Suspension refresh time

[mmm-five]

Time has come to swap out my aged, original BMW suspension after 120k miles (that's right, no cracked springs).

I think I've settled on the Bilstein B16-PSS10 kit, but am worried about maintenance as I like to 'fit and forget' and this car will be used in all weathers with nothing more than a hose down for weeks.

I've looked at 'coilover/shock socks', but am thinking that they're likely to hide any damage until it's too late to do anything about it. So I'm looking more towards methods/measures for mitigating this - or do I just get my spanner-monkey to do a quick service on them every 6 months (to coincide with a schedule service)?

The alternative is to go for a product that is genuinely 'fit & forget'?

Any suggestions anyone?

 

[beanie]

I've used motorcycle chain lube and spray-on moly grease to protect the threads and both worked well. With your mileage it would be worth periodically checking it's still on there and reapplying if necessary.

 

[NeilP]

I can't speak for the Billies, but KW's coating seems to be pretty good against corrosion.

Alternatively, you can get covers for an additional level of protection from ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kirkey-Race-Rally-Motorsport-Suspension-Coilover-Cover-/370881611746?pt=UK_Car_Parts_Vehicles_Automobila_ET&var=&hash=item565a4447e2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEGIWA-COILOVER-SUSPENSION-SHOCK-SOCKS-COVERS-350MM-/171430552485?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27ea0ea3a5

Or wrap them in cling film instead.

Either way, beanie's suggestion would the first thing to do! The covers will help in the winter against road salt though!

 

[mmm-five]

It's the Tegiwa ones I've seen before.

I'm planning on getting them properly maintained regularly anyway, but know that the 3-4 months of crap weather, along with the crap I'll pick up from my 500 miles a week will not do them any favours.

Maybe a combination of all 3 will be the best in my case - i.e. 1) get them serviced/maintained 6-monthly; 2) cover them in something oily/greasy; 3) cover them in a sock. Don't want to be spending £2k+ every year replacing them.

Pity Bilstein won't do a damptronic/ridecontrol version for our cars (I've asked and there's no plans as they can't justify the development/calibration costs), as I'd have been playing with the settings so often that they'd never get a chance to seize.

 

[GuidoK]

Don't put the coilovers in a sock; they won't dry and keep building up dirt&salt.
(the sock won't be watertight as the force of the water is like a pressure cleaner).

For best corrosion protection, get KW inox.
The screw nuts etc are made of plastic (aluminium does not screw well on stainles steel, that's the reason), but are relatively cheap to replace.

But if you want the ride&handling of a new car, you should also replace all the suspension bushings (about 20pcs in the z4m). they get soft/worn out too as the miles and years progress.