ACS DFC suspension finally installed!!! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

tfung · 3rd November 2001, 02:39

After waiting for nearly 2 days with the car in the shop (I was having some serious withdrawal symptoms), I finally got my car back with the DFC suspension installed!!!

Actually, it was pretty sickening to look at my interior all gutted out to do the wiring for it, but in the end, I decided it was well worth it!

The DFC was actually a coilover suspension, and you can adjust the hight from 0-35mm lower. I put my fronts at 15mm and rears at 5mm lower. The front of the car looks great, and just closes the gap between the fender and wheel. The rear suspension still hasn't settled yet, so I'll have to wait about a day or two to see how much lower it really is. But I might even lower it a bit more at the rear, since it looks like it might be a bit too high there..

First impressions with driving it in sports mode, is that the ride quality was MUCH better than stock. I no longer feel the potholes and bumps, but that does not mean the suspension is any worse. In fact, when cornering, it was quite a bit stiffer than stock even in sports mode. I then put it all the way to race setting, and even then, the ride quality was similar to stock.... I was quite suprised with this, as I thought it was going to be very harsh. Anyways, even though I haven't got the anti-sway bars installed yet (Monday), when doing high speed cornering, there was nearly no body roll whatsoever! Turn-in was also significantly sharper and any hint of understeer is gone. Also, on hard acceleration and braking, the car does not sit back on the rear or dip in the front! Simply AMAZING!! The car just stays completely flat.

I don't know how AC Schnitzer did it, but this must be the best investment I made in the car so far!! I can see why they took so long to bring it out for sale to the public. They must have spent months on public roads and racetrack fine tuning this suspension. Words simply cannot describe it. You really have to try it for yourself to know what it's like!

I'm off to go drive it some more! Pictures would follow sometime this weekend!

Terence

tfung · 3rd November 2001, 05:00

by the way, did I mention that the car feels like 500lbs lighter around the bends...

Kevmmm · 3rd November 2001, 05:07

Sounds like you have a car ready for the track now! Congrats on your mods

What did it run you cost wise, if you don't mind me asking? Enjoy!

TCM · 3rd November 2001, 05:09

Terence:

Where did you get it installed?

KRM · 3rd November 2001, 05:17

hi terence, how's it going?
must be a good mod to get if it makes the car feel lighter as well giving a better feedback, do you know if the actual suspension components are lighter than stock?

can't wait for the pics!

atomic80 · 3rd November 2001, 06:45

tfung: if you don't mind me asking...how much did the parts cost for you? Someone mentioned that it was $5800 just for the parts alone! I had been considering getting just the DFC's rather than putting the Dinan stage 3 suspension kit in. Some information about it would be appreciated. I remember you had some problems at one point in getting them. Whatever did happen since you ended up getting them in the end.

Jason

tfung · 3rd November 2001, 10:17

I just woke up from a nap and ready to step back out to drive some more! I hope the rear end has settled a little bit more, as the gap between the fender and wheel was about an inch when I parked my car in the garage about 5 hours ago.

Anyways, total cost I paid for the suspension including air travel, hotel, rental car, installation, etc. is $5500. I guess in the end, I only saved about $1500, but I did get to spend two days in germany driving on the autobahn...

I don't really want to elaborate on how I got it, but I basically had to tell a few white lies to get them to sell it to me. I got it installed at AutoDesignHaus, where I usually get all my stuff done. I was actually closed for these few days as they're all gone somewhere for a rally event. But the head mechanic and some other guys didn't go, and they basically came in to do my suspension on the side. Was perfect timing though, 'coz it let them work on my car roughly non-stop for 2 days 11am-8pm. If it was their regular schedule, they would have taken a week due to the high volume of cars that come in and out of that place!

tfung · 10th November 2001, 01:54

Pictures!

AC Schnitzer logo

Display up close

Display showing race mode

Display console fit and finish

The DFC controller in the trunk

Front setting at 15mm and rear setting at 5mm + 1 inch

Front wheel up close

JCM5 · 10th November 2001, 04:49

tfung,
thanks for the pictures. look so awsome.
I wish the display and the knob was smaller and did not take up that much space. Maybe ACS can make it smaller and fit the display by the space next to the "sport" button

BostonRocket · 10th November 2001, 06:04

TFung,

Great pics.. when can i drive your car again? heehee

'Rocket