Hello everyone.

I have the 540 '97 with the 18" M parallels. If I want to lower the car, which type/brand of springs/suspension do I need? I heard Koni or I-bach is good.

Most importantly, which ones would give me OPTIMAL LOOKS without ruining RIDE quality too much? Thanks.

I really appreciate your input.

Well, it all depends on how much you want to spend and how low you want it. If you want it as low as possible, you'll need coilovers. Coilovers are more expensive because they are adjustable in height. If you just need a spring/shock combination, you have a number of options. Eibach (I-bach), Intrax, H&R, Bilsteins.

Bilstein sport shocks + H&R sport springs.

Yeah... another topic with lots of opinions.... My H&R springs ride perfect. Barely stiffer than the OE sport suspension.

You'll find people that love H&R, Intrax, Eibach for springs.... Koni, Bilstein for shocks.

If I had to do it all over.... I'd go with H&R springs and Koni FSD shocks. Awesome ride, awesome looks.

It all depends on how you drive your car though - mine is a freeway cruiser, not an autocrosser.

H&R Sport Springs with Sachs Sport struts:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/impalaboy/BMW-3-31-0711Large.jpg

Dang.... I really need some M5 mirrors.

That BS guy is a pic whore!! :ban:

Oh.. it's me again. (those of you that know the movie Madagascar will get that one).

Dang.... I really need some M5 mirrors.

dont do it :nono your car is 100% perfect like it is!!

Thanks people for your input.

So I need to get BOTH springs AND shocks. OR for adjustibility options, I could go with coilovers.

Is is worth it do you think for the added expense. Will it really give me more options?

Thanks again.

i think coilovers are the best...

Coilovers will give you more options !

Coilovers seems a bit overkill, unless you autocross or track your car. They allow you the adjustability while at the track. If all you are after is looks and similar ride quality as the sport suspension, I would opt for springs and shocks, especially for the cost. If you are planning to make a show car, then maybe you want coilovers for looks.

i got coilovers for the looks but how is the ride for coils? is it better?

havnt installed mine yet...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/impalaboy/BMW-3-31-0711Large.jpg

I hate to hijack this post but damn, I am loving the stance on this car...sweet!

me too man. looks sweet. I have the same exact wheels.

Blacksapphire, how many inches did you have yours lowered if you don't mind me asking?

Yeah... another topic with lots of opinions.... My H&R springs ride perfect. Barely stiffer than the OE sport suspension.

You'll find people that love H&R, Intrax, Eibach for springs.... Koni, Bilstein for shocks.

If I had to do it all over.... I'd go with H&R springs and Koni FSD shocks. Awesome ride, awesome looks.

It all depends on how you drive your car though - mine is a freeway cruiser, not an autocrosser.

H&R Sport Springs with Sachs Sport struts:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/impalaboy/BMW-3-31-0711Large.jpg

Dang.... I really need some M5 mirrors.
how many miles have you had this setup?

i have a gut feeling those shocks/struts are going to puke on you sooner then you would like.

i replaced bimmerfiver's Sachs performance shocks/struts from BavAuto after.. about 6 months of use (which for him is almost like 10K miles). when i took them out, it was shot/toast/useless. you can compress the shocks/struts with a 5 lbs weight. he did pair them up with eibach springs so just a word of warning... keep an eye out for what you've got.

I assume I got the advertised drop by H&R. In fact, I think I got a little more actually. Spring model # is listed in my signature if you want to check the specs on their website (www.hrsprings.com).

Thanks for the compliments guys.

I assume I got the advertised drop by H&R. In fact, I think I got a little more actually. Spring model # is listed in my signature if you want to check the specs on their website (www.hrsprings.com).

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Is there a system in your trunk??? Mines is sitting a good 1/2" + (on H&R's).

btw, eibach springs also give you a raked look. keep that in mind when you decide how your car is going to look.

Is there a system in your trunk??? Mines is sitting a good 1/2" + (on H&R's).

There is now but there wasn't one when those pics where taken. That was an empty trunk my friend.

how many miles have you had this setup?

i have a gut feeling those shocks/struts are going to puke on you sooner then you would like.

i replaced bimmerfiver's Sachs performance shocks/struts from BavAuto after.. about 6 months of use (which for him is almost like 10K miles). when i took them out, it was shot/toast/useless. you can compress the shocks/struts with a 5 lbs weight. he did pair them up with eibach springs so just a word of warning... keep an eye out for what you've got.

Great points and I realized them going into it. I was given a set of sachs sport struts (new, OEM) by the dealer and decided to go ahead and use them. I knew I''d only get a year or two out of them (my guess). I will be going Koni FSD when they give up. When they go out, I'm only out a Saturday. They didn't cost me a thing.

