Suspension ???????? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Mvious · 26th June 2004, 04:36

Curious to know if any one has used the H&R Lowering springs. If so did you feel any difference in the ride?

Also want to know it it help the handling?

Thanx in advance

Marion

2003 M5!!! · 26th June 2004, 04:56

I use then (and some pictures are posted). You know for 300 bucks, I really really like then.

The front is lower (which on a BMW is a must!). The ride feels about the same, but I have to be careful when I park.

I also think that the traditional BMW understeer has decreased. It feels more even, but I don't know why. If you read the posts, the front springs are stiffer. Stiffer front springs usually mean increased understeer.

I am no rocket scientist, but maybe it is because the weight of the car is a little lower that the unersteer is reduced? Who knows.

Maybe someone can comment on this . . . The guys at H&R have apparently commented on this, but I don't know their technical reasons, as I wasn't a party to the conversation.

If you want the back to be lower, or if you want the front to be more than one inch lower (and you have 2 thousand), then the coilovers are a great option that allow one to play with the settings (including the camber). For me, this wasn't really an option if I didn't want to find my stuff on the lawn.

It is basically stock, with a meaner look (a little), and with less understeer. For 300 bucks plus 100 or so for installation you really cannot go wrong. You can always do the coilovers later and you will only be out a few bills. The only thing I don't want to do now is add Dinan camber plates because the ride hight will be raised a 1/4 (or maybe an 1/8) of an inch. For me, the front can be no higher than it is now, only lower.

But this is the only negative for me. Otherwise, one great and cheap product.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mvious

Curious to know if any one has used the H&R Lowering springs. If so did you feel any difference in the ride?

Also want to know it it help the handling?

Thanx in advance

Marion

Mvious · 26th June 2004, 05:47

2003 M5!!!

Thank you very much! You couldn've done a better job in answering my question. I also look at your car it looks GREAT!!

I am placing my order on monday!!

Thanx

Marion

2003 M5!!! · 26th June 2004, 08:52

No problem.

Take a look at STANM5's (I think this is right?) car. He has the springs too, but he has 19. You can see the ride hight with 19s - it actually looks real good.

His recent post was something like . . . my ride has new shoes, or something.

Another good thing about keeping the rear up a little higher is you can put 285s on if you go with 19 x 10s without any issues.

It seems you can still lower it a bit in the back (later) with this set up too with no rubbing issues. Win Win.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mvious

2003 M5!!!

Thank you very much! You couldn've done a better job in answering my question. I also look at your car it looks GREAT!!

I am placing my order on monday!!

Thanx

Marion

26th June 2004, 20:04

You will not see any significant improvement in handling without going for coilovers. This is not what you wanted to hear, but it is the truth - speaking from lots of direct and indirect experience.

Cheers.

2003 M5!!! · 26th June 2004, 21:10

Agreed!

BeastPower,

Can you explain why H&R claims a minor reduction in understeer (but the springs are stiffer, which should create more?)?

This has always been a little confusing to me -- and I wouldn't normally want to add such springs if understeer is increased.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeastPower

You will not see any significant improvement in handling without going for coilovers. This is not what you wanted to hear, but it is the truth - speaking from lots of direct and indirect experience.

Cheers.

stanm5 · 27th June 2004, 02:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mvious

Curious to know if any one has used the H&R Lowering springs. If so did you feel any difference in the ride?

Also want to know it it help the handling?

Thanx in advance

Marion

Hi Marion,
I've attached a pic of my car with H&R springs in front, stock springs in back, 19" LM's.
The ride is a little bit harsher than stock but I don't really think handlibg is improved. Overall I'm pleased but I may opt for coilover in the near future.
Cheers,

Woogie Daxel · 27th June 2004, 08:49

IMO I think coilovers would be a waste of money if you are not periodically (spell check) tracking your car at events and you are just buying to use to lower the car more for looks and daily driving. Im getting some H&R's to drop my car also. I have no plans to track this currently. I have a couple other vehicles for that. Whether it is H&R anything you cannot go wrong.

27th June 2004, 12:10

Woogie Daxel,

I do see your point here, but I disagree with it. The best way I can describe the effect of coilovers is as follows:

1) They will allow you to lower the ride height.
2) Ride will be firmer than stock.
3) The "bouncy" nature of the "rear" of the M5 is eliminated.
4) When cruising on flat surfaces the firmness of the ride is not noticable.
5) When going over bumps (undulations in the road surface) there is a tendency for the M5 to bouce/rock ever so slightly.
6) Even at the lowest drivable ride height, entering and exiting driveways is not a problem (take it at an angle if necessary - this is what Ferrari/Lotus/Porsche/Lambo owners do all the time).
7) The M5 will corner almost completely flat, and taking on-ramps/off-ramps is an amazing experience.
8) The M5 handles within 9/10th of a Ferrari F355, Lotus Esprit and Porsche 911. I know this sounds implausible with a 4K pound 4-door, but this can be verified by owners of the M5 (e39) who have installed KW coilovers, and who have driven an exotic 2-seater sports-car.

It is because of this last point (#8 above), that I don't understand why more M5 owners don't install coilovers. Most owners of exotic 2-seater sports-cars never take their cars to the track, but just enjoy the great handling during daily driving; shouldn't M5ers also have fun? Just my $0.02

2003 M5!!!,

I will leave this one for Lscman, as he is the resident suspension expert.

Cheers.

m5 rus · 28th June 2004, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mvious

Curious to know if any one has used the H&R Lowering springs. If so did you feel any difference in the ride?

Also want to know it it help the handling?

Thanx in advance

Marion

A fellow M5 owner had them of his M5 when he bought it used....He said it was too stiff....hard riding...you feel every bump....of course Russian roads are not that good...

He put OEM suspensions back...