[adr1974]

Hi all,

Just moved to Potomac, MD from NYC. Have a 335xi coupe with zsp (17 inch all season), and am wondering if people have any opinion about whether or not winter tires are needed here. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Adam

[zaxjax]

We get some snow but you have an XI, I wouldn't worry about it much. Others will chime in I'm sure

[3lusive]

welcome fellow potomac resident!
for the past few years, we have not had a terrible amount of snow, but far less than NY i'm sure. If your XI tires are all-season, you should have no problem. Just drive slowly and carefully. BTW, where in potomac?

[adr1974]

Avenel, off of Avenel Farm Drive. How about you? Quite an adjustment from NYC, but our kids are much happier.

[3lusive]

I live over off of Glen in a neighborhood called Clagett Farm. Was moving from NYC an upgrade?

[FrankoQ]

Use the $$$ for other mods.

[adr1974]

Funny you should mention that...

The wheel-gap is driving me nuts, so I'm trying to figure out the best (and most cost-efficient way) of reducing it. I've been reading about the KW V3, but I think those might be overkill for me. I heard the H&R springs are overly harsh. Supposedly Bilstein makes a nice product, but they're not available domestically. How much of the gap (if any -- please pardon my ignorance) would be reduced by putting on 18 inch wheels? Any other suggestions are obviously welcome.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by adr1974

Funny you should mention that...

The wheel-gap is driving me nuts, so I'm trying to figure out the best (and most cost-efficient way) of reducing it. I've been reading about the KW V3, but I think those might be overkill for me. I heard the H&R springs are overly harsh. Supposedly Bilstein makes a nice product, but they're not available domestically. How much of the gap (if any -- please pardon my ignorance) would be reduced by putting on 18 inch wheels? Any other suggestions are obviously welcome.

changing the suspension aint cheap unless you're just gonna put in lowering springs (and leave the OEM shocks). some here do that, but b/c that shock/spring combo doesnt really match, ride quality will suffer and you're risking the integrity of the OEM shocks.

coilovers are great, but kinda expensive. however, most does give you the option to personally adjust the height and/or ride quality.

putting on a bigger wheel wont do much to eliminating the wheel gap; its all in the springs/shocks.

[f82phan]

Originally Posted by pseto

changing the suspension aint cheap unless you're just gonna put in lowering springs (and leave the OEM shocks). some here do that, but b/c that shock/spring combo doesnt really match, ride quality will suffer and you're risking the integrity of the OEM shocks.

don't do aftermarket spring / OEM shock combo

Originally Posted by pseto

coilovers are great, but kinda expensive. however, most does give you the option to personally adjust the height and/or ride quality.

especially for the XI

Originally Posted by pseto

putting on a bigger wheel wont do much to eliminating the wheel gap; its all in the springs/shocks.

and

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by adr1974

Funny you should mention that...

The wheel-gap is driving me nuts, so I'm trying to figure out the best (and most cost-efficient way) of reducing it. I've been reading about the KW V3, but I think those might be overkill for me. I heard the H&R springs are overly harsh. Supposedly Bilstein makes a nice product, but they're not available domestically. How much of the gap (if any -- please pardon my ignorance) would be reduced by putting on 18 inch wheels? Any other suggestions are obviously welcome.

Unless you'll be driving to DC, 19's look better and close the gap a little.
maybe not much on your xi

[adr1974]

So if I had to do the coilovers, what do you guys think? KW V3? Can anyone recommend a good place to do the work?

Thanks again!

[f82phan]

Originally Posted by adr1974

So if I had to do the coilovers, what do you guys think? KW V3? Can anyone recommend a good place to do the work?

Thanks again!

If you're sticking with KW brand...the variant 3 is the only one that would work on the XI.

There are a number of local shops that can do it for ya. You'll find a few here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=shops

Or if you're a CCA member, they're having a DIY session soon I believe. Paul (pseto) and confirm / elaborate on that.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by e90phan

If you're sticking with KW brand...the variant 3 is the only one that would work on the XI.

There are a number of local shops that can do it for ya. You'll find a few here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=shops

Or if you're a CCA member, they're having a DIY session soon I believe. Paul (pseto) and confirm / elaborate on that.

this Sat's NCC DIY at Convenience Car Care has been full for a few weeks now.

installing coilovers aint cheap, when i was calling around, most people wanted 5+ hrs of labor (and that was on the low side).

[f82phan]

just stick with the 4x4 setup then

[adr1974]

No way!!

You guys have any recs for coilovers besides the KW V3s?

[pseto]

Originally Posted by adr1974

No way!!

You guys have any recs for coilovers besides the KW V3s?

i think thats the only one available for XIs

[f82phan]

doesn't it defeat the whole purpose of having an XI though?

[adr1974]

How come? (being serious, not snide)

[f82phan]

I dunno, XI = 4x4 setup....at least in my mind.

[f82phan]

I know XI vs. non XI suspension are setup differently (hence not too many c/o or lowering springs available for XI), but not sure what it'd do to ride quality.

[adr1974]

yeah, i'm just a little disappointed in the way it looks...i'm not going to track it, but I don't really want to do anything to the detriment of the car, either. crap!

[f82phan]

if you got the $$ to drop on V3 + install + alignment, go for it!!

we don't get much snow around here anyways...