Whats will improve handling more...

[nonick]

So I want to spend a bit of money to try and improve the handling of my car.. I'm not sure what would be the best bang for my buck, for about the same price I can get 10mm F and 20mm R spacers (and all the hardware), or 1.25" lowering springs. The springs would cost a bit more for installation as opposed to the spacers which I could probably do myself.

What would give the best results? The car in question is a 2007 328xi.

Thanks!

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

Spacers will not do that much for handling usually used more as an aesthetic modification, the springs will do a lot more in terms of handling, and consider some matched shocks, more money but only one installation then a second down the road and an overall improved handling experience.

[The_Stig]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

yeah spacers are more or less just for looks. I would do suspension, with some stress bars and sway bars.

[RONDAL]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

spacers wont make a lick of difference in handling for the sizes you want.
Lowering springs likely wont do much either, unless you pair them with a proper strut combo.
Sure it will look better but because the stock struts aren't designed for lowering springs they will eventually blow out, and your car will then like around like a seadoo in the mid-pacific.

The golden rule of modifications is if you can't afford to do it right, dont do it. Cheaping out on parts in the short term just ends up costing you twice as much in the end to do it right, than if you had just done it right from the start.

There's no point bankrupting yourself for a POS lowering job. Save up your cash and get a decent set of coils or spring/shock combo that gets the job done. You will thank yourself at the end of the day

[buddy16]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

my car is lowered with koni suspension and it corners fantastic but it can drive me crazy when i try to get into a parking lot or alley and scrape the valences.

[Kor]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

I think spring/shock combo or possibly some sway/stress bars are good starts. As suggested, spacers won't do anything and springs alone might give you a temporary feeling that the ride improved because of extra stiffness, but it may not last depending on the drop and how stiff your stock shocks are.

[RONDAL]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

my car is lowered with koni suspension and it corners fantastic but it can drive me crazy when i try to get into a parking lot or alley and scrape the valences.

you need to learn to angle your car better then. there are a lot of REALLY low guys rolling around who dont smack anything. just gotta angle it right and take your time.

[Kor]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

you need to learn to angle your car better then. there are a lot of REALLY low guys rolling around who dont smack anything. just gotta angle it right and take your time.

And sometimes you will scrape regardless of angle :(

[RONDAL]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

part of learning to drive a lowered car is learning to avoid those kinds of places all together hahaha.

i've been known to park a block away and walk cause i cant get into some places. smashing lips sucks, and people that see you do it laugh.

i watched a 360 modena come out of the imperial underground parking lot and smash the whole front of his car up last summer. i just shook my head, threw on the 4 ways and helped him pick up the bits. nOOb

[nonick]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

Thanks for the replys, mostly confirms what I figured just wanted to get the expert opinions

Its tough to find matched spring \ shocks for the AWD bimmers, I think its time to trade in for a 135i instead. Either that or I'll get some coilovers instead to bad there so damn expensive, guess I have to choose between new rims or new coils. Decisions, decisions..

[RONDAL]

Re: Whats will improve handling more...

get new coils before you get new rims.
its well worth it and not only will it make the car more fun to drive in the time it takes to save up for rims, but when you get rims to can actually make the car sit properly with them. Otherwise you will go buy nice rims with decent tires and have massive wheel gap that looks like you dont know how to mod a car properly.

my 2 cents