Stock Springs after 100K?

[mjungbluth]

I'm replacing the shocks and struts Bilstein HD's on my 94 325iC which recommends using the stock springs.

I don't believe my suspension has ever been worked on and everything is still original. My car currently has 105k miles.

My question is... Are the stock springs STILL okay to use on the new shocks and struts??


Thanks,
MJ

[Pdwight]

I would replace them

[slocar]

If they aren't rusted/broken, they're fine. You're wasting money if you're just buying replacement OEM springs and the old ones are still in good shape.

[strad]

One of the things you can do is measure ride height and compare it spec. Bentley has instructions. If it is out of spec, it is the springs' fault.

[slocar]

One of the things you can do is measure ride height and compare it spec. Bentley has instructions. If it is out of spec, it is the springs' fault.

Strut mounts compress over tjme ... more than you think .. variation in height could be the strut mount itself.

[mjungbluth]

Has anybody heard of stock springs being worn out after 100k miles?

I don't believe my shocks, struts or springs have ever been replaced.

Thanks

[Auto Parts Guy]

I wouldn't replace the springs. that's a waste in my opinion.. struts, strut mounts, tie rods, bushings, ball joints, yes.

[mjungbluth]

If I replace the original springs I would go with Bilstein Sports and BavAutos convertible lower springs.

If it's ok to use still use the 100k mile stock springs then I will use Billstein HDs and the original springs to save money and possible camber issues.

Opinions?

Thanks,
MJ

[slocar]

If I replace the original springs I would go with Bilstein Sports and BavAutos convertible lower springs.

If it's ok to use still use the 100k mile stock springs then I will use Billstein HDs and the original springs to save money and possible camber issues.

Opinions?

Thanks,
MJ

I had that setup on an e34 and loved it. Same ride height, but the HDs improved handling immensely.

[mjungbluth]

I had that setup on an e34 and loved it. Same ride height, but the HDs improved handling immensely.

Same setup? I mentioned two separate setups in the quote. Which one was it; HD's with stock springs, OR the Bilstein Sports with BavAuto lower springs ( lowers the car 1.25 inches in front & 1.0 inch in back)

Thanks,
MJ

[Ken@BavAuto]

Rear 3 series springs are known to break the bottom coil off. Especially in areas where a lot of road salt is used. But if the springs are in good shape there is no real reason to replace them. Especially if you aren't looking to lower the car.

[mjungbluth]

Rear Especially in areas where a lot of road salt is used.

What is salt? (Live in AZ)

I actually prefer the BavAuto springs and Bilstein Sports setup.

My main concern comes from having to spend extra money on camber adjustment plates in front and adjustable camber arms in the rear to fix camber issues.

Would the adjustable camber kits be necessary to prevent uneven tire wear or any other nuances?

Thanks,
MJ

[slocar]

Same setup? I mentioned two separate setups in the quote. Which one was it; HD's with stock springs, OR the Bilstein Sports with BavAuto lower springs ( lowers the car 1.25 inches in front & 1.0 inch in back)

Thanks,
MJ

Whoops, thought I only quoted the part of the post I was replying to ... the HD/stock spring setup.

[Ken@BavAuto]

What is salt? (Live in AZ)

I actually prefer the BavAuto springs and Bilstein Sports setup.

My main concern comes from having to spend extra money on camber adjustment plates in front and adjustable camber arms in the rear to fix camber issues.

Would the adjustable camber kits be necessary to prevent uneven tire wear or any other nuances?

Thanks,
MJ

Every car is a little different. I drive about 90 miles a day and for a few years I had a lowered E36. It did wear rear tires on the insides quicker than the rest of the tread but it wasn't terrible. Had I installed a rear camber kit or camber arms it would have been fine. If all the bushings are fresh, the car isn't super-low, and you get it aligned properly tire wear shouldn't be too bad. If you have issues it will probably be in the rear.

