[Joe-BMW33]

I really want to do the Dinan springs with the ride kit, but the labor is $1,400 and it is a 9-10 hour job. I just can't bring myself to pulling the trigger for $400 in parts and $1,400 labor. I don't know why I am so hung up on this when I piss money away on other modifications.

Curious what your shop charged you?

[X5Guy]

I paid $700 for spring install. Then paid another $700 to remove it Bc I hated the H&Rs.

[Knifeedge2k1]

another reason to just get good coilovers

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Knifeedge2k1

another reason to just get good coilovers

I need an education on coil overs. Is the install less invasive and cheaper?

EDIT: did some quick homework via google, it looks like the install for coilovers is the same process as springs?? If so, what do you mean by another good reason to just get coil overs?

[X5Guy]

Coil over install would be pretty much the same cost as installing springs. He probably was telling me to get coilovers bc I didn't like the H&R.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by X5Guy

Coil over install would be pretty much the same cost as installing springs. He probably was telling me to get coilovers bc I didn't like the H&R.

Ah, thanks.

[Knifeedge2k1]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I need an education on coil overs. Is the install less invasive and cheaper?

EDIT: did some quick homework via google, it looks like the install for coilovers is the same process as springs?? If so, what do you mean by another good reason to just get coil overs?

1) you need to remove the same amount of stuff from the car to do springs as coilovers
2) you need to reuse the damper, top hats, etc. for a spring install whereas the coilover comes preassembled
3) given your labor is so expensive anyways, the marginal cost of coilovers isn't as obvious (springs being 400 in parts +1000 in labor vs 1000 coils + 1000 labor .... 1400 vs 2000 feels like smaller difference than 400 vs 1000)

it's less simple to do a coilover PRECISELY because there's more adjustability, that's not a "bad" thing ... springs install is probably going to take less time precisely because you cant adjust much (MSS is different in that it's adjustable) ... you can't adjust your ride height, cant adjust your corner weighting, can't adjust your damping ...

[Knifeedge2k1]

With that said don't get sh1t coilovers, if you're gonna buy crap ones just get springs and keep the stock dampers.

KW V2, KW V3, ST suspension (KW made but slightly lower grade materials, functionality similar, if you don't live in the snow belt ST is just as good as KW for much much lower price)

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Knifeedge2k1

With that said don't get sh1t coilovers, if you're gonna buy crap ones just get springs and keep the stock dampers.

KW V2, KW V3, ST suspension (KW made but slightly lower grade materials, functionality similar, if you don't live in the snow belt ST is just as good as KW for much much lower price)

Thanks for all of this, very helpful. I'm not sure which route I'm going to take if any. Just to be clear, my labor quote is $1,400 for labor PLUS $400 for springs. As much as I piss away money on cars and modifications, I'm having trouble opening the wallet for this especially since they have to rip apart my backseat and C pillars.

[E92TTCoupe]

If you take a trip to NYC, it’s about $3xx give and take here.

[PetieD 7]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Thanks for all of this, very helpful. I'm not sure which route I'm going to take if any. Just to be clear, my labor quote is $1,400 for labor PLUS $400 for springs. As much as I piss away money on cars and modifications, I'm having trouble opening the wallet for this especially since they have to rip apart my backseat and C pillars.

….I also suffer from the same dilemma…not willing to have my backseat and C pillars removed for the MSS (HAS) spring kit install. BTW, I was quoted $900 for labor only (these included sales tax and the shop fees).

[Knifeedge2k1]

For that much labor I would just get ST coils or kw v2...


Or don't touch it

[Knifeedge2k1]

Sorry not v2, the street comforts *. Kw only had that and the v3

ST is this https://www.st-suspensions.net/shop?...oversuspension

[admranger]

You don't have the m-performance suspension I guess. If you do, I think you can code ride height in expert mode but I don't know the details.

Springs can be a PITA, and you'll need an alignment after the install as well, was that quoted?

Drive out to Vegas and I'll help install them... It'll take a while in my garage.

Frankly, I find the car low enough, but YMMV. Dinan or Eibach pro kit are all I'd put on w/stock dampers. MCS if they make them for the 5-series if I were to go the coil over route.

[Knifeedge2k1]

Originally Posted by admranger

You don't have the m-performance suspension I guess. If you do, I think you can code ride height in expert mode but I don't know the details.

Springs can be a PITA, and you'll need an alignment after the install as well, was that quoted?

Drive out to Vegas and I'll help install them... It'll take a while in my garage.

