Installed:BC coilovers,Bilstein sports,M5 f/r sways, M5 steering box...

[Ricerooster]

Took me about 8 hours to complete the job and after the drive home it was all worth the time. The car turns rapidly with minimal flick of the steering wheel. Once I get the desired ride hight and alignment tomorrow I'll follow up with a detailed review and more pictures.

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130130_093929.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130130_093940.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130130_093944.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130130_094001.jpg



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[gonzilla]

Looking forward to your full review. Whats the advantage to the M5 steering box?

[Johntee540]

Looking forward to your full review. Whats the advantage to the M5 steering box?

It has fewer turns of the steering wheel lock-to-lock. Has a higher ratio.

LowLevel - when you installed the M5 Steering box - what did you for the Servo-Tronic Controls on the box?. Are they functional?. I have one but have been reluctant to install until I get a good review from someone who has actually done this. Thanks! - JT

[bmwsone01]

Subscribed. I have the same set up but not received the BC's.

[jp5Touring]

Any reason for Bilsteins over Konis for the rear ?? Just curious .,,

[Ricerooster]

Subscribed. I have the same set up but not received the BC's.

It took about a month for coilovers to arrive. Currently I have them set at 10 clicks from full stiff, it seems to complement with the rear billi sports nicely.





Any reason for Bilsteins over Konis for the rear ?? Just curious .,,

No reason....



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[Ricerooster]

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130131_105016.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130131_122007.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130131_122020.jpg
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[jp5Touring]

Looks Sweet,,,, Now can you drive it all weekend and report back ???:)

[Ricerooster]

Setup:
M5 f/r sways
M5 steering box
BC Coilovers 8k spring rate
Bilstein sports rears
Ride hight set from center hub to fender lip: 13 1/4 inches all around
Wheels:17x8.5 13et f/r
Tires: 255/40/17 f/r Hankook hr2
Camber front:-2.0
Camber rear: -2.0L -3.0R guy had problems adjusting the rears..
BCCoils: 10 clicks from full stiff

Review:
Wow!!!! The car handles like a wet dream.Turn in is very quick and precise with hardly any noticeable body roll. The car does have slight oversteer(fun!) when pushed hard but this is probably due to tires although they're somewhat decent for what they are. Overall to my surprise considering it's weight the car is well balanced and controlled around corners even through mid corner bumps giving me greater confidence to hold my line. I recommend this set up for those concederring a suspension upgrade. Next up on the project list is brakes, by the end of some runs they were smoking. I've also been eying on the Wavetrack LSD and a 6 speed swap. Guess will see what happens next.....:beer:

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/PicsArt_1359894414012.jpg

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130202_151348.jpg

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130202_151332.jpg

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/ricerooster/20130202_143319.jpg





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[bmwsone01]

Clean!!

[mifesto]

when you installed the M5 Steering box - what did you for the Servo-Tronic Controls on the box?. Are they functional?.

you forgot to answer the man's question. did you somehow wire the servo-tronics or just install it as is? i have read on another guy who reviewed he did not power the servo-tronics and low speed steering was VERY stiff.

[Johntee540]

Ricerooster - when you installed the M5 Steering box - what did you for the Servo-Tronic Controls on the box?. Are they functional?. I have one but have been reluctant to install until I get a good review from someone who has actually done this. Thanks! - JT

[Ricerooster]

you forgot to answer the man's question. did you somehow wire the servo-tronics or just install it as is? i have read on another guy who reviewed he did not power the servo-tronics and low speed steering was VERY stiff.

I apologize but no the servo-tronics was not installed. I've researched and the process to get the servo-tronic to function properly seem to be a pain in arse... and so the box was mounted as is. For some reason the stock box felt stiff as it was so I noticed no difference from stock to the M5 box except for the quicker ratio. Maybe I'm just use to the stiff feeling but IMO I like how it is. I've read others who have done the conversion and were not bothered by the stiff feel due to the benefits in performance. Hope this helps...

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[mifesto]

does it help to convince to get it? no. but i appreciate your feedback nevertheless.

my 01' 540i steering feel sucks but its definetly not stiff. its smooth and not heavy by any means. wish you were local NJ guy so i can try the m5 w/o servotronic activated.

