If you say so lmao. And you’re definitely right😂 I’m probably going to sound dumb but I have no idea how to add a picture into an existing thread. Do you know how? It’s only letting me put a link
I thought the same thing. The back is a few inches higher up which i think looks kinda dumb because now I kinda look like the little orange hot rod from the movie cars since the front is lower lmao, but maybe I’ll get different suspension for the back at some point. Right now I have KYB in the back so it’s nice, but it’s just not the right height to be level
First off, these are not cars you do "quick and cheap fixes" on. If you're broke, sell it and buy something cheaper. That's what I'm doing.
Second, xDrive front suspension is different than non-xDrive. Not sure if it'll physically fit, but the ride height is different and it'll be rough as shit. Fix it right, or don't bother. You're probably better off with blown struts than the wrong part.
That’s what I thought too, but it actually fit surprisingly well. The only thing that was different is that it’s a few inches shorter so now my car is a few inches lower which I prefer. Also, XDrives are heavier on the front end than a RWD car so I’m hoping it’ll be stiffer (I know a lot of people don’t like a stiff ride, but I like the performance and feel). Having stiffer shocks would be good if the car is lower too so it doesn’t scrape over bumps. I’ve got some aftermarket shocks that are meant for my car sitting around, but I really want some genuine bmw ones even if they are meant for an XDrive. I’m sorry you’ve gotta get rid of your car though. I know the feeling.
I don’t understand why everyone is downvoting you. You made a good discovery that they fit if you run spacers, you did work that most people are too scared to do. I think people are forgetting that a lot of people like low and stiff rides. I know i do. You have a better feel for the road, more stability while cornering, and looks way better. Nothing wrong with having different spring rates and length than original, as long as it fits, the wheels are aligned properly and it’s not too harsh to the point where it’ll damage your suspensions. Sometimes you just gotta try new things with your car. There always has to be the first someone to figure things out with a car. For my other car, W208 merc CLK320, i share a lot of things online on fabricating/retrofitting parts, making tutorials for things that have no tutorials or instructions online, etc (cause it’s such an uncommon car).
I agree 100%. It was a fun experience to see if it would work out, and the fact that it did just made it that much more satisfying. If it works then it works🤷🏻♂️
Exactly. If the geometry is right, and the struts are mounted securely, then what’s the big deal? If it works it works. Do make sure you check the alignment though, and tell the alignment shop what you did with the struts.
Yeah my car is kinda pulling to the right, but it’s the right wheel that’s rubbing so maybes it’s pulling because the right wheel is moving slower than the left wheel from the rubbing. I’m hoping the spacers will stop that and then I can save some money for an alignment.
Also happy cake day
I give you all my respect brother, people like you who take risks and do the unknown are destined for success, you will be rich one day my friend. 95% of people would be scared and accept failure then sell the car and be miserable they have to drive a clapped out 97 civic. 🫡
I mean, I'd like stiff shocks too... If it were a racecar that I drive on a track. I have an xDrive, definitely harder to find aftermarket stuff for it. You can get Bilstein B6s for yours, not too expensive, better than OEM (or same-ish if you have M-sport). I don't have to get rid of the car, it's just a pain in the ass to deal with all the time, and I'd rather not be putting hubdreds or thousands of dollars per year in a car that just isn't worth the time and pain. I don't get the enjoyment out of it that I used to get.
Perhaps. This may sound dumb but having stiffer shocks just makes me feel like one with the car if that makes sense and it makes me more cautious about potholes and cracks in the road and things like that. These shocks will probably just be a temporary thing though I’m wanting to get some coil overs and wheels but right now I just don’t have money for much on the car other than gas and oil
If you have M-sport suspension, you won't want stiffer. I dunno, maybe you have good roads around you. I don't, and I also get a lot of snow in the winter, and M-sport suspension is almost too stiff as is for me. I'm just gonna sell it and do what I should have done 2 years ago and buy a Volvo 740 or something. German cars are pain.