Frankly, I find the car low enough, but YMMV. Dinan or Eibach pro kit are all I'd put on w/stock dampers. MCS if they make them for the 5-series if I were to go the coil over route.

?

M perf suspension don't have adjustable rider height no? ,

The only suspension where you can adjust height I think are the air suspension and they're most certainly not performance oriented

But yea I agree with you the stock ride height is plenty low for those who drive on real roads, I never understood the obsession with slamming your ride and getting worse side AND worse handling in real world conditions...

All coilovers will require some drop in ride height but I always err on the min drop end of the spectrum

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Knifeedge2k1

?

M perf suspension don't have adjustable rider height no? ,

The only suspension where you can adjust height I think are the air suspension and they're most certainly not performance oriented

But yea I agree with you the stock ride height is plenty low for those who drive on real roads, I never understood the obsession with slamming your ride and getting worse side AND worse handling in real world conditions...

All coilovers will require some drop in ride height but I always err on the min drop end of the spectrum

I was puzzled as well.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Knifeedge2k1

?

M perf suspension don't have adjustable rider height no? ,

The only suspension where you can adjust height I think are the air suspension and they're most certainly not performance oriented

But yea I agree with you the stock ride height is plenty low for those who drive on real roads, I never understood the obsession with slamming your ride and getting worse side AND worse handling in real world conditions...

All coilovers will require some drop in ride height but I always err on the min drop end of the spectrum

Sorry, I thought the air suspension was the m performance suspension. I don't keep up with all the BMW language anymore.

I just know my car has it along with the trick active roll bar and it's wonderful. I raced for a decade and did track events for 20 years. I don't need stiffly sprung cars at this point in my life.

[Joe-BMW33]

I am 80% there on pulling the trigger on the Dinan springs but they seem to have just gone out of stock. I also just realized, an alignment is part of the $1,400 in labor.

[Knifeedge2k1]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I am 80% there on pulling the trigger on the Dinan springs but they seem to have just gone out of stock. I also just realized, an alignment is part of the $1,400 in labor.

I'll Jacky suggest you take a look at https://www.st-suspensions.net/shop?c_make=16&c_model=37157&c_car=128091&pgs=160& ag=stxacoiloversuspension if you haven't already

It's made by KW (St is their baby brand like the Tudor to KW's Rolex). If you're shelling out 2000 already, the extra 500 for the proper design and adjustability is a no brainer....

You also keep the stock suspension in a packaged state easy for reinstalled or resale without having to disassemble them

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Knifeedge2k1

I'll Jacky suggest you take a look at https://www.st-suspensions.net/shop?c_make=16&c_model=37157&c_car=128091&pgs=160& ag=stxacoiloversuspension if you haven't already

It's made by KW (St is their baby brand like the Tudor to KW's Rolex). If you're shelling out 2000 already, the extra 500 for the proper design and adjustability is a no brainer....

You also keep the stock suspension in a packaged state easy for reinstalled or resale without having to disassemble them

Thanks for this. I certainly will. I'm new to suspension modifications. I need to find an experienced shop to have some Q&A. I'm pretty sure my Dinan shop won't do coilovers.

[Knifeedge2k1]

I'm sure they don't want to install stuff they're not selling

Good reason to use a different shop

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Knifeedge2k1

I'm sure they don't want to install stuff they're not selling

Good reason to use a different shop

I agree and I also can respect that. As a newbie, I trust this shop and all the modifications they have done. One of my biggest apprehensions is the invasive nature of the install. Ripping out the trunk and the back seat. The owner of the shop was honest with me, he says nothing ever goes back the same. He said it would be unnoticeable to me, but this has me a little anxious. The other thing is for all the invasiveness and big expense, what if I am not happy with the ride? I'd say my main hunt in lowering it a tad so the wheels and spacers look better and second, improving the body roll. I live in an area where they NEVER repave the roads, they just patch, patch, patch. So anything off the highway is a bumpy ride. Lastly, if I move forward, I am hoping a 0.75" won't make the front end scrape over speed bumps, the end of my driveway is a like a speed bump and then downhill. I already have to come in and out at an angle.

My history is like Murphy's law, if something could go wrong it will and the definition of wrong in this case would be buyers remorse.

I have been procrastinating about this for almost a year!! It doesn't help that I got an email this morning saying the Dinan springs are back in stock! Coilovers seem like good solution, but my limited research for the quality one's are $2,500+. Add that to the $1,400 and I am in this for $4,000 grand. A lot to think about.