Street
Stage:
E12 5-series BMWs respond very well to
minor and relatively inexpensive changes to the suspension.
Sway bars—changing the stock bars to
25mm or 28mm produces a car that corners flatter and feels more stable; you’ll
wonder why they didn’t come that way from the factory. No loss of ride quality;
fits with AC.
Shocks---installation of Bilstein
shocks makes a world of difference in
the way the car handles. Keeping the tires in firm contact with the pavement is
the way to make the car handle well; Bilstein shocks do this best.
Springs---the stock springs do a fine
job of keeping the body of the car off the pavement but for higher performance
we want the car lower and stiffer so that the driver’s input is translated to
vehicle response as rapidly as possible. Shorter and stiffer springs are
available from a number of manufacturers---we commonly use Ireland Engineering,
Dinan, Suspension Techniques, H&R, and others (wherever best pricing can be
found). Note: try to choose springs and shocks together since installation
labor overlaps and sometimes shorter springs require shorter shocks.
Tires and wheels---modern premium
tires on alloy instead of steel wheels will improve the appearance of the car,
but, more importantly, will also make the car stick to the road like it never
could 20 or more years ago when it was new. This is both a matter of
performance and safety, both wet and dry.
Street
and Track Stage:
Sway bars---25 or 28mm front and
larger rear bars are the traditional upgrade from the stock smaller bars, still
useable with AC
Modern adjustable bars are
also available, either conventional bars that mount in the usual location, or
special hollow tubular bars with custom aluminum mounting brackets.
Shocks---Bilstein
Sport shocks are the answer here. Very firm control, great when driven hard.
Often used in conjunction with fixed negative camber plates at top.
Springs---the stock springs do a fine
job of keeping the body of the car off the pavement but for higher performance
we want the car lower and stiffer so that the driver’s input is translated to
vehicle response as rapidly as possible. Shorter and stiffer springs are
available from a number of manufacturers---we commonly use Ireland Engineering,
Dinan, Suspension Techniques, H&R, and others (wherever best pricing can be
found). Note: try to choose springs and shocks together since installation
labor overlaps and sometimes shorter springs require shorter shocks.
Tires and wheels---V- or Z-rated tires
on 14”, 15”, or 16” wheels
Track
and Race Stage:
Sway bars---25mm front and 19mm
adjustable rear bars are the traditional stock configuration bars—they work
fine
Modern adjustable bars are
also available from Ireland Engineering, either conventional bars that mount in
the usual location, or special hollow tubular bars with custom aluminum
mounting brackets.
Shocks---Bilstein Sport shocks are the
answer here. Very firm control, great when driven hard. Where rules allow, use
struts modified for coil-over shock type springs, making space for larger tires
and wider wheels. Adjustable camber devices are necessary at the top of the
struts---also available through Ireland Engineering.
Tires
and wheels---V- or Z-rated tires on 14”, 15”, or 16” wheels depending on what
rules will allow.