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View Full Version : '92 525ia Suspension Upgrades?



granit_silber
01-19-2005, 04:57 PM
Hey Guys,

I want to upgrade the suspension on my 92 525ia, but have heard two viewpoints (both of which make sense) and I would love to have your input on the issue.

First,
-My e34 has never had suspension work done it (as far as I can tell).
-I don't have the shimmy and the nothing seems too loose. In my perception the car does have excessive body roll, however it is also larger and heavier than anything else I've owned (prev. car was '02 Civic).
-I'm no longer intersted in street racing,x-crossing, etc BUT am looking forward to track days and driver schools in the future.
-Ultimately, I want to drop the car about an inch and a half in the front and a tiny it in the rear
-I would like the car to perform, yet still be a comfortable ride (NO race springs!)
-I have the self-leveling rear-end and running the 15" bottle-caps (want 17's)

Here are the two viewpoints:
(1) Replace the system with OEM parts to see how the car was designed to handle. German engineers knew what they were doing...

(2) Step up to new performance spring/shock combo because it's cooler. Eliminate the leveling system.

This is a daily driver. I really don't have any complaints about the handling as it is now, other than the height of the front. I want a system that balances performance, comfort, and longevity.

-ashley

shogun
01-19-2005, 08:38 PM
click here (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/suspensions.htm)

granit_silber
01-20-2005, 09:14 AM
click here (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/suspensions.htm)
In al the time I've spent on bmwe34.net, I had never found that particular page.
-ashley

granit_silber
01-20-2005, 09:54 AM
click here (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/suspensions.htm)
Checked out the page you sent and decided that the best option for me was the addition of the BAVAuto springs. After e-mailing them, I was told that the springs don't work with the self-leveling rear-end. BAVAuto told me to buy the self-leveling eliminating kit.

Three questions:
1) Is the self-leveling system uncommon in my model (525iA) bimmer?
2) can I install the springs on the front end and wait to install the rear springs until I re-do the rear-end or does it need to be done all together?
3) Why is the self-leveling rear-end so bad that people want to eliminate it?

All of a sudden a $200 set of springs has turned into a $800-$900 mod!
-ashley