35iS Dampers required!!!!!

9

9designs

Member
 Midlands
So I've always known these beasts are expensive cars with a few occurring issues....Anyway car in for service today (main dealer) and it's been spotted NSF damper has some weeping. It actually pasted a MOT just before the lock down and has done hardly any miles since!! Hmmmmm

Quoted 846 fitted, for one side!! Personally I've always thought to fit dampers in pairs. Is there any where you can get the parts other than BMW, or where is the cheapest. The usual auto spares suppliers online don't have anything, Eu part, GSF, Autdoc etc.

Is this a DIY job, I did my E85 for example and as an engineer I should be okay. Is there any special tools or dealer only resets or anything required?

Or bite the bullet?
 
What about getting them serviced
A quick internet search brought up this
http://www.omsracing.co.uk/service/4d820f11c7c1d/Dampers

You could possibly get both serviced for a lot less than the cost of one from BMW
 
Can do them yourself easily

But don’t think anyone aftermarket is covering them yet, or probably never will
 
Had thought to ask about service/repair as well... I've dropped a note to Raceshock, as I've had dealings with them on Tractive dampers.
 
My car had one replaced by the previous owner under extended warranty by BMW with the same issue of a weep from the shock. MOT testers eagle-eyed on this issue with this model I was told. It is a dangerous fault if they fail suddenly on the motorway. A common [expensive] thing that goes wrong with the 35is.

Another reason (for me) to have the extended warranty. It has covered HP fuel pump, the shock and the oil filter housing - all common faults.
 
step_change said:
It is a dangerous fault if they fail suddenly on the motorway
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How do you suppose they would fail suddenly exactly?

I have heard of a few people just fitting the non-adaptive shocks for about a quarter of the price and then just coding it out. Depends how much you genuinely value the adaptive function I guess. I don't hear many owners with std suspension complaining too much.
 
Just buy this kit

https://www.eibachshop.co.uk/eibach-b12-prokit-suspension-kit-e90200190222_p31224678.htm

Replace all the dampers and springs for the same price and upgrade your handling and looks at the same time...
 
Thanks for the feedback.
It's 2010 with 76K miles, so guess it's done well and with age/mileage hence no warranty. I'd like to keep the adaptive dampers, do plan on fitting an Eibach ARB kit though sometime.
Also think I should do both fronts.
 
9designs said:
So I've always known these beasts are expensive cars with a few occurring issues....Anyway car in for service today (main dealer) and it's been spotted NSF damper has some weeping. It actually pasted a MOT just before the lock down and has done hardly any miles since!! Hmmmmm
Click to expand...
Remember that "weeping" can = 'damp', 'moist' or 'wet', but that "Bust" = 'clunk' and/or 'MoT fail'.

So, go to another MoT inspector and ask his/her opinion.
 
No, it passed MOT a few week back no issues, (independent) and today Main dealer said one has slight weep while doing service and "health check"... I'll look myself tomorrow after I collect it.
 
9designs said:
No, it passed MOT a few week back no issues, (independent) and today Main dealer said one has slight weep while doing service and "health check"... I'll look myself tomorrow after I collect it.
Click to expand...
If they are the originals, at 10 years old and 75k miles they will be shot.

The only way to tell on the front is to remove the strut unit and dismantle the shock from the spring and see if it is very hard to compress. On the rears just undo and remove the bottom damper bolt and then try to push/compress the damper. When the ignition is switched off the damper is set at its hardest. If you find your rears have gone then your fronts will be the same.
 
9designs said:
Thanks for the feedback.
It's 2010 with 76K miles, so guess it's done well and with age/mileage hence no warranty. I'd like to keep the adaptive dampers, do plan on fitting an Eibach ARB kit though sometime.
Also think I should do both fronts.
Click to expand...

It’s probably the adaptive dampers that makes the replacements expensive
 
Sorted..... Found seller in Germany, larger used parts seller, (weber-cars.de on eBay) with a full set only done 1Km, so as new, all four 1132 quid. I figured at this mileage it's a matter of time, so hit the lot in one go and only a couple of hundred more than the main stealer wanted to do one!....... Time to get the spanners out again..... :roll:
 
ph001 said:
step_change said:
It is a dangerous fault if they fail suddenly on the motorway
Click to expand...

How do you suppose they would fail suddenly exactly?

I have heard of a few people just fitting the non-adaptive shocks for about a quarter of the price and then just coding it out. Depends how much you genuinely value the adaptive function I guess. I don't hear many owners with std suspension complaining too much.
Click to expand...
Hey man, I just drive 'em. I am relaying what I have been told into the thread.
 
I don't see how a failed damper can cause any problems. If a damper fails it just means your car might not settle as fast after bumps, it won't drive well but certainly not going to cause you to crash.
 
R.E92 said:
I don't see how a failed damper can cause any problems. If a damper fails it just means your car might not settle as fast after bumps, it won't drive well but certainly not going to cause you to crash.
Click to expand...

It’s all about keeping the tyres in contact with the road, if you’re following a car with knackered dampers you can see the wheel bouncing up and down
 
Chippie said:
R.E92 said:
I don't see how a failed damper can cause any problems. If a damper fails it just means your car might not settle as fast after bumps, it won't drive well but certainly not going to cause you to crash.
Click to expand...

It’s all about keeping the tyres in contact with the road, if you’re following a car with knackered dampers you can see the wheel bouncing up and down
Click to expand...

He won't end up in a ball of flames though.
 
R.E92 said:
Chippie said:
R.E92 said:
I don't see how a failed damper can cause any problems. If a damper fails it just means your car might not settle as fast after bumps, it won't drive well but certainly not going to cause you to crash.
Click to expand...

It’s all about keeping the tyres in contact with the road, if you’re following a car with knackered dampers you can see the wheel bouncing up and down
Click to expand...

He won't end up in a ball of flames though.
Click to expand...

He might do after the car leaves the road after failing to navigate a corner :cry:
Rob
 
Leak/weep confirmed.... waiting on DHL to deliver the new ones.

49918848223_ebb7ecdcc7_b.jpg
 
I’ve order new rubbers and new top mounts etc plus bolts as well

Should I when it’s stripped down put Eibach springs on? I see they are only 188 quid...

Had planned to do their ARB sometime in the future.

Where can I find bolt torque values.
 
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