Sport Springs

I finally got my new suspension in, very pleased with the result.
This is an upgrade from the stock sports suspension, so the ride height is not very changed. Most people would miss it, less than an inch lower so it is not very significant.
The car now feels a bit more alert and edgy, on its toes. Spring travel is a bit shorter and firmer, but initial jounce is very comfortable. It is definitely not a racing or track set-up, just a slightly firmer ride.
I bought the H&R Sport springs from Turner Motorsports for around $250 shipped. Also upper strut mounts in front for $100. Shocks are Koni FSD from Tire Rack. Around $700 shipped. Installation was $600 as all four sets had to be taken apart during installation. The rears turned out to be more difficult for some reason.
I will try to take some photos over the week-end.

Still have my old set if anyone is interested in the factory sport springs. Maybe an upgrade to a regular 535i? I doubt they fit the Xdrive though.

What made you choose the particular set-up that you have? I've heard good things about Koni shocks. Dinan uses them as part of their Stage 1 Suspension package. Seperate question, how do you like the Jehnert Flatline speakers? I've been seriously considering this upgrade. I want to know if you did anything else to the stereo and if the bass sounds as tight as the stock speakers, I know the bass will be deeper and louder, but I'm curious as to what your opinion is. Did you add any other amp or just the stock unit is powering the speakers?

RB,

I wanted a moderate suspension upgrade, just a few clicks more firmness without sacrificing comfort. That's what I got. Several other 5 series guys have done H&R Sports and loved the result, and I trusted their input, even drove one of them. The other choice of spring is Eibach, which are a tad bit softer supposedly.
There are two options for shocks for the 535, Koni or Bilstein HD Sport. The Koni yellows are adjustable, the FSDs are a new dynamic valve technology which intrigued me. Read up on it, it's fascinating. I think I got a great combo, but can't say how the Bilstein's would have felt. Xclone has the H&R/Bilstein combo, he may weigh in. The sport version has ARS so we don't need to worry about sway bars.

I have posted separately about the Jehnert speakers. They open up the whole sound spectrum. It's like going from regular radio to HD. Everything sounds clear, natural, extended. You even hear new instruments that previously were masked. Most people would likely skip the subwoofer as the upgraded under seat units play down to 40hz. Acoustic bass sounds awesome, very authoritative and not boomy at all.
This is with stock Logic 7 amp and processor. I plan to install a Mobridge digital pre-amp with Helix P-DSP and Tru Technology amps in my sedan. The wagon stays with the factory L7 system, but I did add Jehnert drivers for the center channel and rear doors so I can play full L7 Concert sound for the whole family. Most people would likely do the speakers and stop there as L7 is a pretty decent system. It just needs better speakers! My advice is to do those first, then decide whether to go further with the system.
Jehnert is not cheap. A full set for the front (woofer, mid, tweeter x 2) is around $900. Additional mids are $100 each.
All the components fit perfectly so it is full plug and play, potentially DIY. They put BSW to shame.

Originally Posted by Oceans10

I finally got my new suspension in, very pleased with the result.
This is an upgrade from the stock sports suspension, so the ride height is not very changed. Most people would miss it, less than an inch lower so it is not very significant.
The car now feels a bit more alert and edgy, on its toes. Spring travel is a bit shorter and firmer, but initial jounce is very comfortable. It is definitely not a racing or track set-up, just a slightly firmer ride.
I bought the H&R Sport springs from Turner Motorsports for around $250 shipped. Also upper strut mounts in front for $100. Shocks are Koni FSD from Tire Rack. Around $700 shipped. Installation was $600 as all four sets had to be taken apart during installation. The rears turned out to be more difficult for some reason.
I will try to take some photos over the week-end.

Still have my old set if anyone is interested in the factory sport springs. Maybe an upgrade to a regular 535i? I doubt they fit the Xdrive though.

surprised you went with new shocks given the moderate drop??

I have 74k miles on the car and it seemed sensible to pay one labor charge instead of two.
Figured I would just do it in one shot and never worry about it.
The old set still has life in it though, nothing wrong with that at all. Highway miles from Orlando.

Took some photos after I did the alignment this morning. Minimal adjustments made, but nice to know I am fully up to spec!
I like the ride height, not too slammed but definitely a little lower.

U mean to drop the back an inch or so I have to change the whole suspension

That's SWEET

No, but I decded to also change shocks in order to avoid two separate labor bills. With over 70k miles on the car I figured it would be a prudent move.

Looks awesome!. The rear of my 2008 550i sport sits a bit high for my taste. I have been debating going lower and KW coilover variant 2 seems to be consensus. However, a new set of variant 2 is not in my budget right now. I have heard of members cutting there stock sport springs, but that seems like a bad idea.

I had the sport version already, so the drop is only half what it would have been for a regular 535. About 3/4 inch vs 1.4" for non sport.

The H&R springs are beefier and shorter obviously. Still have good jounce which is the initial flex, then firm up faster than my former oem sport springs.
The 535 and 550 stock springs may be identical in the rear as the 550 is primarily heavier up front due to the larger V8 beast of an engine. Not sure...

You could just add new springs and leave the shocks. My set cost me $230 before shipping. Turner Motorsports, good outfit.

I have the same car (color and all) with stock sport setup ... yours definitely looks lower to me based on the side-view photo ... looking gooood!

I see you live in CT - where, if you don't mind me asking, did you get the springs and struts installed? Can the same setup be used for an X-drive wagon??