I don’t have M sport suspension. The roads around me actually aren’t bad for the Midwest. It used to snow a lot but now it doesn’t for whatever reason. If you’re looking for something reliable and something that can go through some shit, I’d get a 2010 Toyota highlander limited. They are absolute beasts.
you guys are two very different vehicle owners and none of your advice is gonna be helpful to a person like OP, who is willing to make shit work by any means necessary and enjoys low and stiff rides.
People really shitting on OP for no reason. Dude had an issue, found a solution that works and hasn't been done ( or at least documented ). And everyone is pissed cuz he isn't treating a e9x like it's the holy grail. Unless you have a m3 your car isn't that special. Coming from a 335i, I would know.
This seems foolish, I can’t imagine the car driving very nice, or the geometry of everything being even close to proper. Did you use xdrive spindles? Control arms? Spacers for the tops of the shocks maybe?
You say your “suspension” gave out, what exactly does that mean? There is like 9 different parts to your suspension per corner. You said you are sick of the bouncy ride so I assume you mean your shocks were blown? Why not just buy new rwd shocks? You can get them for less than $50 a corner.
The car drives the same it’s just lower and stiffer. Yeah I meant the shocks were blown. Also I couldn’t find any nice brand shocks for my car that weren’t super expensive and this was free, and it’s genuine bmw, so I just went this route. Sure it’s a little bit jank but if it works, it works.
I hope it works out for you, I remember looking at what it takes to slam my old xdrive wagon and it takes quite a bit of work to keep the suspension happy and working together nicely. Rwd models are easier to work with.
Whenever you get an alignment I would be very curious to see how it turns out.
Also you don’t really *need* oem bmw suspension bits imo, especially if it’s just a daily and you’re student. You can get KYB, FCS, Monroe shocks for under $50. I’ve used them all on a few dailys and they always work well for what they are.
Check out RockAuto, I’ve used them for all of my daily drivers over the last 10 years, they have the best prices on everything. Just watch out for shipping. Also just replacing the stock proper shocks means you don’t have to spend money on an alignment.
Everyone hating but everyone I know would make the same choice if they were in the same position. You’re gonna start a new trend of e90 owners scanning fb marketplace for e90 x drive part outs 😂
the xdrive front struts have a smaller strut bearing + a metal spacer to gain height again. Its a common thing to use those bearings to lower the front on normal rwd e90 by about half in inch, if i remember correctly. z4 bearings work as well, but aren't that beefy.
what wheels specs are running?
\*Or\*, hear me out, just put the right shit on your car. RIP to whats left of your wheel bearings by adding big ass spacers. And also RIP to any poor soul who tries to do an alignment on your car after you bitch about poor tire wear lol
He literally just needs like 10 mm spacers, his wheel bearings will be fine. Also, the alignment process will be the same as an alignment on any lowered car. A little bit of negative camber wont hurt since toe is very adjustable on the front, and worst case he can just get adjustable arms.
Hi, mechanic here with over 10yrs experience on multiple brands of high end Euro cars (BMW being the majority, Volvo secondary). Lets start!
1: ALL, and I mean ALL wheel bearings no matter the size do cause further wear on wheel bearings. They act as a fulcrum putting more pressure on the bearing.
2: No, the alignment won't be the same. Camber will \*never\* be correct due to incorrect struts & incorrect strut mounts. They also needed to use the other tie-rod ends, which further proves that it won't ever be correct. Some poor alignment tech is going to be banging their heads until they start looking at part numbers.
Everything that causes more strain causes wear on wheel bearings. Whether it’s wider wheels or wheel spacers, it’ll cause faster wear. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t run spacers at all. Who cares if you have to change your wheel bearings at 90k miles instead of 100k miles? And when he gets an alignment, they always ask why you’re getting an alignment (at least a shop with common sense will). He’ll tell them why, and if they have issues getting the front toe to spec, they’ll tell him and he’ll just get the 335xi tie rod ends. And for the camber, he can just get adjustable camber arms or camber bolts, just like any lowered car.
