Best way to lower 330xi

[lemmy]

I've got a 2002 330xi that I'd like to lower a bit to improve cornering. What is the best way to accomplish this? I'd prefer to replace as little as possible.

How far can I lower without significantly affecting smoothness of ride?

Love this site!

[tommyh330]

did u ever get any good replies or solutions to this question. I'm right there with you trying to get rid of some wash/body roll without ruining a pretty good thing...

[MarvelPhx]

Sway bars are a inexpensive easy install that will make a cornering difference.

[tommyh330]

However, sway bars and the xi's don't go together. Or, so I'm told by folks on the east coast.(Autothority and at my dealership...) UUC and Racing Dynamics have also replied to my inqiries that the front sway bar does not fit around the front axles...

I would love to try putting on just the rear to see how it performs.
Anyone have any experience with this?
I have mentioned before that I did this to an understeering sled, a VW Jetta GLX, and I thoroughly enjoyed the effects. Less understeer can be a good thing. But, I am uncertain if the effects will be desirable in the case of a RWD car such as the 330. I like the "idea" of tightening up the rear of the car somewhat, and I thought maybe the middle setting or even the first hole might give me a nice effect. It could also cause the back end to get loose, I suppose and possibly spin out under certain conditions...

Of course, I still think the dang thing sits up, too high. But, I'm not willing to sacrifice the ride. I have so many potholes where I live, even in it's present state, the car is a beating on the highway and on particular torn-up city streets. I'm wondering if there is another 330, such as the ZHP, or even a sport package 330i, who's springs would work better. I could simply use a spring set from another BMW, such as a ZHP, so that the car would sit just slightly lower and yet not sacrifice ANY ride quality. ??? Thoughts? Would this be a waste of time? I guess the real issue is that it's going to cost me a lot to try this little experiment. I worry that because of the extra weight on the xi, it wouldn't sit correctly on the lighter 330's spring set. If I were in your business, I would simply try it and see, I suppose.

[z]

I qualify this by saying I have no experience, but I hear that the lowering does very little to change cornering except by virtue of increasing negative camber. It's the stiffer springs used in lowered rides that result in improvement. In theory, stiffening the rear should decrease the understeer but I'd be worried bout too much imbalance and having the back end sliding out too much. Sway bars cost about 350 but I'm sure you could sell them if you didn't like the results... to me? Could be my first mod! Looking at the H&R's.

[MidNight330I]

Sway bars is a way to go