E46 330i suspension refresh - help needed

[barchetta_boy]

Hi all,

I have a 2003 330i M Sport Touring. It's just ticked over 161,000 miles and though in excellent condition generally, the body control is poor. We've just moved to rural Kent, and it's bouncing all over the place.

I'd like to replace the shocks and have two questions:

Are these the right ones?

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3+Series_3.0...

How about these?

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3+Series_3.0...

Second question - what other suspension parts should I be replacing while I'm in there?

Quick answers much appreciated as ECP 25% off sale ends tonight!

Cheers,

Joel

[roofer]

Srings/shocks/bushes....All. if they are original (Doubtfull) Springs are car secific re poundage due to fitted options, but Euro ones should be close enough.

[E30M3SE]

I wouldn't buy Apex, bought a car with them fitted once they not very good imo.

Click this, select 'catalogues', select your vehicle and it will tell you which shocks are for your car.

[BlitzE34]

I dont think that shock obsorber is M-technik. Also ECP are always doing 25% discount. They increased there prices so at end its no more cheaper then before.

This is a ECP website with no discount but previous prices.

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/

Mtech equivalent shock is SACHS Advantage.

[8Tech]

If the car is truly "bouncing" then it would suggest that the shock absorbers are failing and if you are going to replace all 4, it would be a very good idea to purchase an aftermarket suspension kit rather than cheapo replacement parts from a budget motor factor, where the parts might "fit" but are not matched. You could end up just as badly off!

There is a huge choice from the specialist manufacturers for your car and my preference would be for a Bilstein B12 kit, which comes complete with matched Eibach springs.

It would also be essential, in my opinion, to replace the front lower arm rear bushes, and front outer bushes on the rear trailing arms with urethane replacements from Powerflex. They have a lifetime warranty and if you call them, they can advise on your best choices.

The whole lot would not be cheap but would completely transform your car, both in handling and stability. You will be amazed.

If you really have a lower budget, then at least try and go for a full matched set of OEM spec struts from the likes of Boge or Sachs but still replace those bushes.

8Tech.

[barchetta_boy]

Hi guys

Thanks for all the posts. I phoned ECP and went with a direct replacement set of springs and shocks (Sachs sport) plus top mounts. Also grabbed a full set of discs and pads as they had a 25% off and they need doing.

The dampers they are sending me are not listed on the ECP website but they chap on the phone, who seemed very competent, confirmed they were definitely the right damper for the option 226 Sports suspension E46 330i application.

Having placed the order, I dug out the original bill of sale for my car (KD53FGM) and although the model is specified as 330i Sport Touring there is no mention of Sports suspension on the options list. I thought that since the car was a Sport (with the different front valance and rear splitter, sport seats, 18" MV2 wheels) it would definitely have M Tech sport suspension, but the more I've read on the internet the more baffled I've become.

Anyway, it's all ordered, I'm £750 poorer and the car will hopefully be transformed.

Cheers,

Joel

[paulmon]

I would look to replace control arms, bushes and drop links as well if you are replacing the shocks/springs. I did mine last year on a 330i Saloon and it made a huge difference to the ride. I'm probably going to replace the shocks and springs this year with Blistein B6/Eibach springs.

[blondini]

barchetta_boy said:

...although the model is specified as 330i Sport Touring there is no mention of Sports suspension on the options list.

Sounds about right. A sport model would come with sport suspension as standard and I wouldn't expect a standard fitment to appear on an options list.

[Patrick Bateman]

BlitzE34 said:

I dont think that shock obsorber is M-technik. Also ECP are always doing 25% discount. They increased there prices so at end its no more cheaper then before.

This is a ECP website with no discount but previous prices.

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/

Mtech equivalent shock is SACHS Advantage.

Cheers for that, fair difference in price!

I notice one some of the shocks with the Sachs logo and it lists manufacturer as Bilstein or KYB though?

[Mr Whippy]

I'd avoid ECP dampers/springs unless you know they are exactly as per OEM.

There are lots of subtle differences between models and they are not always all considered.

Ie, a front strut might be listed to cover a 325, 330 and 320 for example, where BMW might have one for each model, with and without air-con or something.


The result is that things like the hub locking notch might be 5mm lower or higher than on your OEM's, meaning that the car is gonna sit 5mm lower or higher.

