E34 525i Suspension... gone!

[Janus525i]

So my suspension is officially out on my 1991 525i, and I am looking at replacing the front/rear shocks and springs, as well as the front sway bar bushings. I am skimping on most of this because this car is not my daily driver, and I have had it since 1991 (currently 220k on it, new engine/trans though).

The problem is compatibility. Will these cheapo shocks work with these springs? Sensen shock set from APX (http://apxautoparts.com/apx/shocks-struts/full-sets/1990-1992-bmw-525i-shocks-struts-full-set.html) will they work with these H&R Springs (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H-R-SPORT-LOWERING-SPRINGS-90-95-BMW-E34-525I-/130557228367?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make:BMW%7CModel:525i%7CYear:1991&hash=item1e65d1354f)? Does anyone have any experience with Sensen? Also I need to replace my front sway bar bushings but I am not sure if the stock 525i is 23mm, 24mm or 25mm. I am taking the car to a friend to measure it this weekend (I dont have any metrics... lol), but I was curious if anyone knew offhand...

[Binjammin]

Wow, original owner?

[Janus525i]

Wow, original owner?
Yessir! Just hit 220k! New Engine/trans at 175k, new power steering system at 200, new radiator/hoses at 200, new brake pads/rotors at 210, and now that the suspension is shot (i mean there really isn't one right now...) it should be operating great once I get them replaced. And I did all the work myself, at home, with the help of a good friend (read: Master mechanic with every tool, ever).

I want to try the Sensen shock set because of its price, I really am curious and I have read enough decent reviews that I am willing to give it a shot. If they are shit/break quick I will grab some Bilsteins. I just dont know if those shocks will work with the H&R springs, I assume so, but at 130 for 4 shocks you never know... I dont even know if I NEED to replace my springs, but since they have 220k on em, I figure why not... :rolleyes

[Jmac95E34]

They are Chinese and could be the best thing going or total crap.
http://www.sensencn.com/en/
I would spend the extra coin and buy Bilstein touring class shocks and struts because of the amount of labor it takes to swap them out.

[PetesHelga]

I want to try the Sensen shock set because of its price, I really am curious and I have read enough decent reviews that I am willing to give it a shot. If they are shit/break quick I will grab some Bilsteins. I just dont know if those shocks will work with the H&R springs, I assume so, but at 130 for 4 shocks you never know... I dont even know if I NEED to replace my springs, but since they have 220k on em, I figure why not... :rolleyes

Those shocks will be shit, save the trouble of doing the job twice by getting Bilsteins the first time. Or just get OEM Sachs-Boges. The springs are probably just fine unless you want to lower you car.

[Janus525i]

supposedly (?) they are 1/3 the price because its a Chinese company trying to break into western markets, and according to buyer reviews I have read from BMW owners, they had 0 complaints. I am thinking I should try them just for the sake of trying them. I have all the tools and know how to do this whole project myself, at home, so I am not worried about labor at all, if I have to replace them next year with KYBs or Bilsteins I will.

I know my car has a 22mm top nut, but I dont see anywhere on their site if thats the size of the Sensens.

[5senses]

Best bet is stay w/ whatchu know.. billies or konis. Don't take my criticism to the bank but like you said the company is trying to venture westward.. try to get in touch w/ some owwners of that product or w/ technical support.

[PetesHelga]

Sure they can be a new company trying to gain market share but e34 aftermarket parts are 90% garbage from my experience. Further on, there is sooo much information about which shocks work well with these cars, I don't see the gain of putting in some no name brand.

If they don't list the size of the top nut, that should question how much R&D they put into making these things.

[Psykick5]

Koni Adjustables and Bilstiens are really nice. If you don't wanna do your shocks twice (or pay someone to do it twice) get it done right the first time.

[bam240sx]

biggest thing you need to realize is even if these shocks are decent quality & a big bang for the buck, they are probly made for oem springs so using lowering springs will put a lot more stress on them and screw them up quick either way... so you wont even know if they were good quality or not unless they take a crap in a couple weeks

edit: after looking at them they almost looks exactly like kyb gr2's which are semi crap to begin with... gray & everything

[TSMacNeil]

Are you nuts?

BMW is ALL about suspension and handling....period.

Bilstein Sports...

Konis, if you can find them.

that is all.

[Janus525i]

Decided not to toy around with it, so I am debating between these now:

Shocks/Struts:
Koni Street shocks or
Bilstein Touring Class shocks

Springs:
Eibach Pro-kit springs
H&R springs

Which two would you choose? Leaning towards Bilstein Touring Class and H&R Springs

[theczechone]

Bilstein Touring Class are definitely very fairly priced from BMA they run about 300 for all 4 which is cheaper than I can find Billies sports for used, and H&Rs are good, I believe Eibachs are a little rough, also have you considered Vogtlands? They seem to be the local favorites. Please do report on the Billie TCs if you get them, i think in a few paychecks I'll be trying to get a set my way.