Well I just picked up my touring a few days ago and I am trying to figure out what I want to do. There are a few threads here and there about the SLS delete, just wondering if we could combine all information needed for this deletion and if its worth it.

Is there a DIY write up?

Definitely worth it. SLS is nothing but problems and those who claim that "the factory put it there for a reason dont delete it EVER" have never driven an SLS delete car or loaded one up with stuff. It's pretty straight forward if you just trace the lines and do a standard shock/spring job.

Yeah, BavAuto even sells a kit that'll delete it for you. I can't remember what it comes with, but the guy that I called said he could break down the kit. If you buy you own set of shocks and springs, you could take those out of the kit and save a lot of money. I hear it's easy as crap to do, you just loop the PS fluid lines back to the pump and reservoir, and remove the tanks and regulator, etc.

But +1 for the write-up, as I've never seen one!

Is there a weight savings with all that stuff out...I mean I know there is because you are losing equipment, but is it worth the swap out of the PS reservoir and PS pump?

Well you don't take out the PS pump, or reservoir, but the rear accumulators, wiring, and ride height sensors would just be dead weight. I mean the tourings already have more weight over the rear anyway, so taking that out would help. Plus I hear as long as you're good with spring selection, you don't have to worry about ride height with loads in the car anyway.

no worries, mines only 3/4 inches lower with 500 lbs in the back.

If it works leave it alone until it does quit though... no reason to mess with something working! Especially when adjusting rear ride height is so easy with them.

That was kinda my question...so what springs for the front then? Its my daily and we have winter up here but I want it a little lower...probably M tech stuff then?

So what front springs do you think?

810's....keep the SLS and just crank it down a little

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/Maintenance/E34Touring/Suspensions.htm

Should you decide to remove the SLS, there are precious few options in regards to springs. The rear-end springs are touring-specific, and mismatching the front springs and rear springs isn't a good idea.

The "kit" that you buy from BavAuto comes with the correct rear springs for a stock ride height, but if you want to go lower, you really only have one or two choices outside of the BMW springs and the aftermarket springs are rarely available in the U.S.. As of a few months ago, the H&R's were NLA. The ones that I have on my wagon are from B&G and they were around $300. I ordered them through shox.com and I can post the part # once I get home. The rub is that they took over 3 months to come from over the pond.

The kit installation itself is quite simple and you don't even need to remove any parts if you don't want to. It really is just a union that joins the supply side and the return of the shock hydraulics, bypassing the shocks and making a closed-loop. When you get the kit from BavAuto - you can get the one with the shocks, stock springs, union, pads, nuts and bolts. Its really a complete kit, but I do NOT recommend it if you are getting lowering springs b/c you won't use the springs that come with it. Just get the smaller SLS deletion kit.

The issue of using sedan springs on a touring is that the rear-end will eventually sag due to the extra weight of the touring's rear-end. If you're going to do it, do it right and get the correct parts.

M-Tech springs are available for the rear of the touring, they just take a while to get. I got mine from Maximillian Importing Company. I don't think you can do better than factory BMW parts.

M-Tech springs are available for the rear of the touring, they just take a while to get. I got mine from Maximillian Importing Company. I don't think you can do better than factory BMW parts.

Yes we can get the springs and anything else you'll need for the conversion. Give me a call.

Jim at Maximillian
1 800 950 2002
www.bimmer.com

I believe that my CHF lines leading to SLS are leaking. If I don't play with the ride height, does the system still require a supply of fluid to function normally?

BTW, adding to what Shrike said, if you call BavAuto, speak with someone about the SLS delete kit, they can usually work with you, and break down the kit. I talked to a rep over the phone and I gave him a hypothetical scenario, and he said that he could break down the kit, so I wouldn't have to pay for stuff that I don't need. So keep that in mind, always call 'em.

Contrary to the direction of this thread, I'll be actually ADDING BACK the SLS in my Touring. A previous owner removed it and it sags even in normal driving. The feedback I received from some Touring owners who had removed it was that they wished that had kept it. If you plan to use the Touring for trips to Home Depot and such, it'll be nice to have.

I was able to source the H&R spring kit for Tourings w/SLS from Tire Rack. It had to come from Germany and took about 8 weeks. I have a set of discarded rear self-leveling shocks that worked when removed from my friend's Touring. They are ready to be re-installed in my 535iT especially since I had Ben Thongsai who built the car put in the M30 specific bracket to run the SLS pump.

If the SLS breaks, then replace it or remove it. There are enough parts sources with good deals on BMW stuff that the SLS stuff shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. :rolleyes

So what front springs do you think?


Hey, little off subject but I noticed you were from Mankato. I grew up in Mankato and still have several friends around the area. Right now I live in Bloomington but make it down there quite often. Drop me a line if you know of any meets or others in the area....

That car looks familiar

I myself am a very big fan of SLS (at least in M trim), but I'm not aware of differences between M5/regular tourings. They are known to have a bit of problems and can get pricey if not maintained.

If I were you I would do a bit of research into the e34 M5 touring's setup, which was not offered in USA.

I have heard of guys removing the SLS and wishing they hadn't. Mine works fine so I decided to leave it when I lowered it. I used M tech springs and Sachs/Boge shocks with the 3mm upper pad sourced from BMA. The rear I just adjusted lower. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.

^ Hey Mikey how much did that cost? did you replace all four springs, or just the fronts? where all of those from BMA? any more details would be great, as I'm very curious!

Do just the fronts. He apparently has some M-tech that Patrick suggested, but I didn't seem to be able to get part numbers from him.

I'm running 810 "Low Slung Sport Suspension" front springs with 3mm pads both upper and lower. Total drop was 26mm, and it sits every so slightly raked with about the same gap front and rear. I can grab some pics Sunday (too much going on tomorrow if you'd like)

Yeah I posted the parts # a while back but have since thrown out the tag that came on them. It seems they actually were made for a z4. I think the springs were $205 and the shocks were $85 apeice. Patrick is the man to talk to. If you need my real name, or need me to call him to find out what he sold me, I can do that for you, but I'm sure he will know exactly what you need.
BTW: I lowered only the front. The rear actually sat a little lower so I left it. But you can adjust the rear lower if you want to. Bently shows you how. (sort of)...

Aha! Found the invoice. Part #: 31 33 2 226 669.............$109.50

Hmmm nice I think I may have to order those...thats from BMA right?

I think you should go to m5board and pose the question there? I don't know much but I stumbled on some SLS threads while searching on suspension and they recommend keeping the system if you can save it.