Suspension - a guide for the uninitiated please.

bluespit

bluespit

Senior member
 Near Chester
Site Supporter
I’ve been reading a few threads about suspension and remain baffled.

My 30i is getting on for 16 years old with just 52k under its belt. It’s been well looked after and only recently passed its mot with flying colours. I have noticed a slight misting on one rear and one front shock absorber, and a bit of groaning over speed bumps. The springs are in nice clean condition.

I’m thinking ahead and considering replacing all 4 shocks but don’t want to lower the car or stiffen the suspension. I think the original spec would have been Sachs (?) or bilstein. But which ones? And where from ? Auto doc list lots of different versions with significantly different prices. Is it a good idea to replace the shock mounts too? Again what with?

If anyone fancies generating a definitive straightforward chopping list that would be fab. Anything else I should do at the same time?

I’d do the work myself but should I budget for an alignment check afterwards?

Ta.
 
Sachs were the original provider when new unless you have adaptive which will then be Monroe. Definitely replace all for strut mounts and the paper gasket on the rear strut mount as it will have perished.

Personally I would use RealOEM to get original part numbers for your car then buy the matching items. This will change if it’s M Sport or normal so make sure they match. Dampers must match the spring rates.

I know B21 has a lot of info and experience in this department so he may be able to advise better but if you go for stronger dampers like B8s you should fit the matching springs. In your case you say they are fine so just buy matching standard
 
Bilstein B4 with fresh front and rear top mounts by Meyle …p,us fresh gaskets…assuming springs are ok..is it MSport or Non?
 
Hi @bluespit - I've upgraded my springs (cosmetics to lower slightly rather than improve handling) and gone with the Bilstein B4 (to maintain ride quality I hope). I chickened out of the B8's as didn't want too harsh a ride. B4 are Bilsteins OEM shock.

@B21 - I saw another poster who had Meyle top mounts. Would you have the part number or a link to these? (Looks like there are different variants - HD, 100, etc.) I was just about to get OEM top mounts ready for when the B4's land. (They're on back order all over the UK so I was led to believe.)

Gaskets are BMW / OEM correct?
 
N52 ZED said:
Hi @bluespit - I've upgraded my springs (cosmetics to lower slightly rather than improve handling) and gone with the Bilstein B4 (to maintain ride quality I hope). I chickened out of the B8's as didn't want too harsh a ride. B4 are Bilsteins OEM shock.

@B21 - I saw another poster who had Meyle top mounts. Would you have the part number or a link to these? (Looks like there are different variants - HD, 100, etc.) I was just about to get OEM top mounts ready for when the B4's land. (They're on back order all over the UK so I was led to believe.)

Gaskets are BMW / OEM correct?
Click to expand...
Not off hand ..go to Autodoc they’ll offer the correct versions…if there is a hd version great…gaskets are oe..
 
314 741 0002 for the Meyle rear top mounts.
12-296231 for the Bilstein front top mounts (as Meyle were out of stock when I ordered very recently).

And yes, you will need an alignment check afterwards.
 
so I can get the Bilstein B4s and mounts from Autodoc ( when they're in stock) but I need the gaskets direct from BMW?
 
Last edited:
Erudite-Idiot said:
314 741 0002 for the Meyle rear top mounts.
12-296231 for the Bilstein front top mounts (as Meyle were out of stock when I ordered very recently).

And yes, you will need an alignment check afterwards.
Click to expand...
Thanks @Erudite-Idiot - Rears were back in stock last night when I ordered off AutoDoc (They were showing low availability though). Codes matched to yours.

For my E89 they were coming out as:

Rear - 314 741 0002
Front - 300 313 3120
 
B21 said:
Bilstein B4 with fresh front and rear top mounts by Meyle …p,us fresh gaskets…assuming springs are ok..is it MSport or Non?
Click to expand...
@B21 - Is the rear gasket you refer to "Number 7" in this diagram?
 

Attachments

  • Rear Shock.png
    Rear Shock.png
    81.1 KB · Views: 5
Thanks @B21 - And for the front I imagine "Number 5" then? Which (if so) I'll need to go find the part number for. (Not sure how I've missed that although it does seem to be greyed out!)
 

Attachments

  • Front Shock.png
    Front Shock.png
    54.4 KB · Views: 6
N52 ZED said:
Thanks @B21 - And for the front I imagine "Number 5" then? Which (if so) I'll need to go find the part number for. (Not sure how I've missed that although it does seem to be greyed out!)
Click to expand...
What suspension struts are you using on the front?
 
Perfect thanks @B21 will do.

Yes the B4 is the standard strut whereas the B8 is for lowered vehicles. Although the Eibach don't hang that much lower.

Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers.
 
N52 ZED said:
Perfect thanks @B21 will do.

Yes the B4 is the standard strut whereas the B8 is for lowered vehicles. Although the Eibach don't hang that much lower.

Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
B6 is the normal go to with Eibachs to cope with elevated spring rate ..but hehh
 
Good news @B21 - Eibach are OK with the B4's on their Pro-Kit as well. (Tested on B4 [OEM], B6 [Sport] & B8 [Sport].) 👊
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom