[jamiegrant10]

Hi guys,

Hoping to purchase ACS Spring to lower my xdrive in the near future although the warranty situation worrys me as the car is still basically brand new. I have enquired to BMW about this and they say that any component failure due to the lowering springs will not be covered but they could not elaborate on this any further. So I have a few questions:

1. How reliable are the suspension components surronding the springs? Are there any common problems?
2. What components are likely to be void from warranty?
3. I know AC Schnizer provide warranty with the springs and say the will cover what BMW won't but has anyone had to go down this route and how helpful was AC Schnizer?
4. I know the steering rack is notorious for knocking on the F30 even at low mileage. Will BMW use the springs as an excuse to void the warranty for this part?
5. Where is the best place in or around Glasgow to get thse fitted. Is it best doing it with a dealer?

Will probably only own the car for 3, maybe 4 years so dont really fancy waiting till near the end of the warranty period but also don't fancy shooting myself in the foot with unnecessary repair bills due to a modification.

Also looking through previous posts about these springs gives mixed reviews in terms of warranty which confuses matters.

Any help is appreciated .

[creepy coupe]

I had them fitted to my 435d and the spring quality looked as good if not better than the BMW units. As for warranty. As the F3# is know for steering knock issues. It would be hard for a dealer to blame aftermarket springs.

As for should you go through a dealer. all I can say is a full KDS type set-up is definitely something I would recommend.

[pdk42]

I fitted ACS on my 335i. I later got steering clunk issues and BMW replaced the rack with no questions asked. Lorcan at ACS said as much and promised to help if there were issues. I wouldn't worry personally. Car looks much better with the springs fitted and the handling improves too

[cheesetoastie]

I'm looking at my options. What did you choose ACS over the others

[1966-TR4]

Originally Posted by jamiegrant10

5. Where is the best place in or around Glasgow to get thse fitted. Is it best doing it with a dealer?

Parks in Stirling, speak to Calum Russell [Parts Manager], he will give you a price to supply and fit. Get them to do a 4 wheel alignment after fitting.

[Lorcan]

Hi Jamie,

1. There are occasional problems with leaking adaptive dampers, top mounts and steering racks.

2. In theory, nothing should be void. AC Schnitzer components are properly designed, rigorously tested, equal, or better, in quality to the originals and are TUV approved, so there is no legitimate reason for a dealer to void a claim.

3. We are very helpful. Not to mention good looking

4. Not encountered this to date with over 2000 kits sold.

5. Douglas Park in Stirling are very good, although I think they now use a third party garage for fitting due to the politics of using a non-BMW brand. Speak to Calum there, he has them on his own car.

Look, if you're not going to be able to sleep at night because of this then it's probably best that you leave the car standard. But in reality on the odd occasion there has been a problem we've worked with the dealer and AC Schnitzer to resolve it. The fact that nearly every BMW dealer in Scotland is a BMW dealer should provide some reassurance.

https://shop.rossiters.co.uk/where-to-order-4-w.asp

If customers really were running into problems with related component warranty claims a) these dealers would wash their hands of us and b) it would be all over this forum.

I hope this helps.

[jamiegrant10]

Originally Posted by jamiegrant10

5. Where is the best place in or around Glasgow to get thse fitted. Is it best doing it with a dealer?

Parks in Stirling, speak to Calum Russell [Parts Manager], he will give you a price to supply and fit. Get them to do a 4 wheel alignment after fitting.[/QUOTE]

I spoke with Callum he told me he can only supply but not fit the springs so that rules there out.

Best so far is Douglas Park Glasgow. To supply and fit is £550 although this doesn't include wheel alignment so probably more like £650.

[1966-TR4]

Originally Posted by jamiegrant10

Parks in Stirling, speak to Calum Russell [Parts Manager], he will give you a price to supply and fit. Get them to do a 4 wheel alignment after fitting.

I spoke with Callum he told me he can only supply but not fit the springs so that rules there out.

Best so far is Douglas Park Glasgow. To supply and fit is £550 although this doesn't include wheel alignment so probably more like £650.[/QUOTE]

Ok, I guess they must have changed their policy as I had mine fitted there. Total to supply, fit and 4 wheel alignment was £650 inc VAT so if you can get it done for that I would say that's about right.

[jamiegrant10]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Hi Jamie,

1. There are occasional problems with leaking adaptive dampers, top mounts and steering racks.

2. In theory, nothing should be void. AC Schnitzer components are properly designed, rigorously tested, equal, or better, in quality to the originals and are TUV approved, so there is no legitimate reason for a dealer to void a claim.

3. We are very helpful. Not to mention good looking

4. Not encountered this to date with over 2000 kits sold.

5. Douglas Park in Stirling are very good, although I think they now use a third party garage for fitting due to the politics of using a non-BMW brand. Speak to Calum there, he has them on his own car.

Look, if you're not going to be able to sleep at night because of this then it's probably best that you leave the car standard. But in reality on the odd occasion there has been a problem we've worked with the dealer and AC Schnitzer to resolve it. The fact that nearly every BMW dealer in Scotland is a BMW dealer should provide some reassurance.

https://shop.rossiters.co.uk/where-to-order-4-w.asp

If customers really were running into problems with related component warranty claims a) these dealers would wash their hands of us and b) it would be all over this forum.

I hope this helps.

Thanks Lorcan. Very helpful.

Know it's only a matter of time before I do it because the ride height annoys me even though it didn't until I joined this forum but seeing how much better the car sits and everyone says greatly improves handling. Just trying to understand fully the implications and potential risks of doing so though.

