2002 BMW 325xi
Hey, guys. I'm back again, and this time I've got a new front driver side CV axle, FSR, and I changed the rear differential fluid. NOW I'm looking to replace the stupid coil-over shocks/struts the previous owner had put in this beast. I never understood the point in slamming a car to the ground unless you plan on hitting the track. Track cars need the extra aerodynamic and rigid suspension. But on the streets? Hell no. I need a much smoother ride and an actual suspension that can take the beating of an everyday driver. The roads out here in the tri-state area are absolutely shitty; especially after all the plows these past few snow storms have tore up the roads.
I'm starting to look up shocks/struts for my lovely newly owned E46. I noticed FCPEuro's site says the Bilstein B4 shocks/strust are basically OEM, but one step up, while still remaining very affordable, which is pretty much what I'm looking for. I just want my ride to be more comfortable and more at stock height. The following link is for the strut I was referring to from FCPEuro.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ring-19-220598
If there's better options that are just as affordable, or more-so, please let me know. I know people like to brand-whore a bit (or a lot), and I welcome it (reasonably) because I don't know car suspensions whatsoever.
Other issues I want to solve...
- I need the plastic push-style retaining pin for the radiator (the one on the driver side). I lost the original one Anyone know where I can find some to buy for my E46?
- I need screws for the transmission splash guard. Both kinds. Anyone know where I can find some to buy? Alongside the little mounts for them that slide onto the metal on the car that the screws actually screw into.
Those (b6) are great shocks.
I have the bilstein b4 on my xi. Rides like a dream. Be sure and buy new bump stops.
Unfortunately, not really affordable for me. I don't doubt they would perform amazingly, but I'm not looking to spend that much on a suspension system that would never get its full potential used.
Thanks for the info! I will definitely be sure to do that. Do they come with mounts as well? The current shocks/struts are like a purple color, so the mounts are also that color. It'd be a little awkward (at least for me) knowing that my shock/strut mounts are purple versus the OEM black-colored mounts. And on that note, are there any other hardware I should get besides the bump stops?
No they do not come with the mounts.
I would purchase a kit, since you are unfamiliar with all the bits and pieces necessary.
Just make sure you are matching F-R Kits.
You are correct. Apart from the struts themselves, the springs (the rear struts have no springs thankfully), mounts, and bump stops; I'm not sure what else is exactly involved with the shocks/struts of this car. What is/are the kit(s) called and where would I be able to find it/them?
Well, um, duhh, try searching fcpeuro's site using keywords "shock kit"
and you'll come up with this: https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/32...rds=shocks+kit
similarly other online vendors will have kits as well, ya think? Not to be hard on ya, but a little basic use of the "Search" function will bring things up quicker than I can type this up.
Charlie
Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to add value to these threads, either by pictures or by descriptions, so the next person with the same or similar problem stands on your shoulders.
Here is a shock/strut package:https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...ks-struts-kit/
At a good price, only without the bits and pieces.
Then pull up the Bilstein front strut kit, and order the remaining parts(bits&pieces)-minus the 2 B6 struts, from Turner:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...chs-e46frontxi
Same for the rear shock kit, minus the shocks&springs, to complete the order from Turner:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...plex-06164kit2
I hope you have the original BMW springs(F&R) as the coilovers do not use them.
Are you sure you have a coilover kit installed, and not a shock/strut lowered spring combo?
I'm like 99% positive they are coil-overs in the front (the rear have no springs) since their springs are much slimmer looking (as in don't take up as much of a circumference as OEM style springs). Below is a quick picture I took without taking the wheel off. You see how the top of it is pink/red/purple/whatever? It bothers me lol. This makes me believe I would need to order a whole front shock assembly for both sides as opposed to just the shock absorbers and transferring hardware over. The rear is just struts and bump stops it looks like, so a much cheaper replacement than the front.
IMG_20180328_1222253.jpg
EDIT
I would want to get something like this for the front (a whole assembly), right? Since in my situation, I have nothing of the original shocks/struts for the car. Just these lame coil-over shocks/struts the previous owner installed.
https://www.carid.com/2002-bmw-3-ser...Wheel%20Drive)
Last edited by legobumb; 03-28-2018 at 12:37 PM.
Sorry, never heard of FCS,
I would be leery of their quality.
I was only putting it up for example's sake, just to demonstrate what I mean by a full assembly as opposed to just the shock absorber. If you have a suggestion for a full front shock assembly, that'd be great. I didn't see any on FCPEuro or TurnerMotorSport sites.
Enter the last 7digits of your VIN here:http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
Then click on the Front Axle and Rear Axle diagrams, you'll see your stock setup with part#'s.
This way you have a better picture of what's required.
This is the rear shocks. I know for a fact that they don't normally have springs to them. Parts 15-18 seem to be an "alternate" way of building? I'm not sure what's going on in that diagram exactly with parts 15-18. I know for a fact that the rear shocks don't utilize springs, though.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_0841
Yes they do, the spring sits atop the upper wishbones #13(L&R) side.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_0840
That is why they are included in the rear shock kit link on post#9.
Watch video and read blog tutorial.
https://blog.bavauto.com/14307/bmw-d...lation-how-to/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxO3WRgamYc
I watched this guy do his front and rear struts/shocks and when he took out the rear shock (From 4:00 to 4:20 when he takes out the rear shock), there were no springs involved. Just a straight 1 to 1 replacement, carrying over the bump stop.
But after watching that bavauto video, I see where the spring is located now. I'll definitely give it a look-see after replacing the rear shocks unless the previous owner also replaced the springs in the rear as well. I'm not 100% sure anymore until I can get another good look at everything without the wheels on. If you use coil-overs that lower the ride height the way they do, you'd have to use different springs, right? Or can you use the stock springs on the E46 with coil-overs?
Yes,but listen carefully to his comments between 3:40-3:53
Right after he takes the wheel off. (Sorry, on the video you posted)
Last edited by MIKYZZ4; 03-28-2018 at 09:45 PM.
Supporting the axle before taking off the bolts? I already knew that, but thanks for making sure I don't destroy my car or kill myself lol.
"You want to get your jack underneath your suspension to support it,
Otherwise the coilspring is going to shoot the thing down, once you disconnect the shock"
This is spoken between the time on the video timer as indicated at bottom of YouTube window.(3:40 - 3:53)
Yes. That's what I just said. Thank you.
I found a complete front strut assembly on ebay. I've never heard of BOMPA. Are they decent?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-2-of-F...VZiWPu&vxp=mtr
Part #'s: 171581, 171582
I also found another complete front strut assembly from FCS on rockauto.com
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...419207&jsn=396
Part #'s: 1335835L, 1335835R
I'd save ~$60 going with the BOMPA in this scenario.
Bilstein, KYB, Sachs, Koni, or OEM only.
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