E9X Shocks and strut combo

PUTC

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Oct 14, 2017
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08 335xi
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My cities roads really suck and I’m trying to get the county DOT to repair my suspension for me. I want to keep it $1000 or less and I have 4 options. KONI STR.T with Eibach for $597. KONI FSD which I really like because of road condition but much more expensive. Here are pics of options. I will use H&R springs on all but the STR.T. Any other suggestions and advice would be great. I don’t autox or track car but do want good handling and it an 1” lower since it’s xi. Remember my roads suck. Also I need new cv axles too
 

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PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
206
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0
Ride
08 335xi
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One more option and I think it’s going to be my choice.
 

doublespaces

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Oct 18, 2016
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Good thread. Lots of people go with coil overs but I like the simplicity of normal suspension.
 

PUTC

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Oct 14, 2017
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08 335xi
There are so many places with crappy roads that it’s just not feasible or smart to get coilovers. Curbs, potholes, speed bumps, new construction. I don’t want to blow out 2k+ setup. I.D really like to hear from someone who has KONI FSDs. I’ll probably get a kit from strutmonkey since they are fully put together and have all installation parts needed. Myrtle Beach roads suck!!! A good thread with people who don’t go all out on suspension is a good idea
 

doublespaces

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Oct 18, 2016
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I personally like the stock ride height, mostly. I just wanted to suck up a tiny bit more of the gap but keep a comfy ride the same time.
 

PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
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08 335xi
I would love the ride hieght of the 335i sport package. No lower with better control and agility. That’s what I’m going for. I really think all I need is the STR.T with Eibach Springs. Don’t want driveway and everyday issues.
 

Bmac

Specialist
Nov 8, 2016
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Great White North
The Eibach springs suck. They're shorter than stock but with the same spring rate. So you end up with a drop, not a huge one, but a drop big enough that you end up bottoming out and hitting your bump stops sooner than you would on stock sport suspension. I've bottomed out at high speed on the Bilstein B12 kit and it's very unsettling because when the car rebounds up there is a brief moment before the suspension settles where there is very little control over the car's steering. I'm going to swap the Eibach springs out for my stock sport springs and I think that will give me what I'm after. The Bilstein B8 are a nice improvement over the stock sport shocks. If I'm still not happy I'll look at the BMW Performance Suspension yellow springs or possibly the Dinan springs which are both stiffer and would be somewhere between Eibach and stock sport ride height.

This is what my car looks like currently:

18sm10-e9x-gallery.jpg
 

PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
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08 335xi
Good information. Much appreciated. What are your thoughts on H&R springs. I was looking at the Dinan also but they are 308 a set and would limit me more on what dampers I could use. But I do go over 120 often on Highway so it is important. Maybe B8 with Dinan is the way to go.
 

Bmac

Specialist
Nov 8, 2016
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Great White North
H&R is a bigger drop than Eibach, but they are stiffer springs as well. I'm personally not interested in them as I want to maintain a higher ride height. If you look for cars with H&R on them they're significantly lower than my car above. The E9X doesn't have a great deal of suspension travel to begin with and I want to maintain as much of it as I can. From what I've read the stock ride height is just about ideal in terms of the suspension geometry so significant lowering will actually negatively affect the cars' performance. Being in Canada my car is already a snow plow in winter as well so I don't really want to be any lower for practical reasons. Our roads go through several freeze-thaw cycles every winter so they get beat up as well and this is my daily driver so I'm trying to balance comfort with performance.
 
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Bmac

Specialist
Nov 8, 2016
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Great White North
For reference, here is the spring height of the stock sport suspension, Dinan, Eibach and H&R springs. I'm not affiliated with Strutmonkey but I think this is a useful picture. I think Dinan or the BMW yellow Performance Suspension springs are the best option for those looking to go a little stiffer but maintain around stock ride height. They are both a little shorter but also stiffer so I believe they won't sag as much.

attachment.jpg
 
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PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
206
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08 335xi
Nice pic of car! Looks really good. I don’t have sport suspension so I sit up pretty high with xi model. H&R are really short though. Damn having to rethink things again lol. Don’t want to be that low. I am reading up now on Godspeed mono max coilovers. Anyone have any experience with them recently?
 

doublespaces

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Oct 18, 2016
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Is there a technical reason the xi sits higher, or do they just assume you'd be on more uneven road so they don't drop it down as much?
 

PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
206
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08 335xi
Xi even with sport package sits higher, not sure about technicality wise but probably due to road clearance for snow and such. I have about 2.5” between fender and wheel in the front and 1.5” in the rear. Would love to minimize that to 1” and 1/2” or so without going up in wheel size.
 

PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
206
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0
Ride
08 335xi
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Well after looking at all the combos till my head hurts and not finding the exact fit I want that fits an xi, all the ones I want don’t fit!! WTF!! I have decided to go coilovers if SCDOT sends me a check of course. First choice is the ICS N1s. 2nd is the STs and last place are the Godspeeds Monomax. Should come to about 1250$ with separate install kit, bushings and bumpstoos and such. They all have front camber kits. The ICS you can lower 3” without sacrificing ride quality. Anyone have or know anyone with these? Bavauto has them for sale.
 

Rob09msport

Major
Oct 28, 2017
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Monroe CT
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09 335i msport le mans 18 x5
Don't the dinan rear shock mounts give 15mm more travel and the b12 kit comes with new shorter bump stops rear and the front has them built in to shock? I would think that would alleviate all issues.
 

PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
206
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08 335xi
I have no clue about any of that. Do you know for sure or where I can verify that? Also I think b12 aren’t for xi models. And they cost as much as coilovers
 

PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
206
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08 335xi
I just looked it up and it is true, with an extra 277 you can get the install kit with the springs from TurnerMotorsports. Koni adjustable sports with Dinan springs and different install kit since using aftermarket shock/struts is about 1200 shipped. Same price as the coil over and no camber kit. Lol, who ever thought this would be so difficult!!
 

Rob09msport

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Oct 28, 2017
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Monroe CT
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09 335i msport le mans 18 x5
Coil overs for our car I identical except for ride height adjustment so imo I would rather have the high quality shock and spring then a cheap coil over that clunks after 2 weeks
 

PUTC

Corporal
Oct 14, 2017
206
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08 335xi
Yeah. I definitely agree with you there. Quality should win over quantity of options, it’s not a Hyundai!! Lol. Whenever I get this $$ from the county I’m pretty sure I’m going with Koni and Dinan springs. Seems like the path for least amount of headaches and frustration.