[cloudsource]

Hi All,

I am picking up my 435i xdrive (msport, DHP, 18inch wheel) next week. I am looking forward to upgrades for better handling of my car. Budget about $3K or tiny bit more. Thinking about the following – and would appreciate your thoughts on how to best spend that $3K or so.

1) I am switching my tires to Michelin Pilot Super Sport for the summer, while keeping my OEM wheel from BMW. I have read mixed opinion regarding if I should do a staggered setup on my xdrive m sport DHP. Does it add benefit to handling with staggered setup, what would be the right spec for front and back?

2) Should I download Dinan Shockware to improve handling specifically turning/cornering? I read in some posts that Dinan shockwave is applicable to xdrive. My question is since xdrive don’t come with sports spring, would that be ok? Second, can BMW finds out I download Dinan Shockwave and void my warranty?

3) Would KW coilovers or other mods you recommend be the best spend for remaining of my $3K or so?

4) Anything else you think would be better spend of my money?

Thank you guys!

[ska///235i]

No to #3
U paid $1k for DHP, why change it

Get springs and perf tires

[cloudsource]

Thanks @ska///235i

Would you recommend staggered setup for better handling then for xdrive?

What spring would you recommend? Heard H&R isn't very good.

[963mw]

Originally Posted by cloudsource

Thanks @ska///235i

Would you recommend staggered setup for better handling then for xdrive?

What spring would you recommend? Heard H&R isn't very good.

Go for some exhaust upgrades or for some performance upgrades, since you have DHP it wouldn't make sense to take them apart instantly. Consider an air intake upgrade, a exhaust system... they would be a much more enjoyable upgrade to your car whether cosmetically or performance wise. If you are considering a tune in the near future, buy a charge pipe now and install if you feel like it. That's just my opinion

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by cloudsource

Thanks @ska///235i

Would you recommend staggered setup for better handling then for xdrive?

What spring would you recommend? Heard H&R isn't very good.

??

[fecurtis]

Why would you pay extra for the adjustable shocks (DHP) only to swap them out???? That makes absolutely no sense to me.

[robbiep]

I'd actually recommend DRIVING your car first, and seeing what YOU think of the ride and handling, before spending any money on 'fixing' it ...

[cloudsource]

So KW coilovers is a no-go. Thanks for quick response!

How about Staggered setup for xdrive with DHP? Planning to switch to Michelin Pilot Super Sport.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by cloudsource

So KW coilovers is a no-go. Thanks for quick response!

How about Staggered setup for xdrive with DHP? Planning to switch to Michelin Pilot Super Sport.

Factory summers on the xdrive car are staggered just like the rwd car so bmw thinks they are useful

[spuntyb]

Michelin PSS square setup +/- springs. Staggered doesn't add a whole lot of benefit, imho. Don't really need much beyond that.

[minhsnyc]

I agree with the springs. Shockware allows the suspension to be slightly more aggressive, unless you're in tune with your car you won't notice it. Shockware will not void your warranty.

[bahasad]

1) Staggered setup - it will induce understeer when you really push the car.
2) Get Dinan Springs + Dinan Shockware software for the DHP.

[chiefneil]

You haven't even driven it yet. How do you know what aspects you want to improve, in which way you want to improve it, and to what degree of improvement?

[crono06]

I agree with everybody else here. Drive your car for a month or 2 and figure out what you want to improve. I personally want a lower ride height and a flatter ride when cornering. Since I already have M Adaptive Suspension, I'll be getting some Dinan springs to achieve what I want. I may or may not get the Shockware as well, depending on how much the car is tuned to my liking after the springs.

[floydarogers]

Not sure if Dinan makes roll bars for a DHP equipped car, but a rear, along with new front might make a big difference. Reviews of E9x and others equipped with Dinan's roll bars have been extremely positive.

If it were a RWD, I'd suggest a LSD; won't make as much difference with xDrive...

[nicknaz]

If you are already thinking about modding before getting it, and depending on how much our mods and your ordered car comes out to, are you better off backing out and getting a stripped down M4 or another car?

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by cloudsource

Thanks @ska///235i

Would you recommend staggered setup for better handling then for xdrive?

What spring would you recommend? Heard H&R isn't very good.

Staggers are more for looks and the xdrive you have to be careful to select tires within in rolling diameter

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

If you are already thinking about modding before getting it, and depending on how much our mods and your ordered car comes out to, are you better off backing out and getting a stripped down M4 or another car?

How can he? BMW isn't smart enough to offer an M4 xDrive.

[bdoooh]

The real question is... If one is so concerned about handling why'd they order one with xDrive?

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by bdoooh

The real question is... If one is so concerned about handling why'd they order one with xDrive?

Because maybe he drives in the snow? XDrive will get through conditions that rear drive couldn't even dream of.

[bdoooh]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

Because maybe he drives in the snow? XDrive will get through conditions that rear drive couldn't even dream of.

I dunno if snow is an excuse. I just picked up an F80 last year and live in northeast Ohio. It's been a dream in snow.

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by bdoooh

The real question is... If one is so concerned about handling why'd they order one with xDrive?

He got the DHP so the soft Xdrive suspension is removed. Some of us live where it is a benefit in the snow and since BMW still manages a near 50/50 weight split with the heavier drive system, the benefits far outweigh the negatives IMHO.

Perhaps if one were considering a dedicated track car, the nuts and bolts of RWD vs. AWD could be argued and bantered back and forth. Lap times and power off corners would be screamed about LOL........

But in a real world application, going AWD doesn't negate handling. Audi in fact makes a living selling just that, high performance AWD. Subaru and Mitsubishi get their part in there too.