NEWBIE Need new Shock and Struts,,NEED help ASAP

[mrfoote]

Hello all, just bought a 1997 BMW 328I, love it so much. I have one problem, or acutally four problems...I took the car to my mechanic(known for 15 yrs) and he told me that I have the original Shocks and struts on the car, and that one was leaking. I am having trouble trying to figure out what I should put on the car, with the budget I have. Could anyone give me any idea of what I need to put on and where I can get it. I have 500.00 to spend...I want to get this done in the next 3-4 days...Any help would be appreciated.

Thanksss
:bluecryin Help!!!!

[mgambini]

Koni's or Bilsteins are the only way to go but will cost $500--600 just for the shocks and struts. DIY is possible if you have done mechanic work before. Need a spring compressor and garage tools-not too difficult.
MikeG

[abemcclellan]

just like Mike said, or you could go with oem shocks and struts like Boge. which will be cheaper.

[jackcass]

Need to do that in 3-4 days? That's pretty soon. You're not going to do springs right, just shocks and struts? As said before, the shocks and struts will cost you about $500 for just parts. Then you've got to pay labor or do it yourself.

Honestly, if the car is drivable for a while, I'd just take it easy and drive it around until you can spend a little more time looking into exactly what you want. Remember, anything rushed will cost you more, especially if you have to pay for upgraded shipping on parts. If your mechanic says he thinks it's okay to drive, then just drive it for a while.

[three28is]

Need to do that in 3-4 days? That's pretty soon. You're not going to do springs right, just shocks and struts? As said before, the shocks and struts will cost you about $500 for just parts. Then you've got to pay labor or do it yourself.

Honestly, if the car is drivable for a while, I'd just take it easy and drive it around until you can spend a little more time looking into exactly what you want. Remember, anything rushed will cost you more, especially if you have to pay for upgraded shipping on parts. If your mechanic says he thinks it's okay to drive, then just drive it for a while.

i agree. the car should be driveable and you shouldn't rush it. i've had blown shocks/struts for the last 5 months or so. its not really a big deal unless u drive like an animal. but anyway, i finally got around to ordering a set of bekkers coilovers so my problem will be gone soon :alright

[mrfoote]

I found some Bilsteins for arund 479.00 on a website, but there were non adjustable. They came with springs, struts and shocks. I also found a set of
Tokico http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7982905968&category=33590&sspagename=WDVW
My mechaninc told me he would install everything for 185.00. I just have to buy the parts. He also said he could get the bilsteins. I have not found any Konis yet. I have been researching this for the last week, so I think I am ready. I just wanted to know the best route to take. I am not really looking to lower the car, I just want a nice ride, and I want the car to hug the turns when I am moving around them.
ANyway thanks for all the help fellas...
BTW this site is great... :alright

[jackcass]

Bilsteins are very popular. You can get either touring (normal ride) or sport (sportier ride). Don't worry about getting an adjustable kit, it's not worth it for most street car applications. Another choice would be Boge, which I believe are the OE shock on the car.

[abemcclellan]

i had tokico on my 300zx and they sucked major balls. i wouldn't get them again. i've used bilsteins and necer regretted my decision. bilsteins are some of the best.

[martialartsblac]

[QUOTE=mrfoote]I found some Bilsteins for arund 479.00 on a website, but there were non adjustable. They came with springs, struts and shocks. I also found a set of
Tokico http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7982905968&category=33590&sspagename=WDVW

yea i was gonna ask if anyone was running these or not

[supark]

I found some Bilsteins for arund 479.00 on a website, but there were non adjustable. They came with springs, struts and shocks.

That's a pretty damn good price - which site did you get it from?

[mrfoote]

http://eshocks.com/bil_veh4.asp?Model_Index=13&Make=BMW&Group1=Cars&Make_Long=BMW&Manf=Bilstein

I think this is it. I may be wrong...

[mrfoote]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33590&item=7983587787&rd=1

Could this be it?

[mrfoote]

What about Eibach equipement
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?autoMake=BMW&autoModel=328i+Sport+Pkg&autoYear=1997&autoModClar=&make=Eibach&model=Sport-System+Kit&group=Sport-System+Kit&partNum=4.3320.780&perfCode=S

[jetmech3421]

For street use, don't rule out Monroes. I installed Monroe SensaTrack strunts on my M3 and couldn't be happier. Lifetime warranty and under $200.00 for the front's. I believe the rears are about $40.00 a peice. www.rockauto.com

If you're happy with the stock ride and ride height, give them a try. You won't be dissapointed.

[mrfoote]

I want tight handling and gripping road on fast turns...Is monroe gonna do that for me?

