|
In Reply to: Self-Leveling: Why not keep original system? posted by ///Slider on May 19, 2002 at 08:02:42:
I'm in the same mindset as you. I'm also stationed here in Germany and I believe BMW invested much time and resources into a system that actually works. From a performance standpoint, for a car this big, it seems to handle really well with this factory system. I was beyond the point you were at, I couldn't stand the harshness and I decided to replace the aftermarket system with the factory set-up, including front and rear springs. Of course the cost was a bit much (working with a military salary) but after the car settled in the front, its ride and handling are both excellent. I like to think it's personal preference and to tell the truth I'm not disappointed at all. At speed on the autobahn it holds the road about the same as the aftermarket system without all of the feedback through the suspension. In the passenger seat I can even feel the difference between the two. One thing I will do in the next few weeks though is swap out both front and rear sway bars (probably Eibach’s) to try and reduce the body roll a bit.
John
.
Gents,
I've scoured the archives here and elsewhere, and have seen a LOT of great dialogue concerning the self-leveling system, and ways of getting around the expense of replacing the stock factory setup.
I guess the one question that has remained with me is this: why wouldn't it be worth the effort and expense to just repair/replace the original setup? Obviously, costs seem to be a major factor here (if not THE major factor), but given that BMW went to the trouble of designing a system specifically for the E34 M5, wouldn't this still be the preferred setup? Is there a perception afield that the system has never really performed "as advertised"?
What am I missing? Will Bilsteins, et al. deliver superior performance -- or just comparable performance for a fraction of the price? Just how expensive IS it to replace the original system, anyway? (I'm a U.S. soldier in Germany working on a U.S. spec M5 which is currently at the "small leak" stage.) Lots of questions, I'm afraid, but this is one of those situations where a misstep would really compromise the car. TIA for any assistance.
///Slider
© 1997 -
2009
Jump Internet Inc. All rights reserved.
