e39 suspension

So the next big purchase will be coilovers. Im not going to put cheap coilovers into it so going the BC route at the least.

Question is, what other options are there? I see Eibach do a Pro Street coilover, I had their spring before and loved them so would they be worth the extra over BC? I plan to keep the car long term and do plan a trip to the ring when its all done to give her a treat but at the end of the day its no M so is there a point in going to extremes when the BCs could be good enough???

Also another option would be a damper and spring combo but that is limited to height, I would love to be able to put it lowish and then raise it when/if needed. What options are there in going down this road that would work well.

Feel free to express what ever, im open to options and opinions. Its going to be a while before I have the funds for them, might need to shift on some wheels to get them :crying:

@[kaveman] you might be the man here to ask as you have had both :)

for reference:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/EIBACH-Pro-Street-S-COILOVER-KIT-BMW-5-E39-95-03-PSS65-20-005-01-22-/270999505941?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f18d44c15

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/BC-Racing-Coilovers-BR-series-BMW-5-series-E39-Saloon-1996-2003-/161073394776?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2580b8f458

These could be another option in the sponsor section

Il be going monroe msport shock + eibach all round if I ever have the money spare :rolleyes:

But im not looking to go low more just freshen it up

Bc's are hard to beat in the price range

http://www.bmwhaus.ie/forum/showthread.php?tid=1341

Cab at Super 4 does BC coilovers and going to be ordering a set for the e36 in January, all I have heard about BC coil overs is good feedback.

Chris,
The best e39 I have been in is Phil's m5, it's comfy yet handles well and can even be driven through Baldoyle :-)

I think it has blistein b9s in it but I'm not sure of springs. Conor probably knows the detail. If I had an e39 I'd just copy that formula.

Alternatively, how about bags if you want to go low?

Hi Chris i had the B8s and eibach pro kit and it was way too stiff even with 16" wheels also it had a terrible stance the rear was too high. Actually i think the fronts failed on the B8s very early in their life, healyc said that guys M5 had the B8s on the front fail too.

Then i had KW street comforts, they weren't great either, again i had the fronts fail on me without much mileage. So then i went with BCs from proparts because they seemed good value and feedback was good and they were adjustable at the back even after fitting. If i had any early failures like the others i could bring them back quite easily.
I'm happy enough with them i must say. Not too harsh and easily adjusted from day to day.

Thanks lads keep it coming, im on the fence with the spring and shock combo as there is no adjusting and some work more then others, I drove DJCs e46 on the BC's and loved them!!!! Comfy and that was at its lowest with small tyres, im swaying the BC route but just want options so thanks for all them so far.

@[JohnH] Bags are for groceries :D:D will ask Conor ;)

Ah I wanna make this more of a driving car then a low stretchy tyre horrible to drive VEHicle :D

This car is on Eibach pro springs, standard shocks and 15mm spacers front and 12mm rear.

Stance doesnt get much better imo.

Its all about the right combo of wheel, tyre and suspension drop to get the perfect stance and remain a good handling/driving car.

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/s...psea037726.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8c31f29f.jpg

Phil's M5 has B8s with Intrax springs all round. Ride is great but within the space of 7-8000mls I've replaced them all under warranty. Fronts due to play in the piston and rears failed NCT on imbalance.

BUT when it's all working its a fantastic set, comfy but planted and well able to cope with 650bhp :cool:

Have fitted a few sets of BCs at this stage and always very impressed with there quality. But like any other coilover it's all in the set up ;)

What I've found is the E39 is ruined, absolutely horrible to drive when there "slammed" so if you do it to that car then ill chop your nuts off!

I do like that H&R cup kit, seems like good value but would like to see it fitted to another E39.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JohnH

Chris,
The best e39 I have been in is Phil's m5, it's comfy yet handles well and can even be driven through Baldoyle :-)

I think it has blistein b9s in it but I'm not sure of springs. Conor probably knows the detail. If I had an e39 I'd just copy that formula.

Alternatively, how about bags if you want to go low?

---

I've been looking into this at length and these are the best options I've found for a spring and shock combination, I'm not too bothered with coilovers.

Saches OE Shock & Eibach Pro Kit
Shocks @ €700 (£579.20) including VAT & Postage from C3 BMW
Eibach Pro Kit @ €250 ish
Total €950

From what I can tell this will give you the closest ride to stock, my concern is that shocks will suffer premature wear due to being 10mm lower than factory specification.


