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  #1  
Old 02-08-2024, 02:30 PM
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Lowering kit options, 2024

There's a few topics on this but I want to get current opinions from the active group on what's good to lower the e53. I've been searching and reading a bunch of threads from 2015. A solid two inches / 50mm or so would be good. These are the options I'm aware of:

- H&R lowering springs
- eibach lowering springs (slightly lower than hr)
- Bilstein B12 kit (uses eibach springs)
- BC racing coilovers
- KW v3s

Any experience with the above or any other options I'm missing?

Bilstein has been impossible to get for years. My original thought was the h&r springs with Bilstein B6. But I don't know if the springs go low enough. The B12 kit is probably a better option, but would have the same indefinite wait time.

BC I have no direct experience with, but I've read not terrific things. Some people say they are ok, more say not ok. These would be good for ride height but I'm not sure how they would ride and hold up. I saw the word bouncy mentioned by one person.

Kwv3s are probably overkill. I don't want this thing to be all stiff and race handling. I don't need double adjustable dampers. But I could get the right height perfect. I run these on my f30 and they are really really nice, but very stiff to drive around. I might look for a softer option once they eventually blow out.
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  #2  
Old 02-08-2024, 04:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Factory6speed View Post
- H&R lowering springs
- Bilstein B12 kit (uses eibach springs)

Bilstein has been impossible to get for years. My original thought was the h&r springs with Bilstein B6. But I don't know if the springs go low enough. The B12 kit is probably a better option, but would have the same indefinite wait time.

Kwv3s are probably overkill. I don't want this thing to be all stiff and race handling.
I have H&R’s with B6’s and I love it!

I don’t know if it applies to E53, but Eibach springs with B8’s on the E39 was so.. so.. I was told. They were replaced with H&R’s and the owner said it was a better ride.

The H&R B6 combo is pretty stiff though. I wouldn’t go as far to say full race, but they definitely tighten up the ride quite a bit. But again, I love it!


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Old 02-08-2024, 08:47 PM
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I forgot to mention my tire size, which is an important detail left out when considering ride harshness.

On the front 35 series, and the rear 30 series.


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Old 02-08-2024, 10:34 PM
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on my 4.4 I have the H&R with the B6's as well. It was a minimal drop but noticeable. On my 4.6 I have BC coils and you can put it on the ground (not really but much more then the H&R's). I also have BC coils on one of my E39's and my E38 and have not had any issues with them. As far as ride, I drive a dump truck all day, so they ride WAY better then that.
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Old 02-08-2024, 11:31 PM
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I used BC Coil Overs. Most economical. Lowered mine 2". You will also need adjustable control arms in the rear in order to get it into alignment with that much lowering.
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Old 02-09-2024, 12:05 AM
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I have on my 4.4 H&R with the Bilstein Touring B4's with rear air suspension and running 20 inches staggered style 87 wheels. Ride is firmer than factory sports suspension and the height drop is not much but definitely noticeable - exactly the effect I wanted. I think the drop is about 1.5 inches. Body roll significantly reduced compared to the factory suspension.

Sorry, don't have a better picture than this, but it would look like that on a level surface. You can see it in my signature taken on a level surface.

o H&R Sport lowering spring set (front only and shorter level adjusters in the rear) HRS-293781

o Front Bilstein Touring B4 BIL-22119278/BIL-22119261

o Rear Bilstein Touring B4 BIL-24026529
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Last edited by X5only; 02-09-2024 at 12:17 AM.
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Old 02-10-2024, 02:57 AM
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BCR's here. No issues with them after years, I forget how many. At least 3.

They are stiff, but I have them 4 clicks from max stiffness as at the height I have it, more travel will rub the aero kit fenders. Only had to happen once for me to increase the stiffness from only a few clicks from mid on the stiff side. Don't remember exactly how many. I miss the smoother ride, but not having to worry about hurting the aero kit plastics.

I guess I could raise the truck back up and then decrease the stiffness... but I've come to enjoy it the way it is. It's not the primary vehicle.
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Old 02-23-2024, 10:32 AM
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I bought cheap B&G lowering springs on eBay a few years back with new sachs struts/bumpstops and Kmac adjustable top hats. My take- struts and cheap lowering springs are absouletly perfect. I would not spend the extra money on H&R as i dont think its neccesary. Car drives absolutely perfect, like OEM. Regarding Kmac top hats- overpriced, garbage, junk parts that i will never buy again. Just poor fit, finish and quality. Replace with OEM bearing, top hat, etc. For rear, simply coding of the air bags to lower. This will depend if you have air suspension on rear axle obviouslly.
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