Broken Suspension Spring - How much?

R

rbadger

Member
Just took the hard top off after months of winter and the annoying rattle coming from the boot for the past 2 weeks which I assumed was the loose hard top increased in volume dramatically. BMW break down diagnosed the problem as a broken read suspension spring, in fact I now have a piece of the spring on my desk.

So how much am I looking at to fix this? Anyone had a similar problem? I believe its relatively common.

2003 Z4 3.0SE
 
I've just had the brakes done on mine and was told the rear springs are busted too!

Probably around £200 including fitting.
 
fyi - it was a known issue that the rear springs could break. However, since you're beyond warranty, you're stuck with the repair yourself. Many on here would also recommend that you replace both sides' springs even if just one side is broken.
 
Upgrade the suspension to what exactly?

There's that many different manufacturers that the decision is difficult.

Any idea?
 
When I broke a rear spring on my 330 I replaced them with a complete set of H&R's. Cost about £160 and I fitted them myself. It's always wise to uprate the shocks/dampers when you uprate springs though. The original springs were designd to work with the original shocks, fitting uprated/lowered springs and leaving the original shocks can give an imbalance such as insufficient damping because the energy in an uprated spring exceeds the ability of the original shock to control it leading to excess bounce. Worth bearing in mind. :wink:
 
Just got this exact problem with mine :(

Dealer quotes £190 fitted... and me warranty ran out 2 months ago, damn!
 
adama222 said:
fyi - it was a known issue that the rear springs could break. However, since you're beyond warranty, you're stuck with the repair yourself. Many on here would also recommend that you replace both sides' springs even if just one side is broken.
Click to expand...
Hmm I agree with this I would definitely replace both at the same time, but push BMW to pay a proportion of the cost, seeing as it is a known problem on the Z4 and E46 3 series too.
 
Just done mine and both rear springs were bust, the improvement of the eibachs is awesome, god this thing carries some corner speed now... :evil:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3048
 
I have a god awful squeak coming from the left rear quarter- was just occasional but now is almost constant (the way British roads are these days anyway). Broken spring?? Thought it could be the roof mechanism because I only ever hear it when the roof is up.
 
noticed the clunking noise on my car two days ago, like a spanner loose in the boot? If it is the spring is it covered under warenty?
 
paddy wright said:
noticed the clunking noise on my car two days ago, like a spanner loose in the boot? If it is the spring is it covered under warenty?
Click to expand...

exactly like that with mine. I guess it would be covered, mine was just out of warranty and cost £190 fitted.
 
is it worth me trying to get the other spring done at the same time even tho there has been no issue with it?
 
My MOT is due in April. Presuming mine are buggered too (sod's law, and I AM sod!) can anyone point us in the right direction of recommended replacements?

Curtis, what would be the total outlay to replace the springs and shocks, like you suggested?
 
The H&R springs were £160 for 4. I'd have to check the price for dampers though. The good news is that you have to remove the front shocks anyway and the bottom mounts of the rear shocks to do the springs so labour times and charges arn't drasically different . The top mounts of the rear shocks are a bit awkward to get to because you have to remove some panels but it's no big deal. Like I said, it's definately wise to uprate the shocks if you uprate the springs. These components are always designed to work as matching sets and the balance between spring rate and damping force will be upset if you just upgrade just one part. I would allow for three hours labour to replace the parts and most importantly check and adjust the steering/suspension geometry.

I just checked H&R's prices, their "Cup" kit which includes springs and shocks is around £489. You might get it cheaper if you search around a bit.
 
Curtis said:
The H&R springs were £160 for 4. I'd have to check the price for dampers though. The good news is that you have to remove the front shocks anyway and the bottom mounts of the rear shocks to do the springs so labour times and charges arn't drasically different . The top mounts of the rear shocks are a bit awkward to get to because you have to remove some panels but it's no big deal. Like I said, it's definately wise to uprate the shocks if you uprate the springs. These components are always designed to work as matching sets and the balance between spring rate and damping force will be upset if you just upgrade just one part. I would allow for three hours labour to replace the parts and most importantly check and adjust the steering/suspension geometry.

I just checked H&R's prices, their "Cup" kit which includes springs and shocks is around £489. You might get it cheaper if you search around a bit.
Click to expand...

Does anybody know a good place in the Midlands UK to get the geometry checked / aligned after new springs ?
 
Unless you go to a specialist the only company I've had dealings with is Protyre, I think their fairly national and they have all the latest geometry equipment. Remember to give them the settings you want rather than have factory settings. They were terrible in the first place so there's no point paying good money to get them back!
 
Hi,

Do these defects affect the facelifted models too? I've got an '06 3.0si and was wondering if there were any tell tale signs of this happening? Pictures if someone has any please.

Cheers
 
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