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Why NOT to install Lowering Springs only...

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Old 03-28-2008, 03:00 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by rpav' post='552459' date='Mar 28 2008, 05:57 PM
this doesnt sound right. i have 20's with H&R sport and i can be fully loaded and no bottoming out.
Do you have only the H&R springs or H&R coilovers? That makes a huge difference. It looks like you have coilovers from your signature.
Old 03-28-2008, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by IceyTys' post='552414' date='Mar 28 2008, 04:14 PM
Also maybe you could switch your your H&R Sports for Eibach Pro-Kit, dont they ride just a wee bit higher???
Eibach does not make a kit for the xi model. The only company that makes springs for the xi, or suspension parts for that matter, is H&R. If it were a 3 series xi, that's a different story, but unfortunately for an E60 xi, our only option is H&R. Actually, Hamann too, but those are actually made by H&R and they are asking $600 for their springs which is ludicrous.
Old 03-28-2008, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by DrLev99' post='552455' date='Mar 28 2008, 05:47 PM
Well, there's a front axle on the xi, of course, and it does sit higher for that reason. The xi does cost $2K more as a result.
Actually, I think it's more like $3K-$4K more than the standard RWD.

Dave - I feel terrible man. This really blows. You should ask your mechanic if there is ANY way to reconfigure a coilover system to work with our car. I recall seeing a recent post by member Bambi (whom also has an xi and the H&R Springs) and he said his mechanic look at the underside of his car and felt with a little bit of tweaking, he could make Bilstein's work. PM him and see what he says. I think he might try it.
Old 03-28-2008, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by JPJ' post='552482' date='Mar 28 2008, 06:40 PM
Something sounds wrong somewhere, especially since others with the same set up aren't having the same problem....

For what it matters, in modern suspensions the bump stops are an active part of the suspension -- they do a lot more than on older cars where they were there just to "stop" travel well beyond the normal range. Now a days cars are into the bumps stops much more frequently, but the stops are designed to be progressive. That's why they are made out of an engineered foam and generally mounted on the strut itself rather than just a chunk of rubber on the frame. So, I wouldn't try removing them -- when you hit bottom (and it sounds like you would almost all the time) it could be really bad.
My bumps stops are mounted as you say, however the front stops were indeed cut by the springs installer by only about 3/4", which they claimed is a "standard" practice when doing ONLY lowering springs. My mechanic didn't notice or mention any incorrect installation of this part, just that it was cut. I could see it was cut with my own eyes. I am sure the situation isn't as bad as it "appeared," since I've been driving around like this for around 9 months. And I hit the same, major expansion joints on the way to work every day...so something must be doing its job, or my struts would have exploded by now.

All I know is what my highly trained BMW mechanic said and what I saw, and believe it not, I am not being sarcastic...this guy is a major league, highly skilled Dinan specialist who builds and has raced various cars and bimmers for over 20 years, on his free time. He knows what he's talking about and doing.
Old 03-28-2008, 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='552503' date='Mar 28 2008, 07:05 PM
Actually, I think it's more like $3K-$4K more than the standard RWD.

Dave - I feel terrible man. This really blows. You should ask your mechanic if there is ANY way to reconfigure a coilover system to work with our car. I recall seeing a recent post by member Bambi (whom also has an xi and the H&R Springs) and he said his mechanic look at the underside of his car and felt with a little bit of tweaking, he could make Bilstein's work. PM him and see what he says. I think he might try it.
Will do, on each count.

C, Do you know if your bump stops were cut?
Old 03-28-2008, 03:12 PM
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you need to slamm it. jk

hope everything works out
Old 03-28-2008, 03:13 PM
  #27  
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Here's a solution...

Tie an umbrella to the seat and have the other end mashing on the accelerator. Give yourself about 300 yards (with you not in the car of course) and let the car smash itself to pieces against a brick wall. Have the insurance claim it as a total. Get the money and get yourself a new RWD BMW. Problem solved.

Sorry...bad joke?
Old 03-28-2008, 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='552514' date='Mar 28 2008, 07:13 PM
Here's a solution...

Tie an umbrella to the seat and have the other end mashing on the accelerator. Give yourself about 300 yards (with you not in the car of course) and let the car smash itself to pieces against a brick wall. Have the insurance claim it as a total. Get the money and get yourself a new RWD BMW. Problem solved.

Sorry...bad joke?
Old 03-28-2008, 04:18 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by DrLev99' post='552429' date='Mar 28 2008, 05:04 PM
You don't want to know what that looks like! It's not really an option. Ok...here's a pic of before!



Read the last line of my original post...the P.S. part.
Dr. If I remember correctly the reason you had that large gap was because you still had the 17" wheel on the other side. I don't think the gap would be that big with 19's all around and your oem struts.

Rick...
Old 03-28-2008, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by slickrick' post='552541' date='Mar 28 2008, 08:18 PM
Dr. If I remember correctly the reason you had that large gap was because you still had the 17" wheel on the other side. I don't think the gap would be that big with 19's all around and your oem struts.

Rick...
Good memory, oh slick one, but that was the only pic I had of the "before." I really don't know how it would look with the stock struts at this point with the 19's, but I am guessing it wouldn't look right. I like it as it is, height-wise.

Didn't Turner MS do research on this when they came out with these springs for the xi?!

I think the dealership is just so sick of seeing me and hearing me bitch that they came up with this conclusion beforehand and sold the story to me to prevent my ass from coming in anymore...even though I saw everything for myself.

From Turner Motorsports' website for the H&R Sport Xi E60 springs: "H&R engineers made extensive tests to match these springs to the original shock absorbers – the result is an ideal compromise between aesthetics and a sporty and stiff but still comfortable ride/handling mix. AWD cars only." .....Um?


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