E38 rear lower spring pad

[lajtof]

Hi everyone

I'm replacing whole suspension in my E38 750i to Bilstein B6 shocks. I currently have the SLS on the rear, that I'll be removing. The last piece I need is the rear lower spring pad.

Is there any available replacement part for rear lower spring pad - part no. 33521131523? It would be nice to replace it after 27 years on the road. It has been discontinued and it seems to be completely unavailable, at least in Poland and Germany (info I got from Polish BMW parts reseller).

Maybe there are some pads from other BMW models and are confirmed to fit E38. I found part no. 33531133671 (used in E32, E34, E39, E65 and many more) but I doubt it will fit E38. I found some info that it has smaller inner diameter than the pad I got from my E38.

Thanks for help

[0asis2007]

Hi

Did you have any luck with this?
I also need to find an alternative for this spring pad, since this part number is no longer available anywhere.

[lajtof]

Hi

I used top spring pads also on the bottom. Everything seems to sit alright (the ride height etc.). I don't know about durability though, didn't do many kilometers with this setup.

[niklecce123]

So did anyone find a suitable replacement? I also saw part # 33531133671 but I am not sure on fitment either.

[VIPUKS]

I would also love to know if there is replacement for discontinued part.
It appears nobody is making this part anymore.

[Manny G.]

I've been having a hard time finding a pair myself. It's popped up on ebay a few times, but the seller ends up refunding me saying they arent available.

[clarkitect]

Nla

[davekarem]

I used a top spring pad on the bottom and trimmed it. I didn't want to have a metal-on-metal situation there. However, there's some play so I'm not super happy with it, but has been viable for a few thousanf miles so far.

[Manny G.]

Trying to see if we can pool together some info about a compatible alternative here, I see that rear lower spring pad for my 2001 740i M-Sport uses Part number 33521131523, is compatible with:

6' E24   (12/1977 — 04/1989)
7' E32   (10/1985 — 08/1994)
7' E38   (07/1993 — 07/2001)

When I looked into which models of each body type, only considering US models:

E24 = 635CSi
E32 = 735i/L M Sport, 740i/L, & non-M Sport 750iL
E38 = 740i/L, and 750iL


The other part number referenced in the first post here, part number 33531133671, is compatible with:

5' E34   (03/1987 — 12/1996)
5' E39   (02/1995 — 07/2003)
5' E60   (12/2001 — 06/2007)
5' E60 LCI   (10/2005 — 09/2010)
6' E63   (05/2002 — 07/2007)
6' E63 LCI   (04/2006 — 07/2010)
6' E64   (09/2002 — 07/2007)
6' E64 LCI   (04/2006 — 07/2010)
7' E32   (10/1985 — 03/1994)
7' E65   (02/2000 — 07/2008)
7' E66   (06/2000 — 07/2008)
Z8 E52   (12/1998 — 07/2003)


So I highlighted E32 there in this list because the original NLA part was compatible with just about EVERY E32 EXCEPT the 750iL M Sport , in which the new part number is compatible with. The original NLA part was compatible with the E32 735i M Sport rear.

So, question is, how different was the E32 750iL M sport suspension from the 735i M sport suspension. OP says it has smaller inner diameter, do we know this for sure?

[shogun]

33521131523 is sold by oldtimerparts in Germany for EURO 75.90/piece + shipping, not original, offer text: Material: Rubber TPU-90a, Manufacturing process: Multi-Jet-Fusion, E24 E32 E38 spring pad buffer rubber https://oldtimerparts.de/en/shop/old...d-33521131523/

to compare dimensions buy from amazon for $7 a cheap URO Parts 33531133671 Coil Spring Shim and compare with your original 33521131523
======================
update: today someone posted on the German 7-forum, that he just received 2 x 33521131523 from the dealer, the parts he had ordered already 2 years ago, apparently now they are available again. Check with your local BMW dealer

[niklecce123]

I saw this post and kept meaning to call mine. Called this morning and was able to place an order for 2 pads with the part number: 33521131523. Came to about $50 total, it should arrive to my dealer tomorrow. I am based in Pennsylvania. Thanks @shogun for the tip to call the dealer.

[Manny G.]

I just checked with ECS support today and they still see it back ordered.

I am going to call the dealer and just order it from them instead.

[niklecce123]

I was told there were 48 at the local warehouse, so they are available in larger quantities. I’m guessing that BMW only makes these in a limited # of batches.

[Manny G.]

South Florida dealer - Vista BMW - said they will be in on Tuesday for me.

[davekarem]

Damn, I just called Vista and they're on backorder again.

[Manny G.]

Damn, I just called Vista and they're on backorder again.

I got a call this morning that they were in, just picked them up from Vista about an hour ago. I will say, Vista had them listed for twice the price I was seeing them elsewhere. Vista had them for $50/each, other places had them for $25/each

IMG20231222122557.jpg

[niklecce123]

I think my dealer helps me out with prices, I used to work for them years ago but I don’t think I’m getting an “employee” discount. The list price for the spring pad for me was $50 each.

[URO Parts]

If anyone was curious, we've sold almost 700 of Coil Spring Shim 33 53 1 133 671 in the last year with no complaints or returns, and 4.7 stars on Amazon.

[davekarem]

If anyone was curious, we've sold almost 700 of Coil Spring Shim 33 53 1 133 671 in the last year with no complaints or returns, and 4.7 stars on Amazon.

To confirm, this is for vehicles with SLS+EDC?

[URO Parts]

To confirm, this is for vehicles with SLS+EDC?

Hi Dave, please see the vehicle applications here, which don't appear to require/exclude SLS or EDC.

[VIPUKS]

Can confirm the pads are available. Just hit local bmw and they should have it. My local shop website said it’s out of stock but quick phone call helped to place an order.