Ride height question - 2001 M5

[Boss Hog]

Hi,

I bought my M5 used, it's an `01.

The rear fender lips are rolled so I'm assuming it's had some +1 size wheels at some point in its lifetime.

I'm wondering how to tell if the car has been lowered already? Do M5s sit lower than other e39s from the factory? Because it sits lower by a little bit compared to my 540i.

What springs work well to lower if you want the 19" wheel look with the tight fender well gap. Not slammed, but classy and mean looking.

Thanks!

[wentouch]

the m5 stock does sit lower than the other e39s by almost an inch (something like .9 cm).

other than getting complete coilovers, i believe typically only front springs are offered for the m5 for lowering.

just have the car raised, remove a wheel and check whether the springs are cut.

[Beamer_usa]

How is the E39 M5's suspension different from that of a regular 5 Series?
The suspension of the E39 M5 shares its basic aluminum-intensive MacPherson strut/multi-link design with that of the V8-powered E39 5 Series models but incorporates several specific changes from BMW M:
-Specific spring rates with reduced spring height (0.9-inches shorter than standard E39 springs, 0.1-inches shorter than M-Technic E39 springs)
-Specific shock valving
-Thicker anti-roll bars front and rear
-Polyurethane auxiliary springs in place of rubber units
-Steel balljoints in place of rubber rear suspension bushings

[VetteRacer]

Originally Posted by wentouch

the m5 stock does sit lower than the other e39s by almost an inch (something like .9 cm).

Just FYI, 2.54cm in an inch...

[Need4Spd]

If you want to lower your car w/o it being really slammed, you can get a set of H&R front springs. Drops by about an inch from stock.

[cramer]

Originally Posted by Boss Hog

The rear fender lips are rolled so I'm assuming it's had some +1 size wheels at some point in its lifetime.

The rear fender lips are "rolled" at the top from the factory.