Spring snapped

Chri5J4 · 01-26-2018, 08:51 AM

So, my front drivers side coil spring snapped last night, luckily within 20 seconds of starting it and only 10 yards off the driveway. The sound it made was ridiculous!

The passenger side front shock has had it (according to a local garage who wouldn't do an alignment because the front left wheel was moving around so much).

I was going to replace both front shocks, both springs and the top mounts while i'm there. If I'm going to take the suspension apart I may as well do as much as I can while its apart. Is there anything else I should consider replacing? Also, I was going to replace with SACHS shocks and springs, as they appear to be the brand currently on the vehicle.

BMW just quoted me £250 for two springs which seems extremely high to me, anyone got any recommendations? I'm struggling to find the correct springs for the vehicle.

Basically I've hit three potholes since the beginning of January and the front of the car feels wobbly and generally rather unstable and the steering wheel is off centre.

Thoughts appreciated.

ppointer · 01-26-2018, 10:25 AM

Most BMW experts will recommend you use BMW springs. In fact, I just read a short story on that in the BMW CCA magazine here in the states.

I have been using Bilstein B4s and B6s on my BMWs, and they are excellent alternatives to stock BMW shocks.

ECSTuning · 01-26-2018, 10:55 AM

You're at a crossroads, time to decide to replace with stock type stuff or go down the performance modification path.

If stock stuff, I highly suggest Genuine BMW or Suplex (stock replacement) springs. For shocks, Sacs is typically the original shock you'll find, Bilstein B4s are also a perfect stock type replacement.

Performance modification path.... that can get 'fun'. Everything from springs and shocks (I suggest H&R or Swift springs paired with Bilstein B8 shocks, to coilovers (depending on what you want out of the car TONs of choices), to adjustable air ride suspension.

-James

Chri5J4 · 01-26-2018, 11:16 AM

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll give it some thought.

I wouldn't mind resolving the 'bob' at the rear under acceleration. I believe this is typical of a stock 335i . . .

Maxlude · 01-31-2018, 11:58 PM

Personally i thought the original ride and handling set up on my 06 330d SE was absolute rubbish. Almost sold it after 1st year. Replacing the run flats with standard tyres helped a little but the biggest improvement was swapping out the oe sachs with koni fsd 5yrs ago. Rear spring snapped last year and replaced all with eibach pro kit. Its 90% there now and is main reason ive kept it so long whereas stock was 30%

01-26-2018, 08:51 AM	#1
Chri5J4 New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Spring snapped So, my front drivers side coil spring snapped last night, luckily within 20 seconds of starting it and only 10 yards off the driveway. The sound it made was ridiculous! The passenger side front shock has had it (according to a local garage who wouldn't do an alignment because the front left wheel was moving around so much). I was going to replace both front shocks, both springs and the top mounts while i'm there. If I'm going to take the suspension apart I may as well do as much as I can while its apart. Is there anything else I should consider replacing? Also, I was going to replace with SACHS shocks and springs, as they appear to be the brand currently on the vehicle. BMW just quoted me £250 for two springs which seems extremely high to me, anyone got any recommendations? I'm struggling to find the correct springs for the vehicle. Basically I've hit three potholes since the beginning of January and the front of the car feels wobbly and generally rather unstable and the steering wheel is off centre. Thoughts appreciated. Last edited by Chri5J4; 01-26-2018 at 09:13 AM.. Reason: further info
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01-26-2018, 10:25 AM	#2
ppointer Major 743 Rep 1,096 Posts Drives: '01 Z3M, '12 335is, '22 540i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: FLL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i [5.25] 2012 BMW 335is [5.00] 2008 Infiniti QX56 [0.00] 1967 Chevrolet Corv ... [10.00] 2001 M Roadster [10.00] 2022 BMW 540i [0.75] 2009 528i [9.50]	Most BMW experts will recommend you use BMW springs. In fact, I just read a short story on that in the BMW CCA magazine here in the states. I have been using Bilstein B4s and B6s on my BMWs, and they are excellent alternatives to stock BMW shocks.
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01-26-2018, 10:55 AM	#3
ECSTuning New Lifetime Replacement Policy 816 Rep 11,738 Posts Drives: Independent Tuning Specialists Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (18)	You're at a crossroads, time to decide to replace with stock type stuff or go down the performance modification path. If stock stuff, I highly suggest Genuine BMW or Suplex (stock replacement) springs. For shocks, Sacs is typically the original shock you'll find, Bilstein B4s are also a perfect stock type replacement. Performance modification path.... that can get 'fun'. Everything from springs and shocks (I suggest H&R or Swift springs paired with Bilstein B8 shocks, to coilovers (depending on what you want out of the car TONs of choices), to adjustable air ride suspension. -James
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01-26-2018, 11:16 AM	#4
Chri5J4 New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the recommendations, I'll give it some thought. I wouldn't mind resolving the 'bob' at the rear under acceleration. I believe this is typical of a stock 335i . . .
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01-31-2018, 11:58 PM	#5
Maxlude First Lieutenant 158 Rep 308 Posts Drives: E90 330D_SE_Man, F90_M5C Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Personally i thought the original ride and handling set up on my 06 330d SE was absolute rubbish. Almost sold it after 1st year. Replacing the run flats with standard tyres helped a little but the biggest improvement was swapping out the oe sachs with koni fsd 5yrs ago. Rear spring snapped last year and replaced all with eibach pro kit. Its 90% there now and is main reason ive kept it so long whereas stock was 30%
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