PICS: Why you need to lower an XI with 19" wheels
06-17-2007, 08:56 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
Hey all! Got some "before" pics for ya of my Titanium Silver 530xi. No "afters" as of yet, however.
I am waiting for my H&R sport springs to arrive, however they are on backorder for at least another 6 weeks from Turner Motorsports. That sucks! I have had my 19" CSL VB-3 wheels & Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position RE050A tires from www.velocitymotoring.com sitting in my garage for a week now and just had to see what one would like installed, so I threw on the right rear. I ordered the staggered setup...245/35/19 FRONT, 275/30/19 REAR. ET40 offset in front, ET45 in rear.
I knew I'd have a big gap between the tire and fender afterwards but never realized how big it would actually be! So, if there is any doubt as to whether you need to lower an XI when installing 19's (or 18's for that matter), these pics should clear that question right up. Look how much rear strut you can see! But at least I got an idea of what the wheels will look like, and WOW do they look great compared to my OEM 17's. Thanks go out to Calton "don't call me Cal" for all of his assistance. I want to be just like you! LOL! You can his pics with the same wheels on his 530xi (in black) with the H&R sports already installed @ Cmansbimmer. I just hope mine looks as low as his once I get those springs on...it should.
DrLev99
P.s. Sorry about the pic quality...was getting dark, and I was in my garage. The "non-flash pics" appear more yellow, but at least hide the struts. I'll be sure to add the "AFTER's" in 6 weeks....I hope. Enjoy!
Yeah, I know.....gotta clean underneath the rear bumper!
I am waiting for my H&R sport springs to arrive, however they are on backorder for at least another 6 weeks from Turner Motorsports. That sucks! I have had my 19" CSL VB-3 wheels & Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position RE050A tires from www.velocitymotoring.com sitting in my garage for a week now and just had to see what one would like installed, so I threw on the right rear. I ordered the staggered setup...245/35/19 FRONT, 275/30/19 REAR. ET40 offset in front, ET45 in rear.
I knew I'd have a big gap between the tire and fender afterwards but never realized how big it would actually be! So, if there is any doubt as to whether you need to lower an XI when installing 19's (or 18's for that matter), these pics should clear that question right up. Look how much rear strut you can see! But at least I got an idea of what the wheels will look like, and WOW do they look great compared to my OEM 17's. Thanks go out to Calton "don't call me Cal" for all of his assistance. I want to be just like you! LOL! You can his pics with the same wheels on his 530xi (in black) with the H&R sports already installed @ Cmansbimmer. I just hope mine looks as low as his once I get those springs on...it should.
DrLev99
P.s. Sorry about the pic quality...was getting dark, and I was in my garage. The "non-flash pics" appear more yellow, but at least hide the struts. I'll be sure to add the "AFTER's" in 6 weeks....I hope. Enjoy!
Yeah, I know.....gotta clean underneath the rear bumper!
06-17-2007, 10:39 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535xi / Platinum Grey / Black leather / Step Auto / Sport / Premium / Cold weather / 18" wheels / Logic 7 / Comfort / ipod / Navigation / Fold Down Rear Seats / Rear Airbags / Sirius SAT / Spoiler / Extended Clear bra / Bluetooth. (Previously owned a 2002 sport 525I Loaded).
On order: 535xi Platnium Grey with Black interior, Step Auto, Sports package, Premium package, Cold weather package, 18" wheels, Logic 7, Comfort access, ipod adapt, Navigation, Sat radio, Rear spoiler, Extended Clear coat bra.
What will happen if you go with a bigger tire to fill in the gap? Will that cause the speedometer to read the wrong speed and the odometer to read the wrong mileage? 
I understand that the low profile look is what you are looking for, and the ride of course, i'm just curious to know. I would like to do what you guy's are doing but i'm afraid of voiding some warranty.
Just being careful and inquisitive.
Thanks Rick...
By the way , nice wheels.. Do they come in 18"?
I understand that the low profile look is what you are looking for, and the ride of course, i'm just curious to know. I would like to do what you guy's are doing but i'm afraid of voiding some warranty.
Just being careful and inquisitive.
Thanks Rick...
By the way , nice wheels.. Do they come in 18"?
06-17-2007, 10:42 PM
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Hmm, from your pics the car sits unrealistically high with the 19" rims. The car should settle a little after a while and it won't look THAT bad. I've got the H&R spring installed about 2 weeks ago and the rear fender is almost covering the rim now. Here are a couple pics of the differences after springs are installed.
PS. Sorry for the blurrs on the 2 pic. I took them right under the sun with a camera phone.
The car should settle a little after a while and it won't look THAT bad. I've got the H&R spring installed about 2 weeks ago and the rear fender is almost covering the rim now. Here are a couple pics of the differences after springs are installed. PS. Sorry for the blurrs on the 2 pic. I took them right under the sun with a camera phone.
06-17-2007, 11:06 PM
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Originally Posted by RIVIERA SOUND' post='436859' date='Jun 18 2007, 02:59 AM
How much did you pay for H&R springs (plus installation)?
Sorry, what car is that? 2008 535xi?
