strange help from dealer on shocks.. - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Sebring NL · 16th December 2005, 19:46

stevie + raymond in particular

For APK I need to do 2 rear shocks and brakepads rear,handbrake hoses,and the relais ( i think) for window spray

Now comes the tricky part:

The dealer ( breeman Rdam) can only get levelling shocks ( 450 euro) in their system, not without levelling. Not even on E34 M5 without VIN or MY.. Strange right? I always thought that the;re more M5s without self levelling than with this system.. This and the Vpower story ( see topic)make me question Breeman a little bit//

So i would like a partsnumber of normal shocks, I have lowered schnitzer springs, should I mount special dampers? What do you guys recon, believe that current are stock, buty to greasy to see, think they are Boge.

Or does anyone have an alternative suggestion ( maybe H&R, Konis)?

Many thanks

farrell · 16th December 2005, 20:03

Wout
The dealer knows what HE is talking about....
I would suggest that you do as I did for the first couple of yrs of BMW M5 ownership...
Say little & read lots.
The info you need is already in the E34M5 faq & using the search facility you will find almost everything has already been discussed & the solution is there.

Go to the dealer already briefed with what you need to know.
That way you get more from them as they know you understand your vehicle.

ALL M5 E34 had self levelling rear suspension.
Later 3.8 combined self levelling with EDC.

A further search will enlighten you as to what steps can be taken to delete self levelling as a system.

The info is all here within the previous threads.

If you cant find it then everyone is happy to help.

Farrell

PS
On a personal note, I very much RESPECT the fact that you & many other Board members from other countries all communicate in English here & some of the intent in posts between us can get lost.

Just get as much info from whats already been posted & faq listed so you get the best response...OK

raymondw · 16th December 2005, 20:42

Wouter,

Farrel's reply makes it simple for me as I agree with the facts. Breeman is correct with what they told you.

I am one of those persons that when needed will go for the OEM self leveling setup regardless of the cost. I know many consider it as too expensive and a trade off between handling and comfort, but it is a really good compromise on cross continental trips. It allows me to cruise with 180km/h on the autobahn as well as blasting on the autobahn between Kassel and Fulda at top speed and time the turning in points to the second. And when driving passes, the ride is soft enough to absorb the bumps and concentrate on the direction of the car whilst the steering precision is enough to enter hairpins on power oversteerr.

Whilst it is possible to improve handling with after market product, I lack first hand experience with these mods, other then the setup Steve uses on his 540i feels rock solid and much more go-kart like then the suspension of my B36!

Sebring NL · 16th December 2005, 20:48

yes I understand what you mean, this point was made to me by stevie as well, its just that whenever I search on these topics ( like rear shocks for search que) I get so much threads that I can't really find what I'm looking for, lot of things are also discussed VERY off topic, esp something like shocksa because lots of board members run different shocks instead of standard and the differences are described so thoroughly that I can't really find a real solution for my question.

I was not aware that all m5s have self levelling, but I really want to stop using that system. Suspension of my car is all schnitzer, but shocks appear to be BOGE. Guess schnitzer don't manufacter their own shocks.

Just a fast question : Can I fit 535/540 ( non self lev) on the rear of my E34??
I am using the car for trackdays as well ( Ring) and really like the lowered suspension ( I know that youre not a fan of it farrell lol) and am happy with the setup ( apart from uneven tire wear)

Just not a good idea to me to fit 450 euro worth of standard shock from dealer. Stevie and raymond were working on these cars before I had my license probably plus they are in holland and might have some experience with companies that are more use to me than the dealer ( which was a very good help on my 740 4.4 I but when I bought my M5 it was a real mischief from the start,m not a single good advice..)
Other than that I understand that you guys refer to previous topics but when I do a quick search it doesn't really help me a lot.

and for the english language, I hope its all understandable for you all ( soms een nederlands woord er tussendoor voor raymond/stevie want wat is een "brug"in het engels haha)

Many many thanks from the first moment I entered this site, never seen this much specialism and friendly advice

( @ farrell please PM me when you ever visit your friends in Delft)

raymondw · 16th December 2005, 20:53

OK Wouter,

I may have my license a little longer then you, but during the first few years of ownership, the maintenance on both the E28 and E34 cars was carried out by the main dealer. Only since 2003, I started to do my own work!

Your point of view is clear. However, I would advice against using the 535i setup since the M30 power car weighs much less and will result in a soft ride. I know that Schnitzer made their own suspension kits, but I don't know if they still have stock for the E34 ///M5, let alone are able to offer replacements.

I can only say that I really like Stevie's setup on his 540i/6 and if I wasn't such an originality freak, I would do something like that.

Sebring NL · 16th December 2005, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymond woertman

OK Wouter,

I may have my license a little longer then you, but during the first few years of ownership, the maintenance on both the E28 and E34 cars was carried out by the main dealer. Only since 2003, I started to do my own work!

Your point of view is clear. However, I would advice against using the 535i setup since the M30 power car weighs much less and will result in a soft ride. I know that Schnitzer made their own suspension kits, but I don't know if they still have stock for the E34 ///M5, let alone are able to offer replacements.

I can only say that I really like Stevie's setup on his 540i/6 and if I wasn't such an originality freak, I would do something like that.

maybe you already told me, but waht is steve's setup? I would feel good to follow in his experience about this.

I am not familiar at all with these self levelling shocks. On my E38 it meant that the ride heigt was controlled by a unit. Is this the fact with my E34 or is it a stand alone unit?

And next question, are there any cheaper ways to get those shocks then via Breeman? Does anyone have some lying around that can pass for a few years?> am a little short on cash since all the replacements I did and must get me some tires as well. Much appreciated//

raymondw · 16th December 2005, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebring NL

And next question, are there any cheaper ways to get those shocks then via Breeman? Does anyone have some lying around that can pass for a few years?> am a little short on cash since all the replacements I did and must get me some tires as well. Much appreciated//

Well, you could try Offenga?

raymondw · 16th December 2005, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebring NL

maybe you already told me, but waht is steve's setup? I would feel good to follow in his experience about this.

I am not good in remembering the details, but I belive his signature reveils some information. I am sure that he will chime in here sooner or later.

unesential · 16th December 2005, 21:46

E34 Sport Koni are well suited for a lowered application. I think Stevie is running coil overs, these are getting more difficult to find for the e34 chassis. Try searching suspension as twe recently had a nice discusion when cyrus did his HR conversion on the 3.6.

Sebring NL · 16th December 2005, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymond woertman

Well, you could try Offenga?

right, forgot all about that! must be the 50+ hours of work this week..

as i recall stevie has eibach springs and bilstein ( not sure) shocks.. Would these be to soft as well?? and what exactly is meant by a coilover?? what is the dutch word?