Sport vs non sport suspension

[ren]

Hello,

I got a year '00 4.4i with air suspension rear and sports package. I'm about to overhaul the entire suspension.

I noticed in the ETK that there are different part numbers for sport and non sport suspension front springs, shocks, and even the rear airbags. I was wondering if I should just switch to the non sport versions of the parts? Does anyone have any experience with both versions? Is the non sport a lot softer or is it not that noticeable?

[andrewwynn]

Our two first bmw were e53. Both 2001.

I thought that my car handling was better because i had $1200 set of tires and she had (literally) $300 set of tires.

When my tires were getting old and hers were shot i got new rims and moved my wheels to her car. 255/55/15 and very very good tires.

Her car handed very similar! Turned out it was largely the suspension!

(That was not including winter!).

Her old tires made her x5 drive like 2wd car with crappy tires! When i got get a proper set of winter tires she could pull other cars sideways (think rescue from snow plowed in).

We didn't mind using her car for trips it was more comfortable on long drives but mine with sport also never felt rough.

If you drive sporty like me you want the sport gear. If you just putter around you may want the softer ride.

Example of sporty:

I was holding back as it was just below freezing and flurries but it was a very fun scenic drive in the Pennsylvania mountainside.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B275yeZFhU8G6Y


–awr–

Using Tapatalk VIP on iPhone

[motordavid]

Our 2001 E53 5 MT, came with 'sport pkg, way back when in 2001...

I have always enjoyed the 'handling' esp on our steep curvy roads here in Western NC, though the 'ride' on interstate trips can be a bit 'bouncy' and the rare times we drive on pot holed crummy roads it is v bouncy.

Have driven a few E53s w/non sport and they do ride 'softer', mentally ignoring those usual less large wheel/tire combos, but I still prefer our OE 'sport' suspension version.

25 yrs old this year, ~ 150,000 miles on it, and ride has obviously softened/deteriorated a bit, but orig struts/rear air bags, (though some suspension parts R & R'd over the decades), and it still handles well.

Just anecdotal seat of pants opin, and depending on your usual driving condtions get what you want.

My 50Cts...
GL, mD