Yet another E39 M5 suspension question!

2613 Views 25 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Alin10123, Mar 23, 2008

4re308

Discussion Starter · Feb 22, 2008

Hi everyone, I am at the point of wanting to do something with my stock suspension. I feel that the E39 M5 looks absolutely awesome, if there was one thing I wanna change, is the right height. I think it could be a LITTLE lower. I would like to maintain a decent ride, I do carry my wife and 7 year old daughter in the car a lot and I do daily drive the car. So I don't want to break my back daily. But I can stand a slightly more firmer ride, if I can get the lowered stance I am looking for.

My brother is adimant that I look at Koni shocks and Eibach Sport springs. I just want to crispen up the handling and I want the look.

Advice? Suggestions? Thanks so much for your time. I did use the search function, but there was SOO much to read.

Mitch D

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

MCarRacr07

· #2 · Feb 22, 2008

Hi Mitch,
It all depends what you want to do with the car...and your threshold for pain ($$$$)...lol
If you have intentions of doing driver schools or track days....then I would suggest one thing...if you are looking to make the handling crisper thats another.

To do crisper handling...first off get a set of rear rims and put them up front. Runnning 18x9.5 on all corners removes the understeer/oversteer.
Then a set of Springs & adjustable shocks will address ride height and lean/roll.

If you want to do the former...I have a Dinan Stage 3 JRZ set-up that I will swear by....it is adjustable so the ride is as harsh or not as I want it to be.
Hope this helps a bit
Good Luck
S

azaytsev

· #3 · Feb 22, 2008

Koni yellow shocks/struts with Dinan springs

4re308

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 22, 2008

Excellent, hey thanks for your replies. Based on my conversation with Eric at Dinan, I think I am going to try the Stage 1 Dinan kit with the Konis and the Dinan 17mm rear away bar.

So lets see how this works out!

M55555

· #5 · Feb 22, 2008

azaytsev said:
Koni yellow shocks/struts with Dinan springs

+1. If your budget can afford it, I would look into either Bilstein PSS9 or Ground Controls. With springs, you are limited to like whatever drop it gives you. Its nice to have that extra adjustability in case its not low enough, or too low. Plus, you can adjust the "comfort level" on the damper as well.

M55555

· #6 · Feb 22, 2008

4re308 said:
Excellent, hey thanks for your replies. Based on my conversation with Eric at Dinan, I think I am going to try the Stage 1 Dinan kit with the Konis and the Dinan 17mm rear away bar.

So lets see how this works out!

Excellent choice

azaytsev

· #7 · Feb 22, 2008

you can save about $350 if you buy yellow konis ~$800 and dinan springs $420 from dinan.

4re308

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 22, 2008

SWEEET!!! You guys are fantastic and I love this site! Thanks for the advice.

J Irwan

· #9 · Feb 23, 2008

M55555 said:
+1. If your budget can afford it, I would look into either Bilstein PSS9 or Ground Controls. With springs, you are limited to like whatever drop it gives you. Its nice to have that extra adjustability in case its not low enough, or too low. Plus, you can adjust the "comfort level" on the damper as well.

+++1 with coilover you can always tweaked it higher or lower to your liking.

Here is some pic of my car lowered conservatively with PSS9 13-7/8" (front) and 13-3/8"(rear)

Regardz,

J Irwan

IRISH M5

· #10 · Feb 23, 2008 (Edited)

4re308 said:
Excellent, hey thanks for your replies. Based on my conversation with Eric at Dinan, I think I am going to try the Stage 1 Dinan kit with the Konis and the Dinan 17mm rear away bar.

So lets see how this works out!

Great choice. I began with the Stage 1 and am now adding the 17mm sway bar (when the snow stops) to further reduce understeer. Be sure and get the BeastPower TC Design brackets. The OEM ones keep breaking.

M55555

· #11 · Feb 23, 2008

IRISH M5 said:
17mm sway bar

Where do you guys purchase your sway bars? beastpower?

DRM

· #12 · Feb 23, 2008

Dinan...

M55555 said:
Where do you guys purchase your sway bars? beastpower?

( http://www.dinancars.com/store/17mm-Adjustable-Rear-Anti-roll-Bar-c-366-p-128.html ). You can order it online or call www.allgermanauto.com ; they'll get it and install for you. BTW, 10% rebate being offered if you buy and install by 2/29.

M55555

· #13 · Feb 23, 2008

DRM said:
( http://www.dinancars.com/store/17mm-Adjustable-Rear-Anti-roll-Bar-c-366-p-128.html ). You can order it online or call www.allgermanauto.com ; they'll get it and install for you. BTW, 10% rebate being offered if you buy and install by 2/29.

Mmm tempting...thanks for the info! :M5thumbs:

IRISH M5

· #14 · Feb 23, 2008

M55555 said:
Where do you guys purchase your sway bars? beastpower?

+1 Dinan for sway bar and TC Brackets from BeastPower.

azaytsev

· #15 · Feb 23, 2008

As for the TC brackets I purchased them from bimmerzone.com as they give a free shipping.

Polynova

· #16 · Feb 23, 2008

Was looking into Dinan antiroll bar but could not pick one up off shore away from USA on line. Ended up with Koni FSD + Eibach antiroll bars front & rear (rear fixed with TCD brackets), while keeping original coilovers.

Cornering and understeering behaviors improved remarkably, say, by 20% from stock set up.

lovemym52001

· #17 · Feb 23, 2008

Hi Mitch,
Wanting the same combination of features: sportier handling, comfortable ride and slightly lower profile, I recently went with the Dinan Stage 1 system and couldn't be more pleased! I considered coilover systems but had heard that they can sometimes be touchy and require frequent adjustments. (True or not), the Dinan kit is a big step up from stock handling with near stock ride and the car looks "snarky"!! Hope this helps

Steve

[M3noDRFT]

· #18 · Feb 24, 2008

Dont' just do springs/shocks IMO. I would go with coilovers for the simple fact you can adjust them to any height/damper control/rebound etc...you can do either an EXTREMELY stiff ride with very little rebound or a like stock ride- but with crisper handling. Pricey for what your looking for may it be, but better results- yes.

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=670/CA=102

Alin10123

· #19 · Mar 2, 2008 (Edited)

How much does the stage one setup actually drop the car? and does dropping the car mean i'll need the camber plates to keep the alignment in check?

Alin10123

· #20 · Mar 2, 2008

azaytsev said:
you can save about $350 if you buy yellow konis ~$800 and dinan springs $420 from dinan.

Are the yellow Konis the exact same shocks you get in the dinan stage 1 suspension setup?

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.