Lowering springs 540i

Hi guys, been thinking about changing the springs on my 540i for some time, mainly as its done a little over 100k miles now and I expect they are a little worn now, of course the shocks also would be worn....even more so.

Thing is I always bulk at the idea at the last minute because I cannot get a definative answer on what ones to go for and what the ride height implications would be.

My car was equiped with Msport suspension from the factory so when I see ones suggesting a certain height drop what are they comparing to, Msport  or standard?  I do in in fact want to drop it some to compliment my 19" wheels as the fronts especially look very high compared to the backs.

It is not in anyway a daily or weekly driver so although I dont want it hard as rock a bit firmer is ok especially as I live down a long country road thats well surfaced but has some challenging bends and curves that my wifes 2004 330cl just laps up, mine does tend to need a bit more planning on the twisty bits so any improvement would be great.

So to the point what kit should I be looking at and has anyone done the same on a 1999 540i and if so what was your results like.

Thanks in advance

Jeff TT

First thing to say is that if any of the susp bits are worn then you really can't judge your beemer's handling.  BMW put a lot into the design and placed a huge reliance (too much IMO) on bits that wear out, with the result that (again, just IMO) beemer handling degrades more noticeably as components wear than that of 'lesser' machines.

If money was no object you could have a laugh seeing if a more attractive setup coincided with a more effective one chasing your wife's car, but otherwise I'd have to side with Andrew - nobody likes the beemer high-nose look but lowering the nose without changing anything else would be a bit risky if handling matters. 

Having said that I have adulterated my 540 a fair bit! 

A random 2nd hand 18mm rear ARB off an M5 did exactly what I hoped it would (gave a more integral body roll in bends) and without the hedge-hunting oversteer I was warned about, but that was just £50 and an hour so not much to lose...  I also polybushed the front with no ill effects on nvh (it got better, and the handling was startlingly better), altho in doing them I noticed that some @*%& had previously put the old solid rubber ones on so maybe no surprise! When I did the rear subframe bushes it did introduce a bit more cabin noise, and didn't improve anything else, so there I lost (altho the fitting ease was almost worth it). 

I also stuck staggered E39 rims on, just because I had them to hand to try, and I really like them, esp combined with the thicker rear ARB...

So...it's a gamble but can be fun!

Somebody must have tried this before tho - any takers?


Edited by jetsetwilly2000

I don't think I will ever lower my 530, but if I did it would be with Eibach Pro Kit springs, coupled with Eibach Pro Kit dampers, this was a huge success on my E36, & I know another member with a lowered E39 on Eibachs & he is happy with the set up. Ride & comfort are not compromised with these, probably mostly due to the build quality of the 5ers, & as mentioned above I would definitely be looking at bushes first, & I would uprate the bushes to polybushes, probably Powerflex, if lowering.

HTH

On my old E34 I couldn't find aftermarket springs that fit the MTech top mounts (they said they did but...) so I gave up.  Not sure if this is a problem on the E39?