Time for a Suspension Replacement

[ghassanm3]

My car is at 125k now and still on the stock suspension. I think its getting to be about time to replace it.

Does anyone have a comprehensive list of what they would replace to get the car back to a like new suspension?

Shocks
Springs
Bushing
Bearing
ball joints
etc...

maybe with what aftermarket parts they would recommend as well?

Thanks

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

My car is at 125k now and still on the stock suspension. I think its getting to be about time to replace it.

Does anyone have a comprehensive list of what they would replace to get the car back to a like new suspension?

Shocks
Springs
Bushing
Bearing
ball joints
etc...

maybe with what aftermarket parts they would recommend as well?

Thanks

Everything you mentioned, but maybe not bearings if they arent causing issues

Upper and lower control arms
Tie rods
Tension strut arms for the front
Sway bar links
Sway bar bushings

[burnrbr]

I don't agree with the above list. The factory spherical bushings and sway bar end links should be fine if the rubber seals are still intact. The front tension arm could use a spherical bushing to replace the factory rubber one. Your springs are fine unless you want something like a set of Swift Spec R. You can check you sway bar bushings by hand to determine if there is play in them. Your shocks could definitely be replaced with some fresh ones or even upgraded ones. You may want to consider rear diff bushings since they can lead to issues with the rear subframe.

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by burnrbr

I don't agree with the above list. The factory spherical bushings and sway bar end links should be fine if the rubber seals are still intact. The front tension arm could use a spherical bushing to replace the factory rubber one. Your springs are fine unless you want something like a set of Swift Spec R. You can check you sway bar bushings by hand to determine if there is play in them. Your shocks could definitely be replaced with some fresh ones or even upgraded ones. You may want to consider rear diff bushings since they can lead to issues with the rear subframe.

OP is at 125k with stock suspension, you would not replace the cheap $60 dollar end links and $13 bushings? Springs are cheap and can be had at the forums for like $200/set with minimal miles.

[shrimp_chips]

I'd check to see what if anything needs replacing before spending money. Sitting for long periods usually kills rubber bits. I'm pretty sure your engine mounts are gone if you haven't replaced it already. Buy my JRZ RS1 coilover too

[ghassanm3]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

Everything you mentioned, but maybe not bearings if they arent causing issues

Upper and lower control arms
Tie rods
Tension strut arms for the front
Sway bar links
Sway bar bushings

Thank you sir!

I found this refresh kit https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3...its/ES2986452/ has anyone used this/have any recommendations on it?

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

Thank you sir!

I found this refresh kit https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3...its/ES2986452/ has anyone used this/have any recommendations on it?

You probably don't need to replace every part listed on ECS, like the ABS bracket. TRW is a good brand though

[burnrbr]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

OP is at 125k with stock suspension, you would not replace the cheap $60 dollar end links and $13 bushings? Springs are cheap and can be had at the forums for like $200/set with minimal miles.

I've never heard of or experienced stock end links wearing out or getting any play in them. A broken stock end link is a different situation. Aftermarket end links with polyurethane bushings or unsealed spherical bushings do have issues over time. Do you have any proof of a stock end link wearing out? The rear sway bar bushings are on top of the rear subframe so they aren't the easiest to change, but one can disconnect the sway bar end links and try to wiggle and slide the sway bar to determine if there is measurable play in them before proceeding with a labor intensive replacement. If his springs were wearing out they would sag and make his car lower than stock. I can't say that hasn't happened because I haven't seen or inspected his car, but it would be realitively easy to check before buying replacements. A little time spent inspecting his components could save some money and a lot of install time. If the OP outsources labor, then it could save a lot more.

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by burnrbr

I've never heard of or experienced stock end links wearing out or getting any play in them. A broken stock end link is a different situation. Aftermarket end links with polyurethane bushings or unsealed spherical bushings do have issues over time. Do you have any proof of a stock end link wearing out? The rear sway bar bushings are on top of the rear subframe so they aren't the easiest to change, but one can disconnect the sway bar end links and try to wiggle and slide the sway bar to determine if there is measurable play in them before proceeding with a labor intensive replacement. If his springs were wearing out they would sag and make his car lower than stock. I can't say that hasn't happened because I haven't seen or inspected his car, but it would be realitively easy to check before buying replacements. A little time spent inspecting his components could save some money and a lot of install time. If the OP outsources labor, then it could save a lot more.

Actually yeah I do. My end links were worn such that when going over slow bumps, it klunks pretty loud. First time I changed them they showed no torn rubber seals. The last time I changed it, the pass side had a very bad tear and obvious leak, along with some dirt mixed in.
I have about the same mileage on my vehicle as OP and just refreshed my entire suspension when i hit 100k this past spring...not to mentioned I replaced most if not all the parts I listed and what OP asked about. A broken end link will definitely make obvious sounds.

[ghassanm3]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

Actually yeah I do. My end links were worn such that when going over slow bumps, it klunks pretty loud. First time I changed them they showed no torn rubber seals. The last time I changed it, the pass side had a very bad tear and obvious leak, along with some dirt mixed in.
I have about the same mileage on my vehicle as OP and just refreshed my entire suspension when i hit 100k this past spring...not to mentioned I replaced most if not all the parts I listed and what OP asked about. A broken end link will definitely make obvious sounds.

