Cutting stock springs

[brodee]

So M5 springs plus 3mm pads would lower the car how much?

On the touring I got almost an inch with m5 springs and 3mm pads.

[Incantation]

i read you want to retain your stock ride.. chances are after 12 years your springs and shocks are shot anyway so "stock ride" is not happening.. go get the sachs kit.. nice lowerage, and it rides almost stock.. but firmer

[bimmerd00d]

As someone who has been through this, I would say do NOT do this. Get yourself a nice set of BavAuto, or H&R springs and the stock Boge shocks. You will hate the way the car sits with cut springs. You will eat up your tires VERY VERY quickly too by cutting stock springs.

[DaCan23]

A friend of a friend once cut his springs... if he hit a really good bump the spring would slip out of the mounts and would have to take it apart to reseat. Never a good idea.

[93-525i]

A friend of a friend once cut his springs... if he hit a really good bump the spring would slip out of the mounts and would have to take it apart to reseat. Never a good idea.

Cutting one coil form the springs will not allow it to jump out of it's seat, even if hitting a bump fairly hard. These springs, even without one coil have so much preassure pushing into the seat it's not possible unless I cut like 3 coil off. I've done it before on another car and without a problem, and I know a couple people have on this board as well and have had the setup for several years before going to aftermarket springs.

[93-525i]

Anyone have a used set of Bav Auto springs they want to get rid of?

[Kalevera]

Alright.

Let me say it frankly, because it needs to be said -- cutting springs or using BavAuto springs are just about the dumbest ideas I've read in a long time. I feel so strongly about this topic that I'm tempted to use a few choice foul adjectives to describe all related subjects...

I once had an acquaintence who bought a 525 for his wife off of a kid. The kid had cut the springs (stupid kid). On the way home, the driver hit a mild bump (California highways) and the subframe split in two.

Cutting the springs would leave me no choice but to classify the cutter as an idiot...and I don't like to write people off as such.

For myriad reasons, using bavauto springs is for dingos, as well. Not as dumb as cutting springs, but good lord, man....you've been warned. The garbage will bottom out like there's no tomorrow. Especially if you're running stock shocks, and if you're trying to buy a used set of springs, I have a feeling that's the case.

Look, it took me a few months to learn it, as well, and I can practically guarantee that my car looks worse than yours so you actually have a reason to do it right the first time around -- *DON'T* do things on the cheap. If money's an issue, SAVE the pennies. Doing it cheaply the first time around only cost me more money in the long run.


best, whit

[genphreak]

**very well said** Whit, and to think a set of Voigtland springs are only $200, are progressive rate and fit straight in... why do it the hard way. Saving is easier... GP

[uscharalph]

I'm with Whit! I'm trying to put what I'd like to do to my car in some sort of order by priority. What needs to be done gets done first. Get the most bang for my buck, but do it right the 1st time or wait.

[darron525]

as stated before, get m-tec springs and 3mm spring pads.


darron