Suspension refresh or not?

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rc944
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Suspension refresh or not?

Post by rc944 » Tue May 01, 2018 1:17 pm

Trying to decide whether i should buy the broken bits or buy the whole lot.

my e46 b3s coupe is on 82k miles and the rear dampers need replacing as the piston rod is apple cored near top mount. question is, shall i get the whole lot done or buy just the bits that need to be replaced

rear shocks are about 440 compared to the full kit for 1200. all in eur.

my shocks are not weeping and my springs are corroded at the rear.

i intend to keep the car for a while so an wondering if anyone has any advice

having never driven another similar example, ive no idea about the marginal benefit if any, of having the whole lot renewed vs just getting the rear dampers replaced.

if i get just the rears replaced, will that compromise handling given that the other springs and front dampers are original and perhaps more worn?
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jolls
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Post by jolls » Tue May 01, 2018 2:42 pm

I'm was having the same thoughts as you. One shock at the front had a light wisp at the top. Mileage is 89000. As the car is staying with me I have just ordered the whole lot.
B3 E46 no.265

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Post by rc944 » Tue May 01, 2018 3:55 pm

did you get the full kit from frank at fmw tuning? i asked about a group buy he said no.
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Post by ABRAD » Tue May 01, 2018 6:51 pm

Difficult decision isn't it!!

We had a front shock fail on the D3's Mot - after much wrangling we've gone for replacing the whole front end.

Having thought that there was nothing wrong with it before - it is surprising how much better it is now - like the day we bought it!!

I'd recommend the whole lot if you can stretch to it!!
Current Cars
2010 Alpina B3s Cab (233/Deep Sea Blue)
2002 Alpina B10 V8s (96/Avus Blue)
2008 Alpina B5s (453/Sapphire Black)
2007Alpina D3 MT (348/Titanium Silver)
2009 Honda S2000 (Black/Red Leather)
1999 F355 F1 Spyder (Black/Beige Leather - US Spec)
1988 BMW E28 M5 (Black/Natur Leather - US Spec)
1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI MK2 8V - looking sad for itself and to be renovated!!

Previous Cars
Renaultsport Clio 172
Volkswagen Scirocco
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Post by simon13 » Tue May 01, 2018 8:57 pm

your front shocks will no doubt be worn at that milege. Rear springs snapping are common e46 fault. I had one on my B3S touring they were £300 for the pair i remember
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jolls
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Post by jolls » Tue May 01, 2018 11:18 pm

rc944 wrote:did you get the full kit from frank at fmw tuning? i asked about a group buy he said no.
Yes. Shame about the group buy but I don’t think you would get one in the UK either.
B3 E46 no.265

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Post by rc944 » Wed May 02, 2018 12:15 pm

where did you order your bits from?
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Post by ChrisLux » Wed May 02, 2018 1:27 pm

If E46 are Bilsteins, they can be rebuilt in UK for less than half the price new kit from Buchloe
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jolls
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Post by jolls » Wed May 02, 2018 2:14 pm

rc944 wrote:where did you order your bits from?
https://www.fmw-tuning.de/bmw/3er-e46/a ... r-e46.html
B3 E46 no.265

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Post by Sab » Wed May 02, 2018 5:33 pm

jolls wrote:
rc944 wrote:where did you order your bits from?
https://www.fmw-tuning.de/bmw/3er-e46/a ... r-e46.html
Hi,

Was is cheaper to buy from fmw?, and did you pay additional shipping costs?
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jolls
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Post by jolls » Wed May 02, 2018 8:57 pm

Sab wrote:
jolls wrote:
rc944 wrote:where did you order your bits from?
https://www.fmw-tuning.de/bmw/3er-e46/a ... r-e46.html
Hi,

Was is cheaper to buy from fmw?, and did you pay additional shipping costs?
Shipping cost is 43 Euros. To be honest I didn't bother asking Bmw UK after reading some previous posts on the difference in price between UK and Europe. Just one example;

http://thealpinaregister.com/forums/vie ... fmw+tuning
B3 E46 no.265

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Post by simon13 » Wed May 02, 2018 11:19 pm

ChrisLux wrote:If E46 are Bilsteins, they can be rebuilt in UK for less than half the price new kit from Buchloe
they're sachs/boge
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Post by rc944 » Thu May 03, 2018 12:17 pm

jolls wrote:
rc944 wrote:where did you order your bits from?
https://www.fmw-tuning.de/bmw/3er-e46/a ... r-e46.html
Thanks. Are the markings on the springs same as the parts being replaced?
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Post by rc944 » Thu May 03, 2018 12:18 pm

I've asked for a price from my friendly parts counter contact but doubt it will even get close to fmw
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Post by jolls » Thu May 03, 2018 12:28 pm

rc944 wrote:
jolls wrote:
rc944 wrote:where did you order your bits from?
https://www.fmw-tuning.de/bmw/3er-e46/a ... r-e46.html
Thanks. Are the markings on the springs same as the parts being replaced?
I don't know yet. I ordered the day you put your post up. I shouldn't think there will be any problems judging by people who have used Fmw in the past.
B3 E46 no.265

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