[ddives]

I want to share some thoughts on the topic of springs as I just completed the mod for my 2011 X-Drive. One thought is that I shouldn't have waited so long LOL!

My previous DD was a 335i which has a significantly more sporty drive than a heavier 5 but nonetheless my first drive in my 5 left me feeling "numb" from the road. A complaint but something I accepted because it's a bigger car.

Next, the fenderwell space was tragic from the factory. That's been a slight I have for all BMW's from the factory. Seems MB has figured this out, even a crappy C300 has ideal fenderwell coverage...sorry, back to the topic!

The issue of which spring was interesting because looking at the numbers, the AC Schnitzers are nearly unanimously favored but because they have less drop (and coilover doesn't exist for F10 X-Drives yet) I risked the HR.

Anyway, final results are amazing and the car lost the "numbness" and feels like a sporty car and by-golly it LOOKS like a sportier car now. Here's a few shots from my iPhone immediately after the springs were popped on. I would like a bit more drop so I feel that I wouldn't have been happy with the ACS. Oh, and ride quality: it feels closer to a 335 and I presume that if you wanted a softer and luxurious ride, you wouldn't be doing springs anyway!?

[ddives]

Just for reference reasons, here's what the pre-spring looked like.

[TMack]

Definitely looks much better! In fact, it could easily come down another 1/2" without looking too slammed. You might want to consider spacers in the rear to get a little bit more aggressive look on the cheap. Great job!

[sanyomats]

Looks awesome!! Congrats on this mod! This will be my first one...looking to have this done in a few weeks...

Spacers for rear sounds like a good idea!!

[sanyomats]

OP - which exhaust is that?

[ddives]

Originally Posted by sanyomats

OP - which exhaust is that?

It's an M6 OEM that I retrofitted. Actually bought it from a fellow poster here. It's not loud enough though so I may be going to a catback solution.

[blackboxmycar]

hows the ride though? I have H&R Sports Springs on my B8 A4 and the ride is very stiff. Ever since we got our new 5 series, I've been telling myself I will never lower a car again unless I get really good coils. haha..

[ddives]

Maybe this is subjective but I prefer the ride after the H&R springs. I have adaptive drive thing and with the factory 19" wheels and runflats it is an ideal ride. Not harsh whatsoever but more like a 335i.

[sanyomats]

Originally Posted by ddives

It's an M6 OEM that I retrofitted. Actually bought it from a fellow poster here. It's not loud enough though so I may be going to a catback solution.

Thanks! Consider the Litespeed full exhaust? I am looking to purchase and there is more bargaining power in numbers.....PM me if anything...

[tvd75]

Just put H&R on my 2012 Xdrive and it's night and day. The car felt like a suv with the 20" wheels before.

[Technic]

Good... now put some spacers.

Originally Posted by ddives

I want to share some thoughts on the topic of springs as I just completed the mod for my 2011 X-Drive. One thought is that I shouldn't have waited so long LOL!

My previous DD was a 335i which has a significantly more sporty drive than a heavier 5 but nonetheless my first drive in my 5 left me feeling "numb" from the road. A complaint but something I accepted because it's a bigger car.

Next, the fenderwell space was tragic from the factory. That's been a slight I have for all BMW's from the factory. Seems MB has figured this out, even a crappy C300 has ideal fenderwell coverage...sorry, back to the topic!

The issue of which spring was interesting because looking at the numbers, the AC Schnitzers are nearly unanimously favored but because they have less drop (and coilover doesn't exist for F10 X-Drives yet) I risked the HR.

Anyway, final results are amazing and the car lost the "numbness" and feels like a sporty car and by-golly it LOOKS like a sportier car now. Here's a few shots from my iPhone immediately after the springs were popped on. I would like a bit more drop so I feel that I wouldn't have been happy with the ACS. Oh, and ride quality: it feels closer to a 335 and I presume that if you wanted a softer and luxurious ride, you wouldn't be doing springs anyway!?

[sanyomats]

Originally Posted by tvd75

Just put H&R on my 2012 Xdrive and it's night and day. The car felt like a suv with the 20" wheels before.

Beautiful!!

[sanyomats]

OP - which tint and what percentage is that? Looks good!

[ddives]

Originally Posted by sanyomats

OP - which tint and what percentage is that? Looks good!

It's plain 3M black (not mirror) or smoke tint maybe but it's 20%.

[kave]

Hmm, if you are so picky about how the car rides, why do you have winter tires on in the summer? It looks strange, takes more fuel, handling is worse, grip is bad etc etc.

I was lazy one year on my Subaru and it took one panic brake and I put my proper summer tires on.

[ddives]

Originally Posted by kave

Hmm, if you are so picky about how the car rides, why do you have winter tires on in the summer? It looks strange, takes more fuel, handling is worse, grip is bad etc etc.

I was lazy one year on my Subaru and it took one panic brake and I put my proper summer tires on.

Great suggestion. : The Eagle LS2s are an all-season tire which isn't a winter tire and in my climate which sees rain 38% of all days, a summer tire on an X-drive doesn't make sense.

[PeterF11]

Nice! I have acs and i feel it's not low enough. Should have gone with h&r. Enjoy!

[kave]

Ddives: allright, I guess it also have brakes better with X-Drive?
If I where you I would atleast try it with proper summer tires.

[BMWMB]

Very nice drop. I have to say AC Schnitzer also has a nice drop of 30-35mm. Here are some pics (BB quality) of my xDrive 530d.

[voyagergab]

Originally Posted by tvd75

Just put H&R on my 2012 Xdrive and it's night and day. The car felt like a suv with the 20" wheels before.

You're car looks really nice! Do you still drive it? What size or wheels/tires are those?

[VMRWheels]

Looks really good. Nice job.