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      10-21-2014, 03:11 PM   #1
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Dinan springs installed

I didn't find a lot of pictures showing the drop with the Dinan springs, so I thought I'd take some. This is on stock wheels. I have a new set of wheels coming later this week, I'll add some more pics with those once they're installed.




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      10-21-2014, 03:44 PM   #2
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Wow awesome
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      10-21-2014, 04:17 PM   #3
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Looks great! Can you describe the difference in ride quality on the different settings? Also, what wheels do you have in transit?
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      10-21-2014, 04:17 PM   #4
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So how is the handling?
Looks perfect.
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      10-21-2014, 04:40 PM   #5
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I've only been on a few drives with them, but so far the difference is relatively minor. Comfort mode is almost the same as stock, with a slight bump up in stiffness and responsiveness in the Sport modes.

The wheels coming are VMR V705 in gunmetal. The sizes are 18x8.5 ET35 on front and 18x9.5 ET45 on the rear.
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      10-21-2014, 09:15 PM   #6
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why you choose dinan spring instead of h&r spring ?
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      10-21-2014, 10:48 PM   #7
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Looking good!
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      10-22-2014, 07:31 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michaud80 View Post
why you choose dinan spring instead of h&r spring ?
I noticed that Dinan did a slightly different drop and figured since they specialize in BMW's there must be a reason. The price was a little more, though, which made me consider the H&R as well. But, with the sale (I think that is still going on), I was able to get the Dinan springs for about the same cost.

I also had a preconceived opinion (could be wrong, just what was in my head) about H&R from my old days modifying MR2's. The H&R spring usually had the lowest drop, but also had the least daily driver friendly ride. The roads around here aren't race track smooth, so figured the Dinan was a safer choice for that.

The H&R also keeps more rake, so for looks I thought a more even stance would look good and also be less likely to cause even more scraping of the front bumper.
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      10-22-2014, 08:02 AM   #9
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Looks great! Did you self-install?
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      10-22-2014, 08:07 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by alz0rz View Post
Did you self-install?
Yeap. I generally do all of my own work. I briefly considered being lazy and having someone else install them, but the cost was high enough to shoot that idea down pretty quick. I'd much rather buy more parts with that kind of money.
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      10-22-2014, 09:17 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snodgrass23 View Post
Yeap. I generally do all of my own work. I briefly considered being lazy and having someone else install them, but the cost was high enough to shoot that idea down pretty quick. I'd much rather buy more parts with that kind of money.
Same here.

Is there any guide you used, i.e. some other BMW car where the process is generally the same?
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      10-22-2014, 11:49 AM   #12
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I watched a couple of these videos for a quick overview. They're not exactly the same, but close. I've installed a few lowering springs on my other cars, but first time on a BMW. Most modern car suspensions I've worked on are relatively similar, at least close enough you can figure out the few differences pretty easily.

My biggest issue was I had trouble getting the shock body pulled out of the lower mount on the fronts, I just couldn't seem to find enough room to get them all the way out. I improvised and found an easier way, though, since I wasn't replacing the shocks and didn't really need to remove them.

First, I removed the sway bar linkage to give more wiggle room for the shock body, then I removed the 4 bolts holding the upper mount onto the shock tower. I then used a spring compressor to compress the spring slightly to keep it from releasing on it's own. Then I removed the top nut holding the shock to the upper mount. I was now able to pull down the suspension enough to get the mount out of the way and remove it for now. Then I removed the spring compressor. Now, if you twist the spring while pulling it out, you can actually remove it right through the top of the shock tower. I was also able to switch out the bump stops through this same hole.

Then, simply twist the new spring back down through the hole and reverse the steps. The new spring was enough shorter/softer that I didn't need to use the spring compressor to reassemble. I simply pressed down on it with my body weight enough to get the nut started and then used the impact gun to finish tightening it. That part would be tougher without air tools as a normal ratchet would cause the whole shock to want to spin. The impact also made the sway bar linkage much easier as it kept it from spinning as well. Just be careful not to over tighten.

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      10-22-2014, 12:06 PM   #13
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Yep, I too have done it on other cars but never a BMW. I am used to the coil over damper setup. I appreciate your description as I am looking to potentially go this route myself.

I'm just evaluating options now as you say the difference is 'relatively minor'?
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      10-22-2014, 12:11 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alz0rz View Post
Yep, I too have done it on other cars but never a BMW. I am used to the coil over damper setup. I appreciate your description as I am looking to potentially go this route myself.

I'm just evaluating options now as you say the difference is 'relatively minor'?
I am hoping that KW manufactures a sleeve over solution but I have a feeling that this will never see the light of day...
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      10-22-2014, 06:28 PM   #15
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by snodgrass23 View Post
I didn't find a lot of pictures showing the drop with the Dinan springs, so I thought I'd take some. This is on stock wheels. I have a new set of wheels coming later this week, I'll add some more pics with those once they're installed.
Looks great! Love the color as well! Thanks for choosing Dinan!
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      10-22-2014, 06:51 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dinan_Engineering View Post
Looks great! Love the color as well! Thanks for choosing Dinan!
I agree, it does look great! I have the same springs and couldn't be happier, er wait, I would be happier if I had the Dinan Shockware to go with them
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      10-23-2014, 07:55 AM   #17
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I took a longer drive last night with them on. I had to pick up the wife at the airport, so it was in comfort mode with mostly highway driving. I think comfort mode has improved quite a bit. It seems much more controlled and less floaty, but the softer shocks in that mode means it still soaks up bumps well. I still feel the initial bump about the same as before, but it's a much more staccato motion with less movement after the fact as the suspension settles after the bump.

I'm guessing when I get a chance to do some more spirited driving in sport, I'll see the same control and reduction of extra movements and float. It's still not going to be super stiff like you could get with a set of coilovers, but I think for a daily driver this is a great setup.
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      10-23-2014, 11:11 AM   #18
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Wheels just got delivered.


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      10-23-2014, 01:55 PM   #19
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Wheels just got delivered.


Can't wait to see them installed!
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      10-23-2014, 07:27 PM   #20
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Looking forward to wheel pictures! Please let us know what size tires you go with and how clearance is without spacers.
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      10-23-2014, 09:33 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snodgrass23 View Post
Wheels just got delivered.


Want to sell your stock wheels?
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      10-24-2014, 07:31 AM   #22
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Quote:
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Looking forward to wheel pictures! Please let us know what size tires you go with and how clearance is without spacers.
For now, I'm moving the stock tires over to the new wheels, so the normal 225/245 sizes. When it's tie for new tires, I'll assess how much clearance I have to go wider with the tires. Spacers aren't really applicable here, the wheels have the offset needed to bring the wheels out flush.

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Want to sell your stock wheels?
No, this is a lease. So, if I don't end up buying the car after the lease, I'll want to put the stock wheels back on.
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