[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by PJinCA

As Doubles pointed out - any springs alone will greatly reduce the life of your OEM struts/shocks. I will be doing a drop as well, but I will go coilovers, adjustable coilovers can provide just as comfortable a ride as OEM shocks. Best street option is KW, but those can be $3k, they have a more budget friendly version called ST Suspension (made by KW in Germany). Then there are a host of good and even more budget friendly options: H&R, Bilstein, BC, Megan, K-Sport, etc

You can get some KWv1's for $1360 no EDC

[Bmw doubles]

My Koni's cost 1010 and the Eibach sport springs were had for 250 so 1300 is a about what you're going to spend on suspension minus install costs. Once you're shocks blow you're going to hate your ride. Get the shocks with the springs or get coilovers. I found these on eBay for 800 but not sure about Megan.
http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/161926889791

[PJinCA]

I am thinking of going with these:
http://www.stsuspensions.com/product...kit-13947.html
Or CKS

[Bmw doubles]

Originally Posted by PJinCA

I am thinking of going with these:
http://www.stsuspensions.com/product...kit-13947.html
Or CKS

Seems like a good product and about 1200 for coilovers seems perfect. Wonder how our heavier cars perform on them.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by PJinCA

I am thinking of going with these:
http://www.stsuspensions.com/product...kit-13947.html
Or CKS

only thing about the ST's are they are not corosion resistant. i was gonna go with those but ended up getting Red's KWv1's! spend the extra few hundred and get the KWv1's!

[2tek]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

only thing about the ST's are they are not corosion resistant. i was gonna go with those but ended up getting Red's KWv1's! spend the extra few hundred and get the KWv1's!

How is the ride?

I'm looking at replacing shocks too, think I might have blown one with my Acs Springs.

I'm caught between
a. Going coilover and selling the ACS Springs (though I like the drop with them and handling)
b. Keeping the ACS Springs and just getting shocks eg Koni, Bilstein etc.

It's my daily driver and will never be raced on a track. And I don't think I will be doing any tinkering with the adjustments option that the V2 and V3 KW offers.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by 2tek

How is the ride?

I'm looking at replacing shocks too, think I might have blown one with my Acs Springs.

I'm caught between
a. Going coilover and selling the ACS Springs (though I like the drop with them and handling)
b. Keeping the ACS Springs and just getting shocks eg Koni, Bilstein etc.

It's my daily driver and will never be raced on a track. And I don't think I will be doing any tinkering with the adjustments option that the V2 and V3 KW offers.

Don't have them just yet as I'm in the process of getting them. I knew from just going with springs you shorten the overall life span of the stock OEM shocks. As you can see some of you guys are blowing the shocks already. I won't be tracking my car and that's why I was only interested in just the KWV1's. For you like u mentioned have 2 options to go with depending on $? Fellow member here posted the Bilstein shocks run for $734 and I'm sure the Koni's run about the same price. If it were me I would sell the ACS springs and pickup the KWv1's for $1360.

[PJinCA]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

Don't have them just yet as I'm in the process of getting them. I knew from just going with springs you shorten the overall life span of the stock OEM shocks. As you can see some of you guys are blowing the shocks already. I won't be tracking my car and that's why I was only interested in just the KWV1's. For you like u mentioned have 2 options to go with depending on $? Fellow member here posted the Bilstein shocks run for $734 and I'm sure the Koni's run about the same price. If it were me I would sell the ACS springs and pickup the KWv1's for $1360.

Hmm, the KW V1s can be a good option. As you said, I will not be tracking my car either. Between needing to keep a "family friendly ride" and my back not being the same after the accident, fully stiff coilovers aren't really realistic anymore.

[lsturbointeg]

U might want to opt for some coilovers with dampening controls than...or go air suspension

[2tek]

KW Coilover Street Comfort inox (1499euros) or KW Coilover Variant 1 inox (1269 euros).

Not looking for a boy racer slammed look, but a nice drop.

