[5eries619]

Originally Posted by lmaleke

To all mods gurus and suspension gurus here;

I've been reading good feedbacks on ACS springs here and seems more and more owner here are leaning toward the springs. I'm interested with the ACS springs myself too but worry on the stock shocks & struts wearlife. My question is, to everyone here on ACS springs, any input on the stock shocks/struts wearlife? My car is going to be my daily drive...
Second question, aside from the cost, what trigger you to choose the ACS springs instead of going the coilover route?

My other option is either KW v2 or street comfort..

Any input is greatly appreciated...

I had the same concerns with shock when I decided I was going to pull the trigger on lowering my car.
After going back and forth for a while I went with CKS coilovers and I gotta say I don't have any regrets dropping the money knowing i am in control of my setup.
Some of the concern I had with ACS was height, stiffness and the long term abuse it would have on my shocks.
I'm really loving my CKS coilovers! 24 dampening option and height adjustability was a big factor for me.
I also felt ACS was on the steep side for springs.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by DesmondF10

Reviving an old thread because I have a 14' 535 with base suspension, and the age old question is what is out there that does not produce noise, offers comfort, and just calms down the body lean in turns, bounce, dive, squat - just tighten it up while keeping the comfort.

Had the Dinan BMW dealer advise to only go Springs, stick with OEM dampers, stick with Dinan over KW because you won't get noise.

But then a lot of members have gone with ACS, which apparently no longer has noise issues, at least for the last 4 years.

Any updates?

Thanks!

I've got the KW v3 coilovers, and there's no noise going over bumps.

[Desmond79]

^^^

Thx.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by remmib

I've got the KW v3 coilovers, and there's no noise going over bumps.

+2 i've got KWV1's with no noise

[ThaiBruin]

My KW V2s are almost done!

[Desmond79]

Newbie on F10 forums (spent too much time on golf forums and winding that down a bit), and new owner of CPO '14 F10 535 Non-EDC RWD. I still have an E90 328i Sedan w Sports Suspension and RFT (Driveguard). Name is Jerry. Great to be here.

I wanted to put this out there to add to the discussion I've had through PM's with other members who seem to share my suspension goals.

Objective is comfort for passengers with controlled exhilaration for driver, and more exhilaration when driving alone.

I've installed the Dinan Sports Performance Tune and it inexpensively opens up the throttle nicely as did the throttle reset

I've poured through the forums for two weeks after I was given a loaner '16 F10 in same setup as mine, and they tightened up the '16 suspension. 2016 was more fun to drive. More responsive, tighter.

I am a just past middle age guy and purchased the F10 to ease me from the bumps of the 328/sport, but still want some fun - a good handling, responsive comfortable ride given the weight limitations. And let's not discuss the GY 40 aspect RFT's, which are shocking.

So after research, gosh Alan I tells it like he sees it as do others, phone calls to Dinan, ACS, Koni, and PMs (thank you BMW Doubles) I am going ACS Srpings, Dinan Bumperstops, Koni FSD (I called Koni and they ok'd the setup) and I did order the rear sway bar (the 550/650 bar that Turner sells, but then wondered about the under/oversteer issues. I guess merely a thicker rear bar increases response in the back.

We're going comfort then fun, with a more responsive, although heavy Sedan.

Question: is the M5 front sway a bit much for my objectives - is there another option? Or leave it alone and go rear bar only, which I've also been advised. Does the 760? Suspension have a thicker bar than base setup. My quandry is the balance of the sway bars.

This is the final piece in the puzzle besides getting some Pilot A/s 3+

Thanks for your time and advice.

Edit: I ordered springs and shocks, will evaluate after install, and then decide on sway bars.

[Desmond79]

An update on springs/shocks install and replacing the RFT's:

Profile: Just past middle age man who has purchased several 3 series since 1981, and the F10 is my first "large" sports sedan. Besides the '14 535i, I own a '09 328i with Sports Suspension, Staggered Setup and B/Stone Driveguard All Seasons RFT. Aggressive street driver at times for an older guy.

Issue with '14 535i Suspension: Imprecise, floating, acceleration sent the car backwards, lots of lean, did not take turns well - no fun.

