Contemplating springs to go w/ my new 17s - advise/encouragement wanted

[Kamil]

You're going to need the Bilstein sport shocks with the short throw. Otherwise you're going to bottom the shock out. Did you order new shocks?

BTW - if you ARE going down this route ($200 for springs, $400 for shocks), better to buy the Sachs kit.

If you don't plan to swap shocks, the suggestion to get the M-tech springs is muuuuch better. You are not going to like just the Bav auto springs in front. And it will ride like crap as it bottoms out the shock.

Just ask Martin...his suspension sucks. Guess what he has.

Jeff

Yea... just springs... I dunno, I was not able to find the M technik springs anywhere... asked people for part numbers, nothing.
Did internet search, nothing.
Even went to the dealer, and the dude said that the springs off a '95 540i Sport are for the ETS (? I think, the adjustable deal, w/ the button on the centel console)... so I dunno.

If I find out the needed part numbers, prices, etc... I would rather go w/ the OEM M tech springs... but no avail so far.

I asked about returning the springs... no problem.

If somebody out there knows exactly what I need and where to get, please let me know.
Thanks,
-Kamil

[AZ_Jason_S]

I know they aren't the best solution for performance, but they get the job done for a reasonable price. You should cut the bump stop down also. Mine almost never bottom out, but maybe thats just the roads I drive on? Also, by the time you put 17's on it, you've already compromised the ride quality.

Kamil said he isn't even gonna have this car a year from now. Its hardly worth dumping a bunch of money in it...

You're going to need the Bilstein sport shocks with the short throw. Otherwise you're going to bottom the shock out. Did you order new shocks?

BTW - if you ARE going down this route ($200 for springs, $400 for shocks), better to buy the Sachs kit.

If you don't plan to swap shocks, the suggestion to get the M-tech springs is muuuuch better. You are not going to like just the Bav auto springs in front. And it will ride like crap as it bottoms out the shock.

Just ask Martin...his suspension sucks. Guess what he has.

Jeff

[MicahO]

oops - hopefully my post with the spring part numbers wasn't too late. IMNSHO, i'd cancel the order for the BavAuto springs. I've driven on them once, and seen them on many cars. I feel they drop the car too much, and are made a bit soft for the low ride height. This leads to a greater propensity to bottom - a bad thing in my book. Real short should mean real stiff with some comfort compromises, and BavAuto seemed to go short and soft for comfort and looks. Not my cup of tea, and you'll also need the Bilstein sports with the shorter travel = more $$$.

The MTechs are lower, without being slammed. They are stiffer, without being rock-hard. It remains a compromise spring sold by the manufacturer, but BMW gets pretty close to correct.

If you had not already done new shocks and spent that money, I'd probably go with a full Sachs sporting kit, but to maintain the investment in the new shocks and not break the bank, the MTechs are clearly the way to go.

Take your time - the gap is not pretty, but you'll be past it in due time.