Money isnt an issue as i want the most comfortable option if i'm doing coilovers. I spend a minimum of two hours daily doing motorway commute.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by PJinCA

Hmm, the KW V1s can be a good option. As you said, I will not be tracking my car either. Between needing to keep a "family friendly ride" and my back not being the same after the accident, fully stiff coilovers aren't really realistic anymore.

If you are interested, I got a used KW V2 that is up for sale, just haven't got a chance to clean it up and take a picture for posting.
It has the stock uppermount already, those itself will save you at least 1 hour of labor.
Let me know if you are interested, I am local to you anyway.

[eduardomi]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

If you are interested, I got a used KW V2 that is up for sale, just haven't got a chance to clean it up and take a picture for posting.
It has the stock uppermount already, those itself will save you at least 1 hour of labor.
Let me know if you are interested, I am local to you anyway.

Gaining some interest and local. Please post or send pics and price

[eduardomi]

Guys, before going any further with drop options...dropping your car would void any suspension warranty, right?

I mean, either coilovers or spring/shock combo...as far as they are non-stock I understand it would void your suspension warranty?

I am in SoCal and I have heard wonders about Charlie @ McKenna for a SA. Have any of you guys taken your car with him or have you been refused service or warranty work due to the drop there or somewhere else?

I have at least 3 more years of warranty so I am kind worried.

A penny for your thoughts.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by eduardomi

Gaining some interest and local. Please post or send pics and price

It is posted in classifieds section already.

Warranty wise, BMW shouldn't void any warranty until they can prove that the damage or failure is caused by the aftermarket parts.
Had a few customers that had experience with Charlie, sounds like a pretty cool guy.
And keep in mind when you do mod your car, the rule is to be willing to take the risk in your own hand.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

It is posted in classifieds section already.

Warranty wise, BMW shouldn't void any warranty until they can prove that the damage or failure is caused by the aftermarket parts.
Had a few customers that had experience with Charlie, sounds like a pretty cool guy.
And keep in mind when you do mod your car, the rule is to be willing to take the risk in your own hand.

i've always wondered after lowering the car should you take it to the dealership or any independent shop just so the dealer doesn't give you grief for lowering the car

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

i've always wondered after lowering the car should you take it to the dealership or any independent shop just so the dealer doesn't give you grief for lowering the car

Depending on your dealership.
In my case, they don't give me any trouble.
But I wouldn't trust them with my premium wheels though.
So whenever I have to bring the car in, I always put the stock on.
And I do suggest to raise your car if your car is slammed.
I think there is a disclaimer somewhere saying that they are not responsible for any damages.
So if they scrapped your front bumper or scratch your aftermarket wheel, they may not want to be held liable. Even if they do, the hassle is much more painstaking then swapping the wheel or raising the car a little bit.
Of course if you have extra change, I would bring it to an independent shop where they are knowledgeable with modded car.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Depending on your dealership.
In my case, they don't give me any trouble.
But I wouldn't trust them with my premium wheels though.
So whenever I have to bring the car in, I always put the stock on.
And I do suggest to raise your car if your car is slammed.
I think there is a disclaimer somewhere saying that they are not responsible for any damages.
So if they scrapped your front bumper or scratch your aftermarket wheel, they may not want to be held liable. Even if they do, the hassle is much more painstaking then swapping the wheel or raising the car a little bit.
Of course if you have extra change, I would bring it to an independent shop where they are knowledgeable with modded car.

damn...i have a scheduled oil change this Friday and my 21's are on right now. i don't want them to accidentally scratch the wheels but at the same time my OEM wheels have bubbles on both front wheels. you know how sometimes the dealer won't release your car back to you because they say it's a safety issue and they can be held accountable just in case say your tire blows on the way home?

