I recommend going with a spring/shock combo like a set of H&R Springs and Koni or Bilstein shocks. You don't have to replace the shocks when upgrading the springs but you will eventually prematurely wear through the stock shocks so it's recommended that you upgrade the shocks at the same time to avoid paying double labor charges by swapping it out twice.

 

I recommend you go with aftermarket coilovers like KWv2 or Bilstein PSS9. You can adjust the ride stiffness and the ride height to your liking.

 

how much will this run?

 

Keep in mind coilovers are FRAGILE to road imperfections and require more frequent maintenance (compare to strut setup) then you have to corner balance, set the preload, da da da to do it the "right" way.

Unless it's a true weekend toy (you don't commute w/ it), auto X or track car I strongly against coilover and opt for H&R Race and Koni Adjustable then setup to the softest/hardest based on need.

Even if you want to be in performance driving, graduating to coilovers from base sport package suspension is an overkill unless you have the extended experience.


I just drove my buddy's tracked setup E46 w/ H&R Race and Koni Adjustable w/ other bracings.
When the struts are tuned to the stiffest, it was actually stiff but NOT cheap BOUNCY.
It felt like a good match b/ spring stiffness and Koni's rebound rate.
I bet he had done other poly race bushings that made it felt even stiffer.

Damn.. No one here (w/ E60) has H&R Race w/ Koni or Bilstein who can chime in?
I'm dead set w/ these two combo and it's just a matter of time