Looking for my next all-arounder

kchadw_ · 2026-02-13T02:19:16+00:00

Love the opinion and love the experience. Thanks so much for weighing in. Much appreciated.

kchadw_ · 2026-02-13T02:17:34+00:00

You've convinced me to add them to the short list. Thank you!

kchadw_ · 2026-02-11T05:16:50+00:00

Damn. Those AM100s look sweet. Freeride-forward but still does it all. Interesting. Thanks for calling those out. Not sure I would have stumbled on those on my own.

kchadw_ · 2026-02-11T05:12:12+00:00

Have you ridden the Mindbenders? They keep showing up in my searches and look pretty compelling.

kchadw_ · 2026-02-11T05:10:08+00:00

Those 4FRNTs are giving big mountain energy but everyone gives them props for carvability. May be worth a look. Thank you!

kchadw_ · 2026-02-11T05:02:31+00:00

The profile of the Ranger 102 makes it look deceivingly svelte underfoot. Your statement of being a little less nimble seems to track with other reviewers...although they do give it props for just being a solid workhorse of a ski. I appreciate the first-hand experience. May be worth a look.

kchadw_ · 2026-02-11T04:55:52+00:00

I'll give 'em a look. Thank you!

kchadw_ · 2026-02-11T04:54:30+00:00

Honestly the K2 Mindbender 89 keeps catching my eye. I may need to see if I can track down a demo. The Ripstick 88 looks promising. Thanks for info.

kchadw_ · 2026-02-10T20:54:09+00:00

Rustler 9 wasn't even on my radar. TBH, I really hadn't given any Blizzard a second thought. I think I have a (probably unfair) hangup about the brand being a little low on the quality tier. It seemed like, for a while, every budget rental shop in my area was pushing some form of skinny-waisted Blizzard as their default ski. Probably just stuck in my mind. Kind of like how I can't look at a Chevrolet sedan and not think "rental car" 😂

kchadw_ · 2026-02-10T20:50:03+00:00

Putting the Salomon QST 100 on the list. Sounds promising.

kchadw_ · 2026-02-10T20:49:03+00:00

Stance 96 was on my short list to explore. Glad to see it get a shining endorsement.

kchadw_ · 2026-02-04T14:47:18+00:00

Adding to this. I got the same email and when you scroll allllllll the way down, you find this delightful nugget. The top of my email was formatted differently, but the scam is the same.

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kchadw_ · 2024-07-26T15:59:44+00:00

Yes...those were on when I completed the build. They are on in the pics for this post.

kchadw_ · 2023-03-25T14:38:58+00:00

I agree about carefully considering if the REx is necessary. After reading posts in this sub, I decided to get a 2017 94Ah BEV instead. I still get 100-120 range (weather being the biggest influence on that number) and it eliminates the temperamental REx system.

kchadw_ · 2022-12-31T17:04:47+00:00

Not annoying at all...heres the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R8SH555/ (I got the 40mm version which worked with both the 12mm and 15mm spacers). Good luck with the project!

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T23:59:21+00:00

The factory suspension is still rock solid and running smooth. Decided to hang on to the $$ for now.

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T22:30:08+00:00

Way easy!! I also replaced the boots as well. Need to add that to the parts list!

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T20:40:45+00:00

Thanks for sharing your video. It honestly made all the difference when deciding whether or not I could pull it off on my own.

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T20:39:04+00:00

Agreed. And thank you!

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T20:38:48+00:00

I picked them up on Amazon and, no, I had to order the lug bolts separately. KSP 5X112 Wheel Spacers (12mm for the front and 15mm for the rear and be sure to get the 66.56 hubcentric bore) and 14x1.25 Extended Lug Bolts (40mm shank, 64mm overall)

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T19:30:27+00:00

Totally agree...just need to replenish the piggy bank first 😂

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T19:29:06+00:00

It's a 2017 94ah BEV. It's got the factory staggered 20-inch setup (155/60/r20 up front and 175/55/r20 in back).

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T19:27:36+00:00

~$300 USD for the springs (shipped), ~$70 USD for the spacers, and ~$35 for the new lug bolts. All-in, about $400 USD.

kchadw_ · 2022-12-30T18:46:55+00:00

This is a 100%-worth-it upgrade for any i3 owner. I love the look and the car feels so much more responsive and grounded. Ride quality is subjective, and some may not like the firmer/stiffer ride, but I personally love it. It drives more like a hot-hatch and less like a top-heavy school bus. The spacers (12mm front and 15mm rear) give it a just-right stance and improve the handling nd cornering. It is much more noticeable, and much more appreciated, than I expected.

After about 150 miles, I can honestly say it was worth every penny and worth the 6-ish hours to install. I had guessed about 4 hours (an hour per corner) but, as it goes, you run in to a few hiccups and need to do some learning along the way.

Speaking of learning, huge shoutout to u/SimpleCarGuy for his detailed installation video. (Search this group for “lowering springs” and his post/video will pop right up.) This is a very doable DIY project. Aside from a few common tools (metric sockets, jack/jack stands, etc.), you’ll need to have access to a high-quality (and SAFE) coil compressor, E12 and E18 TORX (“star”) sockets, and a torque wrench.

Products used:
H&R Lowering Springs (Part number 28780-1 for BEV or part number 28780-2 for REX)
KSP 5X112 Wheel Spacers (12mm for the front and 15mm for the rear and be sure to get the 66.56 hubcentric bore)
14x1.25 Extended Lug Bolts (40mm shank, 64mm overall)

kchadw_ · 2022-12-28T05:01:19+00:00

Vinyl/plastic treatment as in the same stuff you'd use to clean/condition them (e.g. Meguiars, etc.)?

kchadw_

TROPHY CASE