:: Comments on the 'new' e39...

[Brandon J]

H&R was chosen by Charlie @ Bimmersport... and if I can't trust him to be in the best interest I believe they are non-sport. I'll have to check.

They are sport especially if they lowered the car. Yeah, Charlie seems like he wanted to sell you something or you did not tell him about using stock shocks. You have to be a smart consumer. Hmmm, worn underdamped shocks with stiffer springs. This kind of stuff isn't rocket science and is not any different than the e34 or any other vehicle. Do a search in about every forum and you will see people use lowering/sport prings with new sport shocks. Just plain makes sense. The basics about suspension tuning. The e39 doesn't change physics. Like every other BMW the e39 seems like it defies physics.

[Qube]

They are sport especially if they lowered the car. Yeah, Charlie seems like he wanted to sell you something or you did not tell him about using stock shocks. You have to be a smart consumer. Hmmm, worn underdamped shocks with stiffer springs. This kind of stuff isn't rocket science and is not any different than the e34 or any other vehicle. Do a search in about every forum and you will see people use lowering/sport prings with new sport shocks. Just plain makes sense. The basics about suspension tuning. The e39 doesn't change physics. Like every other BMW the e39 seems like it defies physics.

Usually I do... as I brought in the Konis for the e34... but in this case it should be good... though I'll question a bit. Still, he's not one to do something that will cause issues as noted.

[Claude]

Usually I do... as I brought in the Konis for the e34... but in this case it should be good... though I'll question a bit. Still, he's not one to do something that will cause issues as noted.

What's the difference with the kind of job you've done or plan (shorter spring and stiffer shock) and the regular BMW sport suspension option ? Is it equivalent ? In general does peoples try to imitate the BMW sport suspension version (get the closer to it) or go further (even stiffer) ?

[Brandon J]

I would say, forget what you hope others do for you. See how your car handles and keep on observing. You were right with the e34 to get the shocks, again I don't understand why not now. It really goes against everything you learned just because someone else says it will work. Well, it will work, just how well and how well in the long run.

As far as sport package e39s, many only do subtle upgrades with the sport suspension, thats also if they choose to do a suspension upgrade. They may do swaybars. Some have tried to swap in Konis, but the factory sport suspension is about 1" (give or take) taller than what would work best for the konis. I have the sport suspension from the factory. The best upgrades were the swaybars. Then getting good tires. I opted for the sticky PS2s as well as using wider tires used on the M5. It is much more balanced with the 245s in the front. The ride is very nice, I mean very nice and compliant. I am also running 275s in the rear. Before the larger tires, I autocrossed the e39 and so the testing of before and after the swaybars were done.

One note, I am wondering how many people here have seen a long wheelbase car like the 5-series in an autocross or a track. I have seen some amazing drivers with the 5-series and the car would sway a little. It's not all about flat corning, it's more so about carving in the turn. Look at Sabine and you will see how much the e39 sways or weight shifts. For good balance of handling and ride, there needs to be a resonable amount of sway because of the long wheel base. It does help carve the turn. If the sway isn't there, then the front will push, or oversteer. Now to combat you can add camber plates and sway bars. So, the main point here is if the springs are too stiff and your corning is too flat, then the 5-series will not carve as well. Have you ever felt like a car has a place where it sits on a big turn and it just sticks?

Qube, I hope things go well for your supension. I simply go by the rule of if you stat from scratch, why not do it right. So, if you are doing your suspension, why not do it right. You know the suspension would have been complete if the springs and shocks were done well. So thats why I ask why did you not trust what you and everyone else knows. My only assumption could be that you wanted the look, or you did go cheap, or it was an impulse buy. Good luck and I hope it works out well for you.

[Qube]

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to write a story

In essence, it's an impulse buy. Was inexpensive and I jumped on it. In truth, I am going to leave them in until the stock struts wear, and then replace them with Konis as well. If I got the Konis at just over $100 for the set like I did for the e34, I would have done it immediately in a heartbeat. Will need to read into what to match to the H&Rs.

Swaybars? That's an interesting thought. I'll look into that. Thanks.

Sticky rubber and staggard wides are in the future. I'll run the Privat Kraftwerk first, then move into something more comfortable.

Will update. Thanks again for the good read!

I would say, forget what you hope others do for you. See how your car handles and keep on observing. You were right with the e34 to get the shocks, again I don't understand why not now. It really goes against everything you learned just because someone else says it will work. Well, it will work, just how well and how well in the long run.

As far as sport package e39s, many only do subtle upgrades with the sport suspension, thats also if they choose to do a suspension upgrade. They may do swaybars. Some have tried to swap in Konis, but the factory sport suspension is about 1" (give or take) taller than what would work best for the konis. I have the sport suspension from the factory. The best upgrades were the swaybars. Then getting good tires. I opted for the sticky PS2s as well as using wider tires used on the M5. It is much more balanced with the 245s in the front. The ride is very nice, I mean very nice and compliant. I am also running 275s in the rear. Before the larger tires, I autocrossed the e39 and so the testing of before and after the swaybars were done.

One note, I am wondering how many people here have seen a long wheelbase car like the 5-series in an autocross or a track. I have seen some amazing drivers with the 5-series and the car would sway a little. It's not all about flat corning, it's more so about carving in the turn. Look at Sabine and you will see how much the e39 sways or weight shifts. For good balance of handling and ride, there needs to be a resonable amount of sway because of the long wheel base. It does help carve the turn. If the sway isn't there, then the front will push, or oversteer. Now to combat you can add camber plates and sway bars. So, the main point here is if the springs are too stiff and your corning is too flat, then the 5-series will not carve as well. Have you ever felt like a car has a place where it sits on a big turn and it just sticks?

Qube, I hope things go well for your supension. I simply go by the rule of if you stat from scratch, why not do it right. So, if you are doing your suspension, why not do it right. You know the suspension would have been complete if the springs and shocks were done well. So thats why I ask why did you not trust what you and everyone else knows. My only assumption could be that you wanted the look, or you did go cheap, or it was an impulse buy. Good luck and I hope it works out well for you.

[Brandon J]

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to write a story

In essence, it's an impulse buy. Was inexpensive and I jumped on it. In truth, I am going to leave them in until the stock struts wear, and then replace them with Konis as well. If I got the Konis at just over $100 for the set like I did for the e34, I would have done it immediately in a heartbeat. Will need to read into what to match to the H&Rs.

Swaybars? That's an interesting thought. I'll look into that. Thanks.

Sticky rubber and staggard wides are in the future. I'll run the Privat Kraftwerk first, then move into something more comfortable.

Will update. Thanks again for the good read!

No Problemo. Sometimes to do the right thing is to admit our obsession flaws, like impulse buying and going a cheaper route. The H&Rs are kind of stiff and from what you have described before in ther posts, it sounds like you want a compliant ride. The konis and H&Rs might be too firm for you. Using Eibach or Dinan springs with Koni shocks would give you the handling with good ride.

Keep us updated.