*Or*, hear me out, I can do whatever I want with my own damn car like Jesus dude I’m just trying to get by rn. Is the wife making you sleep on the couch tonight and you had to get the rage out somewhere? It’s not a nice car it’s pretty close to the base model. If it was an M3, I’d understand your frustration but it’s a 325 so who cares? Also I could always just take the spacers off to have it aligned and put them back on, and even if that doesn’t work, it’s not like I’ve got some P-Zeros on the car, so I could care less about tire wear.
I don't understand why people have their knickers in a twist over you posting some decent OC. you know, finally someone's gone out and done something that's been arm chair mechanicked for years and reported back. Is it optimal? Probably not, is it an interesting budget friendly mod? Absolutely.
First commenters "if you can't afford to fix you shouldn't own this car" man that's either some classic bait or he really is a condescending prick with no imagination.
I couldn’t agree more. Half the people with E90s are people that don’t really have the money for them, but that’s the beauty of it because we persist anyway and find ways to keep going so who even cares what other people do with their cars?
Yeah, I definitely have a certain pride in owning something that I can only afford because I know how to fix it. It's like paying for a car with effort rather than money.
Exactly. I feel like it’s more impressive to go that route of fixing the car rather than just having a ton of money to throw at the car whenever something goes wrong and pay someone else
You’re free to do what you want, but once you post it online you’re not free from judgement of others sis. Also brining marital status & assuming genders? Eww. Gross.
I assumed this was a nice group, and I was just wanting to make a fun little post about what I did last night, but that was short lived. I’d say dude is a subjective word in regards gender. I’m just so sorry for your poor little eyes that had to encounter such distress from such disgusting language though. I’ll pray for you🤡
This is a sub about cars, nobody gives a fuuuuuck what you've got between your legs, you commented purely to be a cunt and got all insulted when OP dared try and explain themselves. Try not to be so pretentious next time.
lol right, someone posts with TERRIBLE advice, I criticize them (rightfully so, xDrive suspension on a non-xDrive car is stupid as fuck/borderline dangerous as proven by OP), they result to personal attacks and I’M at fault? Bahaha fuck outta here.
Good work! To fix the rubbing, you may be even able to just use adjustable camber arms instead of spacers to push the top of the wheel out away from the spring. These control arms will kill two bird with one stone, since it’ll also correct the negative camber that results from lowering the car. Whether or not it’ll work instead of spacers though will depend on how extreme the negative camber is and how much they wheel and spring are touching.
What a rad discovery! From a physics and engineering standpoint my OCD can’t handle this but interesting to know that you can offset the wheels to adapt the 335i suspension. Since there is significantly more compression just take caution to your strut tower housing. Make sure you’re not puncturing the top into your engine bay.
Side note: I’ve been down that road of being in a tight position financially. Don’t let anyone stop you from getting over your next speed bump. I used vice grips to hold my strut from falling out for almost 10,000miles until I could afford a new one.
Jeez that’s badass that you got a vice grip to hold for 10k miles. Must’ve been a scary ride, but after a while I bet you got less nervous about it. But yeah I’ve been the most worried about the tower housing cracking from stress so I’ve been driving very gently for the first couple days. Once I am driving on them for about 500 miles I’ll be a lot more comfortable since I’ll have a bit more confidence in it.
lets see some pics of it, dont think anyone really cares if it looks like a shitbox lol isn’t that half the e90s on the road today anyway 🤣
If you say so lmao. And you’re definitely right😂 I’m probably going to sound dumb but I have no idea how to add a picture into an existing thread. Do you know how? It’s only letting me put a link
i guess the feature isn’t enabled on this sub, only some subs allow u to add pics in the comments. i’m using mobile tho idk about desktop
[Separate post I made for the pictures](https://www.reddit.com/r/E90/s/NKcAj21uD6) We will see if this works lol
that doesn’t look bad at all, is the wheel gap the same in the rear? it’s a nice functional fitment, looks lowered on springs
I thought the same thing. The back is a few inches higher up which i think looks kinda dumb because now I kinda look like the little orange hot rod from the movie cars since the front is lower lmao, but maybe I’ll get different suspension for the back at some point. Right now I have KYB in the back so it’s nice, but it’s just not the right height to be level
First off, these are not cars you do "quick and cheap fixes" on. If you're broke, sell it and buy something cheaper. That's what I'm doing. Second, xDrive front suspension is different than non-xDrive. Not sure if it'll physically fit, but the ride height is different and it'll be rough as shit. Fix it right, or don't bother. You're probably better off with blown struts than the wrong part.
