E46 Suspension Refresh Kits

[Dewald Basson]

My car is reaching the 160 00km mark. I can heard all kinds of squeaks and rattles. I need to replace the tires soon and I need to replace the shocks as well(and hopefully I can do the springs as well). So I was thinking while everything is stripped I might as well replace all the old worn rubber bits and what not, so that the car can feel like new, and then I know that those parts are sorted for the next few years.

Does anyone in SA do kits like ECS Tuning where you are supplied with all the necessary bits to "refresh" the suspension. I know of Axis Engineering where I can get all the bushes, dampers and springs. But what I like about this kit is that you get everything you need to the job from one place.

And the price seems reasonable to me for this kit?

LINK

 

[moranor@axis]

I can get all the parts together no problem :rollsmile: generally the total cost of such a kit would put most off it adds up quick...

people in SA generally replace as needed to spread out the cost

 

[Dewald Basson]

I can get all the parts together no problem :rollsmile: generally the total cost of such a kit would put most off it adds up quick...

people in SA generally replace as needed to spread out the cost

So what you your total come up to? The plan is to save as nothing is broken yet and do it early next year some time.

 

[moranor@axis]

I will get a quote together for you price will be different next year but should not be that different unless the Rand really drops

we dont have salt on our roads in SA so no real need to replace all the bolts

 

[Dewald Basson]

I will get a quote together for you price will be different next year but should not be that different unless the Rand really drops

we dont have salt on our roads in SA so no real need to replace all the bolts

Cool thanks
:thumbs:

 

[Charlie Brown]

Hi Dewald

Check out a few of my posts and this one in particular; https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=51297 . Also following the links in my posts, some great stuff there.

PM me your email address, before I do any project I compile a comprehensive spreadsheet with all part numbers and the various supplier options and pricing for each, and I'll forward you the Excel spreadsheet as start off point.

 

[DieselFan]

You're looking at over 30k to replace your entire suspension. It is silly to just replace if some things aren't broken.

Take the car to some one who knows what they're doing and see what needs to be replaced.

 

[Charlie Brown]

Shouldn't really cost that much, I know I went a little overboard and probably replaced stuff unnecessarily, but the cost of the additional / optional / 50 / 50 parts far outweighs the cost of doing the job a second time. All in cost me around R11k iirc.

Additionally having looked after my 318i on piece by piece basis I realised that every time someone works on your (owner included) the risk of damage unintentional or not heightens.

99% of what we are doing has been before numerous times previously and my opinion is to take advantage of all that info and use it wisely.

 

[DieselFan]

If you're changing all bushes and the entire suspension. Powerflex is 9k. Shocks bottom of the range koni 7k. Springs 3k. That's already 19k. Then you have control arms. Then you have bump stops etc etc etc etc

I know because I've done it. If it's any other car than a 330i/d I wouldn't bother with powerflex. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Charlie Brown]

I guess you could spend that much if not more, but for a simple refresh of the most likely worn parts with average replacements it would look like;

R3k for bushes - CAB, RTAB, sway bar, bump stops & boots. (Axis)
R3.5k for mounts, pads, plates and spacers. (Agents)
R4.5 Bilstein shocks. (Incomex)

My control arms were fine so I didn't need those as yet. Your 9K would be to drop the whole sub frame I assume - that's a major overhaul, probably with engine, gearbox and diff mounts. OEM springs are fine unless you want lowered.

I too know too this from experience having done this last year on my 330i.

 

[DieselFan]

I did read your thread but remeber that was in 2013 prices have gone up significantly. Not engine mounts. Subframe and Diff. Gearbox mounts are cheap. Springs loose their tension so if you want a complete refreshed suspension may aswell do that as well.

And yes to change the sub frame bushes you would have to drop the sub frame. And the price I said there was excluding labour.

OP said he wanted to renew all the rubber bushes. Like I said it's not really nesecairy. Just have them inspected.

 

[Charlie Brown]

Agreed there are detailed lists of the most likely parts that need replacement that have been gained through experience. Use them as a basis for your project and customise accordingly to your specific car.

In reality its highly unlikely that you will spend R30k.

 

[Dewald Basson]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the advice

:thumbs:

 

[Waseem 333i]

Check for chassis cracks also.

 

[GoCart]

Hey Dewald, a little extreme maybe for a E46 with 160K on the clock… anyway, I know your passion so you go for it.

Speak to Sean, he just put a full Powerflex bush upgrade together for my M Coupe, including lower control arms and tie rods…

 

[i8am3]

We do a suspension refresh kits, for VAG cars though.

 

[sclass]

Overkill? Mayeb...but if you can afford to do it all then do it! The joy of knowing your suspension wants for nothing is priceless,and you will LOVE your car again

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Sounds like a worthwhile job. Recently did a minor suspension overhaul as the rattles were getting on my nerves. There still are rattles, but not as much as before.

Scared to look at my subframe.

 

[Dewald Basson]

Thanks guys, with all respect to Sean. But is there other companies that sell kits like this, or companies that can assembly a kit like this for me. I would like check around first do research and then I will make a call.

One must shop around :rollsmile:

 

[Tehwalleth]

Locally no.