H&R Cup Kit
Total €730 from Keith in Alloy wheels
I can't really find any reviews with these fitted to an e39

Bilstein B12
€1050

Countless reviews for the b12's, monotube shocks are apparently better for longevity. Stiffer ride but also apparently able to soak up the bumps.

Would it be worth looking into a group buy? there must be quite a number of e39 owners on the forum now who are looking at replacing shocks and springs.

The b12 uses the b8 shock with an eibach spring is it ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gar

The b12 uses the b8 shock with an eibach spring is it ?

---

Yeah, that's it.

Another set of b8's at to bursting on a guy on bmw5 dave for the money I think you be better off going with the sachs from c3bmw

Anytime I see b8 mentioned its very closely followed by "leaking" or "burst"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gar

Another set of b8's at to bursting on a guy on bmw5 dave for the money I think you be better off going with the sachs from c3bmw

Anytime I see b8 mentioned its very closely followed by "leaking" or "burst"

---

That's a bummer to hear. Think you may be right. Thanks.

Lads what about the B6 dampers, never read anything negative about them or what about Koni yellows as they are adjustable and seem to be well regarded too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kaveman

Lads what about the B6 dampers, never read anything negative about them or what about Koni yellows as they are adjustable and seem to be well regarded too.

---

B6 and b8's are the same shock with a different shaft length.

Koni's are twin tube and if I'm going twin tube I'd sooner buy the original shocks and not worry about adjusting them.

For me there is no point in adjustment as I would only be trying to get them as close to stock as possible.

I take it this is the thread you were talking about @[Gar]

Linky

The monroes are bloody cheap for the pair!

Hi dave yep that's it , il be going monroe and eibach prokit 100% this year all round, iv been looking a long time trying to dig out the best deal I could while not just putting any old rubbish in I cant budget +1k so this works out best for me while keeping it very similar to original

Fingers crossed no prices change between now and then I should be able to pick the lot up for 500e

was lucky enough while i was sitting back waiting for someone to fit i couldn't ask for more when this guy fitted them considering our cars are almost identical, its sitting perfect and the eibach will help close the front gap down that little tiny bit

Have been thinking about this and tempted to put Msport equivalent shock and Eibach Sportline springs same as I had in the old e39. Was set on BC's but I have a feeling it might ruin the car for me now.

What are the upgrades on Msport equivalent shocks? Are the Monroe any use? Bilstein seem troublesome for the price!! @[Dave] @[Gar]

They way I look at it is you have 4 options one will suit each individual so its really up to you

H+r shock/spring set (I know nothing of these yet so cant comment)

Monroe shock/spring set (dont buy from mister auto there 320e a pair for some reason) :huh: (cheapish one of the few if only shocks out there solely made for msport feedback so far has been very good from e39 users)

Bilstein and spring set (excellent handling but teeth shattering prone to failure b8's excellent for track not my cup of tea for a daily )

Sachs + spring set (exspensive but original perform excellent last a long time)

There my personal opinions on them after a good bit of research im no suspension expert though so take them with a pinch of salt :D

As it stands and unless the price takes a big increase I'm going to go the monroe / Eibach route, they are less than half the price of even the Sachs shock and gauging by the thread on bmw5, they perform fine.

I've been buying monroe shocks for years for VW's and I'm yet to have a failure, I didn't know they did a Tech II equivalent shock until Gar put me onto them.

@[ChrispyFish] I know the BC's would probably be better but I drove an E39 with JOMs and without exaggeration I can honestly say it was absolutely terrible.

I'm planning on tackling this within the next month or so, so I don't mind being the guinea pig. You're both welcome to take my car for a drive with them fitted.

Chris we supply Sachs and eiabhs as you no I'll definitely be able to get you best price round if you go this route

Chris you could come for a spin in mine to see if you like the BCs.

Chris ,the red one E39 has D2 coilovers :wink: if i will go for upgrade and for daily driver, probably will go for Konis ,not coilovers .if its just summer car and more for shows ,coilovers ,as can be adjusted on any different wheel set up

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Valdelisbmw

Chris ,the red one E39 has D2 coilovers :wink: if i will go for upgrade and for daily driver, probably will go for Konis ,not coilovers .if its just summer car and more for shows ,coilovers ,as can be adjusted on any different wheel set up

---

HAD D2 coilovers :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HealyC

HAD D2 coilovers :D

---

:hehe!::hehe!::hehe!: i knew something is wrong as Chris was stretching the time :smiling: