[bad karma]

As the title says. You may have seen my post over in the general forum about my overlanding trip in my F31. My girlfriend and I are talking about what would be involved in getting a couple more inches of ground clearance out of her and a bit more suspension travel. Interested in building out the F31 a bit like a Subaru Crosstrek (8.7in clearance) or at least just a bit higher than an Audi Allroad (6.5in). Going down to 17's with some much knobbier AT tires (Yokahama Geolanders?) will help, but I'm wondering if anything can be done to the suspension setup itself?

[hardparker]

I wouldn't be surprised if X3 springs would swap right in. Not sure what kind of lift it would give, but I'm pretty sure it would be taller. They even make X3 lift springs, which would get your wagon way up there.

[MrMarvin]

I'm not the one to judge the durability of this setup, but what about airride or airlift suspension? Those are pretty adjustable in both height and stiffness, range rovers utilise them on their cars but i've also heard that they sometimes fail.

[kern417]

i haven't heard of an airlift system that allows you to run higher than stock. if OP is serious he should stick with a coil and shock. i'd skip stock x3 suspension and go for aftermarket lift kits or pucks if you can't find anything.

[M-terkait]

longer springs and Bilstein B8.

please update the thread if you get something.
I would like to build something like this too in future

[bad karma]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'll update this thread if/when I decide to move forward.

[SpecialK]

From what I remember, the Indian market F30 comes with different front struts that raise the car a considerable amount (to account for harsh road conditions) vs. the rest of the world. I'm not sure how the rear of the car is raised - most likely springs and shocks. There was a thread a few months ago mentioning the height differences, and part numbers if I remember correctly.

Keep in mind that when just installing taller springs (not sure that's an option on the F30), you run into the danger of "topping" out a shock/strut, which is far more detrimental to the damper than bottoming out, because they're not typically designed with that type of motion in mind. One of the primary reasons that off road vehicles use suspension travel limiting straps is to prevent shock damage.

[TouringM3]

Originally Posted by SpecialK

From what I remember, the Indian market F30 comes with different front struts that raise the car a considerable amount (to account for harsh road conditions) vs. the rest of the world. I'm not sure how the rear of the car is raised - most likely springs and shocks. There was a thread a few months ago mentioning the height differences, and part numbers if I remember correctly.

Keep in mind that when just installing taller springs (not sure that's an option on the F30), you run into the danger of "topping" out a shock/strut, which is far more detrimental to the damper than bottoming out, because they're not typically designed with that type of motion in mind. One of the primary reasons that off road vehicles use suspension travel limiting straps is to prevent shock damage.

I wonder if anyone has completed any of the suggested approaches here.

I also wonder at what lift / extension point you'd run out of half shaft length?

[Billfitz]

Take it into a low rider shop in East L.A., they'll get it squared away.