[mifesto]

..

[mifesto]

...

[Ricerooster]

Clean!!

Thanks :)

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[Ricerooster]

does it help to convince to get it? no. but i appreciate your feedback nevertheless.

my 01' 540i steering feel sucks but its definetly not stiff. its smooth and not heavy by any means. wish you were local NJ guy so i can try the m5 w/o servotronic activated.

I was a bit hesitatent but I only paid 80 bucks for the box and since I was swapping the front swaybar I gave it a try... hopefully there's someone in your area to try out, post up in your regional area and see what happens....

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[mifesto]

if its marginally heavier steering i'd be all over it. i see on the m5 forums people who loose servotronics and cry how heavy it feels. ofcourse feel is very subjective so only way is to feel it 1st hand....

[feeshta]

I've been wondering if there might be a way to set up a simple potentiometer in the cabin to controll the servotronic assist ratio. As I understand it, it's baicically just a variable voltage signal sent from the DME to the power steering box to vary the ratio of assist. If you could figure out the values involved, you could probably build a very simple filter network and connect it to a pot in the cabin. That way you could control the steering assist directly. You might even be able to use a factory dimmer pot as the controller for this, if you have the blank spot to the right of the binacle like my car has. Would make for a nice clean solution that would offer the best of both worlds. Easy effort for when you need it around town, and direct feel for when you have occasion to find a nice road.


if its marginally heavier steering i'd be all over it. i see on the m5 forums people who loose servotronics and cry how heavy it feels. ofcourse feel is very subjective so only way is to feel it 1st hand....

Very true. I remember reading a review of the 135i that complained the steering was "artificially stiff" and required too much effort to be comfortable. I never found it difficult to drive even with one hand. :dunno

[mifesto]

oh man now your confusing me :(

maybe m5 guys are wusses? i see tons of thread on people whining about how stiff their steering is after their servotronic controller burns out etc.

so your saying its actually livable for DD?

[RVAE34]

People DD'd non PS cars and trucks for many years before it came out as an option... It's only an issue when you are going below 5mph IMO. And even then it's not that bad.

[Ricerooster]

People DD'd non PS cars and trucks for many years before it came out as an option... It's only an issue when you are going below 5mph IMO. And even then it's not that bad.

Agreed....

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[Saucy069]

Im trying to figure out where to get bc coils, Ive been to their website but its kind of vague. Do you have to just buy the entire set and just let the rears sit in the garage? Or do they sell fronts only?? I do have sls by the way.

Thanks.

[Ricerooster]

Im trying to figure out where to get bc coils, Ive been to their website but its kind of vague. Do you have to just buy the entire set and just let the rears sit in the garage? Or do they sell fronts only?? I do have sls by the way.

Thanks.

PM Circuit motorsports and let them know front only BC coilovers for your year make, model or contact them directly, they are pretty prompt with replying to pm's. They rear Bilestien sports i purchased from Turner motorsports. For the lowering links go here:
http://loweringlinks.net/site/45cc87f4d2d644d09b59462893fc7070/default?url=http%3A%2F%2Floweringlinks.net%2FProdu ct_Line.html#2826

:beer:

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[mifesto]

i guess if you go BC coilovers, oem front/rear shock mounts are completely eliminated. can anyone confirm?

[Saucy069]

How is the ride from the bc's. i know it wont be as soft as stock, but i think its too soft stock anyway. My e36 is pretty boucy with the megan racing coils i have on there.

[Ricerooster]

i guess if you go BC coilovers, oem front/rear shock mounts are completely eliminated. can anyone confirm?

From what I understand, no, stock rubber mounts can be used.


How is the ride from the bc's. i know it wont be as soft as stock, but i think its too soft stock anyway. My e36 is pretty boucy with the megan racing coils i have on there.

With 8k springs and damper setting set at 9 clicks from full stiff the ride is actually just a bit stiffer compared to factory sport setup and the car is not bouncy.



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[Saucy069]

With 8k springs and damper setting set at 9 clicks from full stiff the ride is actually just a bit stiffer compared to factory sport setup and the car is not bouncy.

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Perfect, thats exactly what i am looking for. Thanks!