I just purchased my 1997 M3 w/ 116k miles and the car came with Stock Springs and Koni Yellows(Top Mount adjustable F&R). I was wondering how long these shocks are good for typically. I do know the car has been tracked at least 3 times since the previous owner has had it. The car shocks still seem firm with no unnecessary rebound, but if I am going to redo all the suspension, I would like to do EVERYTHING that could become a potential problem.
I have the intention on getting on the track pretty soon but dont want to get coil-overs just yet and dont always think they are necessary for spirited DE's.
Thanks for the replies!
Justin
Current Rides:
2011 335d MSport
2008 M3 Vert
My Ride History
1999 328is Lease Return :-)
2002 325ci AA Supercharged SOLD
2003 330i ZHP SOLD
1997 M3 Sedan SOLD
2006 Misubishi Lancer Evolution IX SE SOLD
2011 128i MSport (Onesie!) TOTALED after 1k miles
2008 VW R32 TRADED-IN
Wifeys Ride History
2001 VW New Beetle GLS Turbo [1.8t - 5 speed - BBS RXII's] SOLD
2007 VW GTI [DSG] - SOLD
2009 VW Tiguan S - "Babymobile" SOLD
As long as they aren't leaking, I'm sure they are fine. I had 40k miles and 25 track events on mine when I replaced them with c/o and they worked as good as the day i installed them.
Kyle Burkhardt
NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
76 2002 "tii"
14 Mustang GT Track Pack
Yea Koni Yellows are pretty reliable, I'd worry about ur stock springs blowing first rather than your shocks
I have had mine for over 4 HARD years. Still work for me
Matt Williams -
Current - 01 LSB M3
Past - #21 GTS-3 -
95 Alpine White/Yellow M3 - Stock, except for the stuff that isn't
Do they start to sag after awhile? I swear it looks like my rear is lower than it was when I first installed them, with my front with no change.
No sag, but that wouldn't be the dampers.
Kyle Burkhardt
NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
76 2002 "tii"
14 Mustang GT Track Pack
Current Rides:
2011 335d MSport
2008 M3 Vert
My Ride History
1999 328is Lease Return :-)
2002 325ci AA Supercharged SOLD
2003 330i ZHP SOLD
1997 M3 Sedan SOLD
2006 Misubishi Lancer Evolution IX SE SOLD
2011 128i MSport (Onesie!) TOTALED after 1k miles
2008 VW R32 TRADED-IN
Wifeys Ride History
2001 VW New Beetle GLS Turbo [1.8t - 5 speed - BBS RXII's] SOLD
2007 VW GTI [DSG] - SOLD
2009 VW Tiguan S - "Babymobile" SOLD
Do some searcing in in the M3 forum, but there seems to be 2 h&R sport springs out there (and you don't get a choice). One has a modest drop. One is ridiculous. I got the ridiculous ones and had to run 2 10mm pads.
Kyle Burkhardt
NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
76 2002 "tii"
14 Mustang GT Track Pack
97 Estoril/Black M3/4/5
"Although we've experienced an M3 sedan with an automatic, our test car came fitted as God intended, with a 5-speed manual ..."
Road & Track May 1997, testing the M3 Sedan
Thanks! Well my car has 118k on it so who knows how long the springs are going to last. I also have Koni Yellows so Id like to match them to a nice firm spring but I dont wanna catch my front end on anything here in TX. I would like .5" front and minimal rear drope as i like the Raked look of M3's.
And Pete, didnt you want those TRACK PADS? I posted pics and PMed you.
Current Rides:
2011 335d MSport
2008 M3 Vert
My Ride History
1999 328is Lease Return :-)
2002 325ci AA Supercharged SOLD
2003 330i ZHP SOLD
1997 M3 Sedan SOLD
2006 Misubishi Lancer Evolution IX SE SOLD
2011 128i MSport (Onesie!) TOTALED after 1k miles
2008 VW R32 TRADED-IN
Wifeys Ride History
2001 VW New Beetle GLS Turbo [1.8t - 5 speed - BBS RXII's] SOLD
2007 VW GTI [DSG] - SOLD
2009 VW Tiguan S - "Babymobile" SOLD
My GC Koni coilover kit blew two shocks in the first 3k miles.
Your stock springs should last the life of your vehicle.
Konis aren't the longest lasting dampers - but don't replace them while they're still good. That's a waste.
996 GT3 4.0
[THREAD RESURRECTION SPELL CAST]
When I replaced my stock suspension in 2009 in my 96 328is, at around 140k miles, both rear stock springs were broken. The entire bottom coil on both sides was just sitting on the pad in the trailing arm. Maybe the old lady first owner drove it harder than I thought lol.
When I installed my Vogtland lowering kit, which was supposed to lower the rear approx 1.6", compared to my before measurement the drop was zero. It actually was riding about 1/8th inch HIGHER with unbroken springs.
Car now has 250800 miles (ikr?), and looking everything over last weekend as I did rear wheel bearing replacement on both sides, the Vogtland springs still look almost new 8 years later, although the struts and shocks are trashed.
1996 328is 5spd
M50 manifold |Tuned intake fab'd in-house w/ ABS heatshield |ASC delete w/ OEM intake boot |DrVanos Stage I kit |3.15 LSD (RIP donor M3) |Conforti Shark Injector |Bosch 140a alternator |Vogtland Junior Susp. Kit, dropped 1.6" all around |Sparco STB |Motorsport X-Brace w/ buffer |Ebay RSTB |Ricochet Poly LCABs |UUC Urethane RTABS| CDV Delete |UUC Stainless Clutch Line |The Last BSW dual 12" sub box EVER MADE! |Paint-matched M5 Trunk Lip Spoiler |DDM Motorsport International M3 side moldings |DJ Auto Projectors w/ DDE Thinlines & 55w 5000k HID |Fan Delete w/ switched electric rad fan |Exhaust "golf-t" mod
jesus christ my post up above is from ELEVEN years ago...
Why was this thread woken? In any case I’ve seen old Beetles with 30 year old Koni’s that are still fine.
PCA HPDE Instructor
current:
2004 M3 convert 6sp man - low mileage beauty!
past:
1995 BMW M3 3.2
2004 M3 convert SMG
2003 BMW 540i6 Alpine White M sport (I want her back!)
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