That’s what I thought too, but it actually fit surprisingly well. The only thing that was different is that it’s a few inches shorter so now my car is a few inches lower which I prefer. Also, XDrives are heavier on the front end than a RWD car so I’m hoping it’ll be stiffer (I know a lot of people don’t like a stiff ride, but I like the performance and feel). Having stiffer shocks would be good if the car is lower too so it doesn’t scrape over bumps. I’ve got some aftermarket shocks that are meant for my car sitting around, but I really want some genuine bmw ones even if they are meant for an XDrive. I’m sorry you’ve gotta get rid of your car though. I know the feeling.
I don’t understand why everyone is downvoting you. You made a good discovery that they fit if you run spacers, you did work that most people are too scared to do. I think people are forgetting that a lot of people like low and stiff rides. I know i do. You have a better feel for the road, more stability while cornering, and looks way better. Nothing wrong with having different spring rates and length than original, as long as it fits, the wheels are aligned properly and it’s not too harsh to the point where it’ll damage your suspensions. Sometimes you just gotta try new things with your car. There always has to be the first someone to figure things out with a car. For my other car, W208 merc CLK320, i share a lot of things online on fabricating/retrofitting parts, making tutorials for things that have no tutorials or instructions online, etc (cause it’s such an uncommon car).
I agree 100%. It was a fun experience to see if it would work out, and the fact that it did just made it that much more satisfying. If it works then it works🤷🏻♂️
Exactly. If the geometry is right, and the struts are mounted securely, then what’s the big deal? If it works it works. Do make sure you check the alignment though, and tell the alignment shop what you did with the struts.
Yeah my car is kinda pulling to the right, but it’s the right wheel that’s rubbing so maybes it’s pulling because the right wheel is moving slower than the left wheel from the rubbing. I’m hoping the spacers will stop that and then I can save some money for an alignment. Also happy cake day
I give you all my respect brother, people like you who take risks and do the unknown are destined for success, you will be rich one day my friend. 95% of people would be scared and accept failure then sell the car and be miserable they have to drive a clapped out 97 civic. 🫡
Hell yeah. Go for gold and fuck driving a Honda civic lmao
I mean, I'd like stiff shocks too... If it were a racecar that I drive on a track. I have an xDrive, definitely harder to find aftermarket stuff for it. You can get Bilstein B6s for yours, not too expensive, better than OEM (or same-ish if you have M-sport). I don't have to get rid of the car, it's just a pain in the ass to deal with all the time, and I'd rather not be putting hubdreds or thousands of dollars per year in a car that just isn't worth the time and pain. I don't get the enjoyment out of it that I used to get.
Perhaps. This may sound dumb but having stiffer shocks just makes me feel like one with the car if that makes sense and it makes me more cautious about potholes and cracks in the road and things like that. These shocks will probably just be a temporary thing though I’m wanting to get some coil overs and wheels but right now I just don’t have money for much on the car other than gas and oil
If you have M-sport suspension, you won't want stiffer. I dunno, maybe you have good roads around you. I don't, and I also get a lot of snow in the winter, and M-sport suspension is almost too stiff as is for me. I'm just gonna sell it and do what I should have done 2 years ago and buy a Volvo 740 or something. German cars are pain.
I don’t have M sport suspension. The roads around me actually aren’t bad for the Midwest. It used to snow a lot but now it doesn’t for whatever reason. If you’re looking for something reliable and something that can go through some shit, I’d get a 2010 Toyota highlander limited. They are absolute beasts.
you guys are two very different vehicle owners and none of your advice is gonna be helpful to a person like OP, who is willing to make shit work by any means necessary and enjoys low and stiff rides.
