[tomgwuyn]

Hi,

My 06 330i has 110K miles on it . It is a manual and is a sport suspension .I would like to replace the entire suspension and it is due too at this mileage. The car makes the worst sound as though it is going to crash when hitting a pothole.

Should I just replace the struts/shocks and the related hardware or also change the control arms and bushings.

Would like to know how much would it cost to replace it? And what brands/recommended shops would you suggest? I am in the NY/NJ area.

Thanks,

[Phil325i]

How long is a piece of string? Seriously, you can spend anything from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars. Changing the whole suspension seems extreme to me. I suggest you find a good indy who can get your car on a ramp and check for wear in the various bushes and links before you shell out unnecessarily.

[nvturbo]

^^^ nice suggestion but $1200+ isn't considered "BUDGET".

[Jklad]

Take a look at a set of bilstein b4 or Sachs replacement shock set for around $400. Add a shock replacement kit with the miscellaneous parts for around $250 which often include the upper and lower spring perches, mounts upper and lower mounts, bump stops, etc. Labor is around 500-600 give or take. If you have anything left over, yes replace (or upgrade to m3)your front upper and lower control arms with TRW replacements. Finally, new tie rods are an extra option (lemforder).

Oh, you'll need an alignment too.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by nvturbo

^^^ nice suggestion but $1200+ isn't considered "BUDGET".

For a car with 110k on it, I'd absolutely consider $1200 for everything you may or may not need to be "budget".

The only way to beat this is to physically disassemble the entire suspension, inspect all the parts and replace only what actually needs to be replaced. Even then, with B4 struts from Rockauto, you will have wasted a crap ton of time, energy and possibly break things along the way.

Then there's the time the remaining used bits will last. Do you think leaving partially used suspension bits will last another 100k like the parts you replaced? Likely not, which means you'll be in there, again.

In summation, if you have all the time in the world and are experienced you can beat that price. But not by much, all things considered.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by tomgwuyn

Hi,

My 06 330i has 110K miles on it . It is a manual and is a sport suspension .I would like to replace the entire suspension and it is due too at this mileage. The car makes the worst sound as though it is going to crash when hitting a pothole.

Should I just replace the struts/shocks and the related hardware or also change the control arms and bushings.

Would like to know how much would it cost to replace it? And what brands/recommended shops would you suggest? I am in the NY/NJ area.

Thanks,

I'd replace the surrounding hardware & shocks and struts.

As far as subframe bushings, engine mounts, diff mounts, control arms, control arm bushings
and trans mounts. You should make that a priority for your next project in about a year or two max. I wouldn't let the above go more than 150,000 miles.

Just my 2 cents.

[nvturbo]

Originally Posted by tlow98

For a car with 110k on it, I'd absolutely consider $1200 for everything you may or may not need to be "budget".

The only way to beat this is to physically disassemble the entire suspension, inspect all the parts and replace only what actually needs to be replaced. Even then, with B4 struts from Rockauto, you will have wasted a crap ton of time, energy and possibly break things along the way.

Then there's the time the remaining used bits will last. Do you think leaving partially used suspension bits will last another 100k like the parts you replaced? Likely not, which means you'll be in there, again.

In summation, if you have all the time in the world and are experienced you can beat that price. But not by much, all things considered.

Budget is under $750. Anything beyond that isn't. Replacing suspension parts isn't rocket science. They were installed with nuts and bolts so it shouldn't take more than a few hours with common tools. Honestly, if you have to pay to get your car lowered, expect to pay $$$.

[GoRomeo]

I am on the same boat as OP with 150k miles, I am not sure where to start... I guess like someone mentioned above. I will have to lift car and do a good visual inspection...

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by nvturbo

Budget is under $750. Anything beyond that isn't. Replacing suspension parts isn't rocket science. They were installed with nuts and bolts so it shouldn't take more than a few hours with common tools. Honestly, if you have to pay to get your car lowered, expect to pay $$$.

Is $750 your definition of "budget"?

Not sure what the rocket science is about - I never mentioned it was hard work.

[tomgwuyn]

I inquired a well reputed Indy shop in NYC which is like 200 miles from where I stay and they have quoted 1300$ as ballpark figure to replace suspension (OEM brand) which includes wheel alignment.

I also need to repair the wheels(rim) which is bent and need to replace the rear winter tires with all season tires. Not sure which job to do first? Any recommendations?

[The Nightman]

I just replaced the suspension on my E90 at 75k miles. My non-sport dampers felt very "crashy" over bumps but hadn't failed yet. I used sport springs and Bilstein B4s and am very happy with the ride - sporty yet compliant. I did it myself over the weekend and parts only cost $450:

- Sport springs: $100 (used)
- Bilstein B4s: $250 (eBay during 20% promo)
- OEM quality hardware: $100 (RM European)

I replaced my strut mounts, upper and lower shock mounts and all bump stops. Everything else was in good condition and was reused.

[hOlykamOtie*]

Koni FSD and STR.T are currently on sale at Tirerack with rebates too. To refresh the mounts which I recommend, you can get them at rockauto, fcpeuro, ecstuning and also ebay. Just shop around to find the cheapest deals!

[lab_rat]

Originally Posted by chris@strutmonkey

Kits start at $999. No easy way to do it for less until you don't replace parts that you should replace. At 110k miles, you really have no choice. Recommend you do it once, and do it right.

My car's specs & mileage were nearly identical to the OP (my car is a 330i, build date of Aug 2005, with ~114,000 miles at the time of suspension components replacement/upgrade).

I chose to go with the advice that Chris @ StrutMonkey gives: do it once, do it right, and do it safely.

Plus, his pre-built struts make it easy to install yourself (if you have access to the tools & time to do so), and a self-install yields more satisfaction at the end of the day IMO.

After talking w/Chris about what I was looking for in my daily ride specs, I with Bilstein B8 dampers & Dinan spring combo.

After installation, I can't praise the transformation enough: compliance is great (no more crashing over bumps), chassis dive, squat and roll are present, but much more limited due to new rubber components, and damper/spring combo.

Don't go skimpy on replacing suspension components. Do it all at once, or you will more than likely find yourself paying (either time, money or both) for multiple labor installs, when it could be done once.

[johnmyster]

If you DIY, as I recently embarked on my e92 LCI sport...

D8 were cheapest at tire-rack. About $670. The fronts are still backordered...shipping anytime now...so I haven't finished the front. D4 were cheapest at Summit. Just under $300.

Two rear upper and two rear lower shock mounts from Monroe are about $50 total from Rock Auto. (My lowers were fine but I replaced them anyhow. The uppers were worth replacing.) They also have Moog upper strut mounts for $25. Mine had settled and definately worth replacing. So that's $115 shipped. My B8s came with boots and bump stops. If the D4s don't, that's additional.

Rock Auto also has the front spring lower insulators. I think they were $8 each. I got BMW branded uppers on ebay, $22 for the pair. So that's another $40.

An alignment is $65 from a local guy that cares.

So with new B4s, that's a bunch of stuff for about $525. (I went with B8s, so it was more.)

Borrow spring compressors from a friend (or AutoZone) and go to town. (Mine were $35 at harbor freight.) I have an electric impact wrench, which makes it faster. Otherwise, you'll need some sockets and box end wrenches up to 19mm or so.

Front lower control arms...I think I saw reputable name replacements for $50 each, so figure four of those. My car didn't/doesn't need them. All my rear links are tight and none of my sway bar bushings are noisy or loose. Sway bar end links have play. So all that stays for now. I elected not to do rear spring insulators until I have to bust the rear suspension apart to do something more major. So when the day comes to do any of that I'll be in for another alignment.