@#$! BavAuto Springs!!

[Kalevera]

Guys,

Prior to knowing about this board, an ignorant me bought a set of BavAuto springs for my 535i. I installed them about 1000 miles ago and was initially satisfied with them....BUT:

Handling sucks (also is affected by my dead shocks and loose steering box).

The rear seems to be too low. The front is okay in terms of height as it is, althought sometimes the plastic front chassis/engine cover rubs the ground. The rear is whack though - the camber is WAY off, the tires sit up in the wheel wells way too high. So, I want to take them off in favor of something else.

In terms of the other options (ie - H&R/SACHS): how badly is rear camber affected? My rear tires look splayed out as it is - the negative camber is visible. Also, how low does rear ride height go? The BavAutos are, by my conjecture, too low.


Whit

[califblue]

You mean you changed springs without changing your old shocks?
Why?
No wonder your camber “is whack though - the camber is WAY off” you have sacked shocks with lowered springs!
You should have Bucked up and did the Sachs kit even if it meant waiting until you had the $ ( you should replace all front end components at the same time my.02)

[Kalevera]

Indeed, I did replace everything in the front end.

Well, I did change the front shocks, but the ones that went on weren't new. The rears were old. I would've bought the sachs kit had I known that it existed - it was never a function of money, more of a problem of timing

Does anyone have any pics of how it lowers the rear? I just want to make sure that I'm not setting myself up to be disappointed.

Best, Whit

[Incantation]

i do.. email me if u want pics. Incantation@novus-tele.net and plz capitalize the topic

[Derek A.]

What about the rear subfram mounts ? I would make sure that the entire suspension is in good working order before adding speed parts to the mix.

[John B.]

The factory M-Tech springs are another nice option for lowering the 535i. They lower the car without destroying the ride quality & are designed to work with the popular M-Tech sway bars.

[pmlmotorsports]

Again, I must inform everyone about a lesser known company Vogtland. the kit they offer lowers the REAR of the car the least (.8"), while lowering the front 1.6", and the ride is far better than H&R, EIBACH, or BAVAUTO which are too soft. As for shocks or struts, I recommend the stock units as I find Bilsteins too stiff, and Koni to expensive, but if you want the best, the Koni product is adjustable and can provide both comfort and/or handling depending on your mood that day. Hope this helps. One last thing, the people here seem to worship the Sachs kit, but they fail to mention the pathetic 1 year warranty that is offered by Sachs. I'll take the Vogtland/Koni package which offers a lifetime warranty on both products....just my 2 cents worth.

[Kalevera]

PML - I read your earlier post about Vogtland and I've seen them for sale at very reasonable prices. It's an attractive option. My question to you is -- how stiff are they? I'm not looking for a bone jarring ride. Do you have any pics of them on your car? Thanks! Lowell

[gale]

I suffered with BavAuto/Bilstein Tourings for 2 tortuous years til I couldn't take it any longer & put M-Techs & stock Boges on it which is a nice ride. With the BavAutos, the front barely sat 4" above the ground & I had to pre-lift the side of the car just to get my floorjack under the front.

I since went from an automatic to a 5-spd & the front is a bit bouncy going thru the gears so will be putting Koni adjustables on the front soon.

[Kalevera]

Don - what do the M-Tech's cost/where do you buy them? I assume that BMA doesn't deal them... I'll be doing Konis regardless of what spring I end up switching in there.