Advise needed on new suspension parts

L

Leesfarm07

Senior member
 Telford, Shropshire
I'd really like to renew all the bits and bobs on my suspension but need a bit of advise on which bits I need and what make is the best. It has (according to the build spec) m-sport suspension so I assume it would require eibachs pro kit for the springs. I can hear a whooshing sound from one of the shocks when I go over speed humps so pressume it would need those as well.
I don't mind doing absolutely everything as it's a keeper for the foreseeable future :D
 
Did mine recently. Bilstein B12 kit (eibachs and B8s), front ARB bushes (I went powerflex for these) and then meyle HD drop links, lollipop bushes, upgraded HD wishbones, RTAB (you'll need a special BMW tool to fit these) and front/rear suspension mounts. I also fitted a turner motor sport RTAB limited kit (reduced RTAB movement and gives a much more planted feel) but big debate around these vs powerflex RTAB so you have a choice, or you can just got OEM bushes.

You can go powerflex all round on the bushes, but it'll make the ride proper firm - I went powerflex on the front ARB as I wanted this stiff, but meyle for the rest as I wanted the ride to be a bit less crashy.

It's a very personal thing though, and one route certainly isn't better than the other.

Loads of other bushes you 'can' replace (rear ARB, gearbox and engine mounts, various hidden bushes around the car etc), but imho unless you have an issue you know of, replacing these can be more hassle than their worth.

Stu
 
Worcester_spoon said:
Did mine recently. Bilstein B12 kit (eibachs and B8s), front ARB bushes (I went powerflex for these) and then meyle HD drop links, lollipop bushes, upgraded HD wishbones, RTAB (you'll need a special BMW tool to fit these) and front/rear suspension mounts. I also fitted a turner motor sport RTAB limited kit (reduced RTAB movement and gives a much more planted feel) but big debate around these vs powerflex RTAB so you have a choice, or you can just got OEM bushes.

You can go powerflex all round on the bushes, but it'll make the ride proper firm - I went powerflex on the front ARB as I wanted this stiff, but meyle for the rest as I wanted the ride to be a bit less crashy.

It's a very personal thing though, and one route certainly isn't better than the other.

Loads of other bushes you 'can' replace (rear ARB, gearbox and engine mounts, various hidden bushes around the car etc), but imho unless you have an issue you know of, replacing these can be more hassle than their worth.

Stu
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Excellent thank you Stu
Approx what cost do you reckon to spend on all that work?
 
B12 kit is the big bit, so shop around (and don't be afraid to look on eBay.de). The rest can be sourced in the uk (either eBay or direct websites - just start googling), and probably totals £300 I reckon. Turner RTAB kits will be around £100, so all in, tops £1k. Thinks that's roughy, what I paid.
 
I have the B12s and poly RTABs. Very happy with the RTABs, they were much cheaper than limiters and OE bushings and easier to install.
I've probably done most of what you're thinking and it makes the car so much better so is well worth it. All relatively easy to DIY too with a few extra tools, though I did need a large sledge to get one of the front wishbones off!
If I was to do it again I'd be seriously torn between the B12s and a set of BC racing coilovers, I wasn't aware of them at the time and couldn't justify doubling the price vs the B12.

I would suggest:
All new suspension mounting parts - cost about £120 from Soper, spring pads, seats etc.
New front and rear top mounts - £50 for Meyle on ebay
New front and rear poly ARBs - CP4LESS/eBay/nfbr(member here)
New front and rear drop links - I noticed a big difference
New front wishbones (LCA) - £200 with rear bushes ebay, though I would consider poly now
New poly RTABs (+ tool needed)

If you're doing the work yourself then change the box and diff fluids while you're there.
 