Sure, I did it in Devon near Milford. Exit 33 on I-95. Helmuth's Foreign Car Service. 203 284-4600, Bob Zimmerman is the owner. Class act.
They are the former BMW Bridgeport, but downsized and went indie to avoid all the stealership conflicts. Very honest, competent and reliable. I consider them my friends, because they treat me like one. Hourly labor is $84 and they don't pad it, quite the contrary. They have done numerous little thing to my car without charging a dime, so we have a reverse relationship where I owe them!
PM me for more details.

You need a different spring kit for the XI, but check the Turner Motorsports website, there is a list of the BMW models and different options. Mostly H&R and Bilstein. Also KW coilovers.
Tire Rack is another good source.

Originally Posted by Oceans10

Took some photos after I did the alignment this morning. Minimal adjustments made, but nice to know I am fully up to spec!
I like the ride height, not too slammed but definitely a little lower.

That is the exact ride hight I am looking for! Do I need to replace my OEM struts if I install those same springs? Are you using spacers on your wheels?

If you already have oem sport version then you should be fine with existing struts as the additional drop is moderate.
If you have regular model, no sport, the drop is appx. 1.3" and your struts will be pushed a bit and wear out faster.

Yes, i have spacers. 15mm rear and 10mm front. I found the rears improved a lot from being pushed out. Gives the car a great stance, you really notice the width of the tires (9.5").

Perfect! I am getting them. I have a 05 545i sport package so it shouldn't be a problem with the drop. But I think I'm getting spacers first.

Pretty slick Oceans.

Originally Posted by Space grau 550i

Looks awesome!. The rear of my 2008 550i sport sits a bit high for my taste. I have been debating going lower and KW coilover variant 2 seems to be consensus. However, a new set of variant 2 is not in my budget right now. I have heard of members cutting there stock sport springs, but that seems like a bad idea.

You won't regret this choice. I am running the KW Street Comfort coilovers and glad I went this route.

Kris,

Your 545 is a peach. Awesome job modding it.

Do you carry anything for the E61 wagon? My next project is to probably add coilovers and lower it an inch or two. So far I have only seen KW V3 which are very pricey.

Originally Posted by Oceans10

Kris,

Your 545 is a peach. Awesome job modding it.

Do you carry anything for the E61 wagon? My next project is to probably add coilovers and lower it an inch or two. So far I have only seen KW V3 which are very pricey.

I have the KW line up. I am personally using the Street Comforts because of the softer spring rate. The V3s are a 400 front and Progressive rear. I will shoot you a PM with a price and thanks for the kudos on my E60

Originally Posted by Oceans10

I finally got my new suspension in, very pleased with the result.
This is an upgrade from the stock sports suspension, so the ride height is not very changed. Most people would miss it, less than an inch lower so it is not very significant.
The car now feels a bit more alert and edgy, on its toes. Spring travel is a bit shorter and firmer, but initial jounce is very comfortable. It is definitely not a racing or track set-up, just a slightly firmer ride.
I bought the H&R Sport springs from Turner Motorsports for around $250 shipped. Also upper strut mounts in front for $100. Shocks are Koni FSD from Tire Rack. Around $700 shipped. Installation was $600 as all four sets had to be taken apart during installation. The rears turned out to be more difficult for some reason.
I will try to take some photos over the week-end.

Still have my old set if anyone is interested in the factory sport springs. Maybe an upgrade to a regular 535i? I doubt they fit the Xdrive though.

Hey Oceans how's it going. Just wondering how is the ride now that you've had it lowered a while. I'm thinking of doing the same setup with h&r sport springs and either koni fsd's or yellows. But I was told that the fsd's are recommended for stock sport height and not for a lowered suspension. let me know if the if the ride is comfortable but still responsive when needed since this is my dd. Let me know. Thanks.

Hey, oceans didn't know you used helmets, your so close to my friends shop. I asked him for a price on e61 kw install for your buddy or you just in case you wanted to know.. But let me know next time your going to helmuts.

My set-up and ride quality is the same, and I still love it.
For the 535 RWD you have at least two options for springs and shocks, but it is recommended to do both since the springs lower the car by about 1.5" for the standard RWD and 3/4" for the sport version. Keeping stock shocks will compress them more than they are designed for, so they will wear out much faster.
You can get either H&R or Eibach springs. The latter are supposedly slightly softer, but many 550 owners opt for them.
As for springs you can choose Koni FSD or Bilstein HD. I picked the Konis due to the special valve technology that cancels out certain responses and makes it more neutral. I have not regretted that, but I am sure either combination will be close in performance.
Another option is coil overs. They are usually more expensive, but I was alerted to the KW Comforts that are supposed to be excellent for DDs. Maybe something to investigate as well.

Replacing my suspension was complementary to my power upgrades as they allow for more control and much better handling at any speed. My car used to feel a little floaty at high speed, -no longer the case. It feels more like a 3 series, but without sacrificing the absorbtion of bumps and road imperfections. You feel cracks and bumps, but it is not jarring, more like a firm thud. To give you an idea, my wife did not notice the difference (because I don't take corners at 100 mph with her in the car.) I think the Koni Yellows are more a racing strut and would be much less forgiving. I could be wrong.

To anyone reading this, if you have Xdrive please disregard. This is for RWD cars only. Xdrive requires KW V3 coil overs, which is one of the best, most flexible and adjustable suspension kits on the market, but unfortunately runs $2,500. I have yet to see an Xdrive owner who didn't regret trying something else (and less costly.)

Originally Posted by TLO03

Hey, oceans didn't know you used helmets, your so close to my friends shop. I asked him for a price on e61 kw install for your buddy or you just in case you wanted to know.. But let me know next time your going to helmuts.

Looks like next Thursday together with another member who is installing KW V3s! Maybe we meet up for lunch and have some fun!