Good to have you on our side if needed

[Davey90]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Hi Jamie,

1. There are occasional problems with leaking adaptive dampers, top mounts and steering racks.

2. In theory, nothing should be void. AC Schnitzer components are properly designed, rigorously tested, equal, or better, in quality to the originals and are TUV approved, so there is no legitimate reason for a dealer to void a claim.

3. We are very helpful. Not to mention good looking

4. Not encountered this to date with over 2000 kits sold.

5. Douglas Park in Stirling are very good, although I think they now use a third party garage for fitting due to the politics of using a non-BMW brand. Speak to Calum there, he has them on his own car.

Look, if you're not going to be able to sleep at night because of this then it's probably best that you leave the car standard. But in reality on the odd occasion there has been a problem we've worked with the dealer and AC Schnitzer to resolve it. The fact that nearly every BMW dealer in Scotland is a BMW dealer should provide some reassurance.

https://shop.rossiters.co.uk/where-to-order-4-w.asp

If customers really were running into problems with related component warranty claims a) these dealers would wash their hands of us and b) it would be all over this forum.

I hope this helps.

Hi Lorcan,

Useful information - wondering if you recommend some BMW dealers in London (heathrow area) that will supply and fit too?

Sorry to hi-jack op.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by Croms

Hi Lorcan,

Useful information - wondering if you recommend some BMW dealers in London (heathrow area) that will supply and fit too?

Sorry to hi-jack op.

Barons BMW Hindhead, speak to Mike Knowles on 01428 605000

[Vroombimmer]

Hi Lorcan, can you recommend any BMW dealers in the West Midlands. Everyone ive spoken to has no idea what ACS springs are. Ive been given a number for Stourbridge Automotive which is local to me, but id rather get it done by a BMW dealer if possible

[Lorcan]

Stourbridge get excellent reviews from our customers and are ex-BMW guys so well worth a shout.

The nearest Schnitzer-friendly BMW dealer is probably Sandal BMW in Wakefield - speak to the parts department there.

[MATYAL330XD]

Originally Posted by pdk42

I fitted ACS on my 335i. I later got steering clunk issues and BMW replaced the rack with no questions asked. Lorcan at ACS said as much and promised to help if there were issues. I wouldn't worry personally. Car looks much better with the springs fitted and the handling improves too

what kind of noise was it? and was the car still under warranty under what kind of millage did you have this issue.

Thank

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by Vroombimmer

Hi Lorcan, can you recommend any BMW dealers in the West Midlands. Everyone ive spoken to has no idea what ACS springs are. Ive been given a number for Stourbridge Automotive which is local to me, but id rather get it done by a BMW dealer if possible

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Stourbridge get excellent reviews from our customers and are ex-BMW guys so well worth a shout.

The nearest Schnitzer-friendly BMW dealer is probably Sandal BMW in Wakefield - speak to the parts department there.

Apologies for jumping on this question.

Had my ACS springs fitted by Sytner’s in Oldbury a couple of years ago. They have a separate “body shop” a couple of minutes away where they do all sorts of stuff. They fitted my springs and non OEM bits there as well - decent job.
Just be aware they added a premium onto the spring costs in order to supply so I provided my own direct from Lorcan.

Failing that I can recommend Stourbridge Automotive- they’ve changed my rear ARB and brake pads there. Decent set of guys.

[pdk42]

Originally Posted by MATYAL330XD

what kind of noise was it? and was the car still under warranty under what kind of millage did you have this issue.

Thank

It's a very common problem. Just go searching here. Basically, the rack on the F30 is susceptible to play which causes clunking when turning at slow speed and sometimes when creeping in traffic. Mine started it at about 12k miles and 15 months old. It was replaced under warranty with no questions asked. The car's now done 46k and 4 years old and it's starting again... It's nothing to do with the springs.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Hi Jamie,

1. There are occasional problems with leaking adaptive dampers, top mounts and steering racks.

2. In theory, nothing should be void. AC Schnitzer components are properly designed, rigorously tested, equal, or better, in quality to the originals and are TUV approved, so there is no legitimate reason for a dealer to void a claim.

3. We are very helpful. Not to mention good looking

4. Not encountered this to date with over 2000 kits sold.

5. Douglas Park in Stirling are very good, although I think they now use a third party garage for fitting due to the politics of using a non-BMW brand. Speak to Calum there, he has them on his own car.

Look, if you're not going to be able to sleep at night because of this then it's probably best that you leave the car standard. But in reality on the odd occasion there has been a problem we've worked with the dealer and AC Schnitzer to resolve it. The fact that nearly every BMW dealer in Scotland is a BMW dealer should provide some reassurance.

https://shop.rossiters.co.uk/where-to-order-4-w.asp

If customers really were running into problems with related component warranty claims a) these dealers would wash their hands of us and b) it would be all over this forum.

I hope this helps.

In fact, every BMW dealer in the world is a BMW dealer!

[adrianbcfc]

Lorcan, any BMW dealers that will fit the springs in general Bristol area?

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by teaston

In fact, every BMW dealer in the world is a BMW dealer!

You know what I meant!

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by adrianbcfc

Lorcan, any BMW dealers that will fit the springs in general Bristol area?

Technically no, but we have had the odd set slip through Dick Lovett BMW. It very much depends on who you speak to there. The last set went through Chris Baker, Parts Advisor at Swindon. You could try him on 01793 439618.