[CarMan77]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

Just got it back today and I think it looks great! I forgot how much I liked it with it being gone for a week.

Looks great. How is the ride after the springs settled?

[130FeetDeep]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

Just got it back today and I think it looks great! I forgot how much I liked it with it being gone for a week.

Congrats! Any chance you could put a tape measure between fender and tire so we can assess how much the drop was?

[UltraDave]

Originally Posted by CarMan77

Looks great. How is the ride after the springs settled?

It feels pretty good now. Definitely firmer but not in a harsh way. It gives more of a sports car sensation now and has a little more steering feel. It kinda reminds me of my 2014 Corvette Z51 but not quite as tight.

A feel like the new suspension wants be driven hard but the computer won’t let me even in sport+. I’m in manual at 4K rpm pulling out of a hard turn, I stab the throttle hard and the power comes on delayed. The computer is saying are you sure you want full power now? Yes I do dammit! LOL Thats what I get for buying a family BMW SAV. The Corvette would let you have it all and the BMW says let’s do it gently so we don’t mess up your hair!

[UltraDave]

Originally Posted by 130FeetDeep

Congrats! Any chance you could put a tape measure between fender and tire so we can assess how much the drop was?

2 inches tire to fender. I was told the correct way to measure is from bottom of the rim to fender which is 28 3/4. I don’t have the previous figures sorry.

[130FeetDeep]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

2 inches tire to fender. I was told the correct way to measure is from bottom of the rim to fender which is 28 3/4. I don’t have the previous figures sorry.

That is great info. I just measured stock and it is 29 3/4 (r/f). So it looks like you are at 1” on the nose.

I think 1.5” to 2” is going to be what I am looking for. Hopefully H&R can give us a touch more drop for those looking for it. Looks like we have a solid option for 1” drop now with ACS.

[UltraDave]

Originally Posted by 130FeetDeep

That is great info. I just measured stock and it is 29 3/4 (r/f). So it looks like you are at 1” on the nose.

I think 1.5” to 2” is going to be what I am looking for. Hopefully H&R can give us a touch more drop for those looking for it. Looks like we have a solid option for 1” drop now with ACS.

Also note that if your rims are a different size they won’t be an accurate comparison for rim to fender.

[130FeetDeep]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

Also note that if your rims are a different size they won’t be an accurate comparison for rim to fender.

I have your exact same rims in M50i with dynamic, so we are identical. That is a 1" drop on the dot.

[UltraDave]

Here is another photo today from a side view.

[130FeetDeep]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

Here is another photo today from a side view.

Looks really, really good with that drop. It is amazing how much more sporty the drop makes the truck look!

[UltraDave]

I just wanted to give an update on the springs. I have been happy with them so far. I have also made an adjustment that has improved the ride quality. The factory tire pressure settings are 39 front and 45 rear. Since the new springs increased the rear spring rates much higher than the front, I have reduced the tire pressure to 42 and it feels much better. I wonder why BMW wants more pressure in the rear when the front has 51-52% of the weight on the M50i. Maybe for fuel economy or for the softer factory rear springs.

[130FeetDeep]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

I just wanted to give an update on the springs. I have been happy with them so far. I have also made an adjustment that has improved the ride quality. The factory tire pressure settings are 39 front and 45 rear. Since the new springs increased the rear spring rates much higher than the front, I have reduced the tire pressure to 42 and it feels much better. I wonder why BMW wants more pressure in the rear when the front has 51-52% of the weight on the M50i. Maybe for fuel economy or for the softer factory rear springs.

So would you say you are happy with the mod? Ride quality, drop amount, etc?

[UltraDave]

Originally Posted by 130FeetDeep

So would you say you are happy with the mod? Ride quality, drop amount, etc?

Yes I’m happy overall. I might want another half inch lower but don’t know if that would have risked the factory shocks not working properly. I would say the stance now is what you would expect from a factory M car without looking like a low rider.

[ted920]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

Yes I’m happy overall. I might want another half inch lower but don’t know if that would have risked the factory shocks not working properly. I would say the stance now is what you would expect from a factory M car without looking like a low rider.

Very good points Dave.

How much were these springs and where did you get them.

If you prefer, PM me with the information.

Many Thanks,

Ted

[130FeetDeep]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

Yes I’m happy overall. I might want another half inch lower but don’t know if that would have risked the factory shocks not working properly. I would say the stance now is what you would expect from a factory M car without looking like a low rider.

That is the overall complicated one that all of us are struggling with. 1/2" more would be perfect. My 2 cents is that the extra 1/2" isn't going to shorten the life much more than the 1" has. We all know lowering will shorten the life of the shocks, but I would argue it isn't more than about 25% in my prior experience. I am more worried about ride quality now with the different spring rates required on that extra 1/2".

Appreciate your insights!

[UltraDave]

Originally Posted by ted920

Very good points Dave.

How much were these springs and where did you get them.

If you prefer, PM me with the information.

Many Thanks,

Ted

Hi Ted,

The springs were $1395 but that includes shipping and taxes. I ordered them through the US AC Schnitzer supplier out of Miami, FL. They made the order from the home office in Germany. It took about 3 weeks to arrive to my house. I got the impression I was the first in the US to get them. If you go to the ACS site you can print the very detailed installation instructions which include pictures. I gave them to the service department and they were very appreciative how helpful they were in completing the job.

[UltraDave]

Originally Posted by 130FeetDeep

That is the overall complicated one that all of us are struggling with. 1/2" more would be perfect. My 2 cents is that the extra 1/2" isn't going to shorten the life much more than the 1" has. We all know lowering will shorten the life of the shocks, but I would argue it isn't more than about 25% in my prior experience. I am more worried about ride quality now with the different spring rates required on that extra 1/2".

Appreciate your insights!

Yes that worries me because back in the day when I bought Eibach lowering springs for my Mustang the ride quality sucked from a 1.5 inch drop. Then I ordered Bilstein shocks designed for the lowered springs and it felt awesome with better handling and ride quality.

Also reviewing my alignment specs on the M50i with ACS springs, is only a couple mm below the factory target range. So the shocks should last a long time, but if I went lower that could be a problem for their life and maximum efficiency.

[ted920]

Originally Posted by UltraDave

Hi Ted,

The springs were $1395 but that includes shipping and taxes. I ordered them through the US AC Schnitzer supplier out of Miami, FL. They made the order from the home office in Germany. It took about 3 weeks to arrive to my house. I got the impression I was the first in the US to get them. If you go to the ACS site you can print the very detailed installation instructions which include pictures. I gave them to the service department and they were very appreciative how helpful they were in completing the job.

Thank You.

[SQUAWK3274]

Originally Posted by atlas

Hmmm interesting. I've got a set of the Eibach sittings sitting here waiting to be installed on my 40i. Wondering if I should go ahead and do it lol

Had those springs on my 40i. Did a great job of getting rid of the massive factory wheel gap, but didn’t compromise ride quality. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference behind the wheel as compared to stock. Great purchase.

Just upgraded to M50i without DHP, so looking for a slightly stiffer spring to help offset the extra weight.

[JimVR4]

Originally Posted by SQUAWK3274

Had those springs on my 40i. Did a great job of getting rid of the massive factory wheel gap, but didn’t compromise ride quality. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference behind the wheel as compared to stock. Great purchase.

Just upgraded to M50i without DHP, so looking for a slightly stiffer spring to help offset the extra weight.

I have the ACS springs ready to install on my M50i without DHP.