Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 19, 2009 (edited) Well, I figured f**k studying and proceeded with installation of bilstein and h&r's. On further investigation, what I thought was how the 540i was meant to handle/ride (soft and boaty) was ultimately very wrong. When removing the old shocks they were buggered, one of which appeared to be leaking! Installation went according to plan. A big thanks to Glenn (for bumpstops), Gavin at Euro-Italian (for rear strut mount, old one was cracked) and Keith (forum user SUSPENSION, for springs). The photos don't show much of a difference. But the front is definitely about 1" lower, the first photo I took was on a bad angle. The rear appears to be about the same, but I think this will change when the springs settle. I don't think I need to even talk about the handling improvement...from buggered shocks to this awesome bit of kit....MY GOD. BEFORE: AFTER: E: (Mod) Language Edited June 21, 2009 by Simon* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted June 19, 2009 Good work! Expect you'll be doing a bit more driving now Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted June 19, 2009 Nice Ian, go for a drive to the Dairy...in Taupo! ... I think it should settle a lot lower than it sits currently. Post some more pics in a month. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1286 Report post Posted June 19, 2009 i bet its heaps better now . does the car feel lighter?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted June 19, 2009 That looks great Ian - bet it feels like a different car now Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 19, 2009 (edited) Have just clocked up over 300km since installation this afternoon, the rear is quite a bit lower now, haha. The guard is over the wheel now (I wonder how bad the camber is now ). Front, not so much. Will post some more pics up over the next few days and possibly in a months time to show change. Yeah Brent, WAYYY better. Car responds way quicker to steering inputs, the rear is a lot more lively as well. Guess the suspension is doing it's job.....now for those sh*t tyres...... Edited June 19, 2009 by Creaver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted June 19, 2009 Good job Ian, looking very good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 855 Report post Posted June 19, 2009 Lookin good Ian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted June 20, 2009 looks shithot! good stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2009 (edited) Looking excellent Ian! It should settle nicely, mine has and looks somewhat like this after a while of driving on the springs. (Same springs, factory shocks) Edited June 20, 2009 by Mike-E34 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 20, 2009 Thanks guys. Mike - it's just occured to me that our cars are very similar. Same colour interior, springs, style rims, year of car etc. I think i've asked this before, but does yours have an LSD and is it NZ New? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2009 Yeah I believe they are pretty much exactly the same. I'm actually changing the wheels soon, these wheels on mine aren't genuine so I'm just going to for a factory set of BMW 17's until I can find/afford a proper genuine set of the AC/Alpina/BBS variety. Sadly no LSD... but it is indeed NZ new. Things I know it doesn't have are also: Headlight sprayers Cruise Control Traction Control What are the options on yours that you know of? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 20, 2009 Nice. No cruise control/no headlight sprayers either and obviously no TCS. I don't really know what other options...cd stacker in boot? haha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1286 Report post Posted June 21, 2009 I have 540i lsd for sale if needed (shall i say wanted) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 21, 2009 Mine has LSD, unless that was directed to Mike? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2009 Heh, an LSD, I would love one, but it's something that would tease me to drive harder than usual. If I was frequent on the track with it then for sure, I would grab that LSD, but for now it's not a priority. Would be nice though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutter 1 Report post Posted June 22, 2009 Hey man where did you get the Struts and springs from? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted June 22, 2009 Shocks - Evan at speedfactor ([email protected]) Springs - Keith (forum name SUSPENSION ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
