e39 shocks & springs

[The Butcher Boy]

well lads, will be replacing the shocks/springs in the e39 530d msport this winter, just looking for advise on brands? i do not want to lower the car in any way, and am not looking for anything stiff, just want something comfy,
so if any of you have changed what did you go for?
thanks
barry

[Smokey Bear]

Bilstein B4 from Otto (competitive price) the other day went in an e46 diesel, retained comfort no lowering. Only drove it a few miles but I wasn't disappointed.

[kaveman]

What's your budget? If its large I'd stay original and buy genuine BMW suspension.

[318is-joe]

I'd be interested in this thread. I have the same car M-Tec II 530d and she is coming around to needing a full corner refresh - arms, balljoints etc - I'm trying to work my way through the linkages and joints, then when they are good, gonna put a set of shocks in her - I'm happy enough with the stock M TecII ride height, as I'd probably be bottoming it out and ripping belly pans of it if it was any lower.

Anyway - I believe from the bilstein literature that B4's are rated at SE ride height, and that the operating window in an M Tec would be lower than this - hence the B6 model which wouldn't bottom out in an M5 or MtecII. I'm probably going to re-use the factory springs. In other words, Bilstein reckon the B4's wouldn't work / last at MtechII ride height.

Anyone been down this road before and know from experience what works and what deffo doesn't - specifically will the B4 shocks work at MtecII ride height??

Have a nice set of M5 rims to go on her when the suspension merits them and a decent set of tyres.

Cheers lads

[Valdelisbmw]

For daily drive i would buy Sachs shocks and eibach or H@R springs and get drop u want . heard only bad experience with bilsteins ,if to go for something bit more stiff , Koni shocks would be my choice

[318is-joe]

For daily drive i would buy Sachs shocks and eibach or H@R springs and get drop u want . heard only bad experience with bilsteins ,if to go for something bit more stiff , Koni shocks would be my choice

Good to hear Valdelis - if you were happy with ride height with factory springs, is it safe to say they'd be ok with new sachs - maybe an uprated h&r ARB front and back and powerflex bushes to match? (intended as a daily - no greater stiff ride needed, than stock)

A spring is a spring - unless it's broken - would the factory springs do another 150K? The MTech shocks were sachs OE anyway weren't they?

[Valdelisbmw]

Good to hear Valdelis - if you were happy with ride height with factory springs, is it safe to say they'd be ok with new sachs - maybe an uprated h&r ARB front and back and powerflex bushes to match? (intended as a daily - no greater stiff ride needed, than stock)

A spring is a spring - unless it's broken - would the factory springs do another 150K? The MTech shocks were sachs OE anyway weren't they?

becouse rear springs very common to broke on E39 ,with msport suspensions .of course first thing why this happens ,is old, not really strong shocks ,and very offten springs are very rusty ,wouldnt look nice with new shocks

[hamish262001]

For daily drive i would buy Sachs shocks and eibach or H@R springs and get drop u want . heard only bad experience with bilsteins ,if to go for something bit more stiff , Koni shocks would be my choice

What do you mean by bad experiences with bilsteins?
I was thinking of getting b4's for the front of my e34 (with a small drop)

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[Smokey Bear]

I have Koni adjustables in my e34, quite stiff but tightened up the car. Although I've never adjusted them so there may be some comfort to be had!

[Valdelisbmw]

might help with sachs shocks and eibach springs if somebody really interested .