish he/she had left things alone. Once again, this is not a criticism of those people customizing their cars.

[SmallDave]

Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the new setup, good luck!

[scostu]

Install completed.

Took a little over 7 hrs. $900.

Replaced rear bump stops and dust covers with new OEM. Indy mechanic said fronts looked in good shape. I have 40000 miles on odometer. Vehicle was initially leased in Jan 2016. I bought it used from dealer.

Going back in 7 days for alignment. I’ll post measurements of drop.

IMPRESSIONS.....the review by TireRack is spot on.

Reduced body roll but not completely gone. Turn in is sharper. Comfort mode is tighter in steering feel. Sport mode is tighter too. Bumps and dips on rode are still comfortable. There are a set of. Railroad tracks near my house and driving over them still feels very comfortable.

I’ve ridden in LOWERED vehicles and have felt the harshness and sometimes spine busting hits from dips.

[WagonR]

Any updates? Any ability to attribute changes to the shocks/struts vs. the springs? When you talk about being in comfort vs. sport mode; does the car have EDC? Does this setup regain EDC? Or is this related to the tuning outside of the suspension?