Need some input on suspension replacement

[cparker]

My tires are bottoming out in the front wheel wells when I hit bumps at speed and I think it's because my suspension is shot. I'm running 225/35r20 on 20x8.5 wheels with 35mm offset. From what I have read, I should not be bottoming out with these so I assume it's because by struts are worn.

So from what I have read, I'll want to not only replace the shocks and struts but also want to replace some bushings. What bushings do I need?

Which brand/type of shocks and struts do you recommend? I don't see myself lowering any time soon since my wheels barely fit as it is (although I may downsize someday?). I'll probably want a heavy duty shock since my wheels are fairly heavy.

[bullfrogs_M3]

How many miles do you have on your car? Honestly if it is over 50-60K then I would replace a good number of "stock" components

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=31_0408&hg=31&fg=10

Definitely replace item 1 below if you get new struts.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/s/v/115.png

On the rears, I would get Rogue Rear Strut Mounts (RSM). These are by far the strongest and best RSM's on the market. PERIOD.
http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/RSM.html
http://www.rogueengineering.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/suspension/rsm/rsm_full_550.jpg

If you haven't done so yet, i would recommend you replace your Front Control Arm Bushings (FCAB) as well. Treehouse racing, Powerflex, UUC or even OEM are all good choices. This will fix your fronts from moving "front to back" in the wheel well, when braking and accelerating.

Feel free to post up any other questions. I have done more suspension stuff than I care to admit :(

[billschusteriv]

I was bottoming out the rear on my e30 - it ended up being the rear shock mounts.

Those were/are a wear point that is always good to check.

And +1 on how many miles do you have on the car?

[cparker]

90k

Ok, so I need those guides for the front, front control arms bushings (how many total for both sides? are they all the same p/n?), and then of course shocks/struts.

What is the advantage of the Rogue unit over OEM?

[bullfrogs_M3]

FCAB's are sold in a pair. Go for treehouse racing if you can/are available. And use White Lithium Grease on any and all poly bushings. The FCAB's should come with the lollipops, if not you will need to get them pressed in at a shop. The lollipops are the metal bracket that the bushings go into (number 6 below)
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/s/z/123.png

RTAB's are sold in a pair. Rogue RTAB's are poly vs the OEM which are rubber. That and there is no way that you will donut your Rogue's where it's definitely possible to do that to the OEM. I can speak from experience on that one.

[cparker]

Ok, one pair of FCAB's, two guide supports, one set of Rogue rear strut mounts, and four shocks/struts. Right?

Does Bilstein HD sound good for shocks/struts? Or should I go with sport? Do the sport struts work with stock and lowering springs?

[danewilson77]

Just get meyle hd cabs, new fsm's, new rsm's, and new suspension setup.

You may even need control arms...if your suspension is that worn out.

I would look into the zhp suspension kit.

Done.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[cparker]

You can't replace the ball joints in the control arms? I haven't checked the two ball joints for wear yet.

[kayger12]

You can't replace the ball joints in the control arms? I haven't checked the two ball joints for wear yet.

Not with the stock control arms. Some aftermarket arms such as the Meyles have removable ball joints.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[danewilson77]

You can't replace the ball joints in the control arms? I haven't checked the two ball joints for wear yet.

The kit is $499.00 and. Has the shocks/springs/control arms/front sway bar and bushings. Then all you need to pick up are cabs, fsm, rsm.

Done.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[cparker]

Where do you get that? I saw it at ecstuning but they say it's no longer available.

[cparker]

I found it at Turner motorsports. For the full package, with added "heavy duty rear shock mounts," "front upper shock mounts" and new control arm bushings for $850 shipped. Am I going to find a better price anywhere?

[danewilson77]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3110-genuine-bmw-performance-suspension-kit-for-e46-3-series-1999-2005-non-xi.aspx

That's where I got mine....

[cparker]

Just placed my order. I don't really need the sway bar... guess I can try to pawn it off on one of the other forums.

[johnrando]

Just placed my order. I don't really need the sway bar... guess I can try to pawn it off on one of the other forums.

Curious as to why not? I don't know much about suspension, but I would think adding sway bars would increase handling even more, which is not bad. I honestly don't know what we have on our ZHPs.

[cparker]

I assumed there was already one on the car.

[danewilson77]

There is........I would recommend replacing the bushings that are included though. I just threw mine one and replaced the old one, as you never know what the PO before you hit and whatnot.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[static667]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3110-genuine-bmw-performance-suspension-kit-for-e46-3-series-1999-2005-non-xi.aspx

That's where I got mine....

I wish I had the loot to get that right now...

[bullfrogs_M3]

Great to hear you got that kit. You'll be happy with it. Also spend <$10 and get a couple tubes of white lithium grease! Use liberally on all parts where rubber/plastic meets metal!!!! Don't use anything else. Again, I speak from experience when I say this.

Let us know how the install and everything goes. If you were in AZ, i'd swing over and we could bang everything out in an hour!

[cparker]

Thanks guys! I got everything to rebuild the suspension for only a few pennies more than just a set of aftermarket shocks/struts. For my purposes, this kit is perfect.

[danewilson77]

Great to hear you got that kit. You'll be happy with it. Also spend <$10 and get a couple tubes of white lithium grease! Use liberally on all parts where rubber/plastic meets metal!!!! Don't use anything else. Again, I speak from experience when I say this.

Let us know how the install and everything goes. If you were in AZ, i'd swing over and we could bang everything out in an hour!

I only used the CA's and the sway bar & bushings from it.

Spence got the shocks....

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!