Aftermarket Springs for a 545i........
01-07-2008, 06:56 PM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
I'm thinking about swapping out the standard non-sport package springs on my 545i. I just don't know which springs I should get. I've seen several spring kits and I need some input from all of you. I've been looking at the Eibach ProKit and the H&R Sport Springs, they would both drop my car a little more than an inch and are similar in price too. What I wonder about is how well do the stock shocks work with these? Is one brand better made or smoother riding? Are there other brands I should consider too? 
Let me know! 
Let me know!
01-08-2008, 12:28 PM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Wow, the silence is deafening! 
01-08-2008, 05:10 PM
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Well I'm going to tell you to definately go Eibach since I have a set that fits your car for sale in the classifieds 
I have used both, H&R sport on the E60 and Eibach Pro-kit on my previous E46 330i. The quality is equal between them -- both are extremely high quality. I had Koni sport shocks/struts (dampers) on both cars, so don't have long term experience with how the stock dampers hold up over time. My 330 was not a sport package and I like suspensions stiffer than most people, so the Konis were added for performance more than durability (I also changed out the sway bars on that car).
On my 530 I had the Eibachs on for less than 2 weeks (they were v8 springs mistakenly installed on my 6 cyl car, so the front end didn't drop). They felt very good with my stock sport package dampers though -- much better feel than stock sport package and good ride to boot. When I changed them out I went with H&R becasue I also added Konis. I did this originally more because I was worried about wearing out the OE dampers too quickly than for handling (didn't want to face a third install anytime soon). I only got the car to the track once last year and it did OK (wanted more power to pull out of corners more than suspension being an issue).
So with a little history on both, the Eibachs will give a smoother / less harsh ride. The H&R's give a little more handling when pushed with a (slight) trade off in ride. I think the difference in the drop between them would be so minor you would never see a visual difference, so it's all about what you want for ride/handling.
With stock dampers I would prefer the Eibachs for sure -- I don't think the OE parts can keep up with the H&R's as well (even sport package). While there are several people here using non-sport damper with lowering springs, personally I don't know that I would put either Eibach or H&R springs with non-sport, especially if they have very many miles (but remember I like a stiffer suspension). It doesn't take any more labor to change the dampers at the same time as the springs, so if in doubt I would do it at the same time. Koni FSD are a good choice with the Eibach springs if you want improved handling, looks, and a smoother ride. Look at reviews on Tirerack.com for some more information.
Sorry for going on for so long -- making up for others that didn't reply yet
I have used both, H&R sport on the E60 and Eibach Pro-kit on my previous E46 330i. The quality is equal between them -- both are extremely high quality. I had Koni sport shocks/struts (dampers) on both cars, so don't have long term experience with how the stock dampers hold up over time. My 330 was not a sport package and I like suspensions stiffer than most people, so the Konis were added for performance more than durability (I also changed out the sway bars on that car).
On my 530 I had the Eibachs on for less than 2 weeks (they were v8 springs mistakenly installed on my 6 cyl car, so the front end didn't drop). They felt very good with my stock sport package dampers though -- much better feel than stock sport package and good ride to boot. When I changed them out I went with H&R becasue I also added Konis. I did this originally more because I was worried about wearing out the OE dampers too quickly than for handling (didn't want to face a third install anytime soon). I only got the car to the track once last year and it did OK (wanted more power to pull out of corners more than suspension being an issue).
So with a little history on both, the Eibachs will give a smoother / less harsh ride. The H&R's give a little more handling when pushed with a (slight) trade off in ride. I think the difference in the drop between them would be so minor you would never see a visual difference, so it's all about what you want for ride/handling.
With stock dampers I would prefer the Eibachs for sure -- I don't think the OE parts can keep up with the H&R's as well (even sport package). While there are several people here using non-sport damper with lowering springs, personally I don't know that I would put either Eibach or H&R springs with non-sport, especially if they have very many miles (but remember I like a stiffer suspension). It doesn't take any more labor to change the dampers at the same time as the springs, so if in doubt I would do it at the same time. Koni FSD are a good choice with the Eibach springs if you want improved handling, looks, and a smoother ride. Look at reviews on Tirerack.com for some more information.
