Making my BMW i3 Highway Worthy - H&R Lowering Springs, Spacers and New Wheels

[@dantec79]

Thanks! You just saved my day! First one to show how the rear bottom bolts are done. I did the second one in 45 mins 😊

[@bimmerfan6538]

What a transformation, I think this might be the best mod to do on this car! It looks like a cool sport hatchback now

[@SimpleCarGuy]

I think so too!

[@hansschweikert9153]

Fantastic video. One of the clearest and most thorough I've seen. Kudos to you for adding great content to the community's knowledge base.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Much appreciated!

[@joroirwin]

I wish I could like your video twice. Thanks for including all of the bolt sizes and types, as well as the torque specs, super informative! Looks like we have super similar garages well

[@anorsegoddess9797]

Thanks for showing how to properly release the spring. Incorrect releasing results in death. No joke. Look up videos of people dying because the spring flies back at full speed snapping their neck. VERY dangerous and serious job. There's a reason it costs a lot to do.. The higher the price of the job the harder it is to do.

[@Freerider93]

How much would it cost a good mechanic to do it?

[@tony5006]

It is always a good idea to apply some "anti-seize" compound on the vehicle hub before fitting the spacer, and some on the spacer before fitting the wheel. Huge improvement to the car's appearance. Taking the front wheel off you can see why it's a good idea to use "anti-seize" compound.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

That's a great idea! I will keep that in mind for next time I switch the wheels (this car will need a winter set) and I'll get some. Thanks for watching and always leaving constructive and helpful comments.

[@tony5006]

@@SimpleCarGuy I painted and fitted a boot (trunk) lip spoiler a couple of weeks ago after watching you fit yours. I followed your fitting process and it came out great, so thank you too. I have done a lot of mods since buying the car last summer, when I was doing the spoiler I also removed the roll hoop rear covers and painted them to match the red leather interior and I wasn’t too sure at first but it’s really growing on me now. I’m going to a car show this weekend so when the car is cleaned I will do a quick video and upload it on my channel for you to see. Tony.

[@tony5006]

Video ready for show. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ-Wm6OImpdga6M

[@NilsKall]

Great video and very nicely explained on how to do the work! As a technical trainer I especially liked that you told about the dangers of working with the springs!

[@gump1119]

Thanks a million for posting this video. Huge help. Never would have attempted this without these clear instructions. And the torque specs are money as well. For anyone that also does this, a couple recommendations: I had the hardest time removing the front struts. I gave up and swapped the spring with the strut still installed and just hanging past the fender. Means you don’t need to remove the lower bolt either. Saves some time. You definitely want a 6 foot steel pipe for reinstalling the rear strut. That’s a huge pain. A second person is definitely recommended and probably also handy for holding the hub down while removing the strut. I got heavy duty spring compressors from Amazon by Bilitools. They are beefy and inspire confidence.

[@Eschrisc2]

Warning! Be very carefull with the bots of the upper part of the struts. Assure the torque is correct. If the break, and is easy, you are going to have a problem one or two. Dont do this if you have not experience. It is more complicated as it is seen in the video. By example when you compress the springs, the position of compressers is very important if not you could not be able to mount the entire strut.

[@ph10wed]

Very helpful video. Just a quick addition the knuckle long bolt and nut should be replaced. After 44Nm you need to add 90 degrees of turn for full torque Also if the strut is stick in the vertical knuckle, like mine was you can use a strut spreader to get it out. This really helped me do mine. I replaced the top strut mount with a Sachs as bearings were shot and BMW - not sure make, appear junk

[@TheTotalThomCars]

I'm just about to buy an i3. Your videos have been so helpful. Instant Sub!

[@markedwardsphotography]

Nice video. Can’t believe it’s the same car! Wow. You made it so much like new again

[@daves1646]

How did ride stiffness turn out? The change to shorter sidewall 20’s and lowering springs probably both caused a little less ride travel over the road. Still comfortable? Or notably stiffer ride? Thanks for the very complete look with advice on managing the springs and strut removal steps!!

[@rebootninja8036]

At 7:55 Is there any kind of bearing or movable parts in the rear top mount? I'm trying to decide if I should replace them or re-use them when swapping for new(er) secondhand rear struts. I did replace my front top mounts because they have a bearing and are known for wearing out.

[@nickhoi6370]

Keep going with this Content! I am from Germany and bought a BMW i3 a few months ago :)

[@joshuaguevara6745]

Out of curiosity, what shocks and struts did you use to replace the old ones? Where can I find new shocks and struts? I have a 2017 BMW i3 Rex.

[@andyn4797]

great instructive video ! thanks for sharing . and yes the i3 looks way better with the new wheels ! enjoy !

[@johncleave5637]

After a few months use,,, What is the car like at high speed heavy braking 80 -90 mph ? Plus is the car bouncy, or firm

[@kosasin1182]

The car looks way better now.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

It's night and day in person too!

