Originally Posted by tex_phil

If you don't mind my asking how much did the setup run? I want to lower mine, but I don't want to have a crappy ride.

Originally Posted by I6fan.535I

Niiice. The drop looks perfect. Still classy.

Originally Posted by BlaSTiWi

Well done V !!!

Originally Posted by lightfytr

Very nice, time for the wheels!

Originally Posted by v_therussian

List of parts installed:

- Bilstein B8 dampers
- H&R Sport springs
- OEM strut/shock mounts

Installed everything, replacing original parts, topped it off with an alignment to BMW spec.

Pic report:

Car pre-drop:
Attachment 119102

Attachment 119103
So glad you posted this.... I have a set of H&R's going on next week on my xi... I was so scared that it would drop the car to Honda Civic status... Which I can see it has not. Looks awesome - gonna look sick with 19's.


Rear shock and spring assembly with the mount on top:
Attachment 119101


Some pics of the rear getting put in:
Attachment 119105

Attachment 119106


This is a little tricky, in the sense that getting to the top bolts was a bit of a chore, and fitting the new shock is not possible if you're working alone:
Attachment 119107


Rear shock and spring assembly installed:
Attachment 119108

Front struts are MASSIVE! Take a look at the cores of OEM and B8's next to each other:

Attachment 119109


Here're a few pics of them installed.
Attachment 119110
Install, btw, was extremely straightforward and with the fronts - easy!
Attachment 119104


First pic off the lift post-drop:
Attachment 119112


Here she is on the alignment station (my indie just had this brand spanking new machine installed, like a month ago - AWESOME!). Aligned it to BMW spec, but the fronts ended up with a little more camber - will be monitoring tire wear to see if that might be a long-term issue.
Attachment 119111

Here are a couple of pics of the car post-drop:

Attachment 119113

Attachment 119114


Attachment 119115


Honestly, it needs 19's to look right. Or at the very least a set of spacers all around. I've actually thought about getting "i" - as in RWD - 123's and trying to fit them on; they are more concave and are offset 23mm's closer to the fender. But that's maybe something to consider when the winter is approaching.

Next step will be Dension - have an appointment with Motorcepts already

Then the short shifter and the rims are going on last in the end of April


And now, to thank my lovely vendors... well, vendor, really. Michael - owner of Acute Performance - was the one who scored the B8's for me. I was extremely happy to deal with him, since I have dealt with him in the past and he's generally an awesome vendor. Besides, he was able to get me and another member a KILLER deal on these - especially, considering that these are brand new to the U.S. market. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty confident I'm THE FIRST U.S. E60 Xi with these on Awesome!

As for the reports on how it drives, I can only give you a few initial impressions, as I came down with an exposed nerve in my tooth the day after the install took place, and as a result, I've only driven the car twice after the new suspension was put in. BUT. This much is evident:

* MUCH more responsive handling.
* The car is COMPLETELY solid on these. Feels OEM, but harder - which is what I originally wanted.
* The car retained some of it's smoothness, but it is a hard setup - the ride did suffer some. If you don't have a lot of bad potholes where you live, you'll never know. But around NYC, you'll need to be dodging the potholes, if you want to save your rims and tires.
* I'm very glad I swapped the mounts, the little rattles from old mounts are gone and the car rides LIKE NEW!!! Highly recommend (they are 300 smuckaroos though).
* Flatter turning, more neutral. But the tires are still really soft, so I'll reserve the at-the-limit handling impressions until I throw the 19's on.
* There is some very minor bounce, but that's due to the fact that roads in NYC are crap and the car reflects the irregularities very accurately now. I also think - for some reason - that they'll bounce less as they break in.

Overall, my impression is GREAT - I love the new setup. It gave my car the much-need edginess.

Originally Posted by Ghostteck

looks good V! now we have to meet up!

Originally Posted by Krozi

Looking good man!

Originally Posted by inktoxicated

the strut rods are thick as fuck. i know on the ksports there actually skinnier them oem. kinda made me think they were cheap.

Originally Posted by cleung

nice setup, I'm a little surprised at how much of a difference in hieght there is compared to the the non-xi cars. My car is on H&R sports and bilstein sport shock/struts and I ride quite a bit lower than you. I guess after you settle it should be a little lower, but on my car with the factory 17's in the winter I'm still have sero gap almost tucked even. But all in all as long as you are happy. The ride quality I was very happy with too.

Originally Posted by BLaCk aBi

V it looks great man