Suspension options for lowering the E39 Touring

[scookm]

Is there a consensus now with the suspension options. It has been awhile since this thread has been updated. With only 17" rims and low-profile 235/45 tires, I believe my options are a little limited in lowering, but I wanted to know who wins the best bang for the buck option for DD comfort and lowering capabilities now?

[geargrinder]

Nothing real new I don't think. The Fortunes sound awesome, the ST's/KW's are still great IMO for a budget setup keeping the SLS in place and keeping a very very comfortable ride while being very nicely sporty at the same time. BTW, despite what some will claim about progressive, the ST's are a dual linear aka linear + helper setup.

[scookm]

Thanks GearGrinder. The ST's from there own site http://www.stsuspensions.com/ there ST Coilover Kit is running about $1,150 but I found the same kit on BavAuto.com for $979.95 which gives me pause. BavAuto also has the KW kits, SLS stuff, Sport Springs, Performance Air Suspension Kit - Digital or Manual Control - Air Lift Performance by Air Lift Performance ("Air Lift uses 30-way adjustable, monotube struts that have been specially tuned to match the air springs. The range goes from super-stiff to exceptionally soft, adjusting rebound and compression together.") which is very cool for those who want to take the leap into this that do not have the factory SLS and list goes on. I tend to buy from a trusted source. WIth all this said, I would buy from Future Auto since they have been thoroughly vetted by RVAE34 already.

[geargrinder]

Yeah you usually can get the ST's on sale even less, which is why in part they were my choice. As you should have picked up already - KW V1's are identical to the ST's except the housings are stainless. Frankly the ST plated housings are holding up great for me. Same springs and shocks inside though. BavAuto is not often the cheapest on their website but little known fact is they'll price match if you find a good price elsewhere.

[Foglght]

I had a chat with Fortune Auto. They will sell you the rear adjustable ride height collars with the springs for about $200.

[Rasjgo1]

How much for the front coilovers for sls set up , e39 wagon

[Stripez89]

So basically the only options for the non SLS cars is ST & KW?? I just picked up a non SLS Touring and I'm a bit confused

[geargrinder]

So basically the only options for the non SLS cars is ST & KW?? I just picked up a non SLS Touring and I'm a bit confused

No, those are options FOR SLS. For a non SLS setup you have the highly recommended Fortunes, as well as a range of others. I am pretty sure KW/ST have non-SLS options too.

[RVAE34]

I just installed 10k springs in the rear this weekend and holy crap what a difference!! Rides incredible now. I got the first set which had 12k/8k and must have been the spring rates for the sedan. The 12/10 is much more suitable for the wagon. I did talk to the owner recently when I picked up the new springs and he said there wasn't enough interest in the touring kit so they may discontinue it already

[Redshift]

I'm a little late to this thread but on my touring (with SLS) I just replaced Dinan Stage 3 front coilovers and camber plates with Ground Control coilovers and camber plates. The rear has Bilstein Sport shocks and is lowered electronically as of now, but GC is going to help me find a top adjustable Koni that might work in the rear to match the fronts.

[CKreations]

I bought my kw street comforts for $1680 new shipped plus the cost of spacers during their 20% off Christmas sale. Great customer service and great deal.

I've been looking at the KW comfort setup. How are you liking it?

[uk525td]

Gah, need to amend my signature, now in an 2001 530D Sport Touring Auto


Did anyone ever work out if saloon shocks physically work on a touring?
currently driving about on 214,000 mile sport suspension....
i just picked up a nearly new set of B8's and i am working through my options now
standard sport springs on bilsteins
convert rear to springs - ie h&r all round
lowering on air (sport airbags)
converting front bilstein to adjustable coilovers

Im at a total loss of the direction to go in, the air suspension is great.. when its at the right pressure... so lowering = softer... which = no no....
If the rear shocks kind of work.. they might be enough to stiffen up the rear while dropping it a little more, however i know the dampening characteristics are different for air...
so im really thinking into going b8's all round with adjustable perches front and rear.. and some off the shelf generic springs at a suitable rating...
530D is the same axle weighting asa 540 so im workign with that info atm...
car will never be on anything above 18's i dont think, atm its 17's so pretty compliant

- - - Updated - - -

hmm, just measure up saloon b8's
looks like the shock body is much longer
in inches
14.85 lower mounting eye to top of shock body
7.7 from top of shock body to top mount
i tried to compress by hand i could only get it to compress about 4inches... either way, if the the shock was mounted at oem ride height, it would have a maximum of 2" travel before bottoming out

[RVAE34]

I've been looking at the KW comfort setup. How are you liking it?

I have always wondered how the KW's are on the touring. Had I not known the owner of Fortune, I would have gone that route. KW is supposed to be the closest to the factory ride.

[Redshift]

I cleaned up my Dinans with camber plates and will probably list them up for sale in the classifieds soon. Here's a teaser pic:

[M5 Jed]

I had a chat with Fortune Auto. They will sell you the rear adjustable ride height collars with the springs for about $200.

Has anyone purchased this from Fortune?

[geargrinder]

When Fortune developed that setup w/ Brandon the early word was they wanted to refer you to a 'Fortune dealer' but then it seemed like maybe we could go direct. Interested in the answer as I could see upgrading maybe at some point... Trying to decide whether to swap springs on my ST front coils or do entirely new setup...

[Redshift]

I can't recommend Ground Control enough. JC you should drive my car before you decide.

[M5 Jed]

Love GC, I have that up front. Removed my fairly new rear Bilstein sports and replaced them with Koni adj rear shocks. Hopefully now the ride will be better. I'm really just missing the rear coil and perch set up, that's why I'm interested in the Fortune rear for $200. I was also considering going Swift springs all around to have matched spring, but still need a rear adj perch regardless.

[Redshift]

Love GC, I have that up front. Removed my fairly new rear Bilstein sports and replaced them with Koni adj rear shocks. Hopefully now the ride will be better. I'm really just missing the rear coil and perch set up, that's why I'm interested in the Fortune rear for $200. I was also considering going Swift springs all around to have matched spring, but still need a rear adj perch regardless.

Let me know how you like the Konis in the rear compared to the Bilsteins. That's the only change left that I might make. Front is perfect.

[M5 Jed]

For sure! The poor wagon has been on a lift since October, been itching to drive it with some new goodies I made for it.

[geargrinder]

I was also considering going Swift springs all around to have matched spring, but still need a rear adj perch regardless.

Yeah I was thinking about rebuilding my ST's w/ Swifts. I am fine w/ the bags in back even, just could put a tiny bit more spring into the front.

B - happy to check out the GC's whenever we finally set something up...

[Redshift]

For sure! The poor wagon has been on a lift since October, been itching to drive it with some new goodies I made for it.

I hear you. Mine was up on the lift for about 6-8 weeks for suspension and steering junk. About to go back under the knife for valley pan, valve cover gaskets, and supercharger installation. Hoping to keep that under 2-4 weeks this time!

[M5 Jed]

It never ends does it! Lol.

[Redshift]

FYI your sig pics are broken.

[M5 Jed]

Yeah I could never sort that sig out. I still need to work on it.