BMW suspension installed on my E28 M5 (now with photos)

[L_N_Love]

I purchased the matched BMW Bilstein shocks and MTech springs that Retro determined were the most appropriate and had them professionally installed with all new mounts, rubber, etc. by Patrick McHugh of Bimmer Rescue here in Richmond. Patrick removed all of the heavy SLS stuff.

I drove the car to Durham, NC Friday night and back to Richmond today. This suspension is SO nice. It lowered the car about 30mm but the suspension is still very compliant on rough roads and much more responsive otherwise than before. The original suspension was pretty worn out though.

I had H&Rs with the standard Bilstein Sports on a previous
E28 and found the setup to be fairly harsh except on smooth roads. This setup costs a little bit more but is well worth it.

Here are the PNs:


Part No.s:

31-33-2-225-646 COIL SPRI
31-32-2-225-662 SHOCK ABS
33-53-2-225-654 COIL SPRI
33-52-2-225-666 SHO







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http://www.flickr.com/photos/23126255@N05/

[wkohler]

That's great! I'm glad you are happy with it.

I'd love to see a couple photos whenever convenient.

[mooseheadm5]

I knew this would probably be the best solution for you. I'd love to have a ride in the car sometime!

[L_N_Love]

I knew this would probably be the best solution for you. I'd love to have a ride in the car sometime!

I would really like to take you for a spin sometime. I think you would like it but you might find that the exhaust sounds almost like an M1 ProCar.

[mooseheadm5]

Have you heard my exhaust?

[L_N_Love]

No but sounds like we would get along well.

[rodpaine]

I drove such a setup owned by one of the techs at Evergreen BMW some years ago. It was a great configuration and perhaps one of the best handling E28 M5s I remember, for what was then my 104 mile per day commute from rural VA to downtown Bethesda, MD and a trip or two to NH per year. Glad you made the investment, Leonard, and I am sure you will feel the same way for many miles to come.
-Rod

[L_N_Love]

Photos added.

[rcbmw]

This M5 looks AMAZING and seems to be well kept. I wish every M5 I saw was like this! Very nice.

Best,
RCBMW

[wkohler]

That looks fantastic!! Great news! Thanks for the photos. What a beautiful example. Thank you for sharing!

[mooseheadm5]

If I didn't sell Spax springs, I'd have those on my car now.

[L_N_Love]

Thanks Rod. I hope to enjoy it for a long time.

Chris...Thanks man!

Moose...that is quite the compliment. Thanks!

[mooseheadm5]

I may yet swap the springs out. I may too old to roll hard (but I do like how low my car is when sitting still.)

[winfred]

if it lights its farts ill take one

I knew this would probably be the best solution for you. I'd love to have a ride in the car sometime!

I would really like to take you for a spin sometime. I think you would like it but you might find that the exhaust sounds almost like an M1 ProCar.

[S38Mike]

Gorgeous car! After a ton of searching and reading pretty much every relevant post on spring choices and their affects on spring rate, handling, drop and also seeing your car sitting so nicely I want to go with the M-tech short reds and Bilstein Sports vs. any other springs or coilovers. If I've missed something in another post forgive me, here goes:
First question, the ETK lists a 3mm and a 9mm upper front spring pad, which pads does your car use in the pictures you've posted?
Second question, what made you decide on the 646 front spring vs. 645?
Third question, do you or does anyone else have the data on 645 vs. 646 as far as spring rate/drop? I've checked Devinder's spring rate chart but it doesn't specify rates for each "short red" p/n.

[m535is]

Rates are the same. The free length is different. They are designed for different weight cars but the idea is that both cars would sit at the same ride height.

[L_N_Love]

Gorgeous car! After a ton of searching and reading pretty much every relevant post on spring choices and their affects on spring rate, handling, drop and also seeing your car sitting so nicely I want to go with the M-tech short reds and Bilstein Sports vs. any other springs or coilovers. If I've missed something in another post forgive me, here goes:
First question, the ETK lists a 3mm and a 9mm upper front spring pad, which pads does your car use in the pictures you've posted?
Second question, what made you decide on the 646 front spring vs. 645?
Third question, do you or does anyone else have the data on 645 vs. 646 as far as spring rate/drop? I've checked Devinder's spring rate chart but it doesn't specify rates for each "short red" p/n.

You have to go with these PNs to get what I have above:

Part No.s:

31-33-2-225-646 COIL SPRI
31-32-2-225-662 SHOCK ABS
33-53-2-225-654 COIL SPRI
33-52-2-225-666 SHO

Since you work for a dealer, you should be able to get a good price. Well worth it. Don't get confused by "reds". I did too and then found out that it was not the correct PN for this setup.

You will not be disappointed.

P.S. I used the 3mm pads top and bottom... new upper strut mounts...struts degreased and repainted black.

[S38Mike]

Thanks for the info

[Freude am Fahren]

I know I'm reviving an ancient thread but here is my current dilemma. After doing a bit of research I decided I'll do the same set up that this gentleman has done, i.e. the following parts needed to be ordered:

Part No.s:

31-33-2-225-646 COIL SPRI (150 each)
31-32-2-225-662 SHOCK ABS (300 dollars each from the dealer)
33-53-2-225-654 COIL SPRI (150 each)
33-52-2-225-666 SHO (BACKORDERED i.e. unavailable for a few months)

As you can see the parts are just prohibitively expensive, at least for me. But that's not even all the issues we're dealing with. One set of the shocks are backordered.

My question is this: Has anyone ever tried calling Bilstein directly to see if they would either make or revalve their shocks to become identical to the shocks above? Does it cost an arm and a leg? Are they even receptive to the idea?

[jimoreno]

Did you checked prices with Blunttech? Thy are site sponsors and offer great prices. I installed this setup in my 535i about a year and a half ago and the shocks were about $180 each corner. The springs I bought used (less than 10K miles) earlier. I had the springs first with Bilstein HD's and the car was very "bouncy". After installing these it handles so much smoother.

[Freude am Fahren]

Did you checked prices with Blunttech? Thy are site sponsors and offer great prices. I installed this setup in my 535i about a year and a half ago and the shocks were about $180 each corner. The springs I bought used (less than 10K miles) earlier. I had the springs first with Bilstein HD's and the car was very "bouncy". After installing these it handles so much smoother.

Jim,

Price is not an issue here, availability is however. I have since reached out to Blunttech to see if they happen to have a complete set in their warehouse. Fingers crossed.

[jimoreno]

Understood! I think mine came from Germany if I remember correctly (and the first set got damaged in transit so I had to wait for a second one!).

Good Luck!