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ken737 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ken737 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: E60 suspension upgrade
    Posted: 10-February-2010 at 21:14
Have any of you guys uprated the struts/shocks on your E60 SE? I want it a little lower, a little stiffer, but yet retaining the compliance and driveability which I have now. I have already replaced the wheels with 19" M5 alloys, and what a difference that has made over the RFTs. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Ken.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrew Rolland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-February-2010 at 08:28

I've got factory fitted BMW sports suspension so mine is already lowered by 15mm over the stock SE.  It rides better than the first E60 SE I had which standard suspension.

But then again, I'm not driving mine particularly hard round the corners but she does grip and goes round corners better than the E39 did.

Do you get the front end running wide with understeer when on slightly damp bends or during hard conering?  If I'm on the power trying to do a right turn to get the green light on the next traffic light, I've had to back off to let the front end which is now approaching the kerb scrabble for grip to get a grip and keep me going where I wanted.  Again the E39 did this too.

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ken737 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ken737 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-February-2010 at 10:28
Thanks, Andrew. That would explain why your car handles better; you know what the SEs are like. It does need to be a little lower and stiffer. Yes, it will tend to understeer initially, then transition (good word) to oversteer. I've not been brave enough to get the tail out to explore...could be terminal! I'll keep you posted on the developments. I have been advised NOT to go down the coilover route. Any thoughts?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrew Rolland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-February-2010 at 15:15

From what I've heard coil overs don't get a good press, but not any definte reasons as to why.

Remeber if you lower the ride height, ideally you want to replace the strut too so that you don't reduce the life of it when it works with the shorter spring.  Looking here it would appear that the sports suspension has different struts and springs.

Tail out practise - B&Q car park with loads of snow, Dukes of Hazzard style driving aplenty over the Christmas holidays.  yeeeehaaawww

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-February-2010 at 15:55

Originally posted by Andrew Rolland Andrew Rolland wrote:

Tail out practise - B&Q car park with loads of snow, Dukes of Hazzard style driving aplenty over the Christmas holidays.  yeeeehaaawww

Way to go, Daisy!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrew Rolland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2010 at 08:22

Who are you calling Daisy?!  I don't know why I bother sometimes...

As a 4 year old I did want to be Bo!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ballcock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-February-2010 at 09:56

A set of Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs would fit the bill. A modest 30mm lower yet it will retain 90% of your ride comfort. They are designed to be used with your OE shocks so no need to replace unless they are pretty tired at this stage....

http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info .mhtml?product=4019719

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ken737 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-February-2010 at 20:29
Thanks for the info. The car has covered 78000m, but still is in good nick. However, I would like to make it a bit stiffer on the suspension anyway, so I'm looking for a package which will do all this without detracting from the driveability.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrew Rolland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-February-2010 at 08:19
Mibbie you could do with a set of new suspension rubbers all round?  At that mileage, things may have got a bit soft and have more play in them?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote garrybhoy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24-February-2010 at 01:48
Off Topic.....Ken was to tell you Keith is asking for you.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote garrybhoy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-March-2010 at 16:40
Any updates?, did changing to the 19's make much difference on there own?
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