2018-2023 BMW M5 F90 Coilovers vs Lowering Springs

Choosing BMW M5 F90 coilovers versus lowering springs comes down to one question: how far do you want to push a 600–627 hp super sedan that already weighs roughly 4,370 lb? The 2018-2023 M5 F90 (chassis code F90, S63B44T4 4.4L twin-turbo V8, M xDrive all-wheel drive) ships with capable electronically adaptive dampers, so any suspension upgrade has to work around — or replace — that factory hardware. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, the four upgrades our customers ask about most are the KW Coilover Kit V4, KW's Height Adjustable Spring (H.A.S.) system, and the Eibach Pro-Kit and H&R Sport lowering springs. This guide compares all of them head-to-head, with real drop figures, damping details, and pricing so you can match the right kit to how you actually drive your M5.

F90 M5 Suspension Options at a Glance

Here is how the four suspension upgrades — plus the electronic-damper cancellation kit that some builds require — stack up for the 2018-2023 BMW M5 F90 and M5 Competition. Every part below is confirmed fitment for the Base, Competition, and 2022 CS variants and is in stock at NLP Performance.

Coilovers vs Springs for the F90 M5: What's the Difference?

Coilovers replace the F90 M5's entire strut and damper assembly, while lowering springs reuse the factory dampers and only swap the springs. That single distinction drives every trade-off below — cost, adjustability, ride quality, and whether you keep the car's electronic damper control.

The M5 F90 uses BMW's electronically adaptive M dampers (VDC), which continuously vary damping between Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus. A full coilover kit like the KW V4 deletes those dampers and hands tuning back to you through mechanical clickers — that is why this kit ships “with delete modules” to keep the dash free of suspension fault codes. Lowering springs and the KW H.A.S. system take the opposite approach: they keep the adaptive dampers fully active, so the factory drive modes still function and you retain every comfort and safety feature.

That trade-off matters more on the M5 than on a lighter car. With roughly 4,370 lb to control and up to 627 hp in the CS, the factory adaptive dampers do real work managing body motion, and giving them up for fixed lowering springs slightly firms the ride and removes the ability to soften things on a rough Tampa backroad. A coilover buys that adjustability back — and then some — but only if you are willing to set it up and, ideally, corner-balance the car. For most street-driven M5s, a spring or the height-adjustable H.A.S. is the smarter value; for a car that regularly runs track days or autocross, the coilover's separate low- and high-speed compression control pays for itself in composure over kerbs and mid-corner bumps.

KW Coilover Kit V4: The Track-Ready Flagship

The KW Coilover Kit V4 is the most capable F90 M5 suspension NLP Performance stocks, offering true 3-way independent damping adjustment. You set rebound separately from compression, and the compression itself splits into low-speed (6 clicks) and high-speed (14 clicks) ranges thanks to KW's TVCLH-A twin-valve technology — the same platform KW developed for cars like the Audi R8, Lamborghini Aventador SV, and Mercedes-AMG GT. Ride height is adjustable via threaded stainless-steel bodies from 0.6 to 1.2 in in front and 0.4 to 1.2 in at the rear.

KW H.A.S.: Height-Adjustable Without Losing Adaptive Dampers

The KW H.A.S. (Height Adjustable Spring) kit is the middle ground between springs and coilovers on the F90 M5. It replaces the factory springs with adjustable perches built from the same chrome-silicone steel KW uses in its coilovers, giving you a continuously variable 5–20 mm (about 0.2–0.8 in) drop — but it keeps the OEM electronic dampers fully active. That means the M5's Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus modes all still work, and no cancellation kit is required. If you want the ability to fine-tune stance without giving up the factory adaptive ride, the H.A.S. is the smart choice at $1,704.00.

Eibach Pro-Kit & H&R Sport Springs: The Budget Drop

If your goal is a cleaner stance and slightly sharper turn-in without touching the factory dampers, lowering springs are the most cost-effective F90 M5 upgrade — both kits below cost under $600. They bolt to the OEM adaptive struts, keep every drive mode working, and install in an afternoon.

Eibach Pro-Kit (E10-20-041-01-22)

The Eibach Pro-Kit is the most aggressive of the two spring sets, dropping the M5 F90 a uniform 1.0 in (25 mm) up front and 0.8 in (20 mm) at the rear. Its progressive-rate design keeps ride quality streetable while cutting fender-gap and body roll. At $395.00 it is the lowest-cost way to transform the M5's stance.

H&R Sport Springs (28686-1)

H&R's Sport Springs take a subtler approach with roughly 0.75 in of front drop and about 0.25 in at the rear — a rake that many M5 owners prefer for a factory-plus look that still clears speed bumps. The progressive rate lowers the center of gravity and trims body roll while preserving daily ride comfort. Priced at $560.15, the H&R set is the pick if you want a mild, tasteful drop rather than the Eibach's more planted stance.

Do You Need the KW EDC Cancellation Kit?

You only need a KW EDC Cancellation Kit if you install non-electronic dampers on an M5 that came with electronic damper control — it disables the factory damper regulation and prevents the persistent suspension fault codes that otherwise appear. The good news for most buyers: the KW V4 coilover kit above already includes its delete modules, and springs plus the KW H.A.S. keep the OEM dampers, so they need no cancellation kit at all. This $583.95 module is the fix for a custom or older non-EDC damper setup, and it also covers the closely related BMW M8.

Which F90 M5 Suspension Upgrade Should You Buy?

Buy the KW Coilover Kit V4 if you track or autocross your M5 F90 and want to dial in body control — it is the only option here with 3-way damping and full ride-height adjustment. Choose the KW H.A.S. if you want adjustable stance but refuse to give up the factory adaptive dampers and drive modes. If budget is the priority and you just want a cleaner, more planted look, the Eibach Pro-Kit delivers the most aggressive drop for $395.00, while the H&R Sport Springs give a milder, factory-plus rake at $560.15. Only builds running non-electronic dampers need the KW EDC Cancellation Kit — the coilover and spring options above do not.

Whichever route you pick, budget for a professional install and a four-wheel alignment afterward. Lowering the M5 F90 changes camber and toe, and a proper alignment protects the staggered tires that this 600-plus-horsepower AWD sedan chews through quickly when the geometry is off. Spring installs are the quickest — a competent shop can swap the Eibach or H&R set in a few hours — while the KW V4 coilover takes longer because the struts and delete modules both have to be fitted. If you plan to run the coilover on track, have the shop corner-balance the car with you (or your typical fuel load) in the seat so the adjustable perches are set for how you actually drive. Our team in Tampa, FL can help you match the right kit to your goals and confirm fitment for your exact M5 trim before you order.