According to various media reports, one in four BMWs sold in Europe in 2025 has been an electric vehicle. We have now developed a KW coilover suspension for the BMW i5 as well. By the way, for the BMW i4 we’ve had for quite some time a KW coilover kit available.
At KW, we’re one of the few market players offering coilover suspensions with TTG (component type approval) or technical certification for various electric vehicles. This includes models such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, KIA EV6 GT, Nio ET5, Skoda Enyaq, Smart #1, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, and VW ID. Buzz.
For some time now, we’ve offered a solution that allows KW coilover suspensions to be retrofitted to modern BMW models with factory rear axle air suspension. While dampers and air springs used to be separate in many BMW Touring models with level control, that’s no longer the case today.
In the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé (G22), 5 Series Touring (G31), 6 Series Gran Coupé (G26), and BMW i4 (G26), the air spring sits directly on the rear axle damper. This is also the case with the BMW i5 sedan. That’s why we’ve specially developed rear axle dampers for these models to continue using the original air springs.
Factory air suspension is mounted onto KW dampers
During suspension production, KW rear axle dampers are equipped with special elastomer spring elements and prepared for mounting the BMW factory air suspension. During installation, the original air springs are removed from the stock dampers and mounted onto the KW rear axle dampers. We include the necessary special tools with delivery.
Compared to the stock suspension of the BMW G60E, the stainless steel struts and rear axle dampers are shorter, resulting in a 25-millimeter drop on both driven axles of the BMW i5. This can be continuously adjusted to 50 millimeters at the front axle and 45 millimeters at the five-link rear axle.
Lowering at the front axle is adjusted directly via the trapezoidal thread and composite spring perch, while rear axle height is set using adjustable link rods.
The BMW i5 gains a sporty yet balanced driving feel with KW’s signature rolling comfort thanks to the KW V3
The overall base tuning of the KW V3 coilover suspension for the BMW i5 xDrive40 and BMW i5 M60 xDrive (G60E) is always as firm as necessary and as comfortable as possible. Our suspension absorbs bumps and transverse joints without sacrificing rolling comfort.
Our KW V3 coilover suspension features our well-known V3 multi-valve technology, with two-stage valves for compression and rebound. We use adjustable low-speed valves and non-adjustable high-speed valves.
The KW V3 coilover suspension is already available for the all-wheel-drive BMW i5 xDrive40 and BMW i5 M60 xDrive with “Adaptive Suspension Professional.” For rear-wheel-drive models, a KW coilover suspension is still in development, along with the adaptive KW DDC plug & play coilover suspension.
During long bumps or cornering on smooth surfaces, meaning slow suspension inputs, the KW V3 coilover suspension operates in the low-speed range. When driving on uneven roads or over short, sharp bumps, much higher damper speeds occur.
The high-speed valves open, and due to the increased oil flow, the force buildup is lower than in the low-speed range despite the faster piston speed. That’s why sharp impacts are cleanly absorbed.
With our KW V3 coilover suspension, the electric vehicle, weighing up to 2,380 kilograms, drives much more nimbly and agilely; we consistently receive this feedback from customers. Improved body support reduces body roll and even pitch movements during braking and acceleration. Installing the coilover suspension makes the handling of the BMW i5 M60 xDrive even more direct, giving the driver significantly more control even in fast corners and evasive maneuvers.
On poorly maintained roads, depending on the wheel and tire combination, it may feel slightly firmer than the stock suspension but this hardly affects residual ride comfort. Overall, the BMW i5 becomes an even more performance-oriented sedan with the KW V3 coilover suspension, one that feels at home on any road.
Anyone who wants to further fine-tune the preset setup can individually adjust the KW V3 coilover suspension in both compression and rebound. With 16 clicks, the cross-section of the low-speed rebound valve can be reduced or enlarged. Opening the rebound increases comfort noticeably. Closing the rebound valve reduces pitch and roll movements of the body structure. BMW handling becomes even more dynamic than in the stock configuration.
All KW coilover suspensions with adjustable damper characteristics are always delivered with a vehicle-specific base setup. Additionally, the adjustable low-speed compression stage can be opened or closed with twelve clicks to further influence steering behavior and tire grip levels. Simply put, the rebound controls how the body connects to the road, while the compression affects how the suspension compresses and supports the body structure.
The high-speed valves for compression and rebound, which are responsible for ride comfort on rough roads or strong impacts, ensure that the BMW i5 maintains impressive residual ride comfort even at maximum lowering.
The KW V3 coilover suspension is now available for the i5 xDrive40 and i5 M60 xDrive. Since both models come equipped with adaptive dampers from the factory, our electronic suspension control deactivation kits (ESC modules) are included as standard. The modules are simply connected to the factory plugs during installation.
We will also develop KW coilover suspensions for the rear-wheel-drive BMW i5 models. In addition to the KW V3, our adaptive KW DDC plug & play coilover suspensions are also in development. Detailed product information is available directly on our brand site at www.kwsuspensions.com/de-en and in our KW automotive online shop at https://store.kwautomotive.de/de-en.