[Vapiano]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Depending on your dealership.
In my case, they don't give me any trouble.
But I wouldn't trust them with my premium wheels though.
So whenever I have to bring the car in, I always put the stock on.
And I do suggest to raise your car if your car is slammed.
I think there is a disclaimer somewhere saying that they are not responsible for any damages.
So if they scrapped your front bumper or scratch your aftermarket wheel, they may not want to be held liable. Even if they do, the hassle is much more painstaking then swapping the wheel or raising the car a little bit.
Of course if you have extra change, I would bring it to an independent shop where they are knowledgeable with modded car.

Picked up my car today from the dealer after an oil change service, they're a Dinan authorized dealer. I had them install the Dinan Springs and Ride Quality/Handling Kit as well. One of the benefits of Dinan products is keeping your factory warranty.

Getting back to the springs, it's funny how on some cars the drop is only 1/2 inch and others it's 3/4 inches or somewhere in between. I was very pleased when I picked my car up that the drop for me was 3/4 inches. It gives the car a more aggressive look and much better handling. I was impressed off right off the bat, it's amazing what a drop does for body roll. Turn in and holding a line mid corner is much improved. The ride quality changed just a bit, the car doesn't have that overall executive ride feel anymore, which can be boring at times, it has a little edge to it now and I like it. Braking has improved as well, feels like the car has steel braided brake lines and more aggressive pads since it no longer nose dives.

All in all, I am very happy with the upgrade, coupled with JB4, the car is a now a perfect daily driver.

[Bmw doubles]

Originally Posted by Vapiano

Picked up my car today from the dealer after an oil change service, they're a Dinan authorized dealer. I had them install the Dinan Springs and Ride Quality/Handling Kit as well. One of the benefits of Dinan products is keeping your factory warranty.

Getting back to the springs, it's funny how on some cars the drop is only 1/2 inch and others it's 3/4 inches or somewhere in between. I was very pleased when I picked my car up that the drop for me was 3/4 inches. It gives the car a more aggressive look and much better handling. I was impressed off right off the bat, it's amazing what a drop does for body roll. Turn in and holding a line mid corner is much improved. The ride quality changed just a bit, the car doesn't have that overall executive ride feel anymore, which can be boring at times, it has a little edge to it now and I like it. Braking has improved as well, feels like the car has steel braided brake lines and more aggressive pads since it no longer nose dives.

All in all, I am very happy with the upgrade, coupled with JB4, the car is a now a perfect daily driver.

Pics!

[Errowen]

Originally Posted by dadysev

Tonnes of posts on this. I was thinking of doing a thread with pics of he most popular spring choices
H&R
Eibach
ACS
Dinan - that's what I went with as its only a 1/2 - 3/4 inch drop. Makes the car look like it should have come stock. I'm older and don't want it slammed.

I posted in another thread -- based on experience -- a strong recommendation that you get the Dinan bump stops, regardless of which spring you get. There is an explanation of the engineering involved in the stops, which are part of the car's suspension, not just a bumper, on the Dinan site.

I also think Dinan has the ride height right. I chose H&R, and I love the look, but I've had to change my driving style to accommodate them. I notice the change in driving whenever I switch from my lowered 535i to my wife's stock 135i: what a treat to back out of the driveway without having to stop to ease the fronts down at the point where the driveway meets the road to avoid a scrape.

[Chili Palmer]

I'm running ACS springs on my 550 for the last 2-1/2 years and over 50,000 miles, not a lick of problem with the stock shocks, no leaks, no continuous bouncing, just working like they should. Maybe the shocks that did blow were bad units to begin with and would have blown anyway with the stock springs. Maybe it was just a coincidence that the blew after you installed lower springs?

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by Chili Palmer

I'm running ACS springs on my 550 for the last 2-1/2 years and over 50,000 miles, not a lick of problem with the stock shocks, no leaks, no continuous bouncing, just working like they should. Maybe the shocks that did blow were bad units to begin with and would have blown anyway with the stock springs. Maybe it was just a coincidence that the blew after you installed lower springs?

could also be the driver too? i've seen guys drive over speed bumps like they weren't even there