Lowering a 745 li 2004 info needed

Originally Posted by Lucky#7

So ive been reviewing alot of the threads and such and have heard a lot of mixed reviews about lowering a 745 li. First this is what I plan on doing, using lowering springs ( want to know which is the best value and brand and price /value) as well as what other components will i have to look into additional parts or other things needed to get in order for the car to ride like stock without any mechanical failures. Detailed information would be preferred as alot of the posts are either RANTS / RAVES/ or "honest opinions" I want the information to be straight forward and unbiased. Thanks.

Just order some B&G springs so we can all see how they turn out. It's been a mystery as to whether they will be the best comfortable spring with the best drop. I'm actually willing to donate money to your cause for B&G springs if you are really looking to lower your car and not just asking questions.

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

arent all tire the same height on 22's

Nope. Different tire sizes will give you different heights and widths. Even going the same size, but different brands will affect the true widths due to the different shapes of the sidewalls.

As far as wheels go, offsets and widths can make it or break it also.

Ok thanks for the info I am just gonna throw some sport springs on my brand new shocks and just get a 1" drop out of it

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

Ok thanks for the info I am just gonna throw some sport springs on my brand new shocks and just get a 1" drop out of it

What kind of wheels and tires are you running? Do you know the specs?

lexani lss-8 fullway tire

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

lexani lss-8 fullway tire

Yo Rookie, check you PM's

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

Ok thanks for the info I am just gonna throw some sport springs on my brand new shocks and just get a 1" drop out of it

So this is possible? Excuse my lack of knowledge with regards to lowering. I can just put sport springs over my shocks to get the 1" drop? How about with the self-leveling setup? I'd love a sport look versus an H&R drop.

Originally Posted by jenkx

Yo Rookie, check you PM's

nothing yet???

Originally Posted by marcusgold

So this is possible? Excuse my lack of knowledge with regards to lowering. I can just put sport springs over my shocks to get the 1" drop? How about with the self-leveling setup? I'd love a sport look versus an H&R drop.

Not sure but I am giving it a try. I Will let you know as soon as my shocks get in. According to Keif he said Yes so we will see

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

Not sure but I am giving it a try. I Will let you know as soon as my shocks get in. According to Keif he said Yes so we will see

Keep us posted Rookie. After just getting my wheels I am curious to possibly drop as well but with your same concerns. Im running 29" diameter Vredesteins 295/30/22 in the rear. Maybe i should ask sanhonda22. He sounded like he had it all down as to what would work together....

Ok

When you drop your car with lowering springs do you experience camber wear? Are camber kits required on your car to avoid camber wear on your wheels?

Originally Posted by Alpine745li

When you drop your car with lowering springs do you experience camber wear? Are camber kits required on your car to avoid camber wear on your wheels?

You shouldn't experience any such issues

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

Not sure but I am giving it a try. I Will let you know as soon as my shocks get in. According to Keif he said Yes so we will see

Def appreciate letting us know how it goes. This is the route I'll be taking if all works out. Good luck!

Originally Posted by marcusgold

So this is possible? Excuse my lack of knowledge with regards to lowering. I can just put sport springs over my shocks to get the 1" drop? How about with the self-leveling setup? I'd love a sport look versus an H&R drop.

Yes and no. If just the springs alone drop the car the full inch then your good to go. However, on the E39 and E60 5 series for example, the shocks on sport versus non-sport are actually different also. On the non-sport shocks, the spring perches are positioned higher up on the shock, giving you more clearance from the tire. So maybe that inch difference might be a combo of the shock and the spring differences.

Originally Posted by Pdux72

Keep us posted Rookie. After just getting my wheels I am curious to possibly drop as well but with your same concerns. Im running 29" diameter Vredesteins 295/30/22 in the rear. Maybe i should ask sanhonda22. He sounded like he had it all down as to what would work together....

Height is fine. The width of the tire and the offset of your wheels may make the difference. You may have to get the rear fenders rolled a tad.

Originally Posted by Alpine745li

When you drop your car with lowering springs do you experience camber wear? Are camber kits required on your car to avoid camber wear on your wheels?

These cars already have a little negative camber. Once you lower it, you will increase the negative camber, but a good alignment shop should be able to take some of it out for you.

Originally Posted by sanhonda22

Yes and no. If just the springs alone drop the car the full inch then your good to go. However, on the E39 and E60 5 series for example, the shocks on sport versus non-sport are actually different also. On the non-sport shocks, the spring perches are positioned higher up on the shock, giving you more clearance from the tire. So maybe that inch difference might be a combo of the shock and the spring differences.

Appreciate the info, sanhonda. Something for me to consider, as I also have the self-leveling. I think. When I put the car in Park, the front drops down every so slightly. Is that self-leveling??

What lowering springs sit lower? Eibach or H&R?

Originally Posted by Ricardo21

How bout u get a set of b& g lowering springs I heard the sit lower and ride is better.but I would likr to see for my self

i wonder why i never see b&g's. i've only met one person with them on their 7 before

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

Is it true when you lower your car you cant have passengers cause it will rub?

you drive a 7 series now. no need for fat b*tches i doubt passengers should give you issues.

Originally Posted by BMW fanatico

Just order some B&G springs so we can all see how they turn out. It's been a mystery as to whether they will be the best comfortable spring with the best drop. I'm actually willing to donate money to your cause for B&G springs if you are really looking to lower your car and not just asking questions.

haha good it's been a long time since i've seen the b&g's. personally i prefer the way the h&r's sit better. maybe just cut the front springs on the b&g's but it will be pretty damn low

Originally Posted by marcusgold

Appreciate the info, sanhonda. Something for me to consider, as I also have the self-leveling. I think. When I put the car in Park, the front drops down every so slightly. Is that self-leveling??

i think that might be you releasing the brakes. self leveling suspension is in the back

Originally Posted by Alpine745li

What lowering springs sit lower? Eibach or H&R?

the eibach springs sit a little higher in the front. stock the front end is a little higher so the eibach lowers similiar to the stock suspension. the h&r springs lower a little more in the front to compensate for the stock height in the front being a little higher (so the front end will be about the same height of the rear after lowering). the eibach and h&r springs feel different from one another so i guess it's all preference. personally i'm thinking of getting the h&r springs and cutting them