Hi everyone...I have a 2006 550i with 106,000 miles on it. I had the front control arms/bushings replaced at about 70k miles but now it just seems that the suspension is loose and not the tight feel it used to have. It's almost as if there is a slight "rickety" kinda feel when going over bumps, etc. The car is a non sport model and I am wanting to refresh the suspension to once again have that like new solid feel.

Here's the issue- we've decided to upgrade our other SUV (2012 pilot) to a bigger one(probably an escalade) therefore My wife will not be happy with me spending the kind of money a new set of coilovers would cost + installation. I do have a set of 19" Miro 111 wheels on it...I was wondering if I could simply put stock sport suspension parts on it and call it a day? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Yes, you can just put the shocks and springs for stock sports suspension (you would need both). Also, you can put on some Bilstein shocks and struts and call it a day. Both solutions would be cheaper than coilovers, but both will be roughly $8-900 including install. Good luck.

 

Would the stock sports shocks/springs lower the car a tad? also, Could you possibly provide me a link to the correct sport shocks/springs to get? Thanks for your help!

 

I was looking around and it seems like the Koni FSD would be a good choice...thoughts?

 

To answer your questions: Yes, stock sports suspension does lower the car, about 1 inch if I remember correctly - plus you'd need to buy springs AND shocks. The Konis are a good choice as well, with over 100k miles I'd look at replacing the springs as well.

 

Thanks again for the info! The only reason I would even consider doing sport springs is that I am going to go with a 245/40/19 front and 285/35/19 rear tires in a couple of weeks and I am a tad concerned that it may sit up too high with them. I wanted the ride quality improvement and extra protection from potholes that comes with the higher sidewall.

Do my old springs affect my ride quality that much? I don't track the car or anything and am more concerned about ride comfort....Would new non sport springs make the car sit a little higher?

 

Here's what those size tires look like on an 06 530i with Sport Suspension.

Note that I do experience some slight rubbing in the front, once in a while, when hitting a large dip in the road. No problems with the rear. I will go with 245/35's on the front next time.

 

How is the ride quality? Did you move up from 18's? I have the Miro 111 wheels on mine- Are What are the offsets on your wheels?

 

I did originally have the stock 18" 123's that come with the Sport package. The ride quality now is great. I will say that I feel the fronts roll over a little when taking a curvy on-ramp quickly, due to their taller sidewalls. So i'm sacrificing some handling for comfort, but the ride is smooth. Those are M5 OEM 166's which are ET12 Front and ET28 back.

 

Just an idea. The cost of installing the coilovers and struts/shocks should be about the same. ST coilovers will performance better than the Sports Package as well. Cost is right about the same.