[@kosasin1182]

Please do more videos on I3. Thanks

[@Dggb2345]

Thanks need new shocks and dust covers. BTW, do these mods mirror the S model suspension changes

[@whocares264]

Ihave an i3 rex putting on spacers and putting 30kg in the frunk improved the ride and stability.

[@youtubetech7995]

Hello. What can you say, what is the difference in comfort between the 2 types of springs? Which do you think are more comfortable and stiffer when you drive through potholes? I already bought the car with these lowering springs that hold the car quite low and I would like to switch to the stock ones. What is your opinion, because you have experience with both. Thanks.....

[@rebootninja8036]

I will gladly trade you my stock springs from my 2014 i3 Rex if you'd like :-) I don't know how other springs feel, but would love my car to be lower so it will have less body roll and be more stable at highway speeds.

[@jimmiewilliams5972]

Question can you replace the front 2 tire 155-60-20 with the same size tires on the rear (20) 175-55-20 I know it will make it wider I don’t know if the tire will fit the rim

[@christopherovard379]

??? Ever get an answer?

[@omarrangelnunez]

Great video!, what are the website or links for each product that are in the video?

[@illium9442]

Hi Dan, great video, a question though, with the car lower do the wheels ever bottom out in the wheel arch? Or on the sides when turning & going into a driveway for example?

[@christopherovard379]

??? I wondered the same thing. Ever have an answer?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

No, the wheels never bottomed out.

[@rafaeltizol9290]

Hi great video. Were you get the parts? Thanks

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Hi, I got the parts locally on FB marketplace, but you can get springs and spacers online very easily.

[@chris061261]

Hi good video can you tell me i have I3rex 68 reg 20" wheels was thinking putting spacers on it 15mm what do you think about this and would i have to change anything else to help also were did you get your spring from please regards chris

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Hi! You can absolutely put 15mm spacers on it. You can even go to 20mm if you want, but you'd probably want to add tiny fender guards (like on the i3s) or you'll get dirt flung up on the body. Nothing else needs to be done. I got my springs locally, but you can get them on ECS tuning and a bunch of other websites.

[@benji182]

Hello - How did you get your car up on to 4 axle stands like that? what were the jacking up points?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Hi! I made a video on how to do that: How to lift BMW i3 onto Jack Stands - BMW i3 Lifting Points kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnLLq4igh7CBedk

[@benji182]

@@SimpleCarGuy Thank you

[@MrMed-hl2fq]

great video!! After watching you I looked at each of my 2014 i3 Rex, 4 tire springs and saw the rubber boot is torn on all 4 tires... Do u think I could replace them myself? god only knows how much bmw would charge me... poor boy in florida..

[@Freerider93]

Did you ever try to replace them?

[@user-em7yf3pk3s]

What spacers did you use? 3006162 and 3006163?

[@CandycaneBeyond]

Is it possible to get a better ride by just using the spacers? I'm just wondering if the wider stance is good enough to give it a planted feel?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

It will definitely make it better. I’d go for it 100% even if I wasnt lowering the car

[@rebootninja8036]

Yes! I added 20mm spacers to just my front 19” wheels and the handling is quite a bit better especially at higher speeds, totally worth the $80 or so. Have not changed anything with shocks or springs yet on mine. Even my wife told me she can tell there’s an improvement when she drives it, and she usually doesn’t notice much about handling dynamics. The wheels are right at the edge of the fenders but really don’t poke out at all. Lots of folks go with 15mm, I haven’t tried anything but 20mm, but I would do it again and recommend it.

[@damirbajic4579]

What are the widest wheels you can put on? Idk about losing some range.

[@zcar4me]

Did you paint the car? It looks unbelievably better compared to when you first brought it home.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

I haven't painted the car yet (still looking into paint vs wrap), but I did give it a good wash with liquid wax. Made a world of difference! Once I decide what I'll do with the paint, that will be the next biggest change to the appearance of the car. Can't wait!

[@saml147]

Great video, where do you put the jack to get it onto 2 axle stands for each side? Thanks

[@SimpleCarGuy]

I made a video about that too! How to lift BMW i3 onto Jack Stands: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnLLq4igh7CBedk Thanks for watching!

[@Ohanxx]

When you drive on wet roads, dust and mud, does the spacers make the sides of the car dirty? I imagine it would increase

[@user-em7yf3pk3s]

Did the spacers really add anything to the driving experience?

[@andreasvoss5765]

I added wheel spacers on my 2015 i3. I am glad I did.....it didn't completely stop the bouncyness but it helped a lot. But I am worried about lowering the i3. The condenser is then at even great risk of damage and the AC compressor price for this car is insane.....

[@tiagocarvalho983]

Hi Dan and in terms of confort in bad roads Is better?

