First couple days with my M5 -Suspension Quest

[Dexter]

I posted a few days ago in the general conversation area that I sold my 535is and bought an M5. I have only had it a couple days now, but I am so glad I did it. I went from having the nicest, best driving, tightest 535 I have seen to a very good condition, but not the best M5. I will happily take the tradeoff. My 535 was my daily driver, and my friend offered to buy it for a price I liked. I had been looking at a couple M5s on the west coast that I could afford. I took the one in Napa with 200k on it. If I had a year to shop for a better car at similar price I might have found one, but this is a pretty well kept car, just not as babied as my 535 was it's whole life.

It is too low for my taste, and has poorly painted Style 32s which will be replaced with my old (new) style 42s tomorrow. I have some BavAuto springs which I know most people hate, but I bought them for a mellow drop on my 535, but never got them on before I sold it. I thought of replacing the H&Rs with them. That could raise me just a bit.

Anyway, Just introducing myself to this area of the group. I gotta say, for years I have heard you guys talk about how great it is to go through the gears of these cars. I have only done it for a couple days now, but the sound and feeling is already stuck in my head. It is like nothing else. I have had some nice cars, but this is something special.

Here is the car from the seller's photos- not a bad look, but too aggressive for me. I prefer halfway to stock from here.

Paul

[cddallara]

I like it. I miss mine, but enjoy my m535i more 'cause it's less stress/$$$. I want the wheels

[wkohler]

Please, do not put BavAuto springs on that car. You will hate life. I suggest getting M-Tech springs from BMW. The part numbers have been discussed here on the board. Brian can get you a killer deal on them.

[rcbmw]

wkohler's advice is spot on--use the M-Tech springs on your M5.

Best,
RCBMW

[Dexter]

Thanks guys- calling Brian now about the m-techs. I had a feeling that is where I would end up but thought I would run these first since they are sitting here.

One question: isn't the M-tech what came on the car? So the stance would be totally original, or are these going to be different than the American m5 springs?

Cddallara- pming you about the wheels now!

[wkohler]

They are different.

[Dexter]

Yeah I checked into it and my source said if Chris says it, it is true. They are on their way now!

[wkohler]

The M-techs will lower the car from stock, but not nearly as much as other lowering springs. The other issue M5s have is that lowering springs are generally designed for the M30 motors. M5s are heavier, both in the front and all around, so running springs designed for a 535i will not help - not enough spring rate. The 528e has the opposite issue, particularly in the front.

I also think that the drop M-tech spings provide is perfect. It doesn't have that gangster look.

[Rich Euro M5]

The M-techs will lower the car from stock, but not nearly as much as other lowering springs. The other issue M5s have is that lowering springs are generally designed for the M30 motors. M5s are heavier, both in the front and all around, so running springs designed for a 535i will not help - not enough spring rate. The 528e has the opposite issue, particularly in the front.

I also think that the drop M-tech spings provide is perfect. It doesn't have that gangster look.

The OE front spring for the US/NA 535i and M5 is PN 31331126024. The differences between the 535i and the M5 are the front strut inserts. The 535i will either have a Boge or Bilstein, the M5 used a gas filled Boge specific to the US M5 and Euro / US 635csi.

Euro M5s used a point system tied to the options for the front springs. These are basically the M-Tech springs and will drop the M5 about 1/2" - 3/4" depending on the type of strut insert. The Euro M5 up to 10/86 had a special Bilstein strut insert which was also spec'd for the Euro M635Csi. After 10/86 the Euro M5 utilized a Boge strut which was specific to the Euro M5. The rear shocks on the early Euro M5 are a specially valved M-Tech shock as well.

BTW: The proper 25+ point M-Tech springs are NLA. Therefore using the 18 point spring on a US M5 will leave you slightly under sprung compared to the correct spring.

Rich

[Dexter]

Now I am more confused than ever I do have Bilstein sports all around, but don't know how that is going to play into your point system you are discussing.
Then on top of that, I was considering exploring Bilstein HDs but can't seem to get a consensus on that- much less specific to the M5. I would like to get the car to as close to a stock American M5 ride, and thought I understood the Bilstein sports to be more stiff than the original Boge.

[Dexter]

I got the Style 32s off and the 42s on. Now I am just waiting to pick it up off the ground. She scrapes getting out of my driveway. Sometimes I think I should have found a more stock car, but actually other than how low it is (which is such a common setup) the modifications have been well done and good choices. I lay in bed all night waiting until I can get back in her, go through the gears and listen to that motor.

So glad the Saab moonroof was done. I had always wanted one, but would have never gone through the trouble. Loving that, and they did a terrific job on the headliner slider.

[tsmall07]

I think the car looks great as-is.

The M-Tech springs are really nice, though.

[MicahO]

I think the car looks great as-is.

Ditto! Car looks great. That last picture reminds me I have to add "lipo bumpers" to my over-winter to-do list.

[recaro18]

Nice car! Enjoy it!

[Philo]

Saw your old rims for sales on OC CL.., where are you located in OC ?

[Dexter]

In Costa Mesa- though the rims are at my office in Newport Beach. Come and get them! I have about 10 guys telling me they are coming, but somehow it is harder to find Newport than you would think

[Philo]

Would love to help you out but I'm partial to the RS rims.. they are oooh soo sweet !

[Dexter]

Agree!

[Dexter]

I gotta say, I am starting to get used to the lowness. Every time I walk out of my house it sure looks pretty good as is. Though I have to pull in at an angle 'cause she scrapes- not a good sign.

Ending my first week with the car and I am getting through a lot of the little projects. wheels, ashtray put back together, armrest/cupholder in, rear headrests re-upholustered correctly, stereo in. Next week will be a slower week as I wait for the springs, then she will get all new control arms, and anything else a bit loose. There is some sillyness when you step on the brakes in the front end- bushing related I am sure.

Front bumper had been Lipo'd but they left the rear alone, so I suppose I will match it with the front. I would have left them both alone, but I am starting to like the front. Working on M-Tech of course... Good thing I didn't find that car that Chris just bought in AZ. I am not so sure I could have resisted ripping it apart.

[rcbmw]

You are the right owner for this M5. With regards to the impact bumper, I would return it to the original position since it is correct and looks tidy.

Best,
RCBMW

[recaro18]

I miss that car...

[rcbmw]

I miss that car...

You did a great job with the car and it was one of the better examples in Northern California-- and it looks like it will remain that way.

Best,
RCBMW

[Dexter]

[S14]

I can't wait to make a thread with this same title!

[BDK]

Car looks great,

I am always the different opinion it seems but I like the Bav Auto's for everyday, track events are something different...
just make sure you're running sports and not hd's as hd's will run around on the bump stops...

I also like the lipo'd bumpers, I did mine too...

Car looks good though..

[edlocke]

Now I am more confused than ever I do have Bilstein sports all around, but don't know how that is going to play into your point system you are discussing.
Then on top of that, I was considering exploring Bilstein HDs but can't seem to get a consensus on that- much less specific to the M5. I would like to get the car to as close to a stock American M5 ride, and thought I understood the Bilstein sports to be more stiff than the original Boge.

I called Bilstein Corporate head quarters in Charlotte and spoke with a Technician about HD vs Sports. He mentioned the only difference between the two is the length of shaft to accommodate the spring, whether its a lowering spring or stock ride. The ride or firmness are identical. I believe his name is Scott. Call for yourself.....I too was very confused reading all the hype on the sport/HD.....in till I called Bilstein.

[Dexter]

Yes, I was always told- by nearly everyone that HD was softer than Sport- but Chris told me what they told you (and strangely I would believe Chris before Bilstein )

So yeah, I am staying with the sports when I put on the M-Techs. They should be here monday and they will get in next week along with all the front arms and bushings- and tightening up the 4 inches of side to side play in the shifter.( I don't know how anyone could live with that as long as they did.) Once you find first you are fine, but a couple of times I have wound up in reverse at a light! Good thing I wasn't going for a quick merge in those instances! On the bright side, unlike my 535, I haven't had any trouble with Hyundays or F150s winning the merge battle here. (remember, I live in So Cal- we do NOT wave people in just because they have their turn signal on.) Actually, I would never do that, but itmakes for an interesting post.

[Dexter]

Well, I am out of town for work (though Park City, Utah isn't much of a complaint- and a couple days extension for snowboarding doesn't hurt either). Anyway, I took the M5 to my mechanic while I am gone and they are doing the springs and all front suspension components.

While at it, I am having them replace the belts that are each somehow in one piece, a power steering hose that is somehow holding pressure, clutch hose that was somehow activating the clutch and 2 other hoses that he found that I hadn't noticed. The PO was a great guy and I am not frustrated with him- the car is a good car at a good price, but gees... The first time I parked the car in my driveway it looked like the Octo-Mom's water broke the next morning under the car. (Ok, I did steal that joke, but it is worth repeating.)

[Mab1957]

Wow Dexter all I did my first couple days of M5 ownership was drive! My cheeks hurt for the next two days from the perma-grin.

Nice work on the sorting, wheels look good and I look forward to hearing how the ride is with the new springs.

Matt

[Dexter]

Well, I got the new springs on. I LOVE the feel. Tighter than the 535is suspension in a good way, but I can actually take my wife in the car now (she honestly had never ridden in it, and I wasn't offering because it was like the wheel hubs were bolted to the chassis. This, as it turns out, is because the hard H&Rs were cut to further lower the car. I know a lot of guys here love that, and I did as well 20 years ago, but I am happy to get the car a bit more able to take to dinner with my wife.

The only problem is, the front of the car looks like a 4x4. I don't know what it is going to take for me to get a "normal" looking front end. My 535 had over 3" of wheel gap, then I bought the M5 with NO gap, and now I am back to OVER 3" of gap. So, time to figure that out. A couple guys have told me to let it "settle" but I have never really seen that in my experience, but I could be wrong. The back looks great:


I see plenty of cars that look exactly like I want- there is one for sale right now and he says the suspension is totally stock (including rear leveling system) Why does my front end resist looking like this?: