I anticipate finally after almost 6 weeks to have completed a deal for a 2003 525/5 Touring this weekend. I have been trying to make a list of what I need to do first and such with the goal of getting the car pretty much base lined as far as maintenance goes over the next few months. One such item is an alignment.
I am fortunate enough to be an Auto Tech teacher and have a Hunter Hawk Eye aligner in my class. Since I am going to bring the car to my class to put it on the lift and give it a good look underneath. I will do an alignment too. So, I just entered a 2003 E-39 touring into the machine. It then asked if it was the "Sport suspension (Lowered)", "Air suspension" or "Rough Road" suspension. There was no normal suspension option.
Then it went on to describe how to tell which is which. There is a registration symbol on the label on the tube of the strut. A circle is a "series" suspension, a triangle is the "sport suspension with lowered ride height" and a square is the "rough road (Easter Europe)" suspension.
I am just curious what the rough road suspension might include. Any one ever heard of it or maybe have it?
Last edited by Barrman; 12-12-2018 at 03:24 PM.
I have no idea about the rough road suspension, but would definitely like more details on the 525iT/5. Do you have pictures, and would possibly be willing to share how much you got it for?
Let me actually get it and I will then share.
“Rough Road Package Eastern Europe” was raised suspension with bigger additional springs (bump stops) for the Russian market.
You should have 4 options on a Hunter:-
To get a perfect alignment on any BMW you need to set the car to “Normal Position” ride height with a full tank of fuel and weights:-
Last edited by RosieE39; 12-12-2018 at 09:01 PM.
So the bottom line is Rough Road option is a jacked up E39 destined to life it life on gravel (at best) roads. Poor thing.... Short life span and always dirty.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
"two wrongs don't make a right...only three lefts do...."
'79 Euro 635csi - gone and regretting it...
'89 gsxr-750 - former traffic knife
'97 528i sedan - holding on strong...(just sold after 16 years of ownership - sad day)
'03 Euro 525it - something about a famous dolphin.....
'06 Mercury Grand Marquis (don't ask....it gets the job done....)
'84 Specialized Allez - full Campagnolo Super Record
'99-ish Cannondale CAAD4
"Stinky" - Kona Stinky Five
'86 528e
2008 E70 X5 3.0
Thanks for the information. I will have to wait until I have the car in my possession before I can start clicking my way through the Hunter menus to get to the actual alignment specs. Lots of variables with wheel size and suspension type I can't be exact on yet.
Growing up in rural north east Indiana. I think the rough road suspension would be perfect for any place that gets regular snow accumulation year after year.
I started this thread because I had never seen a reference to the rough road suspension before and was curious. I was also wondering if maybe some of the suspension parts on that version might be beefier compared to what we get here. Kind of like the US truck world where the more work a vehicle is made for, the better the part quality. It seems that isn't the case. Thanks.
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