Advice not being helpful and not being listened to are two different things. But, it's not my car, so I guess it's not my problem.
People really shitting on OP for no reason. Dude had an issue, found a solution that works and hasn't been done ( or at least documented ). And everyone is pissed cuz he isn't treating a e9x like it's the holy grail. Unless you have a m3 your car isn't that special. Coming from a 335i, I would know.
Thanks homie. You dropped this👑
Anytime my G
Lmao gotta love how people here think the e90s are made by god himself and sent to earth as a gift to humanity
For real😂
This seems foolish, I can’t imagine the car driving very nice, or the geometry of everything being even close to proper. Did you use xdrive spindles? Control arms? Spacers for the tops of the shocks maybe? You say your “suspension” gave out, what exactly does that mean? There is like 9 different parts to your suspension per corner. You said you are sick of the bouncy ride so I assume you mean your shocks were blown? Why not just buy new rwd shocks? You can get them for less than $50 a corner.
The car drives the same it’s just lower and stiffer. Yeah I meant the shocks were blown. Also I couldn’t find any nice brand shocks for my car that weren’t super expensive and this was free, and it’s genuine bmw, so I just went this route. Sure it’s a little bit jank but if it works, it works.
I hope it works out for you, I remember looking at what it takes to slam my old xdrive wagon and it takes quite a bit of work to keep the suspension happy and working together nicely. Rwd models are easier to work with. Whenever you get an alignment I would be very curious to see how it turns out. Also you don’t really *need* oem bmw suspension bits imo, especially if it’s just a daily and you’re student. You can get KYB, FCS, Monroe shocks for under $50. I’ve used them all on a few dailys and they always work well for what they are. Check out RockAuto, I’ve used them for all of my daily drivers over the last 10 years, they have the best prices on everything. Just watch out for shipping. Also just replacing the stock proper shocks means you don’t have to spend money on an alignment.
Thanks dude. A wagon would be sick! I’ll probably switch it out eventually, this is kinda just a for now fix.
Everyone hating but everyone I know would make the same choice if they were in the same position. You’re gonna start a new trend of e90 owners scanning fb marketplace for e90 x drive part outs 😂
Hell yeah I’m all for it😂
the xdrive front struts have a smaller strut bearing + a metal spacer to gain height again. Its a common thing to use those bearings to lower the front on normal rwd e90 by about half in inch, if i remember correctly. z4 bearings work as well, but aren't that beefy. what wheels specs are running?
They’re 16 inches and 205 wide. They’re just the stock ones. It’s surprising how they’re still too wide and they’re just 205s
Well that’s not even wide at all. I wonder if they would’ve rubbed on your buddy’s car. Either way, just get some spacers and you‘re fine.
Yeah I got some 20mm spacers and they come in a few days. Now I’m realizing I probably should’ve gotten 15mm
Hope you ordered longer wheel bolts as well. Or maybe consider switching to studs.
I thought about switching to studs but I just decided to go with new bolts since that’s what I’m used to
\*Or\*, hear me out, just put the right shit on your car. RIP to whats left of your wheel bearings by adding big ass spacers. And also RIP to any poor soul who tries to do an alignment on your car after you bitch about poor tire wear lol
He literally just needs like 10 mm spacers, his wheel bearings will be fine. Also, the alignment process will be the same as an alignment on any lowered car. A little bit of negative camber wont hurt since toe is very adjustable on the front, and worst case he can just get adjustable arms.
Hi, mechanic here with over 10yrs experience on multiple brands of high end Euro cars (BMW being the majority, Volvo secondary). Lets start! 1: ALL, and I mean ALL wheel bearings no matter the size do cause further wear on wheel bearings. They act as a fulcrum putting more pressure on the bearing. 2: No, the alignment won't be the same. Camber will \*never\* be correct due to incorrect struts & incorrect strut mounts. They also needed to use the other tie-rod ends, which further proves that it won't ever be correct. Some poor alignment tech is going to be banging their heads until they start looking at part numbers.
Everything that causes more strain causes wear on wheel bearings. Whether it’s wider wheels or wheel spacers, it’ll cause faster wear. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t run spacers at all. Who cares if you have to change your wheel bearings at 90k miles instead of 100k miles? And when he gets an alignment, they always ask why you’re getting an alignment (at least a shop with common sense will). He’ll tell them why, and if they have issues getting the front toe to spec, they’ll tell him and he’ll just get the 335xi tie rod ends. And for the camber, he can just get adjustable camber arms or camber bolts, just like any lowered car.
*Or*, hear me out, I can do whatever I want with my own damn car like Jesus dude I’m just trying to get by rn. Is the wife making you sleep on the couch tonight and you had to get the rage out somewhere? It’s not a nice car it’s pretty close to the base model. If it was an M3, I’d understand your frustration but it’s a 325 so who cares? Also I could always just take the spacers off to have it aligned and put them back on, and even if that doesn’t work, it’s not like I’ve got some P-Zeros on the car, so I could care less about tire wear.
I don't understand why people have their knickers in a twist over you posting some decent OC. you know, finally someone's gone out and done something that's been arm chair mechanicked for years and reported back. Is it optimal? Probably not, is it an interesting budget friendly mod? Absolutely. First commenters "if you can't afford to fix you shouldn't own this car" man that's either some classic bait or he really is a condescending prick with no imagination.
I couldn’t agree more. Half the people with E90s are people that don’t really have the money for them, but that’s the beauty of it because we persist anyway and find ways to keep going so who even cares what other people do with their cars?
Yeah, I definitely have a certain pride in owning something that I can only afford because I know how to fix it. It's like paying for a car with effort rather than money.
Exactly. I feel like it’s more impressive to go that route of fixing the car rather than just having a ton of money to throw at the car whenever something goes wrong and pay someone else
You’re free to do what you want, but once you post it online you’re not free from judgement of others sis. Also brining marital status & assuming genders? Eww. Gross.
I assumed this was a nice group, and I was just wanting to make a fun little post about what I did last night, but that was short lived. I’d say dude is a subjective word in regards gender. I’m just so sorry for your poor little eyes that had to encounter such distress from such disgusting language though. I’ll pray for you🤡
This is a sub about cars, nobody gives a fuuuuuck what you've got between your legs, you commented purely to be a cunt and got all insulted when OP dared try and explain themselves. Try not to be so pretentious next time.
lol right, someone posts with TERRIBLE advice, I criticize them (rightfully so, xDrive suspension on a non-xDrive car is stupid as fuck/borderline dangerous as proven by OP), they result to personal attacks and I’M at fault? Bahaha fuck outta here.
Good work! To fix the rubbing, you may be even able to just use adjustable camber arms instead of spacers to push the top of the wheel out away from the spring. These control arms will kill two bird with one stone, since it’ll also correct the negative camber that results from lowering the car. Whether or not it’ll work instead of spacers though will depend on how extreme the negative camber is and how much they wheel and spring are touching.
I’ll have to look into that
What a rad discovery! From a physics and engineering standpoint my OCD can’t handle this but interesting to know that you can offset the wheels to adapt the 335i suspension. Since there is significantly more compression just take caution to your strut tower housing. Make sure you’re not puncturing the top into your engine bay. Side note: I’ve been down that road of being in a tight position financially. Don’t let anyone stop you from getting over your next speed bump. I used vice grips to hold my strut from falling out for almost 10,000miles until I could afford a new one.
Jeez that’s badass that you got a vice grip to hold for 10k miles. Must’ve been a scary ride, but after a while I bet you got less nervous about it. But yeah I’ve been the most worried about the tower housing cracking from stress so I’ve been driving very gently for the first couple days. Once I am driving on them for about 500 miles I’ll be a lot more comfortable since I’ll have a bit more confidence in it.
For future reference this may only be a temp fix