e38 740 lowering
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 7 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 7 Series (E23, E32, E38, E65, E66, E67 & E68)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=25470
Printed Date: 02-May-2024 at 23:15
Topic: e38 740 lowering
Posted By: scorcher
Subject: e38 740 lowering
Date Posted: 29-December-2005 at 10:56
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Want to slightly firm up and drop the suspension (20mm or so) on my
newly acquired non-sport 2000 E38 740 (without self levelling susp) Has just had a 124 point BMW check before I bought it (22nd Dec), so guess the shocks and springs are fine for car that's done 60k - it's got a fantastic ride on the straights, but is a little bit sloshy on the bendy bits. As I don't want to invalidate my BMW warranty, I'm going to go the the AC Schnitzer / Alpina / OEM Sport spring route (can't afford shocks as well at the mo) Went into my local dealer today to pick up accessory brochures for Alpina and ACS, but no mention of suspension bits in either for an E38 - on closer inspection the ACS brochure is for 5 Series and X5 
Any advice or recommendations? Anyone done something similar? 
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Replies:
Posted By: M3AG
Date Posted: 29-December-2005 at 12:12
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Nice looking 7!
I'll have a look through my details etc to see what I have on this side. Alpina made a suspension kit for the e38's, and when they stopped selling and replaced the car with the latest e65, they (BMW dealers) sold the e38 suspension kits off cheap. Was something like £2000, and they were sold off for £500! So hunt a kit down, there must be a few still around, and have that fitted. ------------- we're the Sweeney son, and we ain't had our dinner..... |
Posted By: M3AG
Date Posted: 29-December-2005 at 12:18
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Here on the Alpina web site, is the brochure for parts. It will at least furnish you with some part nos.
http://212.227.48.10/pdf/teile_e38.pdf - e38 Alpina brochure AG ------------- we're the Sweeney son, and we ain't had our dinner..... |
Posted By: scorcher
Date Posted: 29-December-2005 at 12:27
Woooooah - that sounds just the ticket 
So I best get calling those dealer parts departments? Thanks for the advice. |
Posted By: aussie840
Date Posted: 02-January-2006 at 02:47
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Hi I can also reccomend Eibach springs. I have some on my 840 and are really pleased. Re insurance, most good aftermarket springs for BMWs (including BMWs) come with TUV approval paperwork. On my old BMW I just faxed that & insurance were happy. I don't bother telling them anymore as speaking to someone in insurance they don't really mind as long as TUV approved and fitted by factory trained mechanic. They're more concerned about bogons lowering their rice cookers (chavs lowering their turbo cars) Cheers Skip |
Posted By: scorcher
Date Posted: 25-January-2006 at 11:39
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Have gone for AC Schnitzer lowering springs, and am getting them fitted on
the 28th. Didn't realise what a major job it was though - rear seat and parcel shelf have to come out. Getting it done by an ex BMW techician to be on the safe side. |
Posted By: scorcher
Date Posted: 06-February-2006 at 14:52
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All done - lowered on ACS springs and wearing a set of genuine Alpina 20s
too 
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Posted By: the big lad
Date Posted: 06-February-2006 at 17:06
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That's a really pretty car now - what's the ride quality like ? Has it firmed up the handling? and what about high-speed stability at 100 mph plus?? If you don't mind me asking, what was the the total cost ? I bet you're as pleased as punch now !!
------------- 740i virgin and happy with it. Blissfully happy in France |
Posted By: scorcher
Date Posted: 07-February-2006 at 03:50
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Ride was firmer with new springs, and lost the creaks too when they were
fitted. Firmer still after new wheels, and a little bit of tramlining at 90ish, but nothing drastic. Had a KDS check on Saturday which improve it dramatically - was missing 2 wheel weights and two wheels were quite a bit out. Big thanks to http://www.bmautosport.co.uk - http:// www.bmautosport.co.uk in Eastbourne for letting me have a fully refurbished set of rims with very good tyres for a third of the new dealer price! The springs cost £300ish from Rossiters, fitting was £200 (BMW wanted nearly £700 just to fit them!), rims and tyres were £1900 (BMW price - £4999 + vat + tyres  ) and KDs was £68.
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Posted By: the big lad
Date Posted: 07-February-2006 at 16:46
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Thanks very much for the full info, the car looks great now. What were the BMW dealers thinking with regard to their prices ??!! Will they never learn, if they give good value they will get more work more often from loyal owners, ho hum. Anyway, sincerely hope you enjoy the car
------------- 740i virgin and happy with it. Blissfully happy in France |
Posted By: jenks80085
Date Posted: 08-February-2006 at 09:37
| Car looks well sorted now mate. |