Suspension Dilemma

HELLO FELLOW BIMMER ENTHUSIASTS. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM. I RECENTLY BOUGHT 18X8.5 AND 18X9.5 BREYTON MAGIC RACING FOR MY 99 528. AFTER INSTALLATION, I FOUND THAT THE RIDE WAS SITTING PRETTY HIGH AND WANT TO LOWER IT A LITTLE. THIS IDEA MOSTLY CAME BECAUSE ONE OF THE REAR SHOCKS IS MESSED UP, SO MY PLAN WAS JUST TO CHANGE THE REAR SHOCKS, AND BUY SPRINGS. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE AS TO IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA AND IF SO, WHO SELLS THE BETTER SPRINGS?

It's highly recommended to:

-Replace the shocks at the same time as the springs. Why pay for labor twice? Also, if you have a 3-4yr old car or >50K miles, your stock shocks are probably going or gone anyways. Sounds like you plan to do this, but only for the rear.

-Replace all 4 shocks or springs at the same time with matching pieces. This maintains the intended ride design and balance the aftermarket company had in mind. In general, it's probably safe since it makes for more predictable handling.

If you currently have the stock sport suspension, you can try Eibach springs which will lower your car slightly front and rear, or H&R if you want the front to be even lower. Unfortunately, this is my experience w/ the 540i aftermarket springs, but I believe the 6-cylinder applications are about the same.

Viet, you forgot one very important recommendation ...

STOP SHOUTING! DON'T YOU KNOW THAT TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS CONSIDERED EXTREMELY RUDE?

Phew! I feel better now.


Bill

Originally posted by BillP
Viet, you forgot one very important recommendation ...

First of all, I want to say thank you to vietsb for the advice. That was my original plan but I wasn't completely sure because i kept getting different opinions on it. One more question, would it be wiser to get the sport shocks or the heavy duty ones?

Oh, and to BillP, sorry if i offended you. I didn't mean to yell at you. Hope I didn't hurt your feelings. I had no idea that you could actually yell over the computer.

Originally posted by ELOVE525

Oh, and to BillP, sorry if i offended you. I didn't mean to yell at you. Hope I didn't hurt your feelings. I had no idea that you could actually yell over the computer.

Don't worry about BillP...his eyes are extra sensitive.

It is commonly understood that posting in caps is more or less considered "yelling"...most prefer normal capitalization unless, of coure, YOU WANT TO FRICKIN' YELL AT SOMEONE!!!!

See how it works?

Originally Posted by ELOVE525

HELLO FELLOW BIMMER ENTHUSIASTS. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM. I RECENTLY BOUGHT 18X8.5 AND 18X9.5 BREYTON MAGIC RACING FOR MY 99 528. AFTER INSTALLATION, I FOUND THAT THE RIDE WAS SITTING PRETTY HIGH AND WANT TO LOWER IT A LITTLE. THIS IDEA MOSTLY CAME BECAUSE ONE OF THE REAR SHOCKS IS MESSED UP, SO MY PLAN WAS JUST TO CHANGE THE REAR SHOCKS, AND BUY SPRINGS. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE AS TO IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA AND IF SO, WHO SELLS THE BETTER SPRINGS?

Greetings,

You didn't mention what size your tires are? Tires are going to have more impact on ride height than suspension changes will. If you go with spring and shock and strut change, I agree, you have to do all four to insure handling is correct. But the most you can expect is an inch lower with suspension change to sport as example. If you go Dinan, you will be spending a ton, so it is all about tires in my opinion.

Good luck, Mike