MyE28.com

Does anyone know if the M5 is lower than the M535i? I was always curious about that. I think my M535i is a bit too high at the front, while the one behind is perfect. When I see pictures from google then I see some M535s are lower as others. Don't really get it.





See the 2 photos. Mine is like the bottom.

If you're talking stock setups, they have different springs: The M5 has M-Tech springs and the M535i has standard E28 springs.
I believe the M5 may sit lower due to the different spring rate(?), but I do not know for certain.
Also, the struts & shocks are different, I believe.

Otherwise there isn't a whole lot of other components that will affect ride height and in the E28 they are mostly the same.

I don't believe the M535i has springs as standard. The M535i is factory equipped with M-tech shock absorbers and springs. It may be that the spring is different from the M5.

Well, maybe and I'm not saying you're wrong, but...
Not that RealOEM is the final word on this subject (I have been wrong before when I quote it), but according to them the front springs between a Euro E28 535i (manual transmission 7/85) and M535i (manual transmission 7/85) are the same: Part #:31331126904.
Whereas for the Euro M5 has listed: 31332225115, 31332225024, and 31332225233 (assuming all are M-Tech and are listed as applying to only the M5).
The same comparison applies to the front stabilizer bars: 19mm for M535i's and 535i's versus 21mm for M5's.

My understanding of the M535i model (as a "standard" list of options)is that the only differences between stock 535i's were:
-M-Tech Body Kit
-M-Tech Wheels
-M-Tech Interior (which is only the seat badges, since the front seats are standard BMW Sport Seats while the rears are the same for all E28's)
-Close-ratio 265/5 or 6 Transmission (not always, since you could order an M535i as an automatic; many were)

M-Tech suspension wasn't always part of the package. Also any of the above items, including the suspension, could be optioned on any E28 535i so it is hard to apply any specific, definitive M535i "package" as unique to the model.

I would think that some dealers, sellers, etc. might have ordered M535i's with the M-Tech suspension to help "sell" the model and set it apart from stock E28 535i's. My understanding of how Euro dealerships worked back in the 1980's is next to nothing, but perhaps dealerships created a list of options to be included as part of the M535i that the salesmen would walk through with the customer; maybe the suspension systems ended up on this list more often than not
But from BMW, M-Tech suspension wasn't (necessarily) an official part of the M535i.

You're right. I have been able to find the following information.

M-tech suspension: OPTIONAL on all Euro cars
Includes: M-tech Springs, Bistein shocks, 19mm / 15.5mm anti-roll bars

Standard Euro suspension:
Includes: Stock springs, Bilstein shocks, 19mm / 15,5mm anti-roll bars

USA 535i suspension:
Includes: Stock springs, Boge shocks, 19mm / 15,5mm anti-roll bars

USA 535iS:
Includes: Stock springs (NOT M-tech, NOT "sport", it's the EXACT same as the others), Bilsteins shocks standard, 19mm / 15,5mm anti-roll bars, Some cars equipped with 21mm 'sport' front sway bar.