German AMS magazine tests M5 suspension kits - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

lofstrom · 15th November 2001, 14:27

I just wanted you guys to know, I havn't had time to read the article yet, but I noticed that it included DFC from ACS.

Steve Beswick · 15th November 2001, 16:24

Since many of us are considering these suspension changes, this sounds like an article of interest to many on the board.

I've never seen this magazine here in L.A. What's the specific name of it again? Do they have a website for us to access?

I suppose it would be illegal to scan it and put it on the board?

johann · 15th November 2001, 16:35

The name of the magazine is Auto Motor & Sport.

kees · 15th November 2001, 19:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve Beswick
I've never seen this magazine here in L.A. What's the specific name of it again? Do they have a website for us to access?

I suppose it would be illegal to scan it and put it on the board?

It's pretty *the* German car magazine...comparable with Car&Driver or similar in the USA. Problem for most American readers would be that it is printed in German...

Link to the contents page of the latest edition is here:
http://www.auto.t-online.de/AU/DE/de...te_startPos=02

Steve Beswick · 15th November 2001, 22:15

Hi Keedsh,

Thanks, unfortunately I don't read German. I did access the website, but can't seem to access the actual article. So . . . what did it say? I know it's not that simple, but which one was the best?

tfung · 15th November 2001, 23:05

there's no such thing as the "best" suspension.... Everyone has different driving styles, so it'll be different for each person...

Anyways, looks like the suspension test is under this title:
Sportfahrwerke im Vergleich zur Serie
could see the article online though, so I assume that you have to buy it.. anyone want to scan the article? I know it's in German, but it'll still be interesting....

kees · 16th November 2001, 11:08

Quote:

Originally posted by tfung
Anyways, looks like the suspension test is under this title:
Sportfahrwerke im Vergleich zur Serie
could see the article online though, so I assume that you have to buy it.. anyone want to scan the article? I know it's in German, but it'll still be interesting....

That's correct, you have to purchase the magazine to read the article...I'm sure Lofstrom should be able to provide an update on the gist of the article today.

I dropped by a local bookshop yesterday, but they only had the previous edition of this biweekly in their racks. I'll drop by again later today to see if it is in...scanning (and translation) should not be an issue.

johann · 16th November 2001, 12:12

Quote:

Originally posted by keesdh
I dropped by a local bookshop yesterday, but they only had the previous edition of this biweekly in their racks. I'll drop by again later today to see if it is in...scanning (and translation) should not be an issue.

I dropped by two magazine shops and they said they will not get it until Tuesday.

kees · 16th November 2001, 12:20

Quote:

Originally posted by johann

I dropped by two magazine shops and they said they will not get it until Tuesday.

With a bit of luck I should be able to pick one up in the airport on Sunday morning...I'll try again at the local bookshop later...looked like an interesting magazine this time around with an Arden tuned X type and Wolf Mondeo as well...Wolf used to make some very cool Sierras & Escorts...

Mr Blitz · 17th November 2001, 20:03

Guys here is a recap of that article in AMS, a very respectable German car mag.

They tested the ACS DFC and the KW variant III, which is not for sale yet. It is being introduced at the Essen Tuning Show at the end of November. Price for the ACS DFC is 7779 DEM, the KW variant III is at 4084 DEM, fitting not included !

The M5's were tested on the Nürburgring, the quickest M5 was the one with the ACS DFC suspension on board. They measured the Km/h through some sections of the Nürburgring, here are the numbers:

Quiddelbacher Höhe
M5 serie => 164,5
M5 with KW => 172,1
M5 with ACS DFC SPORT => 168,2
M5 with ACS DFC INTERMEDIATE => 175,4
M5 with ACS DFC RACE TRACK => 181,0

Schwedenkreuz
M5 serie => 167,7
M5 with KW => 169,8
M5 with ACS DFC SPORT => 170,7
M5 with ACS DFC INTERMEDIATE => 173,1
M5 with ACS DFC RACE TRACK => 184,9

Aremberg
M5 serie => 90,9
M5 with KW => 92,5
M5 with ACS DFC SPORT => 91,6
M5 with ACS DFC INTERMEDIATE => 93,6
M5 with ACS DFC RACE TRACK => 96,2

Wehrseifen
M5 serie => 101,3
M5 with KW => 114,2
M5 with ACS DFC SPORT => 112,3
M5 with ACS DFC INTERMEDIATE => 115,6
M5 with ACS DFC RACE TRACK => 114,3

Eiskurve
M5 serie => 89,2
M5 with KW => 98,3
M5 with ACS DFC SPORT => 98,8
M5 with ACS DFC INTERMEDIATE => 100,4
M5 with ACS DFC RACE TRACK => 100,1

Then they took the comfort in account !
M5 serie => good
M5 with KW => satisfying
M5 with ACS DFC SPORT => satisfying
M5 with ACS DFC INTERMEDIATE => satisfying
M5 with ACS DFC RACE TRACK => not so good
short bumps
M5 serie => very good
M5 with KW => satisfying
M5 with ACS DFC SPORT => satisfying
M5 with ACS DFC INTERMEDIATE => not so good
M5 with ACS DFC RACE TRACK => not so good
long bumps
M5 serie => good
M5 with KW => good
M5 with ACS DFC SPORT => not so good
M5 with ACS DFC INTERMEDIATE => satisfying
M5 with ACS DFC RACE TRACK => satifying

Taking everything into account.... here is the "final verdict"......

The M5 with the ACS DFC Suspension is unbeatable on the Ring when in "Race track" mode ! The OEM M5 suspension is sure and comfortable, but not really suited for the race track. The best compromise for "every day use" is the KW Variant III !!!

Mr Blitz

tfung · 17th November 2001, 20:49

hmm.. I would imagine that the best compromise would be the DFC, since you change change it from sport more to race mode... seems to me the sports mode is about the same as the KW in terms of comfort...