[mjungbluth]

Every car is a little different. I drive about 90 miles a day and for a few years I had a lowered E36. It did wear rear tires on the insides quicker than the rest of the tread but it wasn't terrible. Had I installed a rear camber kit or camber arms it would have been fine. If all the bushings are fresh, the car isn't super-low, and you get it aligned properly tire wear shouldn't be too bad. If you have issues it will probably be in the rear.


Much thanks

[mjungbluth]

The only dilemma is my springs. If my stock springs are still okay to use I would like to go with the HD's, but if they should be replaced I am going with the Bavauto setup with adjustable rear control arms.

Stock springs ok to use after 100k sounds like from the earlier posts.

Toughdecisions...

[Toby B]

If your stock springs aren't broken, they are ok to use. Really.

And if you lower the car, the front's not going to gain enough camber to matter.

The rear will, but that can be fixed pretty easily... relatively...

t

[Das Omen]

I bought my 325I with just over 200k miles on it so I replaced everything with a Koni suspension set up on day 1 just to make sure. I dunno if the suspension was toast when I bought it, but the change of suspension was 100% improved by comparison.

[jno]

Consider the age of the car aswell, if it's only done 100K miles.
A coil might snap without warning on a car this old.

[daddys m3]

I had a 328 sport, same sort of situation as yours, I did not replace the springs and then much to my own budget at the time the passenger side spring went at the bottom, I would say change them, ok it will sit a little high for a bit but the snapped spring is a ball ache, it takes mins to do and euro car parts sell them.for about 28 quid each if your on a budget.

If you are planning on giving it a boot full on roundabouts honing your drifting skills I will snap enviable and you don't want to end up binning you pride a joy.

[Ken@BavAuto]

Another option if you think you might want to lower the car down the road but aren't sure, budget isn't there now, etc. would be to use sport shocks with the current springs. It's fine to use sport shocks with a stock spring but lowering springs with full length shocks doesn't work out so great. By using a stock spring with a sport shock you'll lose a slight amount of down-travel in the suspension but not enough for most people to even notice. We've had a few cars within the staff over the years set up this way and it works fine. Damping rates between a Bilstein Sport and a Bilstein HD are really close on an E36. So the difference in ride would be hardly be noticeable given the same springs. And that way if you do decide to go with lowering springs down the road you already have the appropriate shocks to go with them.

[mjungbluth]

Another option if you think you might want to lower the car down would be to use sport shocks with the current springs. It's fine to use sport shocks with a stock spring but lowering springs with full length shocks doesn't work out so great..Damping rates between a Bilstein Sport and a Bilstein HD are really close on an E36.

Thank you, that sounds like an excellent idea. I just have to convince myself that the springs are still in decent enough shape to re-use.

Just spoke with one of your reps and found out your bavauto springs are on backorder till the end of July. Way disappointing.....

Not a bad idea with the sports. I just have to convince myself that the springs are still in decent enough shape to re-use. I'm wayy past due and I'm hitting San Diego in four weeks.

Time to make some moves!

[ihsnshaik]

Rear 3 series springs are known to break the bottom coil off. Especially in areas where a lot of road salt is used. But if the springs are in good shape there is no real reason to replace them. Especially if you aren't looking to lower the car.

This is exactly what happened on my mothers E46. I came home and saw her car and I'm like wth is going on. I jacked her car up and saw a part of the coil missing and the other side a coil was still there but chunked off. I asked my mom do you here a rattling int he rear and she goes yeah! I ended up replaced two rear springs. 100 bucks shipped FCPeuro. Every other place wanted double or triple just for two springs. Its a daily if it was me I would've put lowering springs but yeah.

[Nanniepoo]

I have a '94 325i. Suspension was the first thing I did when I bought the car at ~135k miles. Only did the shocks, and front control arms and tie rods. Rear springs both broke maybe 2 years later and I drove on them for probably another 2 years. I had no idea they broke until I jacked up my car to change my tires and noticed the coil stting in on the lower mount. Just replaced them last night.

[mjungbluth]

Ended up going with Bilstein Sports with H&R Springs.



Thanks for the help Everyone!
MJ