B5 (E60) Shocks/Springs
B5 (E60) Shocks/Springs
Wondering what other B5 owners have done when their shocks/springs need replacing. I'm based in NZ so less buying options here and looking at the FMV site - but wondering if other owners have had success with Bilstein or other set ups? Thanks
Re: B5 (E60) Shocks/Springs
Good idea on getting them replaced. The e60 cars are getting onto 15-20 yrs old and a suspension refresh is definitely needed if never done. A chap I know kept his e61 b5 stock and opted for original shocks from alpina. I personally went for oem on my e46 based off others owner experiences - A chap on here called Charles can vouch for several hundred thousand miler b3s which had this experience of billsteins and went back to oem after many many miles (he will confirm I am sure!). with a billstein setup your car will run nice but it will loose the Alpina ride comfort...partf will of course cost more but labour would be the same... for sake confirming....have you asked the local dealer for a price? Guessing this would come via Alpina Australia then over to you....?
Current
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2011 BMW Mini Cooper (Great fun, Solid)
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2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
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1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Rare fun car)
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2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2011 BMW Mini Cooper (Great fun, Solid)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Rare fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)
Re: B5 (E60) Shocks/Springs
Thanks for this - I haven't approached the dealer as they are pretty expensive with markups down here, not a lot of competition etc. That sounds good - I see that FMV sell an Alpina factory set at a reasonable price (pre shipping) so I might look into that - I enjoy the ride of the Alpina so don't really want a harsher set up...
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thatgreenB5
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:00 pm
Re: B5 (E60) Shocks/Springs
I have a B5.
As much as I liked the Alpina setup there were times when I felt it could be improved.
I went for the Bilstein B8s...I've used them many times and they're good shocks. They are a very decent replacement for the Alpina shocks.
The Alpina shocks are aluminium so the Bilstein are heavier. They ride slightly firmer...about 10-15%. But the B5 had luxury to spare....it was super soft I found.
I don't agree that they ruin the ride...otherwise I wouldn't have spent the last few years riding around on them. I have the Alpina shocks but I havent felt the need to refit them. The Bilsteins are very good as a replacement.
Although there's very little price pdifference between them and the OEM setup from FMW, so price shouldn't be a factor.
If you want to keep the car OEM, go OEM. But I've been very happy with them as they shored up a slight sogginess on the front end which bothered me.
The car also used to sit down quite hard when coming down off bumps at high speeds which made me nervous....felt like it could unseat the back end if there was any angle to the steering. In short, I felt there were areas that could be improved as it was marginally TOO soft, so I traded a little bit of comfort for a little bit more firmness and I've been very happy with it. The handling is absolutely incredible with the Bilstein shocks and Alpina springs.
Avoid the B12 kit though.
As much as I liked the Alpina setup there were times when I felt it could be improved.
I went for the Bilstein B8s...I've used them many times and they're good shocks. They are a very decent replacement for the Alpina shocks.
The Alpina shocks are aluminium so the Bilstein are heavier. They ride slightly firmer...about 10-15%. But the B5 had luxury to spare....it was super soft I found.
I don't agree that they ruin the ride...otherwise I wouldn't have spent the last few years riding around on them. I have the Alpina shocks but I havent felt the need to refit them. The Bilsteins are very good as a replacement.
Although there's very little price pdifference between them and the OEM setup from FMW, so price shouldn't be a factor.
If you want to keep the car OEM, go OEM. But I've been very happy with them as they shored up a slight sogginess on the front end which bothered me.
The car also used to sit down quite hard when coming down off bumps at high speeds which made me nervous....felt like it could unseat the back end if there was any angle to the steering. In short, I felt there were areas that could be improved as it was marginally TOO soft, so I traded a little bit of comfort for a little bit more firmness and I've been very happy with it. The handling is absolutely incredible with the Bilstein shocks and Alpina springs.
Avoid the B12 kit though.