Suspension Refresh

[Stumpy]

Thinking of doing a bit of a refresh...
Currently on OEM suspension. Will leave coilovers for the time being, but thinking of either new OEM rubber or possibly new polybushes and/or mounts.

Recommendations please from those that may have done this already?

:beer:

[billyboysm3]

Before I sold mine it had new suspension. Some bushes and new springs and was amazing to drive.

[GregorFuk]

Thinking of doing a bit of a refresh...
Currently on OEM suspension. Will leave coilovers for the time being, but thinking of either new OEM rubber or possibly new polybushes and/or mounts.

Recommendations please from those that may have done this already?

:beer:

I tried to do this earlier in the year but gave up waiting for front struts. None in the UK, None in Germany and an ever shifting promised delivery date from the OEM manufacturer. After the third missed delivery date I gave up and bought a set of Bilstein Coilovers. That was where I left things around April, perhaps the struts have eventually shown up. But if BMW tell you that they are waiting in stock from the supplier I'd not hold your breath.

[Stumpy]

I tried to do this earlier in the year but gave up waiting for front struts. None in the UK, None in Germany and an ever shifting promised delivery date from the OEM manufacturer. After the third missed delivery date I gave up and bought a set of Bilstein Coilovers. That was where I left things around April, perhaps the struts have eventually shown up. But if BMW tell you that they are waiting in stock from the supplier I'd not hold your breath.


Which coilovers did you go for?

[mistergav]

I tried to do this earlier in the year but gave up waiting for front struts. None in the UK, None in Germany and an ever shifting promised delivery date from the OEM manufacturer. After the third missed delivery date I gave up and bought a set of Bilstein Coilovers. That was where I left things around April, perhaps the struts have eventually shown up. But if BMW tell you that they are waiting in stock from the supplier I'd not hold your breath.

I just received a full set of new struts 2 weeks ago, they had to come from Germany. Had to wait about a month but they arrived.

[Stumpy]

I just received a full set of new struts 2 weeks ago, they had to come from Germany. Had to wait about a month but they arrived.


How much were they please? Be useful to understand the various different costs.

And yes before people comment, I do understand the differences between OEM and aftermarket (re making comparisons).


:beer:

[GregorFuk]

Which coilovers did you go for?

Bilstein B16 PSS10s, they are very good. Nice to have the adjustability for the odd track day.

[mistergav]

How much were they please? Be useful to understand the various different costs.

And yes before people comment, I do understand the differences between OEM and aftermarket (re making comparisons).

:beer:

These are probably the key parts you are looking for and the prices I paid:

Front Spring Strut Left - 221.92
Front Spring Strut Right - 221.92
Front Spring (each) - 98.40
Shock Absorber, Rear (each) - 141.06
Rear Spring (each) - 99.21

:beer:

[GregorFuk]

These are probably the key parts you are looking for and the prices I paid:

Front Spring Strut Left - 221.92
Front Spring Strut Right - 221.92
Front Spring (each) - 98.40
Shock Absorber, Rear (each) - 141.06
Rear Spring (each) - 99.21

:beer:

But to do it proper IMO you need.

New bump stops x 4
New Front Spring pads
New rear top mounts
New front top mount bearings
New mounting hardware all round (bolts)

[mistergav]

But to do it proper IMO you need.

New bump stops x 4
New Front Spring pads
New rear top mounts
New front top mount bearings
New mounting hardware all round (bolts)

Yes you are right, here is everything I ordered. The top mounts I got from Turner which I am only using them because I got them at cost.

Should give you an idea using OEM parts.

Front spring strut Left - 31312282505 - x1 - £221.92
Front spring strut Right - 31312282506 - x1 - £221.92
ABS/BVA tube bracket Left - 34526780591 x1 - £10.30
ABS/BVA tube bracket Right - 34526780592 x1 - £10.30
Hex bolt with washer - 31306779487 - x2 - £8.09
Fillister-head screw - 7129905386 - x2 - £1.68
Plate - 31332229427 - x2 -£9.70
Self-locking hex nut - 31106774714- x2 - £3.06
Self-locking collar nut - 31316769731 - x6 - £5.29
Upper spring pocket w/axial cage bearing - 31331090612 - x2 - £17.68
Spring pad upper - 31331091233 - x2 - £8.86
Support - 31332283038 - x2 - £35.20
Additional shock absorber, front - 31332282508 - x2 - £26.36
Rubber boot - 31331093344 - x2 - £41.32
Spring pad lower - 31331096664 - x2 - £6.82
Inner hex bolt (x4) - 34111123072 - x4 - £2.58
Protection Plate Left - 34112282109 - x1 - £42.43
Protection Plate Right - 34112282110 - x1 - £42.43
Hex bolt with washer (x6) - 34103451068 - x6 - £9.18
Shock absorber, rear - 33522282507 - x2 - £282.11
Hex Bolt - 7119900402 - x2 - £5.56
Protection Tube - 33521136283 x2 - £7.22
Additional shock absorber, rear - 33532282509 - x2 - £29.78
Rubber adapter with disk - 33532282503 - x2 - £21.04
Guide support - 33526779670 - x2 - £51.00
Washer-gasket - 33526772864 - x2 - £5.14
Self-locking collar nut - 7119905374 - x4 - £1.76
Plate - 33526788999 - x2 - £4.10
Self-locking hex nut - 33526773882 - x2 - £2.64
Protection cap - 33522282233 - x2 - £26.26
Spring pad lower - 33531094518 - x2 - £8.64
Spring Pad 33531136385 - x2 - £8.74
Front Spring - x2 - £196.80
Rear Spring - x2 - £198.42

£1,574.33

[Stumpy]

Thanks guys that's great info.

[glendog74]

I went KW Clubsport as it retains separate shock/spring arrangement at the rear as per the original suspension design. Been on the car almost 7 years and I have nothing but praise for them :thumbs:

[Stumpy]

Based on the quote earlier it might even be cheaper going Coilies!

What about wishbones, control arms and the like?

[stevenEK9]

Based on the quote earlier it might even be cheaper going Coilies!

What about wishbones, control arms and the like?

Rear lower arms are csl specific alu arm with an inner spherical bush, bmw don't list the bush separate and the arms are no longer produced (although a mate got his replaced at Tom Schirmers recently), most will replace for camber arms if the oe ones are worn

Lemforder is basically bmw oe without the price tag, eurocarparts stock them for the front lower arms inc rear bush / rear upper arm inner bush / rta balljoints / front inner and outer tie rods

RTA bushes are csl specific as slightly stiffer durometer than usual m3, however meyle hd ones will do the job with some bush limiters fitted also

ARB 'D' bushes best to go poly for some added stiffness from the bars, then lemforder again for all the drop links

[a_Y]

This is so useful thanks!

Could you also please point me to where you ordered them? Thanks!

Yes you are right, here is everything I ordered. The top mounts I got from Turner which I am only using them because I got them at cost.

Should give you an idea using OEM parts.

Front spring strut Left - 31312282505 - x1 - £221.92
Front spring strut Right - 31312282506 - x1 - £221.92
ABS/BVA tube bracket Left - 34526780591 x1 - £10.30
ABS/BVA tube bracket Right - 34526780592 x1 - £10.30
Hex bolt with washer - 31306779487 - x2 - £8.09
Fillister-head screw - 7129905386 - x2 - £1.68
Plate - 31332229427 - x2 -£9.70
Self-locking hex nut - 31106774714- x2 - £3.06
Self-locking collar nut - 31316769731 - x6 - £5.29
Upper spring pocket w/axial cage bearing - 31331090612 - x2 - £17.68
Spring pad upper - 31331091233 - x2 - £8.86
Support - 31332283038 - x2 - £35.20
Additional shock absorber, front - 31332282508 - x2 - £26.36
Rubber boot - 31331093344 - x2 - £41.32
Spring pad lower - 31331096664 - x2 - £6.82
Inner hex bolt (x4) - 34111123072 - x4 - £2.58
Protection Plate Left - 34112282109 - x1 - £42.43
Protection Plate Right - 34112282110 - x1 - £42.43
Hex bolt with washer (x6) - 34103451068 - x6 - £9.18
Shock absorber, rear - 33522282507 - x2 - £282.11
Hex Bolt - 7119900402 - x2 - £5.56
Protection Tube - 33521136283 x2 - £7.22
Additional shock absorber, rear - 33532282509 - x2 - £29.78
Rubber adapter with disk - 33532282503 - x2 - £21.04
Guide support - 33526779670 - x2 - £51.00
Washer-gasket - 33526772864 - x2 - £5.14
Self-locking collar nut - 7119905374 - x4 - £1.76
Plate - 33526788999 - x2 - £4.10
Self-locking hex nut - 33526773882 - x2 - £2.64
Protection cap - 33522282233 - x2 - £26.26
Spring pad lower - 33531094518 - x2 - £8.64
Spring Pad 33531136385 - x2 - £8.74
Front Spring - x2 - £196.80
Rear Spring - x2 - £198.42

£1,574.33