Front strut spacer or lift plate options?

ProjektAutoScott · 04-30-2020, 02:28 PM

Hi all, last night I installed some drop springs on my 550iX. It seems most manufacturers aren’t making accommodations for the extra 200lbs on the front axle of the N63 cars. As you can see in the photos below, the car looks really mean but the front is sitting about 1/2” lower than I would like. Rear end is perfecto. I have the same springs on my brothers 528iX and it’s perfect, so I know it’s an issue with the weight

In short, I’d like to know if anyone has a link, or an alternative to a lift spacer for our cars. Ideally it would be an aluminum, or polyurethane disc that sits between the upper strut mount and the body. I’ve only found one such item, and they ship from Russia and cost an obscene amount of $$ for two plastic circles with three holes in them.

This car is my cruiser, and it does not see track use or hard driving, and I couldn’t care less about the how a spacer will affect the performance of the car. I am well aware there are more appropriate ways to deal with this issue, but they all involve buying new springs and redoing the entire job. (Lowering an xDrive is quite the ordeal in comparison to the RWD if you aren’t aware).

I have purposely withheld the brand and model of my springs for sake of forum politics, but feel free to PM me if you have any interest in my setup for your own purposes

Thank you for reading, and thanks in advance if you have any ideas. Also, let me know what you think of the look as it is. I have a hard time seeing the front with the slight tuck, but maybe it’s awesome? Opinions are welcomed

ProjektAutoScott · 04-30-2020, 02:30 PM

lsturbointeg · 04-30-2020, 04:03 PM

Great reason to have gone coilovers. I think it looks perfect

ezaircon4jc · 04-30-2020, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

...I think it looks perfect

I agree!

cdmulders · 05-01-2020, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProjektAutoScott

As you can see in the photos below, the car looks really mean but the front is sitting about 1/2” lower than I would like. Rear end is perfecto.

When I had my lowering springs installed three years ago, I also thought that the front was too low on my 535xi. It appears to be a very similar drop to yours. I've grown to like it quite a bit. Handling is definitely improved.

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ProjektAutoScott · 05-04-2020, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the replies, it is growing on me a bit. It looks mean as hell when it’s rolling, and it probably isn’t worth the hassle to gain 10mm in the front. I’m still interested to know if someone has developed such a product for these cars, I can’t be the only one who is interested. Nice wheels BTW ^^^

r2dmax · 05-12-2020, 08:31 AM

My suggestion would be to put a 10-15mm spacer on the front wheels. Part of the aesthetic issue IMO is that the front wheel offset is not "complementing" the drop. Other than that, I think it looks really good at the height you have it

DR-JEKL · 05-13-2020, 04:18 AM

Hey dude is the fog light grille aftermarket, or is that a USDM type of fog light sports grille?

Car looks nice btw

Unspec · 05-13-2020, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

Hey dude is the fog light grille aftermarket, or is that a USDM type of fog light sports grille?

Car looks nice btw

For the OP's car? That's the LCI fog lights.

DR-JEKL · 05-14-2020, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

For the OP's car? That's the LCI fog lights.

Ahh thanks mate I'm a F10 noob never noticed the LCI had different fog light grilles

ProjektAutoScott · 05-15-2020, 03:47 PM

Yep, the body is bone stock. LCI 550iX. I've grown to enjoy the look. The front wheels actually have 10MM spacers in those photos, I am considering going for 15MM and extended lugs.

One big problem so far is that the dealer aligned the car, and they can't get it to track straight. It pulls right and it drives me NUTS. It's been aligned twice now, and it is to spec. Ride heights are dead even wheel to wheel, albeit camber has increased with lowering, but it's acceptable. Two alignments, one at the dealer, one at a highly rated shop here, wheels and tires are brand new/true, springs were installed with factory instruction minus the fancy laser tool.

I've been informed by members here that there can be an issue with strut alignment/rotation causing pull, but it's hard for me to wrap my head around considering these cars are DWB/standalone strut front suspension. I've also been through the TIS, and threads here trying to figure out what the hell people mean by "rotating the strut 10mm" or "180 degrees". The dealer couldn't care less about my problem because the car is lowered, and they just blame it on the excess camber.