[jetmech3421]

It has for my M3! I don't track my car so I can't speak from that angle, but on the streets I drive every day it handles very well. The ride quality is terrific...nice and firm but not overly harsh.

If you don't give a hoot about ride quality and have money to burn, by all means, go with Koni's or Bilstien's. If you want a cost effective replacement strut/shock with a lifetime warranty and very good road feel, try the Monroes.

[jetmech3421]

I want tight handling and gripping road on fast turns...Is monroe gonna do that for me?

You maye find that putting money into top quality tires will have more of an effect on those driving qualities then your suspension setup.

[kartman2]

I used H&R race with bilstein sport shocks. The result was great. I got
everything pluc installaton for $1000.00. Perhaps you could buy and install
the shocks first, save up and install the springs at a later date. I got the
desired lowering with the H&R. Good luck!

[supark]

You maye find that putting money into top quality tires will have more of an effect on those driving qualities then your suspension setup.

just checked out the site - pretty decent prices. What qualifies as sport suspension? If it just means a bit of a drop - I might just throw in some HR OE Sports while I'm at it to drop it an inch in the front and a 1/2" in the rear.

[bigbadboss101]

My 325 needed struts and the shop told me it would be $700.00 Cdn for Monroe shocks. I phoned around and decided to spend $800 on the Koni struts/springs kit. How much are OEM struts? I didn't want to go generic. My guess is Monroe is good on Jet's M3 but OEM would work better when driven harder?

[jetmech3421]

My understanding is that the Monroes are designed to be a direct replcement for OEM, same dampening rate ect. I'm hoping they'll last a bit longer then OEM's will and since they have a life time warranty, it'll be a free replacement if they don't.

If you're seriously thinking of doing lots of auto X or tracking, then there are probably better choices out there, but for a daily driver with the same driving charisteristics as stock, I don't think the Monroes can be beat.

[96_328is_CO]

the price on those Monroes is pretty nice. is there anything else that I would need to purchase if I bought the Monroe Shocks and Struts? i am already getting new RSMs.

[mrfoote]

Cant afford the Bilsteins. My MEchanic has got a better deal on the Original parts from BMW. AS opposed to the Monroes. 50 bucks more for the BMW parts, so I decided to go with that. 750 total...I wish I had the time and knew how to do it my self.

[supark]

My understanding is that the Monroes are designed to be a direct replcement for OEM, same dampening rate ect. I'm hoping they'll last a bit longer then OEM's will and since they have a life time warranty, it'll be a free replacement if they don't.

If you're seriously thinking of doing lots of auto X or tracking, then there are probably better choices out there, but for a daily driver with the same driving charisteristics as stock, I don't think the Monroes can be beat.

do you know how much of a drop is required to use the Monroe sport suspension?

[Sarkis]

i am in the same boat i have a 95 325i i need suspension i was thinking Bliestiens but dont know to go with H&R race or H&R Sport springs i drive the car year round and track occasionally

[hung low]

For street use, don't rule out Monroes. I installed Monroe SensaTrack strunts on my M3 and couldn't be happier. Lifetime warranty and under $200.00 for the front's. I believe the rears are about $40.00 a peice. www.rockauto.com

If you're happy with the stock ride and ride height, give them a try. You won't be dissapointed.

What springs do you have with those Monroes??

[jetmech3421]

What springs do you have with those Monroes??

Im using the stock springs with the standard Monroes for my M3. Of course, the M3 compatable Monroes are probably a bit stiffer then the sport version for the 328i.

I'd suggest you contact Monroe directly about your questions.

[jetmech3421]

do you know how much of a drop is required to use the Monroe sport suspension?

I'm not sure about that. I have a 328iC with the sport suspension as well as an M3. I know the 328iC sport suspension is a bit lower the stock so if you buy the stock sport springs, I guess that's what you'd need to use with the sport Monroes.

You might want to contact Monroe directly regarding this question though. They may be able to suggest appropriate springs for this application.

[mrfoote]

I went with the Dealer equipment. My mechanic put on the Stock BMW equipment. And all is well. DAMN it feels so EFFIN Good...(hope I can say that). I was thinking of putting on some springs, Yeah I know I should have put it on when the shocks and struts were being done, but No cash...Any Ideas, I am not looking for much of a drop, maybe 1.5 in front, and 2.0 in back, Does that seem to much for New York(manhattan and Long Island driving) .. :D :D :D

[jonjon0nline]

If you wanted to go lower you should've purchased stiffer shocks/struts. I'm riding on stock M3 suspension and couldn't be happier. It lowered my car significantly over stock and the priced very low.

Anyhow, the kit I was looking into buying was the vogtland/koni setup. It was around $632 and was said to have a comfortable ride. Do a search on "vogtland" and I'm sure a thread will turn up.