Someone explain 528e vs 535i springs, please (archive)

Reading a post, a few threads down, from someone asking about what to do to make a 528e suspension better stirred up a question I've had for a while. The answer might be "it doesn't matter," which is actually what I'm expecting, but still. . .

The baby six is lighter than the big six, right? Therefore, there's going to be less weight in the front.

The website given -- http://www.cyberflunk.com/m5/tech/suspension/mf172.html -- says that 528e and 535i front springs have the same number of coils (7) and are the same length (14 inches). Even the coil diameter is the same. What makes the 535i springs a higher rate (and, therefore, stiffer) is the wire diameter.

That being said, since the 528e springs are softer, the engine pushes down on it more. If you put 535i springs that are the same length but stiffer in there, wouldn't the springs hold up more and keep the engine from pressing down on it as much, hence making the front end sit a little higher?

Someone please shed some light onto this for me. I'm sure I'm royally confused.

Brad Couvillon
'87 528e

Unofficial Bimmer.org e28ers' Gallery

Follow Ups:

Springs, explained...again... Chris Graff 21:07 9/23/2001 (1)
- Re: Springs, explained...again... Brad Couvillon 21:34 9/23/2001 (0)
Re: Someone explain 528e vs 535i springs, please Wes 17:43 9/23/2001 (1)
- LoL how do you expect me to look at your car. . . Brad Couvillon 18:09 9/23/2001 (0)

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