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      12-05-2012, 07:51 AM   #1
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Best suspension options to lower F30 xDrive cars

What are the best options available to drop 'xDrive + M-Sport + dynamic handling' equipped vehicles?


I've been thinking about this ever since I ordered my car! Thanks.
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      12-05-2012, 09:47 AM   #2
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There might not be a good option. Apparently there are mechanical reasons why BMW doesn't sell the xDrive with the 10mm lower sport suspension, and we don't know how well the adaptive m suspension will work with different springs.
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      12-05-2012, 10:11 AM   #3
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Get the springs off the rear drive M sport. There will be plenty available here for cheap because so many people swap out suspension. For the cost you wont beat it. If you want more I would go KW or another fully adjustable system. PM some vendors and they will be able to give you the best answer.
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      12-05-2012, 10:26 AM   #4
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As far as I know there still aren't any...not a bad idea on the MSport oem springs though...

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...Xdrive+springs
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      12-05-2012, 11:22 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shicobico View Post
What are the best options available to drop 'xDrive + M-Sport + dynamic handling' equipped vehicles?
I've been thinking about this ever since I ordered my car! Thanks.
If it's not too late, maybe you should change your order to RWD and save $2000 !
With proper snow tires installed for winter, I have never been stuck driving BMWs over the past 28 years.
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      12-05-2012, 11:56 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS View Post
If it's not too late, maybe you should change your order to RWD and save $2000 !
With proper snow tires installed for winter, I have never been stuck driving BMWs over the past 28 years.
Best option for drop is RWD.
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      12-05-2012, 12:07 PM   #7
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I too am waiting for an option on the xdrive msport. it ll take more time, but im sure something will be available by next summer or hopefully spring.

thing is, when i put non bmw approved michelin non runflat winter tires on my car the other day, the bastard DSC system completely blocked my car from receiving power above 80 kph. what im trying to say is, if even tires make this xdrive dsc system flip out i fear it may get very cumbersome when it comes to springs.
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      12-05-2012, 12:29 PM   #8
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There are far more implications to lowering an xDrive car than you might imagine. For starters, you just wasted a bunch of money on dynamic handling if you opt to change the springs.
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      12-05-2012, 12:59 PM   #9
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I actually like the height on my xDrive, no need to lower it.
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      12-05-2012, 02:07 PM   #10
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So, no good options yet. x(

My current car is a rear wheel 330i and 6 MT. My next car is an xDrive, auto. That's what having a baby does to the way you think.
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      12-05-2012, 02:51 PM   #11
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Only lowered xdrive f30 I've seen on the forum

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...ight=Kelleners
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      12-05-2012, 03:08 PM   #12
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I wouldn't change the springs as the adaptive suspension is specifically tuned for the stock setup. Also lowering the car may affect some of the drive train geometry in a negative way. I know when I lifted my truck in my 4x4 days it was something I had to take into account. I would opt for the OEM 19" wheels, they hide the xDrive ride height very well.

Here is a side shot of my car with 19" OEM 403s:



and for comparisons sake here is my car with an 18" winter setup. It looks higher even though the suspension is the same:

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      12-05-2012, 04:15 PM   #13
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It's probably just me, but I still prefer the 18".
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      12-05-2012, 05:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS View Post
If it's not too late, maybe you should change your order to RWD and save $2000 !
With proper snow tires installed for winter, I have never been stuck driving BMWs over the past 28 years.
Derek, I hope you have never been stuck because it snows like 2 days a year in Vancouver. More important in the case of Vancouver is how the Xdrive helps with traction on wet and slick roads.......How are you finding your rough and noisy winter tires in Vancouver's rainy December 8 degree celcius weather? Didn't I read on this forum that you put sandbags in your rear wheel drive BMW in winter.....must be great for handling in your $60,000 sports sedan
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      12-05-2012, 06:35 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteNJ View Post

Btw, what style wheels here (18 inch setup)? They look pretty sharp.
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      12-05-2012, 06:40 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS View Post
If it's not too late, maybe you should change your order to RWD and save $2000 !
With proper snow tires installed for winter, I have never been stuck driving BMWs over the past 28 years.
Well, how much snow do you get where you live? We get a lot of it around here. Its no joke. And it's no fun being stuck on the side of the road in the middle of a storm in freezing temperatures. Believe me, I've given it a lot of thought before switching back to xDrive.
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      12-05-2012, 06:42 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK View Post
Derek, I hope you have never been stuck because it snows like 2 days a year in Vancouver. More important in the case of Vancouver is how the Xdrive helps with traction on wet and slick roads.......How are you finding your rough and noisy winter tires in Vancouver's rainy December 8 degree celcius weather? Didn't I read on this forum that you put sandbags in your rear wheel drive BMW in winter.....must be great for handling in your $60,000 sports sedan
Actually during some winters, we have had considerable amounts of snow on the ground for up to several weeks at a time, eg. 1995/96, 2005/6. Only when the snow becomes deep in our lane, do I resort to placing 50 lbs of sand in the trunk for extra traction. It does not have a significant effect on the car's handling.

The Pirelli 240 Sottozero II winter tires that I have on my car are neither rough nor noisy. In fact they are very quiet at speeds up to 130 kph. As for handling, these tires have very good grip in the wet - absolutely no complaints.

Hope you are enjoying your Xdrive as much as I am enjoying my RWD M Sport.
They are both great cars and they both offer major improvements over the previous E9X series !!!
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Last edited by DerekS; 12-05-2012 at 07:24 PM..
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      12-06-2012, 08:09 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shicobico View Post
Btw, what style wheels here (18 inch setup)? They look pretty sharp.
Thanks they are Elbrus I08 from Tire Rack:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...t=wheelCloseUp

Nice and cheap, perfect for a winter set.
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      12-08-2012, 06:24 PM   #19
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I need this help too haha...
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      12-09-2012, 02:08 AM   #20
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im in the same boat.. got the dynamic handling as well, probably gonna get KW's when there available, its gonna take time though
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      12-10-2012, 04:32 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS
Quote:
Originally Posted by shicobico View Post
What are the best options available to drop 'xDrive + M-Sport + dynamic handling' equipped vehicles?
I've been thinking about this ever since I ordered my car! Thanks.
If it's not too late, maybe you should change your order to RWD and save $2000 !
With proper snow tires installed for winter, I have never been stuck driving BMWs over the past 28 years.
Lol true...
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      12-11-2012, 04:53 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by giorgioarmani
I too am waiting for an option on the xdrive msport. it ll take more time, but im sure something will be available by next summer or hopefully spring.

thing is, when i put non bmw approved michelin non runflat winter tires on my car the other day, the bastard DSC system completely blocked my car from receiving power above 80 kph. what im trying to say is, if even tires make this xdrive dsc system flip out i fear it may get very cumbersome when it comes to springs.
Same sh!t :-( . I gonna drive this winter with DSC off above 80km/h and put square 8x18 all around setup next winter.
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