4Msfam
4Msfam Reader
12/30/21 12:18 p.m.

My father in law has been having issues getting in and out of his 2017 f30 328iX due to its lower height. While an SUV would fit the bill, car prices are so crazy right now and he loves his well maintained car. I think just 2 inches of lift between longer springs and bigger tires would do the trick. I’m having a heck of a time finding an option to lift the car. I was thinking springs / struts from an X series would work, but it seems the X3 is built on the five series, not the F30 platform. Any ideas?

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa PowerDork
12/30/21 12:21 p.m.

No ideas, but you might check and see if anyone is rallycrossing the F30 platform and what they've done?

pointofdeparture
pointofdeparture GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
12/30/21 12:29 p.m.

BMWs are sold all over the world and at least for the older generations, there was usually a "rough roads" package sold in less-developed countries that involved taller springs. No idea if that's still the case but you could dig into the ETK at realoem.com and hope to find some part numbers.

EDIT: Some Google-fu shows that package still exists (SWP "Poor Road Package" code S815A) so you might want to do some digging.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-term-ownership-reviews/125188-ultimat3-f30-bmw-328i-edit-upgraded-m-exhaust-injen-intake-steinbauer-power-module-6.html#post2892372

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1429989

psteav (Forum Supporter)
psteav (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand Dork
12/30/21 12:47 p.m.

The good news about high prices is that they apply to the seller too.  When the 1st gen (E84) X1 came out, the magazines raved about how they were basically a tall E90 wagon and they were the best choice for a driver's car if you had to have an SUV.   Might it be worth selling the F30 to an enthusiast who's willing to pay for the maintenance records and care he's taken, then seeking out a similar X1? 

Remember, as you get older, it rarely gets easier to get in and out of a low vehicle.  Raising the F30 might only be buying you a little time, rather than a long-term solution.

For that matter, might X1 bits fit?  How much difference is there between the E90 and F30 in the suspension?

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
12/30/21 1:19 p.m.

In reply to 4Msfam :

Here are some words that I have written in the past about buying a car with good egress for my mother-in-law

4Msfam
4Msfam Reader
12/30/21 5:12 p.m.

Thanks guys!  That rough road package is what I was thinking of.. maybe I'll start there.  Yes, I should take him to a dealer and just have him try some cars, I thought perhaps I could save him car payments.  But perhaps this might not be the case.  I thought the X1 was FWD based AWD?  I'll have to look again.  Looking quickly, the strut attachments looked a bit different in the X3 vs F30 pics that I could find.  

He's a larger guy (6'5" and prob around 280#'s.. think like an older football player size, lol), so the RAV4. / Venza's I had him try on for size "felt too cramped."   The latest CRV (thanks John Welsh for that link!) seemed better in size for him.

The reality is that he has an AWD Previa that is aging but still running that he loves to drive, so I've also thought minivan.. just the newer ones seems so big for just him to drive.  

Thx for the ideas!

Marc

psteav (Forum Supporter)
psteav (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand Dork
12/31/21 8:41 a.m.

First gen x1 is E90 based,  2nd generation went to the FWD basis.

Aspen
Aspen HalfDork
12/31/21 9:10 a.m.

The f34 (3 GT) is a little taller at seat height than the f30.  I don't know if it is due to spring length.

Could just trade for one of them they are great cars.  I would have one but my wife wanted the taller X3 because it was easier for her to get in and out of.

CyberEric
CyberEric Dork
12/31/21 10:58 p.m.

He's got a Previa?! I like this guy. That is all.

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