I am going to outsource labor as I dont have the tools or experience needed to replace these items on my own.

Also I do hear weird clunk from my driver side front suspension when I am going up my driveway so I am guessing it could be an end link.

Taking the car in for an oil change tomorrow. I will have them inspect the suspension and give me some recommendations.

Thanks guys

[SDPLV]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

My car is at 125k now and still on the stock suspension. I think its getting to be about time to replace it.

Does anyone have a comprehensive list of what they would replace to get the car back to a like new suspension?

Shocks
Springs
Bushing
Bearing
ball joints
etc...

maybe with what aftermarket parts they would recommend as well?

Thanks

Is this something to do when the car is up their age (even as a highway DD, with minimal redlining, etc) or more so because a car has been tracked?

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by SDPLV

Is this something to do when the car is up their age (even as a highway DD, with minimal redlining, etc) or more so because a car has been tracked?

Honestly, it really depends. You could drive cross country tomorrow with brand new components and something fails at 800 miles. Or, rack up 100k miles / year because you drive to disney world every week and nothing happens.

Worst case scenario, you drive in NYC where these shit roads eat your tires, rims, and suspension on a daily basis.

[SDPLV]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

Honestly, it really depends. You could drive cross country tomorrow with brand new components and something fails at 800 miles. Or, rack up 100k miles / year because you drive to disney world every week and nothing happens.

Worst case scenario, you drive in NYC where these shit roads eat your tires, rims, and suspension on a daily basis.

Haha, thats why I drove a beater 330Ci on the East Coast, and upgraded to an M3 on the West Coast.

[burnrbr]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

Actually yeah I do. My end links were worn such that when going over slow bumps, it klunks pretty loud. First time I changed them they showed no torn rubber seals. The last time I changed it, the pass side had a very bad tear and obvious leak, along with some dirt mixed in.
I have about the same mileage on my vehicle as OP and just refreshed my entire suspension when i hit 100k this past spring...not to mentioned I replaced most if not all the parts I listed and what OP asked about. A broken end link will definitely make obvious sounds.

Thanks for the info. I live in Florida where the roads aren't as bad as NY. The rough roads do put more strain on the suspension.

[ghassanm3]

Originally Posted by SDPLV

Is this something to do when the car is up their age (even as a highway DD, with minimal redlining, etc) or more so because a car has been tracked?

Just preventative and to get back the original feel of the car. I am the 3rd owner but as far as I know the car has never been tracked. It still drives great, but for some reason I feel my E46 was more nimble around turns, so I am hoping a new suspension will help with that.

[Emm Tree]

Don't refresh. Ohlins R/T and never look back.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

Thank you sir!

I found this refresh kit https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3...its/ES2986452/ has anyone used this/have any recommendations on it?

you could easily do a "refresh" yourself within that budget and come up with a better than oem setup. do you track your car at all? have any track aspirations, or do you just want to drive on the street?

[drrust]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

Just preventative and to get back the original feel of the car. I am the 3rd owner but as far as I know the car has never been tracked. It still drives great, but for some reason I feel my E46 was more nimble around turns, so I am hoping a new suspension will help with that.

I'm in a similar situation, with 110K on my E90. Likely going with some after market coil overs (not exactly sure which yet) for shocks and springs. Will also be getting some camber plates. Had camber plates in my old E36 and that changed the feel considerably. As for the other pieces will replace tension arm bushing with spherical bearing. Not sure if I will replace arm or not. Will get better feel when I put on winter wheels in the next few weeks.

[ghassanm3]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

you could easily do a "refresh" yourself within that budget and come up with a better than oem setup. do you track your car at all? have any track aspirations, or do you just want to drive on the street?

Havent been to the track and probably wont be going anytime soon. Just want the car to drive like it did when it was new.

[burnrbr]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

Havent been to the track and probably wont be going anytime soon. Just want the car to drive like it did when it was new.

Honest question, how does it drive differently than new? Answering that objectively may lead to what you need to replace to achieve you goal.

[rockitman07]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

Havent been to the track and probably wont be going anytime soon. Just want the car to drive like it did when it was new.

Reviving this as I'm thinking of doing the same. 1st owner for an '08 with 160k miles here and want that magic back

Did you end up having a shop replace the parts? Did you do all or only what they recommended?

Thanks!

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by rockitman07

Reviving this as I'm thinking of doing the same. 1st owner for an '08 with 160k miles here and want that magic back

Did you end up having a shop replace the parts? Did you do all or only what they recommended?

Thanks!

I had a shop do a suspension refresh this fall, e90 m3 with 110k miles at the time. A trusted friend evaluated the struts and didn't feel they needed to be replaced. I bought the TRW kit to replace all the control arms - front and back on FCP Euro and my indie shop did all the work for about $800. Notably tighter and some parking lot speed looseness and clicking of the wheel is gone. Glad I did it but if I was cost conscious, I would do a more limited replacement as described in some of the posts above.

Don't forget the alignment after or during, like I did.