Fabulous advise there guys....not sure what some of the abbreviations are but I'll look them up. I love my car but it just feels a bit tired suspension wise and let's an otherwise lovely car down. Feels a bit like having a lovely suit to wear but the trouser's being a bit loose and not fitting properly :rofl:
 
To get the same look do I buy eibachs that are lowered by a set amount in mm....or do they come as a set drop. This is how it looks atm and looks okay
 

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Are you sure you're on OE M-sport springs? Looks pretty low already to me. Eibach/B12 will drop 15mm more than M-sport springs.

If you need a new shock and you're planning to keep then I say do the job once and do it right. Have a look at the BC coilovers, they have good reviews, though I've not tried them, and are not much more than the B12.

Mine also felt a bit tired - a lot of rubber components that wear. Replace them and you're car will feel like new.
 
That was what it was supplied new with but a previous owner might have changed them I suppose. Are these replacements really DIY you reckon?
 
It's worth checking, but you won't save much buying the shocks on their own, just have a better idea of if you will drop any more.

It's all DIYable if you have a jack, axle stands and tools - I've done it. I purchased all the front mounting parts for the springs and shocks so I could have then assembled off the car ready to fit - spring compressors I had weren't small enough.
 
Scooba_Steve said:
It's worth checking, but you won't save much buying the shocks on their own, just have a better idea of if you will drop any more.

It's all DIYable if you have a jack, axle stands and tools - I've done it. I purchased all the front mounting parts for the springs and shocks so I could have then assembled off the car ready to fit - spring compressors I had weren't small enough.
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Tempted to have a go at this during the summer. I'm pretty mechanically minded having built the Westie so you've talked me into it Steve :thumbsup:
 
Will be straightforward job for you then mate, I used real OEM to get all the front mounting parts, sure I could dig out a list if you went down the B12 route.
TIS is available online if you want to read up on the jobs or I can PDF and send sections.
 
Steve that would be great....any 'how to's' would be fantastic and any parts list of what you bought :thumbsup:
 
I fitted a b12 kit the other month on mine. Was the first bit of spannering I've ever really done myself and apart from one sheared bolt I had to take into a machine shop it was all pretty much a doddle.
I also replaced the front and rear strut mounts with oem lemforder ones, drop links, and was going to do track rod ends but they are seized on so might need to get someone to have a look at those for me.

Currently debating doing the RTABs myself too, however I don't want the poly bushings and don't trust myself "preloading" the oem ones. Im still not totally sure what that even means :P
 
Ah yes, I forgot about the good old track rods, mine were seized and I had to cut them to get the boot off (wasn't paying £50 for new ones!).

I couldn't be arsed with the preload faff, which I'd have probably buggered up, so went with poly for ease of installation and because they act as a limiter too. Couldn't be happier. No noticeable loss or ride quality (but old bushes were probably down compared to new) and she's straight as an arrow when flooring it. Plus they were only about £45.
 
I think this was the quote I used. This is just for the springs and shocks I believe.
 

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When u had my Zed I was looking to achieve a similar thing to you.

In the end I went with the Bilstein B12 Kit with Powerflex Arb bushes, Powerflex Lollipops (RCA) bushes and Powerflex RTAB bushes.

For the top mounts and drop links etc I went with lemforder/meyle HD and the car drove great slightly harder than standard but not by much and it drove amazingly.

Don't forget a full alignment after too to make the most of your new bits :)
 
Scooba_Steve said:
I think this was the quote I used. This is just for the springs and shocks I believe.
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That's great Steve thank you. ..bit of bedtime perusing me thinks :thumbsup:
 
hi guys, really want to tighten up my suspension, heres what ive done so far:


Rear:
rear shocks (B4s) <-- garage done these when i 1st got the car and never fitted dust cover or bump stops so i need to add these
top mounts - meyle HD
rear H&R springs
new rubber pads top and bottom

Front:
front shocks (B4s)
top mounts - meyle HD
Front H&R springs
lower rear wishbone lollipops - Powerflex


everything esle is stock or reused, what other parts can i DIY (links to parts and how to links would be great)
 
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