kashdriven

Wanted to share my coilover install with the forum. I recently purchased KW Suspensions Street Comfort Coilovers Part# 18020005 for my 2005 545i. I got a good deal from thesuspensionsource.com

First I want to mention that this is install is going to take more than 1 person. Me and a buddy were able to get these knocked out in about 5-6 hours. I have dynamic drive so it took a little more time. I would recommend using a lift if you can gain access.

The coilovers and wheels



The Car Before


Taking Apart the Front Passenger Side
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3409.jpg

The had a lot of pretension forcing the lower control arms up. We used a spring compressor to compress the OEM spring. While my buddy removed the strut/coil assembly I pushed down as much as I could on the rotor to force the lower control arm down. After looking back we think the pretension was caused by the dynamic drive system. Be careful when using the spring compressor as you can easily damage your fender.
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3411.jpg

Getting the strut out of the spindle hub required some thinking. We shot it with WD-40 and let it sit for a few mins. We used a balljoint fork tool to spread open the hub. After a few tries it finally broke loose. My car had the original struts so it took some TLC for it to break loose.
http://www.alpha-sports.com/tools/06...lsE_img_93.jpg
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3412.jpg

The KWs next to the OEM
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3413.jpg

I reused my factory top hats since they were in good shape. Since we had em out we re-greased the ball bearings. To get the KW coilover unit back into its new home we again had to push down on the rotor and lower control arm. We also ended up using the spring compressor to help get the unit in. Be careful of the top hat bolts hitting your fender.
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3414.jpg

KWs installed. My "A" measurement for the front was 8". I am using a 19" x 8.5 wheel up front so I wanted just enough drop to close the fender well gap.
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3417.jpg

In the front I am running 19" x 8.5 VMR wheels with 235/35/19 FK452 Falken Tires with 18mm Macht Schnell Wheel Spacers.
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3421.jpg
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3438.jpg

The rear required to take apart the trunk panels to access the upper bolts. Be careful not to break the tie down hooks with removing. There will also be a cushion that covers access to the bolts. You will need to remove that as well. The rear required my buddy to stand on the rotor to allow me to get the assembly out. It is a very long spring/shock. Again we used a spring compressor to help get it out. Be careful not to damage your fender when removing your coil/shock assembly with the spring compressor attached.
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/.../IMG_34251.jpg

KWs next to rear OEM
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3426.jpg

The KWs in their new home. My "A" measurement for the rear was 10".
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3427.jpg

In the rear I am running 19" x 9.5 VMR wheels with 275/35/19 FK452 Falken Tires with 5mm Macht Schnell Wheel Spacers.

The car after

http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3471.jpg
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3440.jpg
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3439.jpg

Since we were already playing with the car I also installed aFe Cold Air Intake Part# 51-11081. Took about 30mins to install. The instructions were clear and photos easy to see. Overall I think the quality is better than K&N intakes I have used in the past.
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3247.jpg

While I was doing the install my M Style Front Bumper from Trinity Autosport arrived. It gets painted this week! Just waiting on my matte black 545i emblem to arrive.
http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/.../IMG_34181.jpg

leese8080

Cool thanks for sharing the pix. KWs are awesome. I love my V2s.

C's Bimmer

Yikes!

kashdriven

Ya I am loving mine too!

kashdriven

Is there another brand available for the 545i??

EV4530

Do a search on the forum regarding aFe Cold Air Intake's and its proven loss of power.

C's Bimmer

Bingo! Might sound good, but I prefer power over sound.

franco5

Very nice man - car looks great. Congrats! I need to know please - honestly how does the ride quality compare to H&R springs in your opinion? I'm torn and am considering going back to stock as my ride w/ the H&R's is just way toooo HARSH..... I would do coil overs if the ride quality is better. I've heard that its better if you set them that way and I've heard no matter how softy of set them at its still as harsh a ride with springs. I don't really care about performance I just want my BMW ride quality back.... Your input is greatly appreciated thank you in advance!

balbs

If you want the ride quality back, KWs are the best for it. Not to mention, you can adjust their dampening and rebound.

Stock :
F - 400 lbs/inch 7kg
R - Progressive

KW Street Comforts:
F - 286 lbs/inch E60 545 5kg
R - 314 lbs/inch E60 545 5.6kg

KW V2/V3
F - 400
R - Progressive

Unfortunately, I don't have H&R's spring rates, but they are definitely higher than stock.

wtlb

How is the ride compared to stock?