Just something to look out for.

Springs adjust ride height, but so do the dampers locking notch on McP struts!

Dave

[dhutch]

Bumping this back up five years later, but i am on the same game with mine, a 330ci Sport.

I am not aiming to set any lap records as its just my daily car, but I do try to avoid rubbish parts that will fail for fun.


ECP (via C4L) are offering
Sachs or Kayaba £100 each and seem to have Front Rear and Left for 'standard chassis'
and then same £100 again with no fitting detailed (presumably for the sports?) for Sach blue label.
Plus a rear one that fits both sides and suspension types, but only Anschler at £40.

Rear top mount is £14 for Corteco.
Sachs front springs are £55 for the sport.

GSF have
BOGE for the front sports spec at £195 each
For the rear list for both Std and for Sports, including a Boge for £70 and a Bilstein option for the sports version at £90.

Rear top mount is £16 for Lemforder.
Front springs are £80 for Lesjofors.
Front antiroll bat bush £17 for Meyle.
Half the prices on GSF because of the standard weekend 55% off deal.

Boge is a new one on me, but the internet appear to suggest its on a par with Sachs? So properly either is fine? Or see what the garage can locate?


Daniel

Edited by dhutch on Thursday 25th January 20:41

[dhutch]

Bumping this back up five years later, but i am on the same game with mine, a 330ci Sport.

I am not aiming to set any lap records as its just my daily car, but I do try to avoid rubbish parts that will fail for fun.


ECP (via C4L) are offering
Sachs or Kayaba £100 each and seem to have Front Rear and Left for 'standard chassis'
and then same £100 again with no fitting detailed (presumably for the sports?) for Sach blue label.
Plus a rear one that fits both sides and suspension types, but only Anschler at £40.

Rear top mount is £14 for Corteco.
Sachs front springs are £55 for the sport.

GSF have
BOGE for the front sports spec at £195 each
For the rear list for both Std and for Sports, including a Boge for £70 and a Bilstein option for the sports version at £90.

Rear top mount is £16 for Lemforder.
Front springs are £80 for Lesjofors.
Front antiroll bat bush £17 for Meyle.
Half the prices on GSF because of the standard weekend 55% off deal.

Boge is a new one on me, but the internet appear to suggest its on a par with Sachs? So properly either is fine? Or see what the garage can locate?


Daniel

Edited by dhutch on Thursday 25th January 20:47

[helix402]

Are you looking for dampers and springs? For springs go for a set of Eibach. Boge and Sachs dampers are the same. They are good as are Bilstein. Don’t forget rear top mounts and probably front will be worn out too.

[dhutch]

Rear springs have been replaced 18months ago with Lemforder, unsure about state of fronts.

Top mounts noted, any brands to consider?

Front arms are ok and with new Meyle 'HD' lollipops.

People mention rear trailing arm bushes a lot. I presume it's laborious but cheap in parts? Lemforder or Meyle again?

I get some judder at the front but also wonder if thats the brakes?

Daniel

Edited by dhutch on Tuesday 26th September 11:33

[helix402]

Any rear top mounts including gen BMW won’t last long. Uprated ones will, made by bimmertune (eBay), Powerflex or TMS will. For fronts Lemforder or Febi Bistein or gen will be fine. The best non pu trailing arm bushes are gen BMW M3.

[dhutch]

Sounds fair.

Passed its MOT anyway so my standards are obviously high enough. Takes the pressure off although I still think we will have new dampers, rear tophats, and trailing arm bushes. And my only advisory, front arb d bushes.

Daniel

[iSore]

I'm not convinced by Meyle, a lot of it seems to be a nice Germanic name on Chinese crap. Lemforder are good though.

Boge Sachs obviously best, but I've used Anschler (ECP's own brand) dampers for a few years and never had any problems. The real st is Armstrong, Monroe, Spax and crap like that.

[helix402]

Lemforder are not as good as they used to be. I’ve have some of their recent parts fail prematurely. Agree re Meyle.






(Realised my sentence was nonsense).

Edited by helix402 on Wednesday 27th September 21:51

[iSore]

Shame. I used to love buying Lemforder bits where the BMW logo had clearly been ground off, and paying 1/3 of dealer prices!

[Patrick Bateman]

Anecdotal muchly?