E39 M5 struts/shocks fit 530i?

[jint45]

So i wanna throw out the garbage 2001 530i suspension and go the cheap way and try to fit M5 suspension because it's worth pennies nowadays.
Looked at some sites, kits are different for V8 and 6 cyl models. Has anyone actually tried fitting them? Usually it's some stupid sh!t like different strut mounts that make the fitment a problem.
Any info is appreciated.
Thanks.

[cwise12]

The V8 cars are much heavier up front, so M5 shocks/struts will not be compatible with your 530. They may bolt on, but you won't like the ride height and feel.

[geargrinder]

yeah the stiff ride might even be OK but the ride height will look silly - you'll be all front-high. not worth it given how a decent aftermarket setup that's probably better is < $1k.

[jint45]

not too worried about height, gonna swap in the 530 springs for that

[cwise12]

not too worried about height, gonna swap in the 530 springs for that

Even with 530 springs, it will still ride high with m5 struts.

[geargrinder]

errrr... OK... so all that trouble to just keep the same stock 530 springs? so you're not really in fact putting in an M5 suspension, you're just putting in M5 strut cartridges? spring rate is where it's at to really changing suspension performance. lot of trouble for little gain.

BTW you can't use the M5 front sway bar if that's part of your thinking... different subframe for the V8's...

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

As per above, pointless putting M5 suspension onto your 530i. You'd spend your money much more wisely if you got an uprated suspension kit designed for a ... 530i

Cheers, Dennis!

[easymoney]

Don't do it! It will fit alright but the ride will be really stiff/harsh. I tried it on my sports Touring few years back and after a couple of weeks of harsh ride I removed the M5 front suspension and re-installed the oem suspension. The only M5 parts left in front are the brakes.

[BimmerBreaker]

ITT: total lack of understanding of suspension components and how they work

[jint45]

ITT: total lack of understanding of suspension components and how they work

I probably understand suspension components better than you, I don't need to make the car handle better, I need a CHEAP way to replace shocks/struts and sell the car, and I have complete M5 pieces sitting in my garage that i want to put in use instead of throwing them out. So read the initial question carefully. I'm only asking if it fits, don't care for opinions on how the suspension works and that installing a shock and spring package will be better for handling.

[geargrinder]

Your OP says nothing about "just want a cheap way to whack some struts in the car and I have these lying around anyway". Thats a totally different question.

Mostly people assume when you ask if things fit, you also want to know "will it fit and be a good performing enjoyable result". That's a pretty fair assumption given you gave nothing else to go on.

Unsub.

[AquilaBMW]

So i wanna throw out the garbage 2001 530i suspension and go the cheap way and try to fit M5 suspension because it's worth pennies nowadays.
Looked at some sites, kits are different for V8 and 6 cyl models. Has anyone actually tried fitting them? Usually it's some stupid sh!t like different strut mounts that make the fitment a problem.
Any info is appreciated.
Thanks.

I probably understand suspension components better than you, I don't need to make the car handle better, I need a CHEAP way to replace shocks/struts and sell the car, and I have complete M5 pieces sitting in my garage that i want to put in use instead of throwing them out. So read the initial question carefully. I'm only asking if it fits, don't care for opinions on how the suspension works and that installing a shock and spring package will be better for handling.

Interesting.... One can usually tell another person's temperament by their posts. As GG points out, you did not tell a whole story when you first posted. As much as this Board tries to keep things "clean", you still found a somewhat lacking creative way to swear in your first post... inferring that you know it's not something welcome here, yet you still have to express it.

Secondly, now you claim you probably know more about suspension that someone who actually spends most days working on cars - not that I am on BB's side or not. In that same breath, you also state you are just trying to replace the 530's shocks with cheap replacements and in this car - wrong replacements just so you can sell it. So, the poor sap who buys this car now has to deal with literally a bad ride. I sure hope potential buyers are members here and reading this thread.

Nuff Said.

[BimmerBreaker]

Wanting to put on improper suspension that will ride horrible just because it fits so you can sell the car and pass on the problem to someone else

Great idea, sport. Thats something a community of car enthusiasts will definitely support.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I probably understand suspension components better than you, I don't need to make the car handle better, I need a CHEAP way to replace shocks/struts and sell the car, and I have complete M5 pieces sitting in my garage that i want to put in use instead of throwing them out. So read the initial question carefully. I'm only asking if it fits, don't care for opinions on how the suspension works and that installing a shock and spring package will be better for handling.

I'm with everyone else here.... But, You say that you understand suspensions better than whoever, if that is so, why are you asking what you're asking in the first place? How about this idea, sell the car as is, and sell the M5 bits and recoup some of the money back the more honorable way...

[jint45]

Interesting.... One can usually tell another person's temperament by their posts. As GG points out, you did not tell a whole story when you first posted. As much as this Board tries to keep things "clean", you still found a somewhat lacking creative way to swear in your first post... inferring that you know it's not something welcome here, yet you still have to express it.

Secondly, now you claim you probably know more about suspension that someone who actually spends most days working on cars - not that I am on BB's side or not. In that same breath, you also state you are just trying to replace the 530's shocks with cheap replacements and in this car - wrong replacements just so you can sell it. So, the poor sap who buys this car now has to deal with literally a bad ride. I sure hope potential buyers are members here and reading this thread.

Nuff Said.

Firstly, you still don't get the point of my question. Does it fit? yes/no, thank you, I've just never tried fitting this combo. I'm not here to post my accomplishments and what I do for living. Secondly, I installed the M5 shocks on the 530 already and the ride is amazing, muchhh softer than the BC's in my E34 m5. Third, by looking at the amount of posts you and bimmer breaker both have, you guys spent half your life on this forum, and I have spent half of mine at the shop and at the track.
To the guys that actually answered my question, thank you very much, your input was much appreciated.

[AquilaBMW]

Firstly, you still don't get the point of my question. Does it fit? yes/no, thank you, I've just never tried fitting this combo. I'm not here to post my accomplishments and what I do for living. Secondly, I installed the M5 shocks on the 530 already and the ride is amazing, muchhh softer than the BC's in my E34 m5. Third, by looking at the amount of posts you and bimmer breaker both have, you guys spent half your life on this forum, and I have spent half of mine at the shop and at the track.
To the guys that actually answered my question, thank you very much, your input was much appreciated.

Whatever you say Oh Lord Expert... the Interweb bows before your Omnipotence. All Hail Jint45!!!!

[BimmerBreaker]

Frankly, I'm honored that someone who spends so much time at the track and learning suspnesion components even spent time to ask us feeble inferior people a question. It was an honor to have read words posted by The Great jint45 himself. I tremble in his presence.

[Aryana]

Mi & Gr, you dudes are cracking me up!

[Naid]

I did the same thing, and it drives really nice. I just having 1 problem. I fitted the e39 525i springs with the 4628 shocks and strut mount, but the top part of the spring is a little too big. Should I have fitted the 540i or m5 springs? I am scared that it will lift the ride high. any help with the springs

[nsticka]

just source used 530 sport suspension and swap them on or buy new Bilstein shocks with h&r springs and call it a day.

[Jason5driver]

I did the same thing, and it drives really nice. I just having 1 problem. I fitted the e39 525i springs with the 4628 shocks and strut mount, but the top part of the spring is a little too big. Should I have fitted the 540i or m5 springs? I am scared that it will lift the ride high. any help with the springs

I think you can use the 540i / M5 strut mount on your inline-6 / 525i ...
Reference the strut kit by ECS Tuning :
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1311139453kt1/

I know people need to do this in order to fit the Bilstein PSS coil-overs ( and similar ) on their inline-6 cars ...