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Do I lower my E83 X3?
Discuss anything to do with the (E83) BMW X3 here
(Older F25 discussion within will ideally to be moved to F25 Sub section below)
(Older F25 discussion within will ideally to be moved to F25 Sub section below)
Do I lower my E83 X3?
Post by Gaff » Sat Jul 16, 2016 12:38 pm
Morning all.
I've been playing with the idea of lowering the X3, but been reading about tyre wear and camber not being able to be adjusted. Has any one done it before and got it right? Mines is a 3.0d MSport. I'm really just looking to maybe lower 3 inches? I think she sits at 5 currently on standard MSport suspension. I want the look, not the headache.
I've been playing with the idea of lowering the X3, but been reading about tyre wear and camber not being able to be adjusted. Has any one done it before and got it right? Mines is a 3.0d MSport. I'm really just looking to maybe lower 3 inches? I think she sits at 5 currently on standard MSport suspension. I want the look, not the headache.
Current:
E83 X3
E90 MSport
'56 LeMans Exclusive Edition X5
Honda Civic 1.6
Previous:
Toyota Previa 2.0 D4D
Vauxhall Astra 1.6
E36 BMW 1.8 4 door
1.5 Honda Civic
E83 X3
E90 MSport
'56 LeMans Exclusive Edition X5
Honda Civic 1.6
Previous:
Toyota Previa 2.0 D4D
Vauxhall Astra 1.6
E36 BMW 1.8 4 door
1.5 Honda Civic
Gaff
Re: Do I lower my E83 X3?
Post by rscob » Sat Jul 16, 2016 1:17 pm
I was also thinking about doing this on the wife's e83 with eilbach springs just dropping it an inch to help with the ride so it would not be as crashy on the road because i run them on my z4 and the ride is a lot better than with the standard springs.
Rob
Rob
rscob
jagr
jagr
Re: Do I lower my E83 X3?
Post by Dans6490 » Sun Jul 17, 2016 8:30 am
I've lowered my X3 3.0d Msport. I put brand new 20", staggered alloys on, carefully chose the tyres to keep the rolling radius the same front/back.
The extra 1" on the alloys made the car look like it was on stilts. I fitted new bigger brakes and also lowered it at the same time. The ride is IMO, awesome now. I had a Z4 previously and this car handles much better now, than that did.
Looks-wise, I think it looks so much better, especially with bigger wheels. For me, there was no downside at all.
I'm just off out to clean it and will take some photos.
The extra 1" on the alloys made the car look like it was on stilts. I fitted new bigger brakes and also lowered it at the same time. The ride is IMO, awesome now. I had a Z4 previously and this car handles much better now, than that did.
Looks-wise, I think it looks so much better, especially with bigger wheels. For me, there was no downside at all.
I'm just off out to clean it and will take some photos.
Dans6490
Dans6490
Re: Do I lower my E83 X3?
Post by shadrack » Sun Jul 17, 2016 7:42 pm
go for it! the one above looks ace 

current: 2016 Vw Crafter
2007 318d touring
2008 Transit sport van
1964 vw beach buggy
1988 e30 325i convertible
2007 318d touring
2008 Transit sport van
1964 vw beach buggy
1988 e30 325i convertible
shadrack
Re: Do I lower my E83 X3?
Post by Gaff » Tue Jul 19, 2016 4:42 pm
Dans6490, what set up and parts did you use. Yours look like the MSport. How did you get around the Camber and how's the ride? I wad simply thinking of a set of progressive springs. I like the look of the original 19" MSPORT alloys so would keep them just change the color. But the ride and tyre wear is a worry.
Current:
E83 X3
E90 MSport
'56 LeMans Exclusive Edition X5
Honda Civic 1.6
Previous:
Toyota Previa 2.0 D4D
Vauxhall Astra 1.6
E36 BMW 1.8 4 door
1.5 Honda Civic
E83 X3
E90 MSport
'56 LeMans Exclusive Edition X5
Honda Civic 1.6
Previous:
Toyota Previa 2.0 D4D
Vauxhall Astra 1.6
E36 BMW 1.8 4 door
1.5 Honda Civic
Gaff
jagr
Re: Do I lower my E83 X3?
Post by Dans6490 » Wed Jul 20, 2016 7:35 am
I didn't set out to lower but the 20" alloys raised the ride height and the car didn't look right.
I wasn't completely happy with the ride so thought I would give it a go, as cheap as possible, so I could always go back to original without being too out of pocket.
I bough these
http://www.carparts-tuning.co.uk/en/By- ... hparam=%2A
fitted them and that was all I did.
Firmness seems same as before but handling is so much better. It handled corners well before but as I said above, it's better than my old z4 now in terms of handling, stability etc.
I may consider coilovers in the future but I so impressed with these springs, I'm not sure I'll bother!!
I wasn't completely happy with the ride so thought I would give it a go, as cheap as possible, so I could always go back to original without being too out of pocket.
I bough these
http://www.carparts-tuning.co.uk/en/By- ... hparam=%2A
fitted them and that was all I did.
Firmness seems same as before but handling is so much better. It handled corners well before but as I said above, it's better than my old z4 now in terms of handling, stability etc.
I may consider coilovers in the future but I so impressed with these springs, I'm not sure I'll bother!!
Dans6490
Re: Do I lower my E83 X3?
Post by Dans6490 » Wed Jul 20, 2016 7:39 am
Oops, sorry, for camber issues etc, I had the front alignment done but the alloys and tyres were brand new and although you can visually see a slight camber on the rears (it really is minimal) I haven't noticed anything negative.
It's been done about 6 months and I've been checking tyre wear and all seems ok, no wearing on the inside etc.
It's been done about 6 months and I've been checking tyre wear and all seems ok, no wearing on the inside etc.
Dans6490
Re: Do I lower my E83 X3?
Post by Gaff » Thu Jul 21, 2016 1:47 am
Mate. Thanks a million. Good info. If I stop chickening, I'll pics up and show off what I do.
Current:
E83 X3
E90 MSport
'56 LeMans Exclusive Edition X5
Honda Civic 1.6
Previous:
Toyota Previa 2.0 D4D
Vauxhall Astra 1.6
E36 BMW 1.8 4 door
1.5 Honda Civic
E83 X3
E90 MSport
'56 LeMans Exclusive Edition X5
Honda Civic 1.6
Previous:
Toyota Previa 2.0 D4D
Vauxhall Astra 1.6
E36 BMW 1.8 4 door
1.5 Honda Civic
Gaff
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