550i suspension change Bilstein vs KW
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nyc
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 BMW 550i
Model Year: 2007
550i suspension change Bilstein vs KW
Hi all,
My 550 has the Oem sport package and the springs are flattening out. Time for change and I was choosing between the options listed below. They are similar in cost, I don't track my car, I will put 19" s on at some point but will stay close to the recommended specs for wheels and tires. I do have the Wald frt bumper which is lower than Oem sport so I don't want to much of a drop and I don't want some bouncy cheap feeling suspension either. Please advise which is close to Oem but a slight upgrade for handling without sacrificing ride quality. Thanks!!!
KW varient 1
Or
Bilstein B12
My 550 has the Oem sport package and the springs are flattening out. Time for change and I was choosing between the options listed below. They are similar in cost, I don't track my car, I will put 19" s on at some point but will stay close to the recommended specs for wheels and tires. I do have the Wald frt bumper which is lower than Oem sport so I don't want to much of a drop and I don't want some bouncy cheap feeling suspension either. Please advise which is close to Oem but a slight upgrade for handling without sacrificing ride quality. Thanks!!!
KW varient 1
Or
Bilstein B12
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Sin City
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: Jet Black '05 545i, Sport/Premium Pkg, Steptronic, Adaptive Xenon, Nav, L7, Blue2th, PDC,
Are the B12's coilovers? I went with the Bilstein sports paired up with Eibach prokit and I must say the ride comfort is as smooth as oem (sport pkg). Just a tad more firmer while making aggressive turns and the drop was noticeably lower but exactly to my taste. Good luck
#3
Members
Senior Members
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: East Coast
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 04' 545, 6 Spd Manual, Blk Lthr, Sport Pkg, Sport Sts, Logic 7, Cold Wthr Pkg, Full L.E.D. Interior, Red Eng. Cvr, Mtech Front Bmpr, M5 Spoiler, Matte Blk Grill, Red Caps, Slttd & Drlld Rotors, 20
Model Year: 2004
Hi all,
My 550 has the Oem sport package and the springs are flattening out. Time for change and I was choosing between the options listed below. They are similar in cost, I don't track my car, I will put 19" s on at some point but will stay close to the recommended specs for wheels and tires. I do have the Wald frt bumper which is lower than Oem sport so I don't want to much of a drop and I don't want some bouncy cheap feeling suspension either. Please advise which is close to Oem but a slight upgrade for handling without sacrificing ride quality. Thanks!!!
KW varient 1
Or
Bilstein B12
My 550 has the Oem sport package and the springs are flattening out. Time for change and I was choosing between the options listed below. They are similar in cost, I don't track my car, I will put 19" s on at some point but will stay close to the recommended specs for wheels and tires. I do have the Wald frt bumper which is lower than Oem sport so I don't want to much of a drop and I don't want some bouncy cheap feeling suspension either. Please advise which is close to Oem but a slight upgrade for handling without sacrificing ride quality. Thanks!!!
KW varient 1
Or
Bilstein B12
#5
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nyc
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 BMW 550i
Model Year: 2007
Are the B12's coilovers? I went with the Bilstein sports paired up with Eibach prokit and I must say the ride comfort is as smooth as oem (sport pkg). Just a tad more firmer while making aggressive turns and the drop was noticeably lower but exactly to my taste. Good luck
Thanks again!
#6
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nyc
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 BMW 550i
Model Year: 2007
Are the B12's coilovers? I went with the Bilstein sports paired up with Eibach prokit and I must say the ride comfort is as smooth as oem (sport pkg). Just a tad more firmer while making aggressive turns and the drop was noticeably lower but exactly to my taste. Good luck
Wassup bro?... I cant speak for Bilsteins but I would say KW V1, I recently installed a pair of ST Coils which are made by KW. EXACTLY the same as V1's, only difference is V1's have stainless steel body (lifetime warranty) and ST's have Galvanized steel body (5 year warranty). Dampening is pre-set and not adjuststable not something I intended on messing with anyway. Ride feels great coming from stock sport suspension myself, it is a TAD firmer than stock but that is to be expected with a suspension upgrade. Noone notices i have made the switch, car is not bouncy AT ALL or jarring just right. I have no complaints. Some will say go with the V2 or V3 all depends on what you're looking for, I would get the V1's. Check out the ST's fraction of the price same EXACT coilover same company besides the 2 differences i mentioned above. Hope this helps
#7
Members
Senior Members
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: East Coast
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 04' 545, 6 Spd Manual, Blk Lthr, Sport Pkg, Sport Sts, Logic 7, Cold Wthr Pkg, Full L.E.D. Interior, Red Eng. Cvr, Mtech Front Bmpr, M5 Spoiler, Matte Blk Grill, Red Caps, Slttd & Drlld Rotors, 20
Model Year: 2004
#8
Members
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 E60 545i Manual, Sport, L7
Model Year: 2005
Those are same I think http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?par...FY0DOgodP1wATQ and they have $100 rebate with free shipping.
How do you know if these are manufactured by KW. Why it carries deferent name and not KW.? Just wondering because I am also thinking to put the coilovers. Price seems attractive for STs but really do not want to spend that money and time on something that I'll regret as I do with many aftermarket parts. Except RPI exhaust.
Thanks.
How do you know if these are manufactured by KW. Why it carries deferent name and not KW.? Just wondering because I am also thinking to put the coilovers. Price seems attractive for STs but really do not want to spend that money and time on something that I'll regret as I do with many aftermarket parts. Except RPI exhaust.
Thanks.
#9
Members
Senior Members
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: East Coast
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 04' 545, 6 Spd Manual, Blk Lthr, Sport Pkg, Sport Sts, Logic 7, Cold Wthr Pkg, Full L.E.D. Interior, Red Eng. Cvr, Mtech Front Bmpr, M5 Spoiler, Matte Blk Grill, Red Caps, Slttd & Drlld Rotors, 20
Model Year: 2004
Those are same I think Welcome to bavauto.com | ST Performance Coilover Kit and they have $100 rebate with free shipping.
How do you know if these are manufactured by KW. Why it carries deferent name and not KW.? Just wondering because I am also thinking to put the coilovers. Price seems attractive for STs but really do not want to spend that money and time on something that I'll regret as I do with many aftermarket parts. Except RPI exhaust.
Thanks.
How do you know if these are manufactured by KW. Why it carries deferent name and not KW.? Just wondering because I am also thinking to put the coilovers. Price seems attractive for STs but really do not want to spend that money and time on something that I'll regret as I do with many aftermarket parts. Except RPI exhaust.
Thanks.
Last edited by Quarta2six; 06-10-2014 at 09:08 AM.
#10
Former Vendor
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
It's a well known fact, you can look it up just about anywhere. Also if you go on the website and click the about us tab tells you all you need to know. Not to mention the number for ST is KW's number. The suspension is identical to V1's besides the colorway, install instructions identical, only difference is galvanized steel body (5 year warranty) vs stainless steel body (lifetime warranty). Price difference almost half. Definitely check out the site I wondered the same before buying them. At the price point its a no brainer in my opinion.
The only downside to the ST is if you live in an area where it snows, the shock body will start to rust after a season of driving it in the salt and snow.
If you look at the bottom of the ST website it says KW North America Inc. so you know its legit!