Wahoo!! Dinan Stage III installed! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Stealthne · 10th January 2002, 21:30

Well,

Just picked up the car,

Stage III Suspension
Front Tower Brace
Performance Software

Have to say:

LOVE IT!! LOVE IT!!

It is NOT:

Too Stiff (it's set on "middle of the road") right now.
You get a "key" to adjust the struts, very easy to do.

Adjusting the sway bar is not difficult either, however, adjusting
the rear shocks looks like a pain in the ***.

The car is quite visibly lower, (which I like). Tomorrow, I'll take some pictures and post them!!

/Eric

DrRob · 10th January 2002, 21:45

Congratulations, Eric,

Too bad the roads are so crappy and crudy with sand/salt here in central MA., making it hard to keep the cars clean.

My Luxobeast is definitely garaged for a while...

BTW, are you running snow tires, or just staying out of the deep snow until the roads are clear?

Paul S · 10th January 2002, 21:55

congrats eric!
i would want to know how the car handled in the snow with stage 3. and do you have the option of keeping the stock height? i not sure the front end has any more clearance with my steep driveway...

TCM · 10th January 2002, 22:29

Eric:

That is great. How many miles are now on the Imola Beast? You wasted no time on the modification end. Cannot wait to see the pictures.

BostonRocket · 11th January 2002, 04:13

Eric,

Congrats, you gotta let us see it. A bunch of us are planning on meeting for Lunch on Moday, I will PM all of you guys.

'Rocket

Black M5 · 11th January 2002, 11:52

Congratulations Eric,

How does the car ride feel ? Im sure you love it. Just wait for the roads to get dry and you will love how your car will handle

I have my sway bar set on the softest position but i didnt know that you could adjust the strut bars!! Either way im happy with the way it is now

I think you should next get the rear strut bar.

Black M5 · 11th January 2002, 11:55

germansedanfan

The M5 in general is difficult to drive in the snow because of its weight and wide rear tires. You can't keep the stock height because the springs are made to lower the car and they are not height adjustable.

Stealthne · 11th January 2002, 14:26

Well, I don't plan to drive it in the snow, it took 5 weeks to get the appointment to have the suspension installed. Sadly, it'll be garaged until spring now. I only took it out to get it installed.

I drive a 2002 Isuzu Axiom for the winter.

I will take some pictures this morning before I put it away again though! (sun is not up yet).

Now I'll have to do the M5 Driving Experience to keep me happy until spring, BTW, all the drivers schools (BMWCCA and also PCA (Porsche Club) can be found here):

First school is early March at Lime Rock (awesome track).

Also, the New Jersey chapter has the early March events.

You guys have to get registered and start having some REAL fun driving!!!!

http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/events/

AndyMenard · 11th January 2002, 14:47

Eric,

Congrats on the install of the Dinan suspension. I also have it and it ROCKS!

You should really consider getting the 3.45 diff next... man, does that put a smile on your face!

Stealthne · 11th January 2002, 15:26

I posted some quick pictures here:

http://www.fontanas.net/

You can see how much lower it is !

Also, I took an (out of focus) picture of the camber plate, where
they give you a little tool to adjust the stiffness.

Can't wait until spring, now I have to wash it and put the cover back on.

Eric

SouthshoreM6 · 11th January 2002, 16:22

Eric - if you want to take a ride in my car to feel what Andy is saying about the 3.45s, just let me know. If it ain't snowing and there's no salt on the roads, I'd be delighted to do a road test since we never got to do one at the dyno day.

Bill