Confirmed! M5 Front Sway Bar fits 535xi

+ 1 Silvertu....M5 front bar with a GT rear sway (just which one...16 or 18mm I'm not sure yet)

For BigDeep1, consider keeping the sways on your list. If and when you do it, the immediate change you'll notice will be that every time you deviate from a straight line, from beginning and exiting a turn, lane change, even pulling out of a parking spot, will be different, in a good way. Sharper turn in, quicker response with out excessive dipping/rolling. No, it won't give us back road feel lack a sporty rack-and pinion set up like in past BMWs but I believe it'll be the most handling we can get considering the F10 platform and the electronic steering assist.

Originally Posted by bodonx

I got my ACS installed $250 in California without alignment.

I still haven't found anyone to do it near Sacramento for less than $650 not counting alignment........arggh.

Now, if I had a F250 that needed work I'm sure that would only take 1 hr but them fancy BMW's must take 6 hrs min for everything! :shootsself:

Originally Posted by HDEddie1

+ 1 Silvertu....M5 front bar with a GT rear sway (just which one...16 or 18mm I'm not sure yet)

If the GT rear sway fits, I will go for 18mm

In for M5 Front Sway and Gt Rear 18mm

In for ACS or Hartage Springs,

If somebody can vouge for Hartage that would be great becuase price is much better then ACS and they are very similar.

D

Also in for m5 front sway and possibly rear sway if fits.

Interesting mod which sounds enticing, though I'm not toooo critical of the body roll of this car (feels tighter compared to what I was used to).

I'm gonna assume the answer is a "no" here, but figure it's worth asking: Would beefing up the front sway bar add maybe too much rigidity to where the car would now feel too "hard" and less absorbing over bumps and rough patches? I.e, did BMW put thinner sway bars in part due to it giving the car a more absorbing/"soft" feel, or is it simply an inferior sway bar in every which way (sportiness with no negative effects on rough-patch absorbing).

Anybody have further info on hartage? Lets get something going on these buys

Originally Posted by K-A

Interesting mod which sounds enticing, though I'm not toooo critical of the body roll of this car (feels tighter compared to what I was used to).

I'm gonna assume the answer is a "no" here, but figure it's worth asking: Would beefing up the front sway bar add maybe too much rigidity to where the car would now feel too "hard" and less absorbing over bumps and rough patches? I.e, did BMW put thinner sway bars in part due to it giving the car a more absorbing/"soft" feel, or is it simply an inferior sway bar in every which way (sportiness with no negative effects on rough-patch absorbing).

To answer your question. Yes.

The thicker the bar the firmer the ride will be when going over bumps. Its essentially connecting your front wheels together so it makes sense that it will.

With the F10 Bmw made it too soft to begin with so adding a thicker bar is essentially just bringing it back the traditional Bmw feel. My car isn't harsh as all even in Sport mode. Honestly I like how the car feels going over bumps with the M5 bar more than before. It feels like a nice solid thump where as before it felt loose and bouncy. Keep in mind I also have ACS springs so my ride is already firmer than stock.

Alan

Originally Posted by Alan L.

To answer your question. Yes.

The thicker the bar the firmer the ride will be when going over bumps. Its essentially connecting your front wheels together so it makes sense that it will.

With the F10 Bmw made it too soft to begin with so adding a thicker bar is essentially just bringing it back the traditional Bmw feel. My car isn't harsh as all even in Sport mode. Honestly I like how the car feels going over bumps with the M5 bar more than before. It feels like a nice solid thump where as before it felt loose and bouncy. Keep in mind I also have ACS springs so my ride is already firmer than stock.

Alan

Cool, thanks. I'm in an interesting position where I wouldn't mind a more stiff ride in turns, but at the same time I don't want the car to get any bit harsher over bumps. I want my cake and I wanna eat it too.

Originally Posted by K-A

I'm in an interesting position where I wouldn't mind a more stiff ride in turns, but at the same time I don't want the car to get any bit harsher over bumps. I want my cake and I wanna eat it too.

Actually, it sounds like you want ARS (Active Roll Stabilization).

Now you have something to look forward to getting on your next BMW

M5 guy from another forum confirmed for us his rear bar on his F10 M5 is 18mm. For those of us wanting to match the factory set up when upgrading to the M5 front bar, the makes the choice for the rear real easy- use the F07 GT 18mm

Originally Posted by Alan L.

Now with the rear bar.

Turns out on the 535 theres several sizes that the car comes with depending on options and if its RWD or AWD.

535i standard rear bar is 13MM
535i Msports rear bar is 14MM
535xi standard rear bar is 14MM
535xi with EDC/DDC rear bar is 15MM

I did not check this for the 528 or the 550 but you can easily do it with realoem.com

Since my car comes with a 15MM rear bar I will go with the 18MM F07 550GT's rear bar for a 3mm increase. Looks like you will also need to purchase new bushings with bigger internal diameter to hold the thicker bar. Hopefully thats it.

Alan

Originally Posted by K-A

Cool, thanks. I'm in an interesting position where I wouldn't mind a more stiff ride in turns, but at the same time I don't want the car to get any bit harsher over bumps. I want my cake and I wanna eat it too.

If you install just the bigger rear sway bar, the ride will not be affected as much.

You'll notice more (relative) harshness from aftermarket springs than you will with upgraded sway bars. But be careful, with upgraded sways, you might unwittingly find yourself cornering at much higher speeds and that cake you have in your lap might just slide over onto your passenger just from the increased centrifugal force!

Originally Posted by K-A

Cool, thanks. I'm in an interesting position where I wouldn't mind a more stiff ride in turns, but at the same time I don't want the car to get any bit harsher over bumps. I want my cake and I wanna eat it too.

