Sway Bar Mods

[GTMAN]

Hello All,

I have read a few links already on sway bar mods that people have done on e39 540s but I was wondering if anyone has specifically done just the M5 rear stabilizer bar upgrade only. I know people have done the Eibach 28/18mm f/r and Dinan 27/17(adjustable)mm swaybar upgrades and it seems the car corners much flatter - some claim ~85% flatter. I have a 01'5406MT with M-Technic suspension wish comes with 25/15mm f/r swaybars, so I am considering either spending ~$140 for the rear M5 bar which I can install myself, or spend 1200 with Dinan installed by the dealer. The bulk of the cost is in the install of the front bar. Does anyone know how, or can anyone feel the difference just doing the 16.5mm M5 rear swaybar make - enough to make a 10x difference to justify the price??

Thanks in advance.
GT_MAN

 

[Malachi]

I think installing an M5 rear sway bar is an excellent thing to do if you are testing the waters. If you like that mod but would like a bit more handling you can do the fronts.

 

[wood_e]

I am not sure if these are available for BMWs (I can only assume) but some poly bushings will help when combined with a larger sway bar.

 

[GTMAN]

I'll try out the M5 rear bar, and look into the poly bushings for the front. Thanks guys! BTW, just ordered my UCC SSK....cant wait for it to arrive. Cant wait to not elbow the folks in the backseat whenever they lean fwd when I shift from 1,2 .

 

[Malachi]

I'll try out the M5 rear bar, and look into the poly bushings for the front. Thanks guys! BTW, just ordered my UCC SSK....cant wait for it to arrive. Cant wait to not elbow the folks in the backseat whenever they lean fwd when I shift from 1,2 .

You are on the right track as far as great mods for out 5ers. The SSK would have been my second choice after the sway bars.

Did you consider the clutch stop? You can read about it on my site in the "Mod Expierences" section. I would do that mod over again also.

 

[GTMAN]

Malachi, if I continue to be on the right track, we'll have identical cars. My SSK will be arriving next week....looks like I will need to wait for the weekend after to get it in. Have you driven the e39 M5? Does your car handle with the Dinan sway bars more like the M5 in the body roll department? I have driven the e39 M5 and love its nimbleness.

BTW, I have done the clutch stop. Will checkout your site. Thx.

GTMAN

 

[Malachi]

Malachi, if I continue to be on the right track, we'll have identical cars. My SSK will be arriving next week....looks like I will need to wait for the weekend after to get it in. Have you driven the e39 M5? Does your car handle with the Dinan sway bars more like the M5 in the body roll department? I have driven the e39 M5 and love its nimbleness.

BTW, I have done the clutch stop. Will checkout your site. Thx.

GTMAN

I have not had the opportunity to drive the M5 so I can't tell you how they compare. I just can tell you that the sway bars made a huge differenece. Please keep us updated!

 

[tool fan]

Does anyone know if it would be worth my while to get a sway bar on the E60 530i. I have the sport package that has the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and it is awsome. I hit curves on the autobahn at 125-130 mph that I wouldn't dare hit doing 70 mph in my benz. Would it make it even better, or would I be putting myself in danger because i would not know where the threshhold of performance and stupidity was. I just don't want to end up in a ditch because I couldn't tell when to slow down due to the lack of body roll.

 

[GTMAN]

Too Fan, not sure what setup you have on the E60 530's as far as sway bars diameters are concerned. Do you feel body roll that bothers you? I do on my e39, which is why I am planning to get the sway bars. I know the E60 545's have an active stabilizer bar in the rear and I hear that car has almost no body roll. Sorry I cant help much. Once I get my bars in (probably within 1 month), I'll let you guys know how it feels.

GTMAN