Ride Comfort : Coilovers vs Springs
06-25-2011, 06:30 AM
#1
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I'm planning on getting 20" wheels sometime in the future, but I would like an idea of what setup to budget for. I have a 530d msport so the stock sport suspension is already low, however I'm not sure if it will be low enough.
If I lower my car, the main priority will be ride quality. I currently have runflats on my 18" msport wheels, so I will be putting regular tyres on the 20s in an attempt to retain some comfort.(I'm aware that the lower tyre profile isn't going to help)
I also have to decide which will have a smoother ride; coilovers or springs(with stock shocks)? I have tried to research this, but I have heard alot of mixed reviews. I wouldn't say that the stock suspension is particulary smooth anyway, so would it be possible to lower the car without killing the ride?
It seems that the eibach pro-kit would be the way to go if I were to lower with springs, and KW 'street comfort' sound like an obvious choice of coilovers.
Firstly, does anyone have pics of an e60 msport with 20" wheels on stock suspension? It would also be good to hear any experience/opinions on different brands of coilover & spring setups.
If I lower my car, the main priority will be ride quality. I currently have runflats on my 18" msport wheels, so I will be putting regular tyres on the 20s in an attempt to retain some comfort.(I'm aware that the lower tyre profile isn't going to help)
I also have to decide which will have a smoother ride; coilovers or springs(with stock shocks)? I have tried to research this, but I have heard alot of mixed reviews. I wouldn't say that the stock suspension is particulary smooth anyway, so would it be possible to lower the car without killing the ride?
It seems that the eibach pro-kit would be the way to go if I were to lower with springs, and KW 'street comfort' sound like an obvious choice of coilovers.
Firstly, does anyone have pics of an e60 msport with 20" wheels on stock suspension? It would also be good to hear any experience/opinions on different brands of coilover & spring setups.
06-25-2011, 07:05 AM
#2
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My Ride: I have a 2007 Black Sapphire BMW 530i with SMG. It has the auburn interior, has PDC, Sports Package, Premium Package, rear automatic sunshades with manual side sunshades, 35% black tint, Upgraded angeleyes from Angelibrights, and Logic 7 Sound System
Model Year: 2007
Hey buddy! I have a 2007 530i with stock sports suspension. I bough H&R springs a while ago but never installed them because I heard/read that replacing just the springs and not the shocks would cause premature wear on the shocks as well. I decided to sell my H&R and am going to buy some KSport coilovers from member acuteperformance. I think they are under $1000 and they have been reviewed by members on here also. It gives you the ability to change right hight and the stiffness also so that you can have it really soft or really stiff. I would say that the ride would be better on the coilovers. I have 20 inch miro time attacks on currently and once I have the coilovers I will put some spacers on as well. I already had my fenders rolled as well. Good luck with your choice and post some pictures once your done.
06-25-2011, 07:19 AM
#3
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Hey buddy! I have a 2007 530i with stock sports suspension. I bough H&R springs a while ago but never installed them because I heard/read that replacing just the springs and not the shocks would cause premature wear on the shocks as well. I decided to sell my H&R and am going to buy some KSport coilovers from member acuteperformance. I think they are under $1000 and they have been reviewed by members on here also. It gives you the ability to change right hight and the stiffness also so that you can have it really soft or really stiff. I would say that the ride would be better on the coilovers. I have 20 inch miro time attacks on currently and once I have the coilovers I will put some spacers on as well. I already had my fenders rolled as well. Good luck with your choice and post some pictures once your done.
(would the Ksport coilovers be any more comfortable than KW?)
06-25-2011, 09:20 AM
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My Ride: I have a 2007 Black Sapphire BMW 530i with SMG. It has the auburn interior, has PDC, Sports Package, Premium Package, rear automatic sunshades with manual side sunshades, 35% black tint, Upgraded angeleyes from Angelibrights, and Logic 7 Sound System
Model Year: 2007
the only reason I picked the ksports over kw was MONEY. I think ksports are half or a third of the price of KW. I will post pics as soon as I take them in a few minutes.
EDIT: WILL PICK UP THE KSPORTS. PICTURES are of regular sports suspension with 20 inch miro time attacks. No spacers yet.
EDIT: WILL PICK UP THE KSPORTS. PICTURES are of regular sports suspension with 20 inch miro time attacks. No spacers yet.
06-25-2011, 09:30 AM
#5
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My Ride: I have a 2007 Black Sapphire BMW 530i with SMG. It has the auburn interior, has PDC, Sports Package, Premium Package, rear automatic sunshades with manual side sunshades, 35% black tint, Upgraded angeleyes from Angelibrights, and Logic 7 Sound System
Model Year: 2007
Here are some teaser pics.
