Spring / Damper setups - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

RHD #13 · 7th August 2009, 20:20

During the process of replacing the front struts from my car have we found that

a) the top mounts were the incorrect non-M5 versions (the correct ones give more -ve camber and cost a lot more

)
b) the front inserts in the old struts weren't correct either, we're not sure what they are.. someone has obviously cut some corners at some point..

I've got new top mounts, but now that the struts need replacing too, I've decided to go the whole hog and replace struts, springs and anything else that will help to get the car riding/handling as it should. Its gonna cost £££ but I know the car will be transformed...

My question is, what is the best setup?

I've had very good experiences with H&R springs on other cars, and I've always been a fan of bilsteins... thing is I can't find any H&Rs or Bilsteins specifically for the M5... only M535.. can anyone point me in the right direction?

I've also heard that M-TEC springs are very good, are they still available?

I'd be interested to hear of anyone else's experiences with spring/damper setups..

Thank all

RHD #13 · 10th August 2009, 16:56

I've just had a reply from H&R in Germany:

ffice:smarttags">ffice:smarttags" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/">

Dear Mr. Horsley,

Thank you for your e-mail.

Unfortunately we do not offer anything for the E28 M5, sorry.

Best regards
H&R Spezialfedern
Yvonne Menzebach

Does this mean that all the m5's out there claiming to be running on H&R springs are running on M535 versions? Aren't the rear spring plates different?

Come on guys, is everyone on holiday or has the board just suddenly gone very quiet?!?!

Matt#08 · 11th August 2009, 01:11

Hi mate - not sure I can shed much more light, but I know some people who can.

Come and join us on bmw5.co.uk - lots of e28 owners and theres alot more web traffic as well.

This is a great site but e28 M5 owners are few and far between!

M5 Jed · 11th August 2009, 03:07

I'm in the same boat as you, needing new shocks and springs. From the search I've done on roadfly.org and mye28.com, looks like the consensus are Bilteins all around and Mtek springs. Also, the name Steve Haygood seems to be the source for these springs. I have a local BMW shop (Mesa Performance in Costa Mesa, CA) that can order these for me. I would imagine in the UK, you might have more options??? Good luck!!!

davidoli · 15th August 2009, 01:56

Just back off holiday .......lovely !

You should talk to Nigel re possible suspension set ups , as he has much experience of the options available to the E28 M5 .

I have just removed a set of E28 535 H&R springs from a customer's car , they were relatively firm and a great deal shorter than stock .

I'll confirm part numbers when I return to the workshop .

Perhaps the incorrect top mounts etc would explain the knocking from the front suspension which I believe had been investigated after I had owned the car ?!

The previous owner had tracked the car on a number of occassions and seemed to know his stuff , so I am suprised to hear that incorrect strut inserts were fitted and would be interested to know what they are ? Are they yellow ( a la Bilstein ) or totally different ?

alicante M5 · 15th August 2009, 23:09

worth having a look at the thread on mye28.com; several are unhappy with him recently; form your own judgement; being UK based I haven't dealt with Steve

M5 Jed · 16th August 2009, 00:26

Yeah, that's what I've noticed. Looks like some are unhappy with Steve's service. To avoid further frustration and delay, this is what I'm going to do...

Ordered the SLS elimination kit from BavAuto.com
Ordered the H&R set for the M535is
Already have the Bilsteins sport for all 4 corners
Waiting in the wings a set of 17" M5 rims with fresh Contisports.

This set up should resolve my suspension issues for a while. I'll keep the original parts, in case of a future sale.

Jed