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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Wheels / Tires / Suspension / Brakes eibach front spring only
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      09-28-2012, 09:45 PM   #1
sgt_gman2005
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eibach front spring only

I brought my car to a local suspension shop for installation of eibach springs late this afternoon. However, they did not have enough time to install the rear springs. Driving back home, the steering feels tighter and sportier. Now I'm deciding to run this setup for a couple of weeks just to see how the suspension reacts with different spring rates. I know its day 1 today and I am expecting for the front suspension to drop more (measured 1" drop difference). I just came from e90 with sports package/eibach springs/aggressive staggered wheel offset and always had rubbing issues with 2 adult passengers at the back. hopefully i can avoid this issue with the f10. on the other hand, it just looks nice dropped all the way around so i'm debating. what do you guys think?






Last edited by sgt_gman2005; 10-06-2012 at 09:06 AM..
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      09-28-2012, 10:39 PM   #2
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Looks great, love those rims. What size are they?
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      09-29-2012, 07:45 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itschase View Post
Looks great, love those rims. What size are they?
Rohana RC10
20x9 35 offset
20x10 40 offset

the rear offset and concave shape is just perfect and looks "semi-drop" with rear stock suspension.


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      09-29-2012, 11:37 AM   #4
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Thank you for the info!
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      09-30-2012, 01:08 PM   #5
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Looks very nice!
How is the setup now compared with the oem springs?
Is it not too hard with 20" because mine are 19" and the suspension now is very hard and bumpy with the original springs
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      09-30-2012, 10:36 PM   #6
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Thank you for the before and after pictures, especially with the tape measure. This is exactly the I've been seeking prior to scheduling an Eibach install for my car. I've been quoted six hours labor...two for the front and four for the rear. How long did the front springs' installation take?
Thanks again for the great photos!
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      09-30-2012, 11:28 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 SMGII View Post
Looks very nice!
How is the setup now compared with the oem springs?
Is it not too hard with 20" because mine are 19" and the suspension now is very hard and bumpy with the original springs

i dont have enough miles with the eibach (FRT)/stock (RR) set-up to do a review but yesterday i drove 300miles with 4 passengers, 2 medium size luggage, and full gas tank without any issues. no bouncy and uncomfortable complaints from my family. they slept good actually! one thing is obvious though that the front suspension is tighter during turns with reduced body roll. like i said before, it is now sportier without the stiffness of a lowered vehicle.

i am still going to lowered the rear suspension later on even though i like a mini-rake on the 5. still deciding
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      09-30-2012, 11:36 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MWPos View Post
Thank you for the before and after pictures, especially with the tape measure. This is exactly the I've been seeking prior to scheduling an Eibach install for my car. I've been quoted six hours labor...two for the front and four for the rear. How long did the front springs' installation take?
Thanks again for the great photos!

less than 1 hour $85 for the front suspension. the front is so simple, don't even go to european/high-end shop. any "reputable" suspension specialist will do the same.
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      10-05-2012, 03:44 PM   #9
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didn't last long. i finally installed the rear springs also. Now all 4 suspension set-up are Eibach Pro-kit.







Last edited by sgt_gman2005; 10-06-2012 at 08:55 AM..
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      10-06-2012, 10:22 AM   #10
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To follow from my previous question about how long the springs take to install, how long did the rear set take? In San Diego, I've received quotes to install all four from $290 (muscle car shop) to $1,200 (German car specialist). Neither of these includes the springs or the 4-wheel alignment after install and then again after 5-700 more miles. I've received one mid-range quote of $600 from a suspension and alignment shop which does not include the springs but does include two alignments. I'm trying to figure out which way is best by getting a realistic assesment of the labor hours involved. Your previous answer about the front set install being quick and easy was very helpful. Thanks also, and again, for the tape in the photos.

Last edited by MWPos; 10-06-2012 at 10:26 AM.. Reason: misspelled word
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      10-06-2012, 04:39 PM   #11
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Would love to hear some feedback from anyone that has rode in an F10 with Eibach springs and ACS springs. Obviously the Eibach are cheaper and easier to come by, but would be interested in the comparison.

How about any noise from the Eibachs? A lot of ACS owners found the spring coils would hit each other making a noise. Any problems?
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      10-06-2012, 05:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MWPos View Post
To follow from my previous question about how long the springs take to install, how long did the rear set take? In San Diego, I've received quotes to install all four from $290 (muscle car shop) to $1,200 (German car specialist). Neither of these includes the springs or the 4-wheel alignment after install and then again after 5-700 more miles. I've received one mid-range quote of $600 from a suspension and alignment shop which does not include the springs but does include two alignments. I'm trying to figure out which way is best by getting a realistic assesment of the labor hours involved. Your previous answer about the front set install being quick and easy was very helpful. Thanks also, and again, for the tape in the photos.
cost me 1.5 hours ($125) at the same suspension specialist shop. i removed the rear speakers and told the service advisor specifically "do not remove the rear seats". all top mounting nuts of the rear struts are accessible doing this method. by doing this, the labor hour was reduced and super easy to do. total (FRT & RR) was $210 plus $75 "hunter" 4-wheel alignment. i also have an alignment verification (after a month) after the springs settles.

one suggestion is to bring a print out of the DIY from this forum (i showed them on my ipad) and educate them how easy the installation is. imho, spring installation shouldnt cost more than $400.

heres the link: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=628336

dont be a baller, wear simple attire and flip-flops going to the shop! u know what i mean. be humble but confident on what you are saying about the spring installation process.

