KW coilover questions - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

HiAltitudeM5 · 23rd September 2008, 20:42

Hi,

I am searching for a suspension setup that allows me to go just a bit lower than stock but provides slightly better handling if possible. While I appreciate the merits of the Ground Control system and the linear rate springs, I think it would take the car in a direction that would be uncomfortable for the rest of the family for street use.

I am running the OEM 275's on all four corners so I need to know if the KW variant 1 or 2 might fit and I also am wondering if the KW coilovers use the stock upper mount or if they are a hard mount like the GC's.

I tried searching these specific questions but I could not find the answer so any feedback is much appreciated.

Best,
Darrin

Randy Ray · 24th September 2008, 01:28

Hi Darrin,
Sorry I don't know the answer to your question but I also live
"near" Denver.....what part of town are you in?

RR

bobo · 24th September 2008, 01:32

My KW1's get installed Thursday, I'll let you know how they mount.

HiAltitudeM5 · 24th September 2008, 02:50

Hi Bobo,

Are you running 275's up front?

Thanks!
Darrin

bobo · 24th September 2008, 17:39

Hi,

I only mentioned the mount since I don't run 275 fronts. I'll get what ever info I can for you, see if it helps at all. Goes in tmw morning.

Steve

HiAltitudeM5 · 24th September 2008, 23:28

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the help, let me know what you find, good luck with your install.

Best,
Darrin

mrrammstein · 25th September 2008, 06:06

I have the variant 3 - the back ones used the part off of the top of the stock suspension, but the fronts had the top part on them already

since theyre adjustable, you can soften them up if you want - I have mine set to 3/4 way to full hard and I think its just perfect - no one has complained about the ride yet!

graffix000 · 25th September 2008, 18:28

I don't think the KW's will fit with the 275's up front. There is a post from yesterday that compares pss9, kw, dinan and GC suspension. Dinan and GC will work with 275's. Others not so much.

As for the GC, when you order, you specify if they are for track use or street use and they set them up accordingly.

Probably would make the most sense to give ground control a call and see what they have to say about ride for your specific use. Keep us posted as I am about to put on 275's this weekend and suspension is next in line for my car...

Just can't let the wife find out...

HiAltitudeM5 · 26th September 2008, 23:45

Graffix,

I am tempted by the GC setup but afraid of going that route as I don't want the car to feel so stiff and from my understanding linear rate springs need to be stiffer than a comparable progressive is at first (if that makes any sense?). I had a set of HR coilovers on my last E39 and while the handling was truly superb I ended taking them off the car because the ride was very track and not very street IMHO. Part of the reason I love the E39 is that it is a Grand Touring car with the soul of a sports car and I don't want to lose the nice ride.

I am leaning towards using the Dinan springs with Koni yellows as this seems to get me the three things I want:

Better handling than stock
About 1" lower than stock
As good a ride (or nearly) as stock

I think the GC are very nice kit, but linear rate springs do have there own set of compromises and I "think" it might be the wrong set for me. If anyone with experience in these matters cares to chime in, it would be greatly appreciated. The 275's up front MUST remain but I am open to any suspension system that will work with them and meet my 3 criteria. The roads in Colorado can be a bit rough in places....

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Cheers,
Darrin

bobo · 27th September 2008, 16:21

Got the beast back, the dude/tech who installed them wasn't in the day I picked up the car, so I can't answer how the mount afterall.
Read your posts and I ran H&R on my previous e39 also, however I did enjoy the ride.
I went from the shop to home so I didn't get a feeling of how it rides/handles, and it raining all weekend so I don't think I'll get any real impression soon. Sure does look nice with the wheel gaps gone.
Good luck in your search.