325Xi suspension

[1minte46]

Alright guys heres the deal; yes I may be a newbie at this point, but I have searched left right and center and haven't been able to find the exact information that I need. So heres the situation I have a 2002 BMW 325Xi and I was looking to buy coilovers for it, personally I care more about the look then the performance, but as I have researched around you can't lower the car to much because then the CV joints start to give, I found KW2 coilovers that drop the car 2.5" max but I'm still afraid that's not enough to get rid of the wheel gap. Now i was wondering is there anything that I can do, to at least get rid of the wheel gap, or am I able to get suspension to lower the car more then 2.5 but reinforce the CV joints in anyway? If anyone can help please I'd really like to get started on this.

[nachos23]

Not sure how much you want to remove... Mine is dropped 1.5" in front and not much of a gap remaining. Another consideration is the front drive shafts as you indicated. @ 2.5" they are going to have a significant bend @ the CV joints. Even with 1.5" drop with front drive shaft no longer runs "straight" from Differnential to wheel. Rear is different. Even with drop, the rear half-shafts still bend "downward" as is recommended. You are also carrying a significantly heavier load in front vs. other 3-series models so, too much drop will have you bottoming-out frequently.

[1minte46]

Originally Posted by nachos23

Not sure how much you want to remove... Mine is dropped 1.5" in front and not much of a gap remaining. Another consideration is the front drive shafts as you indicated. @ 2.5" they are going to have a significant bend @ the CV joints. Even with 1.5" drop with front drive shaft no longer runs "straight" from Differnential to wheel. Rear is different. Even with drop, the rear half-shafts still bend "downward" as is recommended. You are also carrying a significantly heavier load in front vs. other 3-series models so, too much drop will have you bottoming-out frequently.

I love your car keep it up, and what suspension are you using, may I ask? Secondly in answer to your question of how much i want to get rid of i was thinking of a look like this





and why does our Xi's weigh so much more at the front then a regular 3 series is it because of the transfer case? Also as you said the CV joints point upwards in the front is there anything that can be done to prevent this, like would there be a camber kit or something?

[Junaid]

anything over 1.5" drop your looking to replace your cv boots every 40,000k

[King Luis]

do the xi's have different springs or does bmw just install spring pads on them?

[djeurofest1]

does anyone know, if the front suspension is the same.
i have a XI, i plan on getting a different subframe/ getting rid of the AWD and converting to just RWD.
i will have to replace the lower control alarms, and i was planning on buying regular RWD coilovers, will my spindles work? or do i need to buy some also?

[nachos23]

Originally Posted by 1minte46

I love your car keep it up, and what suspension are you using, may I ask? Secondly in answer to your question of how much i want to get rid of i was thinking of a look like this

Plan to replace CV boots and quite possibly drive-shafts regularly. The stresses you will be adding are HUGE!

and why does our Xi's weigh so much more at the front then a regular 3 series is it because of the transfer case? Also as you said the CV joints point upwards in the front is there anything that can be done to prevent this, like would there be a camber kit or something?

The transfer case is actually mounted mid-frame approx behind the front seats. Two half-shafts run from the transfer case to the front and rear differentials. The front differential is mounted to the drivers side of the engine/oil pan. Then you have two front half-shafts, heavier duty control arms, springs, stuts, bigger swaybar, etc, etc, etc,. Starting to count those additional pounds?

In reponse to "the King" (is that the Burger King? ) Xi's have different springs, etc on all 4 corners (see above answer).

"Eurofest" sell your Xi and get a std 3-series. You are asking for alot of work to get a 330i; a model readily available on the market.... You Need to consider changes to entire front suspension (setup for front drive-shafts). Remove transfer case, so new main driveshaft, hangers, etc..... Just my thoughts....

[1minte46]

Originally Posted by Junaid

anything over 1.5" drop your looking to replace your cv boots every 40,000k

Personally I drive the car more during the summer I think I do less the 40,000km a year probably every two years, and you said my CV boots will have to be replaced, and thats like 40 bucks, so im assuming labour is the hard part, secondly Im guess once you here noise then it's to late? You will probably have to replace like half axle if you see grease all over the wheel right?

[nachos23]

actually, not necessarily. I've replace torn (I mean really torn; no lube left inside) and were binding so bad, I couldn't turn left after a long drive with them almost binding completely...... Re-packed, installed original boot (not torn; clamp seal gone) on both sides (inner CVs; both) and that was in Jan..... No issues since. Re-packed torn outter CV boots several times (the outter tear more frequentll than inner CVs); no issues...... I will probably get my half-shafts rebuilt soon, but no issues after several re-packs of torn CV boots..... If the outter CV joints start to bind and clunk, then they're gone and need to be repalced, but if you catch them before, you shoudl be ok.

[Junaid]

Originally Posted by 1minte46

Personally I drive the car more during the summer I think I do less the 40,000km a year probably every two years, and you said my CV boots will have to be replaced, and thats like 40 bucks, so im assuming labour is the hard part, secondly Im guess once you here noise then it's to late? You will probably have to replace like half axle if you see grease all over the wheel right?

Not necessarily, depends on how long you drove with a torn boot, and yes the labour is the hard part, even still it is too difficult. If you have access to a hoist it is quite easy. Goodluck on your decision.

[1minte46]

Originally Posted by Junaid

Not necessarily, depends on how long you drove with a torn boot, and yes the labour is the hard part, even still it is too difficult. If you have access to a hoist it is quite easy. Goodluck on your decision.

thanks a lot I appreciate the help. I still have a lot more to learn about this whole Xi category lol

[nachos23]

its just like a regular 3-series; just better.... The suspension and drivetrain parts are a little more expensive, but they are built considerably stronger and therefore don't need to be replaced as frequently.

I'm still running most of my original front suspension (except struts and shocks replaced when lowering) except for FCABs which were replaced @ 225,000 km (3 weeks ago)..... Love the car and love the handling...

[tru-jack]

hey nachos, quick question, where do you plan on rebuilding your front half shafts? thanks

[nachos23]

Originally Posted by tru-jack

hey nachos, quick question, where do you plan on rebuilding your front half shafts? thanks

It's through a mechanic buddy of mine. It's the re-builders he uses for all his stuff. I can try and get the number but I believe he only deals with companies (not retail). My buddy is just passing the costs through. The shop he uses charges $300 - 325/axle (includes Core charge) which is very reasonable IMO.

I can hook you up with William to source the axles when you need them. If you don't have a mechanic you trust; I highly recommend my mechanic buddy (I use his shop to do my own repairs). He's an INDY, but amazing.