Eibach Prokit vs OEM?
Discussion
Had the MOT today and the car (330Ci Sport) failed for a fractured rear spring.
Now, I was originally thinking of just replacing both rear ones with OEM but I've seen this Prokit that seems highly regarded and the price for the entire kit would likely equal only 2 OEM springs.
Are there any real drawbacks? I've heard it lowers the ride somewhat but is it nice and subtle? I wouldn't want it looking radically different from the standard appearance.
Now, I was originally thinking of just replacing both rear ones with OEM but I've seen this Prokit that seems highly regarded and the price for the entire kit would likely equal only 2 OEM springs.
Are there any real drawbacks? I've heard it lowers the ride somewhat but is it nice and subtle? I wouldn't want it looking radically different from the standard appearance.
I'm no expert but when faced with the same choice, I opted for OEM for my 330Ci SE.
The issues to consider seemed to me to be:
higher insurance (or at least fewer competitive quotes to choose from) for aftermarket springs
lower springs put more strain on your dampers so if they're getting on a bit then it might accelerate their decline
The issues to consider seemed to me to be:
higher insurance (or at least fewer competitive quotes to choose from) for aftermarket springs
lower springs put more strain on your dampers so if they're getting on a bit then it might accelerate their decline
The Eibach kit will be the way to go. The lowering would be minimal and the kit is also TUV approved. I would not fit more OEM springs when they are well known to be of poor quality and a very regular failure issue. It beats me why you would refit parts knowing they have a design/manufacturing issue. As you are not "slamming" the car, I would consider the springs as replacements rather than a tuning part and see no reason to inform the insurance company, all that does is give them an excuse to rip you off a little more.
BlitzE34 said:
Prokit is only lowered a small amount and ride quality is close to standard.
Indeed it is. Probably around 15mm front and 10mm rear. They're an excellent spring kit which I've used on a number of BMWs.When you consider the cost of a new OE spring against the kit cost as well as the improvement the car will see overall, it's a no brainer.
steve_n said:
It doesn't matter what you think chump, they see it as modified (which it is) and you would be uninsured if they found out.
Simples.
Are you saying then that if you fit aftermarket springs, such as those from a factor, then this would also be seen as a modification? If so, we are getting dangerously close to the right-to-repair issue. How would an insurance company feel then about modified brakes? No more EBC pads then? Or better quality suspension bushes, thats Powerflex then.Simples.
This is all leading to the debate of a normal, conscientious owner fitting top quality parts that add nothing to the insurance risk of the car, falling foul of his insurance cover. I believe that is very dangerous and would ultimately lead to OEM parts only and factory fitted tyres. Just see how much parts prices then go to when the stealers have absolutely no competition from the aftermarket.
If the springs are shorter, or the ride height / spring rate is not similar to the OEM parts then it counts as modified. Aftermarket parts, which conform to the manufacturers specifications are not modifications.
Personally OEM only for me, BMW know what they are doing, so just let them get on with it.
(also, if you lower the back, you're gonna have to lower the front as well or the handling is going to go out the window........)
Personally OEM only for me, BMW know what they are doing, so just let them get on with it.
(also, if you lower the back, you're gonna have to lower the front as well or the handling is going to go out the window........)
Springs and the rest of the suspension are designed to meet a mix of requirements though arent they, comfort, operating ranges, durability, cost and more as well as performance. Even then performance can be engineered in a way that it's 'toned down' especially for rwd cars. Id say there's always a better option performance and often quality wise with most cars with something that could qualify as an interior.
Edited by Repent on Sunday 18th March 07:54
8Tech said:
Are you saying then that if you fit aftermarket springs, such as those from a factor, then this would also be seen as a modification? If so, we are getting dangerously close to the right-to-repair issue. How would an insurance company feel then about modified brakes? No more EBC pads then? Or better quality suspension bushes, thats Powerflex then.
This is all leading to the debate of a normal, conscientious owner fitting top quality parts that add nothing to the insurance risk of the car, falling foul of his insurance cover. I believe that is very dangerous and would ultimately lead to OEM parts only and factory fitted tyres. Just see how much parts prices then go to when the stealers have absolutely no competition from the aftermarket.
I also agree with wanting to fit 'better parts' but I wouldn't like to argue a case for say polybushes not being declared as it does change (slightly) the behaviour of the car. This is all leading to the debate of a normal, conscientious owner fitting top quality parts that add nothing to the insurance risk of the car, falling foul of his insurance cover. I believe that is very dangerous and would ultimately lead to OEM parts only and factory fitted tyres. Just see how much parts prices then go to when the stealers have absolutely no competition from the aftermarket.
The other problem is despite the reality for some being careful drivers, insurance companies will likely see any modification as higher risk purely because the majority of cases prove to be so.
I also see it that way. To be fair though, most people wont/cant notice the aesthetic or performance change from a subtle drop on a reasonably high end car. Plenty of 'joe publics' would go without payouts if firms were utterly strict so there is a certain amount of room for manoeuvre. Same goes for brand alloy wheels that didnt technically come on that model, and a few other things.
Whether someone chooses to do that out of knowledge or not, and does or does not get stung is their problem but there's definitely a grey area there for the owner.
Whether someone chooses to do that out of knowledge or not, and does or does not get stung is their problem but there's definitely a grey area there for the owner.
I am about to replace the rear shocks and springs on the E36 Mtec, and going with the OEM ones as it is very original and In great condition. It is more of a cruiser anyway being an Automatic Convertible, if it was a manual Coupe I may feel differently though. But then I would have to do the four at once. I would never have thought about informing insurers of such modifications until I read this thread...sure most people don't, and to be honest I think Insurers only get evolved in issues like that if other more obvious things aren't right with the claim/car..
Shocks should be fine unless theyre seen as 'uprated', which an engineer is surely only going to note down on their colour. But just on my car there are black OEM units by multiple firms, some of which are uprated despite their colour, and then the yellow Bilstein B shocks which can come as standard but if you sourced an aftermarket set may well have different valving, its all very confusing 
.
Tyres are completely overlooked too even though they make a massive difference
.Tyres are completely overlooked too even though they make a massive difference
This is proving to be a very good thread with many different views on the same subject with no flames from anyone!!
How about this one from an Insurer I got a quote from....
If I have leg protection fitted to my Quad, (known as Nerf Bars) its classified as modified and added 20% to the premium, even though the cover in both quotes included personal injury to myself whilst riding it.
If I fitted it with an aftermarket security system such as Datatag to increase its SECURITY, it added 10% to the premium.
Go figure!!!
How about this one from an Insurer I got a quote from....
If I have leg protection fitted to my Quad, (known as Nerf Bars) its classified as modified and added 20% to the premium, even though the cover in both quotes included personal injury to myself whilst riding it.
If I fitted it with an aftermarket security system such as Datatag to increase its SECURITY, it added 10% to the premium.
Go figure!!!
I think it's better to have had the conversation with your insurer about minor 'modifications' and note down when you spoke to them.
Some companies are much more sensible than others. For example one might be computer says no that is a modification and we will charge you whereas others will only charge for more significant changes. The thing is the ones that are more lenient generally charge more in the first place so it is often not much different...
Some companies are much more sensible than others. For example one might be computer says no that is a modification and we will charge you whereas others will only charge for more significant changes. The thing is the ones that are more lenient generally charge more in the first place so it is often not much different...
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