[@ltsradio]

Love the video, Question: My 2019 i3 has the factory 20' rims and is very different in the way it steers, than any other car I have ever owned. At highway speeds, if I turn the steering wheel to make a lane change, and let go of the wheel (right after turning into the lane change) the wheel WILL NOT return to center. My i3 will continue turning. If I do not actively pull the steering wheel back to center, my car will go right off the road. Does your i3 do this? If so, did your mods do anything to improve this rather SCARY feel to the stock handling of the BMW i3? P.S. I have had my i3 Re-aligned at (2) two different BMW dealers, they both said them same exact thing. YOUR CAR IS ABSOLUTELY FINE, this is how the i3 steers.... Please let me (and any other i3 owner reading this) know your thoughts. Thank you

[@BM-ho3js]

My 2021 i3 (without s) on 19" wheels 155 front/ 175rear is actually really stable at „high“ speeds, wind an so on. You can drive it perfectly safe at vmax on the Autobahn. It does drive in a straight line by itself and of course it will go back to a straight line when you let go the steeringwheel. I honestly don’t unterstand why people say it’s sketchy. It is not as planted as for example a 5series but it is absolutely fine. Same with the other three i3(s) i have driven in the past few years as test vehicles before I bought mine.

[@ltsradio]

@@BM-ho3js Not mine (or the two others I tried) Both will stay in the direction you turn them too. They WILL NOT return to straight. The only thing else they had in common were 20' wheels.

[@BM-ho3js]

@@ltsradio That is just strange 🤔 a 1" difference should not do that. Maybe i can find an i3 with 20" to try. As far as i know there are no differences between german cars like mine and US cars (or wherever you are) apart form some lights. I would not have bought mine if it where that bad an i only know two cars that behave like that: Land Rover Defender (old one) and Mercedes G. That's a massive mystery to me.

[@ltsradio]

@@BM-ho3js Thank you for the reply, I live in South Florida, USA. I went so far as to rent an i3 on Turo, just to see if it handled like mine. It was the same way.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

I would have to agree that the i3 behaves a little different on the highway compared to other cars, but I do NOT have the issue where it wouldn't return to center. It may not be as planted and the wheel isn't as weighed as other BMWs, but it tracks straight. Lowering it and widening the track has made it a lot easier to control on the highway and it feels a lot more 'stuck' to the road. I guess the question would be what speed are you going when this happens? Thanks for watching!

[@msmithena]

Did you have to buy new lug nuts to fit the spacers?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Yes, I bought +12mm lugs.

[@msmithena]

@@SimpleCarGuy thanks! I really like how clean this made yours look but still looks as if it could be factory. I got a 15 white and black Rex with the same rims. I am thinking I am going to have to lower mine now after seeing this!

[@carlgeorgtsigakis498]

Great Video! It is possible to change the front springs without removing the strut from the hub. :) You didn't take the car for an alignment? Lowering it this much will increase the camber and tyre wear if you don't.

[@my2fenders]

Can you link to all the parts?

[@cristianalvarado7311]

the new lowered and widened style 430 wheels look great!! What are the plans for winter time? I've never been able to find winter tires for the style 430 wheels. Are you just going to put winter tires on the old style 427 wheels?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

I bought a set of black Rial x-10 wheels and basically brand new winter tires on on those wheels for $500 locally in the beginning of summer. So, I’ll swap out for those for the winter.

[@cristianalvarado7311]

@@SimpleCarGuy $500 for wheels and tires is a kingly gift of a deal price!! Thanks for the tip on the Rial wheels

[@christopherclaure6689]

Any brake upgrades ?

[@larumpole]

Did you change the shocks as well?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

No, I just changed the springs.

[@edgardorodriguez]

Any change on milage?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

None that I have noticed in 500 miles so far. My mileage has gone up, but so has the temperature. Hard to tell which was the main factor.

[@ug636]

i8 Wheels ? !

[@BOO5T75]

lucky you still have your strut boots

[@mazenbira1776]

Awesome ❤

[@beforebefore]

At 23:47 that's just a hex Allen bit, isn't it?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

So that was the word that slipped out of my mind! :)

[@VESSCOG]

As I do not have any of the social tools you used on your video, what are the chances you are living in Michigan so I can ask you to do it for me please. Of course you can provide the price if you are okay with that. Thank you for the great detailed video.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Realistically, you just need a good set of mechanic's tools, a way to lift the vehicle up and the spring compressors. I live in Chicago area, so we are a little far apart for me to help with your car, but honestly, I would be very hesitant to work on other people's cars as I'm not a mechanic and just do this for fun on my own cars. Thanks for watching!

[@McGr1stle]

Looks amazing Dan. Seriously thinking about the springs after a windy drive today. No fun. Out of interest, what tyres do you have on the 430 wheels?

[@cristianalvarado7311]

31:03 Bridgestone Ecopia EP500 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpbSiZZ7fc9smNk

[@dennisbird5901]

Is the ride harsher with lowering the car?

[@SimpleCarGuy]

It's not harsher, but on very poor roads I have noticed a little bit of a 'bounce' here and there.

[@gathonar]

nice

[@mollyfilms]

Looks nothing different to my stock factory i3 with 20” wheels