So I put 326’s on my e85. Front rubs a bit because it’s been lowered before I bought it. So I’m putting standard springs back on. So I’ve picked up a set of springs. Is it better to change the struts while I’m at it? Also, will I need to get the geometry done once I’m finished?
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Struts
- Thread starter Sgr74
- Start date
if your struts are fine then why change them? definitely get an alignment done when the new springs are fitted though, changing the height will affect toe and camberSgr74 said:So I put 326’s on my e85. Front rubs a bit because it’s been lowered before I bought it. So I’m putting standard springs back on. So I’ve picked up a set of springs. Is it better to change the struts while I’m at it? Also, will I need to get the geometry done once I’m finished?
What's the mileage of your car and have the shocks been changed before?
If it's high mileage and they're original shocks, I"d recommend replacing them.
I didn't bother changing mine when I put eibach springs on and 2 of the 4 shocks recently failed (lasted 120+ thousand miles though).
Now I realise the shocks were probably really tired years ago, as the ride was always quite bad and the car used to scrape bumps a lot. It's much more compliant now with new shocks.
If it's high mileage and they're original shocks, I"d recommend replacing them.
I didn't bother changing mine when I put eibach springs on and 2 of the 4 shocks recently failed (lasted 120+ thousand miles though).
Now I realise the shocks were probably really tired years ago, as the ride was always quite bad and the car used to scrape bumps a lot. It's much more compliant now with new shocks.
Mine has 73k on it and I’ve got some bilstein b6s ready to go on shortly. Will be putting them on with standard SE springs so will report back with my thoughts. Ride is currently very crashy (a bit of a Z4 trait mind) but also there isn’t great control - hoping for a big improvement.
I’d say replace the shocks, if you are stripping down the struts anyway and the shocks are the originals. I just did all of mine at 74K and the difference is night and day, both for ride quality and reduction of noises. I just fitted OEM spec Sachs shock absorbers rather than a Bilstein upgrade, having purchased them from ECP when they were having a particularly good discount promotion.
Chris
Chris
I've never read/seen anything other than the Oem Sach shocks being knackered when taken off so Id definitely replace them. This is on all Bmw cars of this vintage that use them, not just zeds. Cars ranging from 4-5 years and circa 40k upwards, the originals just dont seem to last at all. Might explain why Bmw amongst others seem to favour Bilstein instead as Oem equipment these days. The problem is that in most cases a simple visual inspection on the car will reveal nothing usually. Its only when you physically remove them and separate them from the springs (front only obviously) then check their operation, (particularly compared to new ones) you finally realize just how knackered they actually are. Hence why most dont replace them, that and cost etc.
Something else to experiment with if you haven't already is tyre pressure if you've switched to non runflats. The M spec F30 R32 is a good starting point for this and see how you go. Alot seem to favour a few psi above/below this but i guess this boils down to a few factors such as the actual tyre brand/model your running and subjective opinion. It splits opinion this one on the forum with some swearing by the original runflat pressures on non runflats, but one thing that's undeniable is the lower M spec tyre pressures do improve ride comfort on a non runflat equipped non M.
Something else to experiment with if you haven't already is tyre pressure if you've switched to non runflats. The M spec F30 R32 is a good starting point for this and see how you go. Alot seem to favour a few psi above/below this but i guess this boils down to a few factors such as the actual tyre brand/model your running and subjective opinion. It splits opinion this one on the forum with some swearing by the original runflat pressures on non runflats, but one thing that's undeniable is the lower M spec tyre pressures do improve ride comfort on a non runflat equipped non M.