E34 540 suspension upgrade - Oodles of Pics - Bandwidth warning

[zaleonardz]

Hi All,

Figured I should start a thread so long to motivate me to get it done.

I have been collecting bits and pieces on the E34 suspension for a while now, and I redid all bushes and mounts a few months ago that needed to be done.

So finally my H&R's are here (tankies dude, you rock) , and I have a set of new Gabriels already waiting in the garage (front and Back)

I am going to DIY this one, so will keep you guys posted... back onto axle stands for the E34

 

[rick540]

Get a good spring compressor, mine was a bit short and I had to make all sorts of plans, the stock springs are loooong. (but then you will only be removing)

 

[zaleonardz]

Well, I am hoping to use 3... 2 is of course the minimum, but 3 is best

 

[WerriesM5]

Good luck!!! I hate the rear shocks....
Just let me know when you planning on changing the shocks, I have got a realy realy good spring compressor!

 

[zaleonardz]

Prob this weekend, I am loaning some from Uber, I think i'll come right with 3... but will keep it in mind...

Worst come to worst, I'll just cut the rear springs, they are stuffed anyway... but I should come right...

Going to be a fun weekend

 

[Hellas]

Going redneck with the cutting thing, LZ?

 

[zaleonardz]

All is fair in love and cutting torches.

 

[clutchplate]

more like going dutchman

 

[zaleonardz]

yea but I am not putting the cut springs back... thats dutchman style

I am worried about the rear springs, cause they have collapsed so much... we shall see, if i swear profusely this weekend, you know that it did not go well

 

[Hellas]

You have to be specific when it comes to these things, LZ. It's like saying you laid some carpet, but forget to mention that it's on your E65's dash.

 

[zaleonardz]

lol... ya.. ok good point...

And fuzzy dice, and one of those yelpee puppies with the bouncy heads... yea.. while listening to ace of base... met die 2l coke en 1l brannies... I can see it now...

 

[veridico]

I like ace of base...

 

[zaleonardz]

imp:

 

[Redline]

Good day,

I'll be following your thread with great interest. I too have been wanting to do a upgrade on my suspension albeit on a M50 525i (plans are afoot for a heart transplant).

Perhaps a silly question is the suspension parts interchangable with a E34 M5 has a bolt on upgrade, specifically the front? (Heard some scary stories w.r.t. rear shock prices on a M5)

I have heard that Master Parts carry M5 pattern parts for the front suspension.

 

[zaleonardz]

Well,

I cannot answer to how compatible they are, as I know the M5 & 540 hub assemblies are totally differant to the rest of the E34 range, therfore its possible that the shock towers ect will also bne.

You would have to go do your homework on this, I would want to tend to say no, but you never know until you have tried.

This whole excerise if going to cost me about 6.5, and you could not a full coilover for like... erm... 10 about.

I have a feeling your going to find that the M parts are going to be very expensive, unless you can find a wrecker that you can linch the spares from, and then, you dont know what your buying.

 

[WerriesM5]

I have swoped M5 into a non M5... the onley real diference is in the lower control arms, springs, shock inserts and anti roll bars in front and BIG brakes!
The M5 rear shocks are very expensive cos it's self leveling suspension.....
In the rear the springs and anti rol bar difers but you can't swop the springs coz of the self leveling.....

Just get a good set of drop springs and M5 anti roll bars and Gabriel Shocks and make sure no other stuff is worn...

 

[zaleonardz]

So Werries,

Any M5 anti roll bars laying around

 

[Hellas]

Didn't IanE39 still have a 540 rear suspension lying in his yard?

 

[Redline]

Well,

I cannot answer to how compatible they are, as I know the M5 & 540 hub assemblies are totally differant to the rest of the E34 range, therfore its possible that the shock towers ect will also bne.

You would have to go do your homework on this, I would want to tend to say no, but you never know until you have tried.

This whole excerise if going to cost me about 6.5, and you could not a full coilover for like... erm... 10 about.

I have a feeling your going to find that the M parts are going to be very expensive, unless you can find a wrecker that you can linch the spares from, and then, you dont know what your buying.

Thanks for your input.

Perhaps I should replace all suspension parts 1st & see how that improves things. One does not always notice how your ride deteriorates over time.

I was fortunte enough to get a rear suspension of 535i stick shift. All I was after was the LS, but scored the all lot for R1000.:excited:

I have Jamex lowering springs in the front but found the rears made the ride to hard, so I replaced the standard springs.:thinking: Now it looks like she going downhill 24/7, which is not ideal.

Does anyone now which brand gives improved handling but without a spine crushing ride? (at an affordable price). I'm not against a firmer ride mind, as I enjoy getting road feel & feedback but there are limits.

Are coil overs worth the extra dosh? Bearing in mind the power fiquires I'm hoping to achieve would be that of a Alpine B10

 

[zaleonardz]

Well I will give you feedback after the H&R's are installed..

Coilovers are only worth it if your going to track the car IMO.

Awesome score on the 535 rear section, thats a fantastic price.

Detecting worn suspension components (such as bushes ect) is actually not that hard with the car on a lift and a pry bar.

Im going to start on friday night with my conversion, and will let you know if I am happy with the H&R's/gabriel combo. But I have a feeling that I will be. Uber has done the exact conversion and his ride is smooth.