E36 328i Sport Suspension

[bababa]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to put a "budget" together for planned maintenance on the 328 this coming year, and I'd quite like to renew the suspension. At least one shock absorber has a dodgy seal as it seems to be misted with oil, and all appear to be the original 1998 units with ~100k miles on them.

As it's a Sport, has M-Tech suspension and the shockers are yellow, I'm assuming they're Bilstein?

I've considered uprated and aftermarket components, but would like to stay OEM if possible. This is firstly because I've suffered inflated insurance premiums before when I dared to replace a previous car's suspension with uprated components (and insurance on the 328 is already expensive enough thankyouverymuch ), and secondly because I have no real issue with the performance of the standard setup - other than looking forward to it tightening up a bit through replacement with new.

So just a couple of questions!

1. Is it worth replacing the springs at the same time as a "might as well while you're in there" procedure?
2. Any estimates on the cost ballpark I may be looking at?
3. Any recommended suppliers?

Thanks, as always, for any advice!

[Babu 01]

bababa said:

1. Is it worth replacing the springs at the same time as a "might as well while you're in there" procedure?
2. Any estimates on the cost ballpark I may be looking at?
3. Any recommended suppliers?

1. Not unless you're changing to Eibachs IMHO. I swapped my shocks 2 years ago and left the original springs on, feels tight as a drum.

2. Cost me around £320 for Bilstein B6 shocks if memory serves me right. Estimate fitting around 2 hours labour, maybe less. Then £60-£90 for 4WA afterward.

3. http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk/sitepage/Bilste...



Edited for links

Edited by Babu 01 on Sunday 23 January 16:55

Edited by Babu 01 on Sunday 23 January 16:56

[2thumbs]

I replaced my 328 sport suspension with genuine items a few years ago, I paid near £400 for the two front dampers & £90 the pair for rears.

[bababa]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

From the Bilstein site, it seems the B6 are high-performance for vehicles with standard ride-height, and the B8 are for vehicles with standard or lowered suspension, including the "M-Technics" suspension. So I guess it's the B8 ones I would be looking at.

That being the case, there seem to be two types - "twin tube" and "single tube upside down". I'm guessing the main difference is that the upside down variety has less unsprung mass as the wheel? Wonder if it's worth an extra £30?

[Pickled Piper]

No point replacing the springs unless they are broken.

I changed all the suspension on my BMW 5 series a couple of years back. I got all the parts from GSF. Including bushes, arms etc. They were all OEM parts but at about 60 to 70% of the maindealer prices. The chap who changed them over for me verified that each and every part was identical to the original part removed - so no pattern copies.

Pop into a GSF and have a chat with the guys on the desk.

pp

[bababa]

Pickled Piper said:

Pop into a GSF and have a chat with the guys on the desk.

pp

Thanks for that. Just had a look at the website and it seems the rears (513BM0250) are £45.50 each and the fronts (455BM0400 and 455BM0410) are £85 each.

If these genuinely perform the same as the OEM M-Technic units then they seem like a steal. At the very least, I could buy a pair of rears to solve the immediate leakage problem and then decide what to do further down the road.

I'll pop into the Castle Vale outlet at some point and have a word with them...

[Babu 01]

bababa said:

From the Bilstein site, it seems the B6 are high-performance for vehicles with standard ride-height, and the B8 are for vehicles with standard or lowered suspension, including the "M-Technics" suspension. So I guess it's the B8 ones I would be looking at.

said:

B6 - Ideal upgrade for standard dampers, all the benefits of B8, designed to work with standard ride height and up to 30mm lowering.

You'd be fine with B6s.

But then you're probably also be fine with the Boge/Saches ones GSF sell too.

Might be worth a browse over at e36coupe.com

[bababa]

Thanks again for the advice.

In fact, the need for me to do something about my suspension was brought forward by the MOT, which found the oil-misted rear shock was actually completely shot. I knew the back end was a bit sloppy, but having been a bit that way since I owned the car, I didn't have a reference for how it should feel.

So in the interim, it now has a pair of Boge "Turbo" shocks at the rear - and *what* a difference! I feel like I have just joined the club, I can truly say I now know what all the fuss is about with the chassis on these cars after tackling some nice sweeping A-roads last night. It's the first time I've ever driven such a technical car, which rewards in the same way as a motorcycle when you set it up correctly into a corner. Especially against the symphony of that 6-pot

For now I'm happy that it probably drives as near as damn it how it rolled out of the factory - and I'm loving every minute of it!

This one's a keeper - any excuse to go for a drive now

EDIT : Corrected speeling...

[Smike]

bababa said:

Thanks for that. Just had a look at the website and it seems the rears (513BM0250) are £45.50 each and the fronts (455BM0400 and 455BM0410) are £85 each.

If these genuinely perform the same as the OEM M-Technic units then they seem like a steal. At the very least, I could buy a pair of rears to solve the immediate leakage problem and then decide what to do further down the road.

I'll pop into the Castle Vale outlet at some point and have a word with them...

Hmm, the proper Bilsteins are a fair bit more than that

[bababa]

Hi guys,

Resurrecting an old thread here but, having had one of the spring supports on my front shocks essentially turn inside out because of 15 years of corrosion combined with the relentless installation of speed humps where I live, I decided it's time to replace everything spring-and-shock related.

So, having the benefit of caboosemoose's knowledge previously and doing a bit of my own research, I'm pretty much decided on getting the complete Eibach Pro Street coilover kit.

I guess my main questions from those who have experience is whether it really is liveable from day to day? It seems the ride is adjustable, but is it adjustable enough to make sure I still don't have to worry about speed humps, for example?

And as a fair amount of time has passed since I first researched this, are here any new offerings on the market which I might be interested in considering?

Many thanks, as always!

[bababa]

Well I have opted for the Eibachs - hoping I haven't turned it into a boneshaker

[Frances The Mute]

Given the exisiting unit are tired, you'll probably find little to o diffeence in comfort.

Broadly speaking, quality coilover kits tend to retain 90% of the comfort of the standard OE shocks.

[rossi1]

I replaces my R plate 328i sport with JOM coil overs, by now your original suspension will be shot so anything is going to be an improvement over what you have.they are superb and work great on the track and road.