Suspension Refresh on E85 3.0 si

J

jamiecarpenter

Member
 Coventry
My car is coming up to being 20 years old soon, so I’m beginning to look at things that probably need replacing.

I thought it was probably wise to begin with the Suspension and its components.

I want to keep it as stock as possible.

I keep reading mixed messages regarding what to go for. Bilstein B4 seem to be suggested the most, is this ok for a 3.0 Si?

Top Mount Suggestions’ which brand?

Springs which ones?

Is there anything else needed? Possibly Strut Mount Reinforcement plates?

Anyone done this themselves?

Thanks in advance for any advice and help.

Jamie
 
For a standard refresh my go to is Sachs dampers, Sachs or Lemforder top mounts, Suplex springs, Sachs or Febi Bilstein bump stops. Remember the bump stops come in two lengths for sport or non-sport ride heights. On the rear you can get the bump stops that have the dust cover already fitted. On the front end the majority of dust covers now tend to be plastic, which can rattle. I re-use the original rubber ones, giving them a good clean up with Autoglym trim and bumper gel to make them supple again. Worth getting new rubber seats for both ends of the springs.
The front end knuckle bolts that pinch the strut into the hub will be corroded and you may have to resort to heat to get them out. Be very patient as a sheared one is a nightmare. Buy brand new replacements from BMW.
I've personally never had the need to fit reinforcement plates.
Bilstein B4 shocks are more a less a direct replacement for Sachs. The originals on the car from new were Sachs.
 
Can confirm Bilstein B4 work well on a 3.0si. Much much better than the totally flogged stock struts I took off. I fitted M-Sport springs as well, so slightly lower than not. (Can't remember if all 3.0si's are M-Sport - think they might be.)
 
I bought Monroe shocks for the front as they do a sport equivalent but were a budget friendly £60/70 a side.

For the rear I cheated and bought standard Monroe rears (they don't do sport equivalents) and I can't say the rear lacks any control when hammering it round the place. The old ones hadn't quite gone but the rear did skip occasionally.

These all went with the Suplex sports springs front and back.
 
The Sport had the M-Sport set up, SEs didn't unless chosen as an option so it might be worth the OP checking which model he has before ordering anything.
 
As enuffzed said, I also got the spring pads and new bolts. Otherwise I've just bought parts to do my 3.0si E86 (sport suspension)

I went with
- B4 shocks (rear, front left and right)
- Eibach springs (so not relevant to your standard desires)
- Sachs top mounts front (using the up graded E90 xi ones)
- Bilstein rear top mounts
- rear reinforcement plates (needed? Not sure, but only £13)
- front and rear dust covers (for sport suspension)

Autodoc were cheapest for me, but their prices change daily. It was cheapest on the app, and on Monday. It went up throughout the week, dropping on Monday (well reported habits of theirs).

For reference, I paid
Front shock 85£ & 84£
Rear shock £59.37

Vs the Tuesday price of
Front shock 104£
Rear shock £72.49
 
Mr Tidy said:
The Sport had the M-Sport set up, SEs didn't unless chosen as an option so it might be worth the OP checking which model he has before ordering anything.
Click to expand...

The si's are inherently sports, the facelifts were either 3.0i or 3.0si. And the engine gets more power too!

Anyway, if doing the lot, it's an ideal opportunity to go for sports suspension!
 
The UK never got a facelift 3.0i although other markets like the US did. So all facelift 3 litres in the UK are Si models.

But they came in SE or Sport trim. Sport had the M-Sport seats, steering wheel and 15mm lower suspension.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RMB
How odd, put the s in the name and then not stand by it. But do it properly with the 2.5's. Live and learn!
 
Well not really because the facelift 2.5i and 2.5Si were also sold with either SE or Sport trim.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RMB
Oh I give up! So the s just indicates the uprated engine rather than the whole car. I suppose it's an indicator of drivetrain not model (like xDrive v sDrive); not thought of it like that before.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: RMB
@smorris_12 confusing isn’t it.
I didn’t even realise there was a non si 2.5 for ages.
Yes the S in Si cars indicate they have the dual disa valve N52 engine. So 3 stage intake manifold for more power and torque.
So you can find in the Uk at least Facelift N52:
2.5i in se or sport trim 177bhp
2.5si in se or sport trim 218bhp
3.0si in se or sport trim 265bhp

These replaced the M54 2.2, 2.5 & 3lt respectively. Not 100% on their trim levels and availablility.
 
Good advice from enuff_zed particularly about the hub/strut clamp bolts, had two snap on a E85 3.0 last week, took 2 days to drill the snapped bolts out just about saved the threads. Be prepared and get 2 new bolts from BMW to use when you fit the shocks. Clean the protruding bolt thread and soak them and the clamp with a good penetrating oil before you start to undo them, you may need heat to get them moving, I use Mapgas as it produces a really high temperature. Despite doing all this both bolts on both sides snapped resulting in a complete refresh when the wishbones ball joints also refused to drop out and required heat and much hammering with pickle forks, the heat destroyed the rubber ball joint covers so the wishbones had to be replaced.
 
Hi Guys.

So this is what im going for all being well.

B4 Bilstein fronts and rears shocks.
Lemforder top strut mounts front and rear
Suplex coil springs front and rear
Febi Bilstein rubber buffer front and rear
bmw spring cap
febi Bilstein Front dust cover.
BOLTS FROM BMW.

Is there anything I'm missing?

Looking to order from AutoDoc.

Have any of you done DIY ed this job?

I'm contemplating it, as Ive done various bits on the car before.

Thanks for advice in advance. Jamie
 
remember to put all the items you want in your basket on auto doc app - wait until Monday morning and the prices normally drop from midnight Sunday until Monday afternoon - can be 10-20% difference
 
jamiecarpenter said:
Hi Guys.

So this is what im going for all being well.

B4 Bilstein fronts and rears shocks.
Lemforder top strut mounts front and rear
Suplex coil springs front and rear
Febi Bilstein rubber buffer front and rear
bmw spring cap
febi Bilstein Front dust cover.
BOLTS FROM BMW.

Is there anything I'm missing?

Looking to order from AutoDoc.

Have any of you done DIY ed this job?

I'm contemplating it, as Ive done various bits on the car before.

Thanks for advice in advance. Jamie
Click to expand...
I've done many of these, as have a few of the others on here.
Apart from compressing the front springs it really is all very simple spannering, provided you take your time. Think twice, act once.
The only big issue is those front knuckle bolts. Very slow and steady and be prepared to heat, turn about 1/20th of a revolution, heat and repeat.
Better to take a day than shear those bolts!
If you have Xenon lights then you will have levelling sensors NSF and NSR. Rear isn't usually an issue, but on the front it is best to unbolt the arm from the wishbone first, or when the suspension drops you risk snapping the linkage.
 
Probably throw in some new drop links for the fronts, while you're at it. Inexpensive, and you've got to undo half of their two bolts to replace the shock anyway so the job is half done at that point...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom