E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

[dsdfan]

Would like to upgrade my stock 16" rims to staggered 17" or 18".

I notice that most drivers with 18" and larger wheels tend to drop their suspensions.

Will 18" tires on an e90 look strange without a drop in suspension?

I'm choosing between Advan RS Racing or Volk Progressive ME, 18 x 8.5 front, 18x9.5 rear.

Anyone happy with 18" wheels without a drop in suspension?

If I don't wish to drop suspension, should I stick with 17" rims?

Thanks

 

[astrosky]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

need to drop.

 

[acupunch]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

its NOT a MUST to drop with 17" or 18" or 19" setup. but as the tire profile gets thinner, you'll realize the gap between tire and wheel arch gets bigger visually.

even if you drop, you can choose from aftermarket lowering spring to OEM M sport suspension which will lower the car slightly and you won't compromise on the ride comfort.

also remember beside the staggered wheel size, remember to get the right offset if you wish to look flush. so far the recommended for front is 34-35 and rear is 27-30.

 

[Azrielsc]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

What Acu has said is true, u don't need to change. It is the perception of a thinner tire wall with the gap of the wheel well that makes the gap look bigger.

 

[astrosky]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

aiya....change la
change nicer...hehe
at least get lowering springs. too bad i sold mine liao =)

 

[318 NewBoy]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

Go and change your rims first, bro. At least a 18" lah, coz 17" not very significantly different from a 16" leh.

After changing the rims, then look at the gap whether or not that's an eye sore to you. If you really cannot tahan the gap look, go get lowering spring (cheaper, but stock absorber life span might be shorter) or coilover.

Personally, I CANNOT tahan the gap look...... hehehe.

Cheers.

 

[Shadow]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

Acu bro,

Do you have any particular aftermarket brand (spring) to recommend?
How much is the M sports spring and where do get them?

Thanks.

Shadow

 

[benji ben]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

you can try getting eibach or h&r springs. a few of the guys are using that brand of springs. hmm i don't know about m sports springs though.

 

[jinooi]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

might want to consider - some people claim that changing the springs only will put more stress on the stock shocks (cos they are not as stiff), causing them to fail sooner. there are quite a few threads on this. go do a search on 'suspensions' on this forum to find out more.

for lowering springs - the M sports ones are most likely sachs. y not change the entire suspension to sachs sport? you'd probably be able to order them from either j4c or bvo.

otherwise like benji said, there's h&r and eibach - more popular brands.

my advice - don't change the springs yet. change your wheels, then see whether you can live with the gap. changing the springs will change the suspension geometry of your ride.

Acu bro,

Do you have any particular aftermarket brand (spring) to recommend?
How much is the M sports spring and where do get them?

Thanks.

Shadow

 

[acupunch]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

Acu bro,

Do you have any particular aftermarket brand (spring) to recommend?
How much is the M sports spring and where do get them?

Thanks.

Shadow

Sorry I only see this now.

I don't have any particular recommendation. but can share with you of what I knew.

for lower spring option, normally you can choose from H&R lowering spring (harder compare to eibach) or Eibach lowering spring. Both are progressive design means lean towards comfort yet reduce the height. so far, those that uses lowering spring find their absorber give ways after about 1 yrs or 30-40K mileage. there, you will need to change your absorber. you can choice from Bilstein or KONI depending on your lowering spring option.

for M-sport, you should try get from 335i owners who are changing theirs to coilovers.

comparing lowering spring and M-sport suspension, I will put my money on the M-sport suspension cos its more durable and better combo as a whole. However there are price different. A used m-sport suspension should cost within 1-1.5K and a set of lowering springs around $400-500. However, when added an aftermarket absorber, its around 1.2-1.5K in total.

you may approach BVO (look for Ah Wee) and J4C (look for amos or see toh).

happy lowering.

 

[Shadow]

Re: E90: Suspension Drop Necessary with 18" Wheels?

Thanks all very much for the adv. Will do some research

Shadow.