Suspension refresh or not?

Sab · Post by **Sab** » Thu May 03, 2018 2:27 pm

The price I paid for my springs was close to fmw, so I chose to order through BMW.

Adwo · Post by **Adwo** » Thu May 03, 2018 4:28 pm

The part numbers on the pictures on the FMW site are not correct for all cars.

That doesn't matter much because you have to give your chassisnumber to Frank and you will receive the correct parts.

It's cheaper to buy a complete kit instead of just replacing one damper/spring at a time. Not to mention that your car will feel 'funny' with one damper actually working and the rest doing nothing..

I replaced the entire front and rear suspension with all bushings on my E46 B3 3.3 and it totally transformed the car's handling..

Regards,

Adwo

rc944 · Post by **rc944** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:37 pm

jolls did you get the bits yet from fmw? keen to see what you think

rattusM3 · Post by **rattusM3** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:54 pm

When the time came c.110k I bought the full suspension kit from BMW, used the dealer as I did not know any better, at least the original Alpina setup is spot on.

The only gripe, it took a good 5-6 weeks for the kit to turn up as I expect the kit had to be made special order by Boge/Eibach to Alpina spec?

If you want any more details just let me know.

Kev

rattusM3 · Post by **rattusM3** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:17 pm

rattusM3 · Post by **rattusM3** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:19 pm

Kev

jolls · Post by **jolls** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 11:01 pm

rc944 wrote:jolls did you get the bits yet from fmw? keen to see what you think

Yes I have got all the bits. I had been away a few days and my neighbour signed for them. The total bill was 1271.99 Euros. A very good service from Fmw with a tracking number for the items which arrived in a well sealed and padded box. Delivery took approx 2 weeks. The part numbers on the shocks correspond with the pictures that Kev - rattusM3 - has posted. Hth

rc944 · Post by **rc944** » Sun Jun 03, 2018 5:50 pm

really good to know thanks

did you both replace top mounts?

rc944 · Post by **rc944** » Sun Jun 03, 2018 5:52 pm

rattusM3 wrote:When the time came c.110k I bought the full suspension kit from BMW, used the dealer as I did not know any better, at least the original Alpina setup is spot on.

The only gripe, it took a good 5-6 weeks for the kit to turn up as I expect the kit had to be made special order by Boge/Eibach to Alpina spec?

If you want any more details just let me know.

Kev

very helpful pics thanks

are you keeping the olds ones as spares? did you have any weep on your dampers?

rattusM3 · Post by **rattusM3** » Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:54 pm

rc944 wrote:
rattusM3 wrote:When the time came c.110k I bought the full suspension kit from BMW, used the dealer as I did not know any better, at least the original Alpina setup is spot on.

The only gripe, it took a good 5-6 weeks for the kit to turn up as I expect the kit had to be made special order by Boge/Eibach to Alpina spec?

If you want any more details just let me know.

Kev
very helpful pics thanks

are you keeping the olds ones as spares? did you have any weep on your dampers?

The original dampers were swapped out long before I aquired the car with a set of standard Sachs shocks used (I think) by the standard e46 330i, only the alpina/eibach springs were still present.
This I knew and was reflected in the price paid for the car.
The aim was to revamp the total suspension and get back to OE when the money was available to do so.

Basically the last (3rd) owner of the car, I guess, decided to cut some corners when time came to update the suspension - now all put right again by yours truly.

The springs, yes, I am keeping (for now) as spares - just in-case.

Kev

rc944 · Post by **rc944** » Sun Jun 03, 2018 11:58 pm

thanks kev - did you replace the top mounts or were they sound?

lanab · Post by **lanab** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 12:45 am

I am in the same situation right now, i have tried to look at alternatives.

The Alpina schocks are all Sachs parts and i have taken a close look and they are exactly identical in looks to the SACHS 556 873 and 556 874 for fronts and SACHS 556 882 rear.

What would be interesting what is different inside from the Alpina(Sachs) inside as they look identical.

I can get the full SACHS kit with boot guides and bearings front/rear and Eibach PRO springs for under 450 euros from Germany.

lanab · Post by **lanab** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:18 am

It does seem the schock absorbers are different from Alpinas, probably best to buy Alpina to retain the driving performance, i tried to check all absorbers from Sachs but couldn't find any that looked the same.

rattusM3 · Post by **rattusM3** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 1:48 pm

rc944 wrote:thanks kev - did you replace the top mounts or were they sound?

The fronts were starting to show signs of separation so I replaced both front and rear.

Also, just before the suspension went on I had all the bushes replaced front and rear, they had not been done and so it made sense to renew this stuff now.

rattusM3 · Post by **rattusM3** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 1:59 pm

lanab wrote:It does seem the schock absorbers are different from Alpinas, probably best to buy Alpina to retain the driving performance, i tried to check all absorbers from Sachs but couldn't find any that looked the same.

As I bought the Alpina suspension kit from BMW, I assume they are specifically ordered to spec by Alpina to Sachs/Boge.

You may find the Sachs setup you have indicated is absolutely fine and to your taste, especially at a 3rd of the price.

Kev