Sport suspension swap

[rafiki]

Hello All,

I've been looking at my options to lower my stock '01 330i. There is a member selling the shocks & springs from an '02 330Ci with sports package (used 35k/for $350). Is this a straight swap of shocks & springs or is there more required? Rear strut mounts would probably have to be replaced, but any other components? I don't have the tools/space or enough knowledge to perform the work myself, so need recommendations on a shop (or a reliable private DIYer) to do the work.

Should I pursue this route or consider aftermarket components? I have stock 17x7 rims and don't plan on going to 18s...just want to minimize the fender gap without radical lowering and making the ride bone jarring.

Any advice would be appreciated.

-Aziz

[Quickid]

I believe it is a straight swap.

[Jersey]

hey aziz...we spoke at bimmercruise about my ACS pedals etc....
glad to see you signed up!

as for the suspension, i think you should expect at most a 1" drop...nothing radical, slightly subtle....

you will most likely as mentioned need to replace the rear mounts and other than that it should be a straight swap....Cross ave auto (see sponsors) do great work and can help you out with the install if you want to take it to a shop, as for members i could possibly suggest SURK, he seems to really know his stuff, but i dont know if he has ever done suspension work...worth a PM!

again welcome!

[BlueSky]

it depends on how much you want to lower...
OEM sport suspension will give u a subtle drop, at most 1" as Jersey indicated... if you want to go lower, you might consider aftermarket springs / springs & shocks combo / coilover...

the OEM sport suspension is a straight swap... and you don't really need a new RSM... they should be the same for Sport/non-sport... but u will need a new RSM if you get aftermarket shocks... nothing big, but just for the peace of mind...

welcome on board!!! woot

[E46]

get aftermarket shocks and springs. Sport package suspension still has fender gap in the front... plus the car still looks stock

[Jersey]

ultimatly i agree with e46..i think aftermarket is the way to go!

[oyster]

Hello All,

I've been looking at my options to lower my stock '01 330i. There is a member selling the shocks & springs from an '02 330Ci with sports package (used 35k/for $350). Is this a straight swap of shocks & springs or is there more required? Rear strut mounts would probably have to be replaced, but any other components? I don't have the tools/space or enough knowledge to perform the work myself, so need recommendations on a shop (or a reliable private DIYer) to do the work.

Should I pursue this route or consider aftermarket components? I have stock 17x7 rims and don't plan on going to 18s...just want to minimize the fender gap without radical lowering and making the ride bone jarring.

Any advice would be appreciated.

-Aziz

u need spring compressor tool, air impact gun, impact sockets, air supply (5hp+ compressor), a vise, impact socket, torque wrench to tighten.....also an alignment.

U might need to bleed the brake lines if they require to be disconnected. On my old car, for the front shocks, I had to remove brake lines and re-bleed them.

Suspension work for DYI is pretty advance if you only ever do oil change. It's one notch below changing a timing belt in degree of difficulty

[Quickid]

u need spring compressor tool, air impact gun, impact sockets, air supply (5hp+ compressor), a vise, impact socket, torque wrench to tighten.....also an alignment.

U might need to bleed the brake lines if they require to be disconnected. On my old car, for the front shocks, I had to remove brake lines and re-bleed them.

Suspension work for DYI is pretty advance if you only ever do oil change. It's one notch below changing a timing belt in degree of difficulty

There is no need to disconnect the brake lines for E46s. However, as oyster pointed out, without the spring compressor this is a painful DIY although if the stuff you're buying already has the front springs still mounted on to the struts then this is easy.

[rafiki]

Thanks to everyone for the quick responses and PMs. I just measured the gap in the front at 2 inches, rear at 1 inch. I guess I really need to test drive a car with a lowered suspension to decide how much aesthetics will dictate my decision to go with factory sport, lower, or no change at all.

[BlueSky]

come out for a meet... there are lots of lowered cars around... ;)

[laziemofo]

hehe slam it!!! looks awesome! i dun regret having it that low at all

[M333ee]

Welcome aboard rafiki.

If you want a mild drop of <1" it should be good but you might not even see the difference but then again, ride quality and overall driving feel should feel OEM smooth.

I had H&R race springs and that was OK a little harsh. Then I went to PSS9's set to soft for a while and wow was it smooth but too soft with no road feel. Set it higher but not at full hard and it handled amazing.

If you slam it though you have to watch out for speed bumps, pot holes and curbs at all times.

[BlueSky]

If you slam it though you have to watch out for speed bumps, pot holes and curbs at all times.

that's why we also get 19" rims, low-profile tires and body kit to make sure we drive carefully.... :0

[glenspeed]

I would not recommend you "slam" it. When you slam the car the suspension is not operating in the best range it was designed for and you will actually hurt the handling characteristics rather than help. Also, you will have excessive camber which will cause premature tire wear (unless corrected by camber plates).

Take a look at the GT and Touring class cars and notice that none of them are slammed, lowered yes, but not slammed.

[Quickid]

I would not recommend you "slam" it. When you slam the car the suspension is not operating in the best range it was designed for and you will actually hurt the handling characteristics rather than help. Also, you will have excessive camber which will cause premature tire wear (unless corrected by camber plates).

Take a look at the GT and Touring class cars and notice that none of them are slammed, lowered yes, but not slammed.
Very true and it takes away from the driving experience when you have to worry about the condition of the road all the time.

[glenspeed]

Very true and it takes away from the driving experience when you have to worry about the condition of the road all the time.

When you see my car on Sunday, FYI, I think my car is still too low, so it still needs to be raised another 1/2".

[M333ee]

Very true and it takes away from the driving experience when you have to worry about the condition of the road all the time.

My previous suspension setup was low IMHO and actually after a while I did get tired of dodging every pothole and bump on the road. The only good thing with a lowered suspension is that it makes you look far ahead to see if there are any dangers. That is a good thing though!!!!!

The M3 allows you to run a slightly higher sidewall tire profile which absorbs bumps better. I like it low but not too low.

[glenspeed]

My previous suspension setup was low IMHO and actually after a while I did get tired of dodging every pothole and bump on the road. The only good thing with a lowered suspension is that it makes you look far ahead to see if there are any dangers. That is a good thing though!!!!!

The M3 allows you to run a slightly higher sidewall tire profile which absorbs bumps better. I like it low but not too low.

the difference in sidewall profile is neglible...

[M333ee]

Wow you're right Glen :nerd:

I've always though that M3's since they have wider tires, will have higher sidewall profiles but I just did the calcs. Almost exactly the same.... :eek:

[glenspeed]

Wow you're right Glen :nerd:

I've always though that M3's since they have wider tires, will have higher sidewall profiles but I just did the calcs. Almost exactly the same.... :eek:

of course I'm right...I'm never wrong! :blaaaa: