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In this suspension upgrade guide, we'll explain how to unlock more handling performance from the mighty BMW F90 M5.
With its 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo V8, nobody can claim this M5 is slow. However the saloon's 1.9-tonne kerb weight blunts handling agility. Furthermore, the F90 M5's electro-mechanical steering is short on feedback, reducing driver confidence.
The result is a hugely powerful four-door BMW that doesn't quite live up to its iconic badge. However, these frustrations can be resolved with bolt-on parts developed and manufactured by Suspension Secrets. Equipped with the following upgrades, your F90 M5 will feel more planted, more confidence-inspiring, and handle with much greater precision.
F90 M5 Suspension & Handling Overview
Manufactured from 2017 until 2023, BMW's F90 M5 boasts a 600hp/750Nm V8 biturbo engine and xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, this setup delivers a 0-62mph time of just 3.4 seconds. Not bad for a five-seater weighing in at 1,930kg...
In suspension terms, the F90 M5 features adaptive M suspension all-round, with aluminium double-wishbones up front and a five-link axle at the rear. Standard footwear is 275/40ZR19 tyres wrapped around 9.5Jx19 light alloys at the front, with 285/40ZR19 tyres and 10.5Jx19 wheels at the rear.
M5 Suspension Limitations
Despite wearing the legendary M5 badge, BMW's F90 saloon has a number of handling flaws that become most apparent during fast driving on the road and track.
Common criticisms of the F90 M5 chassis:
- Lack of steering and chassis feedback
- Firm ride quality does not translate to sharp handling
- Significant kerb weight blunts agility
- Overall driving experience prioritises comfort over performance
However, these handling flaws can be resolved with bolt-on M5 suspension upgrades from Suspension Secrets.
Common Handling Problems (And How To Fix Them)
The F90 M5 suspension upgrades detailed in this guide allow you to achieve the following…
F90 M5 Suspension Fixes
1. Increase front camber and reduce understeer
2. Increase steering weight and feedback
3. Lower the centre of gravity and reduce body roll
4. Increase braking stability and boost driver confidence
5. Increase rear toe angle and improve control
With these changes implemented, the F90 M5 becomes the car it should've always been: fast, precise, predictable and immensely capable cross-country. The following suspension upgrades properly harness the potential of that V8 biturbo motor, making the F90 M5 even more ballistic.
BMW F90 M5 Suspension Geometry & Alignment Setup (Top Tip)
A full suspension geometry alignment is essential after installing new suspension parts. By correctly adjusting camber, toe, and caster (where available), alignment ensures you maximise grip, stability, and tyre life.
Benefits of an M5 Geometry Setup
- Sharper steering response
- Increased cornering grip
- Improved rear traction
- Enhanced braking stability
A professional alignment is the single most cost-effective handling upgrade you can make.
BMW F90 M5 Suspension Upgrades
This section covers essential BMW F90 M5 suspension upgrades that unlock greater handling performance without affecting this super saloon's all-round usability.
Front Camber Bushes
The F90 M5 is a heavy, powerful car, which makes life difficult for its tyres. The chassis's lack of negative front camber means increased outer tyre shoulder wear and mid-corner understeer when pressing on. The M5 also fails to communicate much information through its electro-mechanical steering system.
To resolve these issues, we recommend fitting our Suspension Secrets Front Camber Bushes. These solid bushes are a direct replacement for the rubber, non-adjustable OEM items and increase front axle camber. It's possible to press in our bushes at an offset position to increase caster angle and enhance steering feel.
Camber Bushes Improve
- Cornering grip
- Outer edge tyre wear
- Steering feel and communication
- Braking stability
Thanks to the solid construction of our camber bushes, unwanted movements experienced during heavy braking are greatly reduced. The M5 also turns into corners more aggressively, and is able to hold the perfect line at much higher speeds.
Adjustable Rear Toe Arms/Links Kit
Sub-optimal suspension geometry is also holding back the rear of the F90 M5. The standard adjustment points don't offer enough range to achieve good camber and toe settings. This is why it's a great idea to fit our Suspension Secrets Adjustable Rear Toe Arms along with our drop links to clear the M5's rear anti-roll bar.
Equipped with these upgrade parts, you can achieve more significant camber and toe numbers on the rear axle. These new settings will dramatically improve handling performance.
Suspension Secrets Adjustable Rear Toe Arms offer:
- Greater adjustment range than OEM arms
- Independent optimisation of camber and toe
- Solid mounting to eliminate flex/increase stability under load
- Improved straight-line traction.
Unlike the rubber‑bushed factory arms, our solid-mounted toe arms do not flex during fast driving and maintain consistent geometry during acceleration and high-speed cornering.
KW Height Adjustable Spring Kit
Body roll is a big issue for the BMW F90 M5. The saloon's relatively high centre of gravity affects braking stability, turn-in response, mid-corner control and even acceleration out of corners.
The key is to get the body's mass closer to the ground and reduce the pitching and rolling behaviour. Lowering springs from H&R are one solution, but another option is the KW Height Adjustable Spring Kit (pictured above), which allows finer tuning of the M5's ride height - and retains the factory electronic dampers.
F90 M5 HAS kit benefits:
- Adjustable ride height
- Retains the car's adaptive damper functionality
- Enhanced road stance
- Improved handling response
- Improved overall driving dynamics
As well as improving how your M5 sits on the road, the KW HAS kit enhances driving dynamics without sacrificing comfort. The ride height adjustment will satisfy those who like to experiment with settings, too.
BMW F90 M5 Suspension FAQs
Will these upgrades ruin ride comfort?
No. The parts are designed to enhance handling precision while retaining everyday usability and adaptive damper functionality.
Do I need a geometry alignment after installation?
Yes - a professional alignment is essential to maximise grip, stability, and tyre life after fitting suspension components.
Are these upgrades suitable for road use?
Absolutely. They’re developed for fast road and occasional track driving without compromising practicality.
Will lowering affect my xDrive system?
No. When set up correctly, lowering and geometry changes remain fully compatible with BMW’s xDrive system.
Can these parts be installed independently?
Yes. Each upgrade delivers benefits on its own, but combined together they provide the most noticeable transformation.
Tested and developed by Suspension Secrets through extensive road and track evaluation, these F90 M5 suspension upgrades unlock a new level of handling performance.