E60 suspension upgrade
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=46337
Printed Date: 05-May-2024 at 10:30
Topic: E60 suspension upgrade
Posted By: ken737
Subject: E60 suspension upgrade
Date Posted: 10-February-2010 at 21:14
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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.
------------- Who needs petrol anyway... |
Replies:
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 11-February-2010 at 08:28
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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. ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: ken737
Date Posted: 12-February-2010 at 10:28
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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?
------------- Who needs petrol anyway... |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 12-February-2010 at 15:15
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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 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=NB32&mospid=47756&btnr=31_0660&hg=31&fg=10 - 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 ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 12-February-2010 at 15:55
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Way to go, Daisy! ------------- Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93. Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
Andrew Rolland wrote:Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 15-February-2010 at 08:22
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Who are you calling Daisy?! I don't know why I bother sometimes... As a 4 year old I did want to be Bo! ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: Ballcock
Date Posted: 16-February-2010 at 09:56
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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 - http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info .mhtml?product=4019719 ------------- E34 Pilot - Keeping it Old School on Irish Roads. 
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Posted By: ken737
Date Posted: 16-February-2010 at 20:29
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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.
------------- Who needs petrol anyway... |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 17-February-2010 at 08:19
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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? ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: garrybhoy
Date Posted: 24-February-2010 at 01:48
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Off Topic.....Ken was to tell you Keith is asking for you. ------------- 2012 F10 M5 2009 E60 550i A M Sport(Sold) 2012 F30 320i A M Sport XDrive 2003 BMW R1150 Rockster(Sold) 2008 SLK350 Edition 10(Sold) 1990 Astra GTE 16V Resto Project 2003 Berlingo Van |
Posted By: garrybhoy
Date Posted: 07-March-2010 at 16:40
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Any updates?, did changing to the 19's make much difference on there own? ------------- 2012 F10 M5 2009 E60 550i A M Sport(Sold) 2012 F30 320i A M Sport XDrive 2003 BMW R1150 Rockster(Sold) 2008 SLK350 Edition 10(Sold) 1990 Astra GTE 16V Resto Project 2003 Berlingo Van |