Great points and I realized them going into it. I was given a set of sachs sport struts (new, OEM) by the dealer and decided to go ahead and use them. I knew I''d only get a year or two out of them (my guess). I will be going Koni FSD when they give up. When they go out, I'm only out a Saturday. They didn't cost me a thing.

Koni FSD will be my choice also when I get my car, they are expensive compared to other brands sets but you get what you pay for; I'm sure they'll be worth it. BlackSapphire, what percentage tint you have on your car? It's very nice by the way.

Back to the original question, the Eibach range of springs seem to offer the lowest drop compared to other brands. It's a pity they don't do the Sportline range of springs for the 8-cylinders, as they offer a 45-50mm drop on the front and a 30mm drop on the rear for the 6-cylinder models. For a 540i, the Eibach Pro Kit might be worth looking into as they offer a 30mm drop on the front and a 20-25mm drop on the rear, but in comparison to the H&R's, the drop is very similar (~2-3mm). Just another option to consider.

Do you have a sport model? When comparing lowering heights just be aware that some manufacturers quote different height drops in comparison to the height of standard and sport models and other manufacturers just quote the drop in comparison to standard suspension models. Just beware, if you have a sport model, that the drop you achieve might be considerably less than what was advertised.

Koni FSD will be my choice also when I get my car, they are expensive compared to other brands sets but you get what you pay for; I'm sure they'll be worth it. BlackSapphire, what percentage tint you have on your car? It's very nice by the way.

Back to the original question, the Eibach range of springs seem to offer the lowest drop compared to other brands. It's a pity they don't do the Sportline range of springs for the 8-cylinders, as they offer a 45-50mm drop on the front and a 30mm drop on the rear for the 6-cylinder models. For a 540i, the Eibach Pro Kit might be worth looking into as they offer a 30mm drop on the front and a 20-25mm drop on the rear, but in comparison to the H&R's, the drop is very similar (~2-3mm). Just another option to consider.

Do you have a sport model? When comparing lowering heights just be aware that some manufacturers quote different height drops in comparison to the height of standard and sport models and other manufacturers just quote the drop in comparison to standard suspension models. Just beware, if you have a sport model, that the drop you achieve might be considerably less than what was advertised.

I believe my tint is 25%. I bought the car that way and 25% is the darkest allowable by law here. I think I'm at that point.

Koni FSD will be my choice also when I get my car, they are expensive compared to other brands sets but you get what you pay for; I'm sure they'll be worth it. BlackSapphire, what percentage tint you have on your car? It's very nice by the way.

Back to the original question, the Eibach range of springs seem to offer the lowest drop compared to other brands. It's a pity they don't do the Sportline range of springs for the 8-cylinders, as they offer a 45-50mm drop on the front and a 30mm drop on the rear for the 6-cylinder models. For a 540i, the Eibach Pro Kit might be worth looking into as they offer a 30mm drop on the front and a 20-25mm drop on the rear, but in comparison to the H&R's, the drop is very similar (~2-3mm). Just another option to consider.

Do you have a sport model? When comparing lowering heights just be aware that some manufacturers quote different height drops in comparison to the height of standard and sport models and other manufacturers just quote the drop in comparison to standard suspension models. Just beware, if you have a sport model, that the drop you achieve might be considerably less than what was advertised.
while eibach do make great spring kits, i'm just not feeling the raked look. wonder why they're raked? it's because eibach's are a bit softer in the rear so when you have 2 adults sitting in the rear, the car will look even.

the H&R's are even and when you have 2 adults sitting in the rear, it'll only drop about 1/4 of an inch (if that even if both are 200+ LBS). it's more firm but i think it's worth it.

WOW. I'm going to be looking for a 540 sport in the future,and damn, I want mine to look like yours. Sorry, I just had to comment. Couldn't contain myself.

my car is the exact twin of black sapphires - and based on his results with the H&R's, i installed the same H&R sport springs. they dropped my car more than advertised. the rear tires are 'tucked' in the well and the fronts sit perfect. and that's all i did - swap out the springs.

i'd post photos but have never had any luck after many attempts at trying to post.

I would say to definately go with coilovers if you don't mind spending the extra dollar. Here is mine on H&R Coilovers. I think it needs to be a little lower in the front, and with coilovers, I can do that. The ride quality is not terrible and I think well worth the extra money.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/tuckermoore/My%20Car/CIMG1788.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n303/tuckermoore/My%20Car/CIMG1789.jpg

Bilstein sport shocks + H&R sport springs.

+1

oh and Lohan is a +++1. I love chicks that like to get smashed........

toystore your 540 looks awesome. are those 50% tints on all sides?

Coilovers seem to be a great idea. Thanks everyone. I still need to decide how much I want to really spend. Coilovers may definitely be worth it.