Ready for Struts/Shocks

[Jehu]

Now that I am finally ready to do this let's hear the voice of the people Sachs or Bilstein Sports? What about Powerflex Urethane Bumpstops?

[pundit]

Koni!
Next question?

[Jehu]

I was told by a BMW shop owner who races Bimmers Koni wouldn't last me as long .Great for racing,dual use but he clearly intended to convey to me their durability would be exceeded by the other two i mentioned as i suppose he felt that would be my highest priority. Why are Koni's such a no brainer in your estimation?

[markus]

you cant go wrong with either IMO. But if it were me id go with the bilsteins.

[Dr. evil]

i use the billie HD, somewhat stiff but they work great.

[swenpro]

Great question, Jehu, I'm planning on doing this on my 540 soon as well. I'm leaning toward the Sachs springs/struts kit from BMA unless someone convinces me otherwise...

[Jehu]

I had been also ,getting them from Bavarian Auto as i am an hour drive from them but on their site their info on the Bilsteins got me thinking, they are durable , many people swear by them and their description addresses the stiffness fear saying they aren't the same as when that perception arose but have been redesigned plus they're on sale $395.80 for the whole set no sasles tax in NH, then the Bump stops.. are these (http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.com/parts/autopartswarehouse/quote.jsp?year=1992&product=L2030-67283&application=000430764&part=Control%20Arm%20Bushing&dp=false)the best UCA bushies to use?
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5711/l203067283lemdo7.jpg

[bmwrp8]

you cant go wrong with either IMO. But if it were me id go with the bilsteins.

x2:D

[ThoreauHD]

I would do Koni for racing and Sachs for casual driving. I've heard good things about powerflex, but have never used them. I do OE on the bushings. M5/750 bushings where applicable.

[Evan]

KYB $200 for front and rear

[Macv]

KYB $200 for front and rear

Haha..... no

I'd talk to BMA and order the sachs kit.

[swenpro]

I had been also ,getting them from Bavarian Auto as i am an hour drive from them but on their site their info on the Bilsteins got me thinking, they are durable , many people swear by them and their description addresses the stiffness fear saying they aren't the same as when that perception arose but have been redesigned plus they're on sale $395.80 for the whole set no sasles tax in NH, then the Bump stops.. are these (http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.com/parts/autopartswarehouse/quote.jsp?year=1992&product=L2030-67283&application=000430764&part=Control%20Arm%20Bushing&dp=false)the best UCA bushies to use?


$395 is just for your shocks... you're not planning on getting springs as well?

The sachs kit on BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com/epcgetspecials.epc?cookieID=24B0M76BG24B0M7URJ&drillid=5&level3=E34+5+SERIES&clientid=bmaparts) for $710 includes springs as well...

[Jehu]

$395 is just for your shocks... you're not planning on getting springs as well?

The sachs kit on BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com/epcgetspecials.epc?cookieID=24B0M76BG24B0M7URJ&drillid=5&level3=E34+5+SERIES&clientid=bmaparts) for $710 includes springs as well...

Is it normally neccesary to replace springs?I'd never heard that was needed.What would tell me i needed new springs?

[Evan]

ive been running KYB and H&R for almost a year... wouldn't recommend them if i wasn't VERY happy... M5 bushings on Lemforder suspension bits...

do the dogbones and racing king subframe bushing inserts too... all well worth the time & expense

[swenpro]

Is it normally neccesary to replace springs?I'd never heard that was needed.What would tell me i needed new springs?

Ah I see, you have a 540i/6 that came stock with a lowered suspension... so maybe you don't need new springs. But I know for sure I will need both springs and struts since I'm still riding at truck height, and lowering springs would be firmer and shorter than what I currently have.

[632 Regal]

I am very happy with the Sachs besides I dont have to replace them all the time like the Billies.

[Jehu]

Well I just ordered the Lemforder M5 UCA bushings from http://www.autopartswarehouse.com The dogbones look completely fine but i have seen a front sway bar bushing is slpit,is that going to have any noticeable effect on the handling?

[Jehu]

ive been running KYB and H&R for almost a year... wouldn't recommend them if i wasn't VERY happy... M5 bushings on Lemforder suspension bits...

do the dogbones and racing king subframe bushing inserts too... all well worth the time & expense

You mean those Delrin discs that canadian outfit was selling linked on Bruno's site?

[peks]

We buy new springs because we are lowering the car.. or because a spring is broke (for real). if you have stock sport springs on the 540 they are probably fine still. I have bilies as well as one of my buddies, another has boges/sachs. cant say one is better than the other. so thats up to you. you prob want to get all the other parts in the sachs kit, tho.. spring pads etc. you want new rear strut mounts too..

[Jehu]

Can you tell much difference in the ride response bwteen the sachs and bilstein over ripply bumpy roads?

[peks]

Can you tell much difference in the ride response bwteen the sachs and bilstein over ripply bumpy roads?

Havent driven the sachs combo enough to know. cant imagine theyre much different.

somebody here has experience...

[Evan]

yeah --racing king is bruno's organization

[632 Regal]

Big time! The Billies were like jackhammers where the sachs are much more compliant.
Can you tell much difference in the ride response bwteen the sachs and bilstein over ripply bumpy roads?