Sorry for going on for so long -- making up for others that didn't reply yet
01-08-2008, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by pinguhk' post='515363' date='Jan 8 2008, 08:49 PM
I would go for Eibach ProKit for a better ride.
01-09-2008, 12:28 PM
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My Ride: BMW 545iA Black Sapphire
Model Year: 2005
Engine: 545i
Originally Posted by JPJ' post='515292' date='Jan 9 2008, 03:10 AM
Well I'm going to tell you to definately go Eibach since I have a set that fits your car for sale in the classifieds
I have used both, H&R sport on the E60 and Eibach Pro-kit on my previous E46 330i. The quality is equal between them -- both are extremely high quality. I had Koni sport shocks/struts (dampers) on both cars, so don't have long term experience with how the stock dampers hold up over time. My 330 was not a sport package and I like suspensions stiffer than most people, so the Konis were added for performance more than durability (I also changed out the sway bars on that car).
On my 530 I had the Eibachs on for less than 2 weeks (they were v8 springs mistakenly installed on my 6 cyl car, so the front end didn't drop). They felt very good with my stock sport package dampers though -- much better feel than stock sport package and good ride to boot. When I changed them out I went with H&R becasue I also added Konis. I did this originally more because I was worried about wearing out the OE dampers too quickly than for handling (didn't want to face a third install anytime soon). I only got the car to the track once last year and it did OK (wanted more power to pull out of corners more than suspension being an issue).
So with a little history on both, the Eibachs will give a smoother / less harsh ride. The H&R's give a little more handling when pushed with a (slight) trade off in ride. I think the difference in the drop between them would be so minor you would never see a visual difference, so it's all about what you want for ride/handling.
With stock dampers I would prefer the Eibachs for sure -- I don't think the OE parts can keep up with the H&R's as well (even sport package). While there are several people here using non-sport damper with lowering springs, personally I don't know that I would put either Eibach or H&R springs with non-sport, especially if they have very many miles (but remember I like a stiffer suspension). It doesn't take any more labor to change the dampers at the same time as the springs, so if in doubt I would do it at the same time. Koni FSD are a good choice with the Eibach springs if you want improved handling, looks, and a smoother ride. Look at reviews on Tirerack.com for some more information.
Sorry for going on for so long -- making up for others that didn't reply yet
I have used both, H&R sport on the E60 and Eibach Pro-kit on my previous E46 330i. The quality is equal between them -- both are extremely high quality. I had Koni sport shocks/struts (dampers) on both cars, so don't have long term experience with how the stock dampers hold up over time. My 330 was not a sport package and I like suspensions stiffer than most people, so the Konis were added for performance more than durability (I also changed out the sway bars on that car).
On my 530 I had the Eibachs on for less than 2 weeks (they were v8 springs mistakenly installed on my 6 cyl car, so the front end didn't drop). They felt very good with my stock sport package dampers though -- much better feel than stock sport package and good ride to boot. When I changed them out I went with H&R becasue I also added Konis. I did this originally more because I was worried about wearing out the OE dampers too quickly than for handling (didn't want to face a third install anytime soon). I only got the car to the track once last year and it did OK (wanted more power to pull out of corners more than suspension being an issue).
So with a little history on both, the Eibachs will give a smoother / less harsh ride. The H&R's give a little more handling when pushed with a (slight) trade off in ride. I think the difference in the drop between them would be so minor you would never see a visual difference, so it's all about what you want for ride/handling.
With stock dampers I would prefer the Eibachs for sure -- I don't think the OE parts can keep up with the H&R's as well (even sport package). While there are several people here using non-sport damper with lowering springs, personally I don't know that I would put either Eibach or H&R springs with non-sport, especially if they have very many miles (but remember I like a stiffer suspension). It doesn't take any more labor to change the dampers at the same time as the springs, so if in doubt I would do it at the same time. Koni FSD are a good choice with the Eibach springs if you want improved handling, looks, and a smoother ride. Look at reviews on Tirerack.com for some more information.
Sorry for going on for so long -- making up for others that didn't reply yet
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