06-25-2011, 09:47 AM
#6
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Nice! 
The 20" wheels don't look too out of place on stock suspension to be honest, however a drop will be good.
I have just seen the price of the Ksports(I'm in the UK) and they are alot cheaper than KWs, I just hope the comfort is there.
The 20" wheels don't look too out of place on stock suspension to be honest, however a drop will be good.
I have just seen the price of the Ksports(I'm in the UK) and they are alot cheaper than KWs, I just hope the comfort is there.
06-25-2011, 09:52 AM
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I'm planning on getting 20" wheels sometime in the future, but I would like an idea of what setup to budget for. I have a 530d msport so the stock sport suspension is already low, however I'm not sure if it will be low enough.
If I lower my car, the main priority will be ride quality. I currently have runflats on my 18" msport wheels, so I will be putting regular tyres on the 20s in an attempt to retain some comfort.(I'm aware that the lower tyre profile isn't going to help)
I also have to decide which will have a smoother ride; coilovers or springs(with stock shocks)? I have tried to research this, but I have heard alot of mixed reviews. I wouldn't say that the stock suspension is particulary smooth anyway, so would it be possible to lower the car without killing the ride?
It seems that the eibach pro-kit would be the way to go if I were to lower with springs, and KW 'street comfort' sound like an obvious choice of coilovers.
Firstly, does anyone have pics of an e60 msport with 20" wheels on stock suspension? It would also be good to hear any experience/opinions on different brands of coilover & spring setups.
If I lower my car, the main priority will be ride quality. I currently have runflats on my 18" msport wheels, so I will be putting regular tyres on the 20s in an attempt to retain some comfort.(I'm aware that the lower tyre profile isn't going to help)
I also have to decide which will have a smoother ride; coilovers or springs(with stock shocks)? I have tried to research this, but I have heard alot of mixed reviews. I wouldn't say that the stock suspension is particulary smooth anyway, so would it be possible to lower the car without killing the ride?
It seems that the eibach pro-kit would be the way to go if I were to lower with springs, and KW 'street comfort' sound like an obvious choice of coilovers.
Firstly, does anyone have pics of an e60 msport with 20" wheels on stock suspension? It would also be good to hear any experience/opinions on different brands of coilover & spring setups.
like what the member above said the konis are pretty cool coz u can adjust the stiffness of the ride.. if you going with the 20's i suggest this will be a good route to go... anyhows, i'm putting on coils next weekend and let you know how it compares to my original set up
good luck buddy
06-25-2011, 10:01 AM
#8
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he there bmwfive, i have the h&r sport springs with the koni yellow shocks for a month and i did love it, the ride was comfortable and little baby loves it too
like what the member above said the konis are pretty cool coz u can adjust the stiffness of the ride.. if you going with the 20's i suggest this will be a good route to go... anyhows, i'm putting on coils next weekend and let you know how it compares to my original set up
good luck buddy
like what the member above said the konis are pretty cool coz u can adjust the stiffness of the ride.. if you going with the 20's i suggest this will be a good route to go... anyhows, i'm putting on coils next weekend and let you know how it compares to my original set up
good luck buddy
Thanks!
06-25-2011, 10:10 AM
#9
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My Ride: I have a 2007 Black Sapphire BMW 530i with SMG. It has the auburn interior, has PDC, Sports Package, Premium Package, rear automatic sunshades with manual side sunshades, 35% black tint, Upgraded angeleyes from Angelibrights, and Logic 7 Sound System
Model Year: 2007
usually if most people eventually end up with coilovers ! good luck!
06-25-2011, 02:48 PM
#10
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Well I've just been reading some more positive comments on the ksports, so it sounds like these are probably the ones to go for. I will also need to factor in the cost of fitting.
I haven't even decided on my wheels yet but thinking maybe 20" m6 reps or 20" 172 spiders.
...I'm leaning towards the m6 wheels but as the spokes leave alot of 'open' space making the stock brakes visible, I'm worried that the car will be crying out for bigger brakes. (which would be an unnecessary & expensive mod for me as I don't track the car and only do mostly city driving)
I haven't even decided on my wheels yet but thinking maybe 20" m6 reps or 20" 172 spiders.
...I'm leaning towards the m6 wheels but as the spokes leave alot of 'open' space making the stock brakes visible, I'm worried that the car will be crying out for bigger brakes. (which would be an unnecessary & expensive mod for me as I don't track the car and only do mostly city driving)