Last edited by sgt_gman2005; 10-06-2012 at 05:28 PM..
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      10-06-2012, 05:12 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snj1013 View Post
Would love to hear some feedback from anyone that has rode in an F10 with Eibach springs and ACS springs. Obviously the Eibach are cheaper and easier to come by, but would be interested in the comparison.

How about any noise from the Eibachs? A lot of ACS owners found the spring coils would hit each other making a noise. Any problems?
no weird sounds on all sides so far (100 miles). i heard about ACS issues, its easy fix though by plastic insulation.
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      10-07-2012, 01:45 PM   #14
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looks stunning!
I've made also an appointment with the garage and my car will be dropped next friday!
I will also post some pics soon.
I was quoted 3h labour for the front and rear.
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      12-01-2012, 09:41 AM   #15
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I had Eibach PRO-KIT Performance Springs #20112.140 installed today at So Cal Suspension in El Cajon. Their cost was $350 for the install (all four), an initial alignment, and an offer for a follow-up within 700 miles to check fittings and alignment. They did a great job and showed me the various stages they went through as the work progressed. They were able to acces the top of the rear strut assemblies by removing the speakers from the rear window deck and did not have to remove the rear seat. The car, in my opinion, looks much better now that it fits onto the 18" wheels more closely and sits slightly lower. The drop seems perfect to me because it makes the car look better without being obvious; it is subtle. During the install, the shop noted that the front and rear springs are almost identical in size and had to be differentiated by part number. The ride is better, and not rough or hard.
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Last edited by MWPos; 12-09-2012 at 07:16 PM.. Reason: Changed photo to current
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      12-16-2012, 03:07 PM   #16
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Looks great! My one concern with the this Eibach drop is that the rear is lowered a tad more than the front. I know front clearance is very important, to avoid scraping on driveways and speedbumps; however, the tire/fender gap on the front of the F10 is obscene (factory height on the front vs the rear seems off by almost 2 inches. I wish the Eibach kit would lower the front by 1.5" and the rear only 1".

I was familiar with lowering springs in my american muscle days (with Mustangs). I went with H&R Sport springs as it had the reputation of having more "European" style performance and engineering.

http://www.hrsprings.com/about/
"Their commitment to doing it right and producing a quality product allowed them to obtain TÜV certification and the European performance spring market was born."

I think Eibach is a top quality and top rated suspension company. Again, my experience with Eibach are from my mustang days. In general, the Eibach lowered stangs tended to get lower over the years, and some say get a bit bouncy after a couple of years. Of course these characteristics can (maybe I should say "should") be attributed to the application and the probability of proper shocks not being installed (after years of hard driving).

I would love to lower my F10; however, I looking forward to hearing a little more long term feedback.

Seargent GunMan 05, I apprecate you sharing your thoughts even with the whole family in the car. That will be my exact application. My goal is to get away with the most mods without the wife noticing any degradation in ride quality .
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      12-16-2012, 03:51 PM   #17
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Here are some shots of the front and rear wheel wells post-Eibach install.
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      12-16-2012, 04:16 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigDeep1 View Post
Looks great! My one concern with the this Eibach drop is that the rear is lowered a tad more than the front. I know front clearance is very important, to avoid scraping on driveways and speedbumps; however, the tire/fender gap on the front of the F10 is obscene (factory height on the front vs the rear seems off by almost 2 inches. I wish the Eibach kit would lower the front by 1.5" and the rear only 1".

I was familiar with lowering springs in my american muscle days (with Mustangs). I went with H&R Sport springs as it had the reputation of having more "European" style performance and engineering.

http://www.hrsprings.com/about/
"Their commitment to doing it right and producing a quality product allowed them to obtain TÜV certification and the European performance spring market was born."

I think Eibach is a top quality and top rated suspension company. Again, my experience with Eibach are from my mustang days. In general, the Eibach lowered stangs tended to get lower over the years, and some say get a bit bouncy after a couple of years. Of course these characteristics can (maybe I should say "should") be attributed to the application and the probability of proper shocks not being installed (after years of hard driving).

I would love to lower my F10; however, I looking forward to hearing a little more long term feedback.

Seargent GunMan 05, I apprecate you sharing your thoughts even with the whole family in the car. That will be my exact application. My goal is to get away with the most mods without the wife noticing any degradation in ride quality .
I am exeactly with you. I still have the Mustang and now the 5. Put rims on her yesterday and the front gap looks even worse than it did with stocks. Any help would be great.
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      12-16-2012, 05:18 PM   #19
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I think I may need to lower my front

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      01-19-2013, 10:14 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgt_gman2005 View Post
didn't last long. i finally installed the rear springs also. Now all 4 suspension set-up are Eibach Pro-kit.






My humble opinion is that this looks perfect. I wouldn't want to see it any lower (or higher)
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      04-29-2013, 12:47 PM   #21
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Quote:
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My humble opinion is that this looks perfect. I wouldn't want to see it any lower (or higher)
Agreed 100% (that's why I'm getting the Eibach ProKit installed as well)
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      04-29-2013, 08:44 PM   #22
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I am so jealous at the install prices you guys get in Cali. Everyone in Dallas TX wants close to $800-$1000 for install alone.
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