Suspension upgrade advice

I just purchased a 2011 6 speed 535i wih standard suspension. Although our local roads are typically not the best and the current suspension smooths out the irregularities considerably, I'd like to firm up the handling quality of the vehicle, especially regarding the boat-like wallowing on turns and diving on braking.

I'm considering either installing Bilstein B6 heavy duty shocks or Bilstein B8 Sport Shocks with H&R springs, therby lowering the vehicle a little more than an inch.

I'd welcome any suggestions in this regard, particularly from those who have made these modifications.

I have the same question I have been searching many forums to get feedback. I have an msport so I would only changing the springs . Looks to be. Toss up between acs and dinan. Looks like based on the review acs has the edge but they cost more. The dinan drop is about .5 and the acs drop is about 1.0 . Some have dine more with h and r ect but I think anything more then 1.0 is to much for my taste. Good luck and post any good info you find.

H&R is too bouncy

Dinan is great yet pricey.

ACS is the best balance.

Anyone make updated swaybars yet? Those give best results with minimal ride quality impact.

Perhaps go to stock M5 sways or 550 sways?

I just spoke with Dinan tech support and since they don't make a suspension kit for my car, at this point, they recommended HD Koni shocks & possibly considering anti-sway bars thereaftter, if need be.

I've got the ACS springs, it really changes the handling of the car especially around the corners. The 1" drop is just right and comfort mode still feels good.

Don't put Bilstein Sport Shocks on this car - it will ride really harshly ( if they are anything like the versions I had on my E46, which I assume they are.) Koni sports (adjustable) are the way to go - if available for this car (which they aren't) so your options are pretty limited.

I've decided not to lower the car w/springs and rather go the heavier duty shock route. Has anyone been able to find & try Koni Adjustable Sport shocks or tried the Bilstein B6 HD (not sport) shocks on their F10 Bimmer?

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Anyone make updated swaybars yet? Those give best results with minimal ride quality impact.

Perhaps go to stock M5 sways or 550 sways?

550 sway bar has the same thickness as 535i

M5 sway bars only fit at the front

This is our only hope right now: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=791280

I heard KW suspension is the way to go.

KW Suspensions has a very nice kit available. It will vary if you have EDC or not. I recommend going with the V2s. The V2s give you a good balance of what is needed for daily driving with a trip or two to the track.


KW Coilover Kit V2 BMW 5series F10 (Bundle with EDC Delete Unit)

Originally Posted by Kris@TSS

KW Suspensions has a very nice kit available. It will vary if you have EDC or not. I recommend going with the V2s. The V2s give you a good balance of what is needed for daily driving with a trip or two to the track.


KW Coilover Kit V2 BMW 5series F10 (Bundle with EDC Delete Unit)

Best out there, but the biggest price tag!

Originally Posted by Die Wolfe

Best out there, but the biggest price tag!

alittle pricey depending on the kit but well worth it. I am going on almost a year on my KW Street Comforts couldn't be happier.

Where can you find the ACS these days, Looks like the best choice,

Originally Posted by Supercomputers

Where can you find the ACS these days, Looks like the best choice,

www.autoanything.com

I ordered Eibach springs a month ago. It's confirmed that ACS and Eibach springs are the same product.

I thought the only confirmed "thing" was that Eibach was the manufacturer for the AC Schnitzer springs and that the ACS version was most likely not the same as the regular Eibach's you can get from Tirerack, etc.

I got my ACS springs (still not installed) from Schmiedmann in Denmark. Around $560 delivered via Fedex..........takes at least 3 weeks as they are back ordered forever I think.

I also thought the ACS were made to better standards and tolerances, Not sure though I know acs is 1.0 all around and the ebiach is 1.3

Originally Posted by Die Wolfe

www.autoanything.com

I ordered Eibach springs a month ago. It's confirmed that ACS and Eibach springs are the same product.

ACS outaources manufacturing process to Eibach. But, the spring rates and height are different.

Originally Posted by Supercomputers

Where can you find the ACS these days, Looks like the best choice,

Cecwheels is the authorized distributor of ACS in the US.

Thats what I am saying I am sure they make them for them but is the quality on the acs better? I would also love to keep that drop no more then 1" Never had good exsperiance with Eibach dont want any of the creaking or squeaking, becomes a hedache.

I take that back now that i look I guess ACS is 1.0 all around and Eibach is .8 all around. Very intrested to see what they come up with for the M5 as it should fit all of our cars.

Originally Posted by Supercomputers

Thats what I am saying I am sure they make them for them but is the quality on the acs better? I would also love to keep that drop no more then 1" Never had good exsperiance with Eibach dont want any of the creaking or squeaking, becomes a hedache.

I forget where I saw the post, possibly on Bimmerpost, but ACS and Eibachs both have the same chance of squeaking if the top two coils contact each other over bumps. There's a whole thread about this and how there's a special rubber sleeve that slides around one of the coil rings that completely silences any squeaking. I'll try to find it later and you'll see.

Here we go, great info here!

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745000

Those massively overpriced Eibach sleeves from Summit have been backordered for months. I am still awaiting a pair I ordered back in November.

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

Those massively overpriced Eibach sleeves from Summit have been backordered for months. I am still awaiting a pair I ordered back in November.

Damn, that sucks...I was gonna order those too. My Eibach set up is back ordered too and won't be here until mid February.