While the BMW F90 M5 started to be delivered to customers worldwide, the next best thing in BMW’s lineup – the BMW M550i xDrive – is getting a performance bump, thanks to KW Suspension. The company that is behind some of the most performance oriented suspension setups have now developed and revealed an aftermarket suspension system for the BMW 5 Series with xDrive.
With their solution, you can lower the BMW 5-series M550i xDrive or 520d xDrive by up to 55 mm with the Variant 3 coilovers. Additionally, with KW dampers you will be able to independently adjust both the compression and rebound stages, resulting in better handling and more cornering performance.
The KW coilover kit gives the BMW G30 5 Series a much more direct handling without compromising comfort. The KW coilover suspension is also available for the 5 Series sedans of the G30 series with rear-wheel drive.
“With our suspensions from the ‘Street Performance’-program, the basic setup is always as tight as necessary and as comfortable as possible”, says KW Product Manager Johannes Wacker. “With our Variant 3, the new BMW 5-series drives sporty and comfortable”. KW automotive has achieved this by using several valves in the dampers.
For the Variant 3, a set of pre-configured high-speed compression valves are used, which only open when driving over large obstructions or bumps, allowing the damper to rapidly absorb the bump by passing large amounts of fluid through the valve immediately.
“This way we achieve that even at a maximum lowering, the high-speed valves open and the wheels deflect when driving over bumps or large transverse joints. In such driving situations, the 5-series sedan can be driven safely and track stable even at the limit”, Johannes Wacker emphasizes the unique selling points of the KW coilovers made of stainless steel. The BMW 5-series xDrive (G30) sedan can be lowered by 30 to 55 mm on both front and rear axles.
KW Variant 3 with separately adjustable rebound and compression damping
Through the TVR-A (Twin Valve Rebound – Adjustable) the rebound damping can be tightened or softened by a 16 click rebound adjustment wheel at the upper end of the piston rod. With a lesser rebound, the comfort is increased, providing the driver with longer or daily driving smoothness. On the other hand, with a higher rebound, the handling is further improved thanks to a stiffer suspension setup, resulting in a reduced body roll. This improves the steering precision even at high speed cornering.
In addition, the patented KW TVC-A (Twin Valve Compression – Adjustable) allows adjustment to the low speed compression damping. The compression level can be adjusted with twelve clicks, via the integrated adjustment wheel – located directly on the stainless steel housing. This setting is separate from the rebound damping, resulting in a suspension solution that even in extremely demanding maneuvers, reduces the pitching and rolling movements. In addition, a higher compression stage on the front axle supports an even more direct steering and on the rear axle, it counteracts oversteers.