Eddie are you sure?

I thought with all the digging done already the M5 Sways are not a dirrect fit hecne why we have been looking at the 550GT?

Does anybody have pics or can confirm a direct fittment of the M5 Rears, I know fronts have been confirmed.

D

I think Eddie just meant if you want the front and rears to match the size you need for the rear is 18mm. The M5 rear bar does not fit according to someone that tried it.

the 550GT's rear bar is 18mm so it should be perfect for those with the M5 front.

Alan

We're all waiting to see if the F07 GT bar fits. Thanks

Originally Posted by Supercomputers

Eddie are you sure?

I thought with all the digging done already the M5 Sways are not a dirrect fit hecne why we have been looking at the 550GT?

Does anybody have pics or can confirm a direct fittment of the M5 Rears, I know fronts have been confirmed.

D

Ok thanks for clarification, Cant wait to see if its a go, so we can start ordering these.

Originally Posted by Supercomputers

Ok thanks for clarification, Cant wait to see if its a go, so we can start ordering these.

Me too!

So after another week with the M5 front sway bar on my 535xi i still love them. Its the best sub $300 mod i've done to this car hands down.

I find myself cruising on the highway way above my normal speed now because the car just feels so much better. It went from a butter knife to something much sharper now.

Zero negatives to report.

I'd say just do it for those on the fence. This is a nice DIY project if you have ramps and a ratchet set.

Alan

Originally Posted by Alan L.

So after another week with the M5 front sway bar on my 535xi i still love them. Its the best sub $300 mod i've done to this car hands down.

I find myself cruising on the highway way above my normal speed now because the car just feels so much better. It went from a butter knife to something much sharper now.

Zero negatives to report.

I'd say just do it for those on the fence. This is a nice DIY project if you have ramps and a ratchet set.

Alan

Hi Alan,

R u planning to order the M550dx rear bar as well? Or do you think the thicker rear bar will make the handling worse and the ride much worse?

I'm debating whether I should try M5 front only first or order both F&R as a package.

Thanks.

I am planning on doing the F07 550GT bar next since its 18mm. I seriously like the slightly firmer / more solid feel with the M5 FSB. The car just feels sharper has more of that traditional BMW sports package feel.

My wife doesn't even notice the slightly firmer ride and I am always in Sport mode with DDC.

Once joe@ptech confirms on the other forum the GT's bar fits I am ordering up. I got my front bar from Evan@Tischer and couldn't be happier.

I just sent this message to Tischer BMW/GetBMWparts and hope they will have an answer for me.

"I'm looking to purchase from you and add anti sway bars to my 535i currently with, OEM, whatever came with my ZSP equipped vehicle. I am under the impression that the 18mm F10 M5 front anti sway bar, your item #31352284460 will fit my vehicle. I am also under the impression that the 18mm F07 550GT rear anti sway bar will fit my vehicle, as well. Please be so kind as to confirm that this is correct so that I may purchase these items from you for installation on my vehicle. Thank you for your attention in this matter."

As far as I know, no one, from any of our forums, has confirmed that both the front and rear anti sway bars as referenced above from the F10 M5 front/F07 550GT rear will fit my vehicle. Any insight into this will be greatly appreciared

Originally Posted by rhonig

I just sent this message to Tischer BMW/GetBMWparts and hope they will have an answer for me.

"I'm looking to purchase from you and add anti sway bars to my 535i currently with, OEM, whatever came with my ZSP equipped vehicle. I am under the impression that the 18mm F10 M5 front anti sway bar, your item #31352284460 will fit my vehicle. I am also under the impression that the 18mm F07 550GT rear anti sway bar will fit my vehicle, as well. Please be so kind as to confirm that this is correct so that I may purchase these items from you for installation on my vehicle. Thank you for your attention in this matter."

As far as I know, no one, from any of our forums, has confirmed that both the front and rear anti sway bars as referenced above from the F10 M5 front/F07 550GT rear will fit my vehicle. Any insight into this will be greatly appreciared

Tischer BMW/GetBMWparts just got back to me and, as I suspected, they sell parts as "retrofit at your own risk" and will not confirm fitment otherwise.

I am therefore relying on others who have retrofitted these parts to verify whether they will work on my vehicle.

Hi Alan,
Just wondering if you knew...what was the diameter difference between your stock front bar and the new M5front bar you have installed? Thanks

Originally Posted by Alan L.

I am planning on doing the F07 550GT bar next since its 18mm. I seriously like the slightly firmer / more solid feel with the M5 FSB. The car just feels sharper has more of that traditional BMW sports package feel.

My wife doesn't even notice the slightly firmer ride and I am always in Sport mode with DDC.

Once joe@ptech confirms on the other forum the GT's bar fits I am ordering up. I got my front bar from Evan@Tischer and couldn't be happier.

Originally Posted by The X Men

If you install just the bigger rear sway bar, the ride will not be affected as much.

OMG don't do that! When I was young and stupid (19) I ordered front and rear bars for my 240Z. I did the install myself. The front was more complicated, so I started with the rear, then took her for a test drive.

The rear turned my Z into a 930 Turbo clone. Worst TTO I have EVER experienced, even during my subsequent ling tenure as a PCA driving instructor. Thank God the pavement was dry that day, and I survived. My underwear did not.

BTW a lot of folks just seem to be focusing on the thickness of the bars. That is not the only important criteria. E.g. are the various bars solid or tubular? A tubular 14mm will likely be stiffer than a solid 18mm. Get all your facts straight before you start burning through shop time. Or worse, guard rails.

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