[clickclickboom]

I put a zsp spring on the front of an xi. It did fit, but I ended up with zero drop. I was trying to get the look and rake of stock sport springs.
Visually the zsp were ~1/2" shorter than the xi's. I figured if a xi is .8" higher than a non-zsp and a zsp is .6" lower than a non-zsp, I would have ended up with about 1.4".

Fender-to-ground 25 7/8"
Fender-to-center 14 1/4"

I'm a little disappointed with the results. Looks like I'm going to order an Eibach kit. Anyone have on the want to sell?

[Omni]

You may want to drive it around the block to get the shocks/struts to settle after the car was off the ground and remeasure.

[clickclickboom]

Been driving it for three days....nothing. Eibachs are on their way.

[S_M]

I have determined springs are the same for both cars. OEM or aftermarket, even if you buy xi specific h&r's, they have a different part number on the box, but the part number on the springs is the same.

If you want to get rid of the rake there is a .5 inch solid metal spacer on the strut top hats in the front that you can remove, and this is why even though the zsp looked shorter, they didn't end up giving much of a drop...

[clickclickboom]

Where is this spacer? When I disassembled it went as follows...

- rubber cushion
- spring hat
- small washer
- mount with bearing
- 1/8" thick ring

Was it still in the shock tower?

[S_M]

Mine was right on top of the strut hat, it should come down with the whole assembly. Its just a solid metal plate with 3 holes for the bolts that go through the strut tower...



Should be number 3 in the picture

[clickclickboom]

I did not take notice that 1 and 3 were separate pieces. Does the i series just omit #3, or do they use something different?

[S_M]

Originally Posted by clickclickboom

I did not take notice that 1 and 3 were separate pieces. Does the i series just omit #3, or do they use something different?

Im not sure but i assume its just not there, which is why the xi's have the front rake that i's don't

[clickclickboom]

Found this. E92 335i. No spacer.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=31&fg=10

I don't see what it would hurt to remove it.

[bolty]

Originally Posted by reallyslow

I have determined springs are the same for both cars. OEM or aftermarket, even if you buy xi specific h&r's, they have a different part number on the box, but the part number on the springs is the same.

So when you say they are the same... do you mean the xi springs are the same as non zsp springs?

Also, If I remember right, the non xi zsp have the "D" springs, but when I checked the front springs on my xi, they were the "T" springs.

And Iam assuming that if you remove the spacer (#3), the bolt pattern on #1 will match the holes on #6?? (You can see another set of bolts on the spacer itself)

[S_M]

The OEM springs may me slightly different, but aftermarket springs, at least h&r appear to be the exact same part.

[mstnggt66]

Originally Posted by clickclickboom

Found this. E92 335i. No spacer.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=31&fg=10

I don't see what it would hurt to remove it.

Seriously. Why not remove the spacer and get exactly the drop you (and everyone else) is looking for without going down the road of aftermarket springs and shocks. Just my 2 cents...

I'm tempted to try this myself now.

[BDMBimmer]

Does the H&R springs take in account the spacer (part#3) or does it also drop with the front end being higher?

[bolty]

Originally Posted by clickclickboom

Found this. E92 335i. No spacer.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=31&fg=10

I don't see what it would hurt to remove it.

According to realoem all the e90's whether xi or not have the spacer. The e92's dont.

[BDMBimmer]

Originally Posted by bolty

According to realoem all the e90's whether xi or not have the spacer. The e92's dont.

It states "Items pictured but not listed are not installed on your vehicle." Part #3 is not in the list on either the xi or i, according to realoem.

[bolty]

Originally Posted by BDMBimmer

It states "Items pictured but not listed are not installed on your vehicle." Part #3 is not in the list on either the xi or i, according to realoem.

Yeah, but if you go by that logic, it doesnt exist at all

I've tried diff combinations of years, models, engines but so far I cant find any reference to that #3.

Very confusing.

[BDMBimmer]

I have been doing the same thing.

What makes the car bouncy, the springs? Than the OEM i and xi's should not be the same, since the i isn't bouncy at high speeds.

[eyeteaguy]

Interesting...I wonder if the springs are the same for the E90 (x or xi) as well? If so I'd like to get eibach springs as well because I've read that the ride is less harsh as the drop is less aggressive. Have you installed your springs yet? How is the ride quality??

[matts335]

Originally Posted by mstnggt66

Seriously. Why not remove the spacer and get exactly the drop you (and everyone else) is looking for without going down the road of aftermarket springs and shocks. Just my 2 cents...

I'm tempted to try this myself now.

Does anybody know if this is actually a feasible option? Would it harm the suspension in any way? I'm guessing the part is there for a reason.

[clickclickboom]

I have the eibach's. I only had time today to put on one spring. (Wife works 7p-7a). The car did not have the spacer #3. I was thinking about just removing it, made my decision to put the Eibach's on easy. I took a quick ride. Doing a comparison to the bumps I was hitting with the Eibach side vs. Oem sport spring side, I thought the Eibach was smoother.

I will post pics when I get the the other spring on and give it a day to settle. I will be running Eibach's up front with Oem sports on the rear.

On a side note my VMR713 came yesterday and I just put the on. As I said pics to come.

[J.P.]

I have the eibach's sitting in my garage waiting to be installed. let me know how they ride.

[deletedelete]

So does the xi have a separate spring then the sport/nonsport? Seems odd that the sport spring doesnt lower the xi any.