Thanks
Sorry, what car is that? 2008 535xi?
Thanks
06-18-2007, 12:00 AM
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DRLev99, I would suggest getting quotes from your area tuner shops that have the springs and will install. Several shops around socal I know charge $400 installed which seems to be a fair price.
06-18-2007, 05:14 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535xi / Platinum Grey / Black leather / Step Auto / Sport / Premium / Cold weather / 18" wheels / Logic 7 / Comfort / ipod / Navigation / Fold Down Rear Seats / Rear Airbags / Sirius SAT / Spoiler / Extended Clear bra / Bluetooth. (Previously owned a 2002 sport 525I Loaded).
On order: 535xi Platnium Grey with Black interior, Step Auto, Sports package, Premium package, Cold weather package, 18" wheels, Logic 7, Comfort access, ipod adapt, Navigation, Sat radio, Rear spoiler, Extended Clear coat bra.
Originally Posted by DrLev99' post='436834' date='Jun 18 2007, 12:56 AM
Hey all! Got some "before" pics for ya of my Titanium Silver 530xi. No "afters" as of yet, however.
I am waiting for my H&R sport springs to arrive, however they are on backorder for at least another 6 weeks from Turner Motorsports. That sucks! I have had my 19" CSL VB-3 wheels & Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position RE050A tires from www.velocitymotoring.com sitting in my garage for a week now and just had to see what one would like installed, so I threw on the right rear. I ordered the staggered setup...245/35/19 FRONT, 275/30/19 REAR. ET40 offset in front, ET45 in rear.
I knew I'd have a big gap between the tire and fender afterwards but never realized how big it would actually be! So, if there is any doubt as to whether you need to lower an XI when installing 19's (or 18's for that matter), these pics should clear that question right up. Look how much rear strut you can see! But at least I got an idea of what the wheels will look like, and WOW do they look great compared to my OEM 17's. Thanks go out to Calton "don't call me Cal" for all of his assistance. I want to be just like you! LOL! You can his pics with the same wheels on his 530xi (in black) with the H&R sports already installed @ Cmansbimmer. I just hope mine looks as low as his once I get those springs on...it should.
DrLev99
P.s. Sorry about the pic quality...was getting dark, and I was in my garage. The "non-flash pics" appear more yellow, but at least hide the struts. I'll be sure to add the "AFTER's" in 6 weeks....I hope. Enjoy!
Yeah, I know.....gotta clean underneath the rear bumper!
I am waiting for my H&R sport springs to arrive, however they are on backorder for at least another 6 weeks from Turner Motorsports. That sucks! I have had my 19" CSL VB-3 wheels & Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position RE050A tires from www.velocitymotoring.com sitting in my garage for a week now and just had to see what one would like installed, so I threw on the right rear. I ordered the staggered setup...245/35/19 FRONT, 275/30/19 REAR. ET40 offset in front, ET45 in rear.
I knew I'd have a big gap between the tire and fender afterwards but never realized how big it would actually be! So, if there is any doubt as to whether you need to lower an XI when installing 19's (or 18's for that matter), these pics should clear that question right up. Look how much rear strut you can see! But at least I got an idea of what the wheels will look like, and WOW do they look great compared to my OEM 17's. Thanks go out to Calton "don't call me Cal" for all of his assistance. I want to be just like you! LOL! You can his pics with the same wheels on his 530xi (in black) with the H&R sports already installed @ Cmansbimmer. I just hope mine looks as low as his once I get those springs on...it should.
DrLev99
P.s. Sorry about the pic quality...was getting dark, and I was in my garage. The "non-flash pics" appear more yellow, but at least hide the struts. I'll be sure to add the "AFTER's" in 6 weeks....I hope. Enjoy!
Yeah, I know.....gotta clean underneath the rear bumper!
OK, I think I figured out why you have such a gap in the wheel well. You only put one tire and wheel on to check out how it looks. The other side still has the 17" wheel on it so it could be causing the car to lean. IMO.
06-18-2007, 05:23 AM
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I think you're right, it seems to be probably due to independent suspension so when the car jacked up the geometry was all messed up I think after going around the block it'll settle back down a bit.
Originally Posted by Bambi' post='436854' date='Jun 18 2007, 01:42 AM
Hmm, from your pics the car sits unrealistically high with the 19" rims. The car should settle a little after a while and it won't look THAT bad. I've got the H&R spring installed about 2 weeks ago and the rear fender is almost covering the rim now. Here are a couple pics of the differences after springs are installed.
PS. Sorry for the blurrs on the 2 pic. I took them right under the sun with a camera phone.
The car should settle a little after a while and it won't look THAT bad. I've got the H&R spring installed about 2 weeks ago and the rear fender is almost covering the rim now. Here are a couple pics of the differences after springs are installed. PS. Sorry for the blurrs on the 2 pic. I took them right under the sun with a camera phone.
06-18-2007, 06:09 AM
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Dave - The car looks AWESOME! I love the wheels with your color car. Looks hot man. Now, just get those springs installed and you'll be part of the family.
Congrats again. Glad I could help.
/C
Congrats again. Glad I could help.
/C