I've been driving lowered BMWs for 6 years, and I've never had trouble like this with any other platform. This car is the closest to stock suspension that I own, so I am pretty frustrated. Any insight, or experience with the "F10 pulling to the right" issue is appreciated. Is the laser alignment of the front struts REALLY necessary, or detrimental to steer-ahead?

04-30-2020, 02:28 PM	#1
ProjektAutoScott Private First Class 66 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: UT iTrader: (0)	Front strut spacer or lift plate options? Hi all, last night I installed some drop springs on my 550iX. It seems most manufacturers aren’t making accommodations for the extra 200lbs on the front axle of the N63 cars. As you can see in the photos below, the car looks really mean but the front is sitting about 1/2” lower than I would like. Rear end is perfecto. I have the same springs on my brothers 528iX and it’s perfect, so I know it’s an issue with the weight In short, I’d like to know if anyone has a link, or an alternative to a lift spacer for our cars. Ideally it would be an aluminum, or polyurethane disc that sits between the upper strut mount and the body. I’ve only found one such item, and they ship from Russia and cost an obscene amount of $$ for two plastic circles with three holes in them. This car is my cruiser, and it does not see track use or hard driving, and I couldn’t care less about the how a spacer will affect the performance of the car. I am well aware there are more appropriate ways to deal with this issue, but they all involve buying new springs and redoing the entire job. (Lowering an xDrive is quite the ordeal in comparison to the RWD if you aren’t aware). I have purposely withheld the brand and model of my springs for sake of forum politics, but feel free to PM me if you have any interest in my setup for your own purposes Thank you for reading, and thanks in advance if you have any ideas. Also, let me know what you think of the look as it is. I have a hard time seeing the front with the slight tuck, but maybe it’s awesome? Opinions are welcomed
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04-30-2020, 02:30 PM	#2
ProjektAutoScott Private First Class 66 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: UT iTrader: (0)
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04-30-2020, 04:03 PM	#3
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9159 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	Great reason to have gone coilovers. I think it looks perfect __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
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05-04-2020, 05:57 PM	#6
ProjektAutoScott Private First Class 66 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: UT iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies, it is growing on me a bit. It looks mean as hell when it’s rolling, and it probably isn’t worth the hassle to gain 10mm in the front. I’m still interested to know if someone has developed such a product for these cars, I can’t be the only one who is interested. Nice wheels BTW ^^^
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05-12-2020, 08:31 AM	#7
r2dmax Private 58 Rep 93 Posts Drives: E46 330ci; F10 535i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	My suggestion would be to put a 10-15mm spacer on the front wheels. Part of the aesthetic issue IMO is that the front wheel offset is not "complementing" the drop. Other than that, I think it looks really good at the height you have it __________________ E46 330ci F10 535i M Sport
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05-13-2020, 04:18 AM	#8
DR-JEKL Major General 898 Rep 6,285 Posts Drives: Space Grey E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Newcastle Ozstraylia iTrader: (3)	Hey dude is the fog light grille aftermarket, or is that a USDM type of fog light sports grille? Car looks nice btw
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05-15-2020, 03:47 PM	#11
ProjektAutoScott Private First Class 66 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: UT iTrader: (0)	Yep, the body is bone stock. LCI 550iX. I've grown to enjoy the look. The front wheels actually have 10MM spacers in those photos, I am considering going for 15MM and extended lugs. One big problem so far is that the dealer aligned the car, and they can't get it to track straight. It pulls right and it drives me NUTS. It's been aligned twice now, and it is to spec. Ride heights are dead even wheel to wheel, albeit camber has increased with lowering, but it's acceptable. Two alignments, one at the dealer, one at a highly rated shop here, wheels and tires are brand new/true, springs were installed with factory instruction minus the fancy laser tool. I've been informed by members here that there can be an issue with strut alignment/rotation causing pull, but it's hard for me to wrap my head around considering these cars are DWB/standalone strut front suspension. I've also been through the TIS, and threads here trying to figure out what the hell people mean by "rotating the strut 10mm" or "180 degrees". The dealer couldn't care less about my problem because the car is lowered, and they just blame it on the excess camber. I've been driving lowered BMWs for 6 years, and I've never had trouble like this with any other platform. This car is the closest to stock suspension that I own, so I am pretty frustrated. Any insight, or experience with the "F10 pulling to the right" issue is appreciated. Is the laser alignment of the front struts REALLY necessary, or detrimental to steer-ahead?
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