Objective: Wanted a conservative setup with more precision and response, more planted, less lean, tighter in general, less dive, squat.

Research: Called and talked with ACS, Koni, Dinan. Ended up with ACS (Schnitzer) Springs, Koni FSD, Dinan Bumperstops

Install: texastrackworks in Ft Worth

Result: Installed on Jan 3, have driven over 100 miles on varying roads - highway, street, backroads. It's what I wanted - less lean, tighter, more responsive, car doesn't feel as if it is floating or going backwards upon acceleration - it reminds me of my 3 series sports suspension - tight but not too tight, not rough, just firmer.

The RFT's were bothersome -- the 535i rode like my 09 328i.

Solution: Ordered Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ to drive 5 months during the year, and will think about Pilot SS from May-November. But the A/S 3+ may work well for my style.

Outcome: Drove out of the Firestone Car Center with the Michelins and drove smooth streets, interstate, and back country uneven county roads with large patches of shallow potholes - the Michelins were the finishing touch on the modifications. I would call the ride more supple ... that is the word ... Supple. Smoothed out the uneven roads and shallow potholes. They also resulted in better handling and, of course, a better, smoother ride.

I could finally take a narrow turn in an aggressive manner with confidence. I'd say it handles more like my 3 Series Sport but with a smoother ride.

Future: Wheels. Yes, I'd like lighter, more attractive wheels. Thought I'd do 18" wheels on my '09 328i, but as time goes by, it becomes less of a priority. Sway Bars: With the ACS/Koni FSD Combo, don't feel the need at the moment. I will drive it as is and enjoy for now.

Because of non RFT, ordered a Plug Kit, have a portable air compressor, may get water based slime for a real emergency, thinking about the emergency spare tire kit from Turner Motorsports, which has a jack and compact tire. But I do have BMW SOS.

Hope this helps others when making decisions. I call my approach conservative -- sport handling with a supple ride.

[Desmond79]

^^^^

After few more days of driving, car has a tad more lean than I want, but it is a luxury sports sedan. I think anti sway bars with the large fronts as in the M bar, may be a bit much in terms of degrading the ride, while adding a rear bar without any addition to the front, as in the 650 bar, as others have done, will make the car more neutral (reduction of understeer), which would work if one can handle it. See the tree versus feel the tree.

[Desmond79]

^^^^

More driving and suspension and tires are settling and breaking in. Took some hard turns and feel as if the rear still has plenty of grip with all of that understeer. Thinking about the rear bar to reduce roll a bit more and get handling more neutral.

[Desmond79]

^^^

Over 500 mi of driving on ACS/Koni FSD with Michelin Pilot A/S 3+ -- the car has settled, and tires are broken in. Posts above give initial reaction. But over time, ride is more jumbling than I want - not pleased with changes although a lot of improvement has taken hold.

AND THEN TODAY

I installed the 650 Rear Sway Bar and adjusted front camber a bit for understeer. My first reaction and considering placebo effect, I feel the rear tightening up - it is more responsive. Car is less jumble-like.

I think the 16mm rear bar is a necessary mod in the 2014.

For the first since I purchased the car 6 weeks ago, I am comfortable with the ride and handling. I wish it was a little less dampened but it's a big, heavy car. Approved.

Will update over next week for interested parties - but this finally feels like a comfortable, sophisticated sports sedan.

[Desmond79]

Another 1k miles on the 535i and if you do not have an adjustable suspension, and want to rid yourself of floatiness and lean, this combo of ACS, KONI FSD, and 650 Rear Sway Bar is an excellent addition - lowers slightly, makes ride more responsive while maintaining all the comfort (without floatiness), firms up the ride slightly but the Konis dampen very well, makes taking turns more precise and less lean (fun), can take sweeping curve ramps at 70+ with loads of confidence. The Pilot Sports A/s 3+ make the ride supple.

A planted, luxury sedan with sportiness.

My wish is for a slightly better front sway bar, but don't want the M. It may degrade the ride.

As it is, I am happy with the car. The Dinan Sports Tune in Sport Mode also delivers smooth power.