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04-28-2010, 12:05 AM
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#1
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2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 58
Car: E46 325Xi
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325Xi suspension
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.
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04-28-2010, 12:17 AM
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#2
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SweetXi
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 993
Car: 2004 330Xi
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__________________
My Rides:
2009 335Xi
520HP
H&R coilovers
BBS LM wheels
//M sport package
BMW Personal Audio System
2000 Z3M
Conforti tuned
AFE CAI
++More to come this winter
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04-28-2010, 12:35 AM
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#3
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2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 58
Car: E46 325Xi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nachos23
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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?
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04-28-2010, 10:34 AM
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#4
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4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 667
Car: 323i
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anything over 1.5" drop your looking to replace your cv boots every 40,000k
__________________
Needs more mods
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04-28-2010, 10:45 AM
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#5
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The King.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Milton
Posts: 7,363
Car: Silver 2004 BMW M3
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do the xi's have different springs or does bmw just install spring pads on them?
__________________
Current:2013 Candy White VW Golf TDI
Mods: TBD.
Sold:2004 Silver Gray M3
Mods: Dice Unit, EAS Angel Eyes, Painted Reflectors, CSL Diffuser, Smoked Corners, PSS10s, 15mm Front and 10mm Rear Spacers.
Gone:1990 Brilliantrot 325is
Mods: Alpine speakers and HU, Euro Projectors, Magnaflow Muffler, Euro Smoked Tails and GC Coilovers.
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04-28-2010, 11:41 AM
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#6
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3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: st. thomas
Posts: 375
Car: e46 328
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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?
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04-28-2010, 05:41 PM
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#7
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SweetXi
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 993
Car: 2004 330Xi
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Quote:
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?
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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....
__________________
My Rides:
2009 335Xi
520HP
H&R coilovers
BBS LM wheels
//M sport package
BMW Personal Audio System
2000 Z3M
Conforti tuned
AFE CAI
++More to come this winter
Last edited by nachos23; 04-28-2010 at 05:44 PM.
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04-28-2010, 09:13 PM
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#8
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2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 58
Car: E46 325Xi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Junaid
anything over 1.5" drop your looking to replace your cv boots every 40,000k
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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?
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04-29-2010, 07:32 AM
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#9
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SweetXi
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 993
Car: 2004 330Xi
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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.
__________________
My Rides:
2009 335Xi
520HP
H&R coilovers
BBS LM wheels
//M sport package
BMW Personal Audio System
2000 Z3M
Conforti tuned
AFE CAI
++More to come this winter
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04-29-2010, 12:49 PM
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#10
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4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 667
Car: 323i
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Quote:
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?
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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.
__________________
Needs more mods
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05-03-2010, 11:07 PM
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#11
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2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 58
Car: E46 325Xi
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Quote:
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. 
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thanks a lot I appreciate the help. I still have a lot more to learn about this whole Xi category lol
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05-03-2010, 11:28 PM
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#12
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SweetXi
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 993
Car: 2004 330Xi
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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...
__________________
My Rides:
2009 335Xi
520HP
H&R coilovers
BBS LM wheels
//M sport package
BMW Personal Audio System
2000 Z3M
Conforti tuned
AFE CAI
++More to come this winter
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05-06-2010, 12:45 PM
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#13
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1st Gear Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Orillia
Posts: 23
Car: 325xit
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hey nachos, quick question, where do you plan on rebuilding your front half shafts? thanks
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05-06-2010, 03:23 PM
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#14
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SweetXi
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 993
Car: 2004 330Xi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tru-jack
hey nachos, quick question, where do you plan on rebuilding your front half shafts? thanks
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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.
__________________
My Rides:
2009 335Xi
520HP
H&R coilovers
BBS LM wheels
//M sport package
BMW Personal Audio System
2000 Z3M
Conforti tuned
AFE CAI
++More to come this winter
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