Swiss Road Test

jpjpjpjp · 02-26-2021, 03:41 AM

Just got back from the Swiss DMV. I imported my US car into Switzerland a few months back.

No issues with the car being US spec but they did test the suspension and came back with a few issues. It is a 2014 BMW 335 xDrive w/M Sport Package

The first issue is with the rear shock absorber(foam piece I think) needs to be replaced as it is worn. Not complaining as it is a wear and tear item and the car currently has 55k miles on it.

The second issue, I'm a bit confused by. They ran a test that as far as I understand measures suspension travel distances. The rear came back fine but the front had a difference between each wheel. The left wheel moved 27% while the right wheel moved 39%. The tolerable difference is 30% and since this is Switzerland, of course my car failed the test with a 31% difference. This Swiss DMV provides a document that I translated which summarizes the test as: "Vibration amplitude of the wheel suspension leftand right; (maximum permissible deviationleft / right: 30%; minimum damping required)."

My question is, is there some sort of equivalent test in the US that I can read up about so I can get better informed? Also, I asked some people over on the Swiss english forums(not a car forum) and they thought it meant I might need to replace my front struts. Does this sound right? Is there any sort of alignment adjust I could do instead?

mmm-five · 02-26-2021, 06:19 AM

It just means one damper/spring is in worse condition than the other - could simply be failing with age.

Unless you've got electronic damping and can adjust it on a per side basis, I can't see how you could 'adjust it'.

The only way of rectifying this is to either replace one side or the other - once you know what component is causing the variance - or to replace both sides to be 100% sure (as they're both the same age anyway).

jpjpjpjp · 02-26-2021, 09:28 AM

Going to see a few mechanics on the weekend. What are the chances its a cheap fix with a cheap part?

After reading up, if the suspension does need to be replaced, I thinking of going with the BILSTEIN B12. Am I right to assume about 5-7 hours labor for a suspension job like that?

Jvac · 02-27-2021, 10:21 AM

Gotta love that Swiss precision. They do not f*ck around over there huh. And yes it will take a few hours for most shops to install new shock absorbers up front. Probably ~ 2 hours per side depending on the shop.

02-26-2021, 03:41 AM	#1
jpjpjpjp New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: BMW 335 Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Zurich iTrader: (0)	Swiss Road Test Just got back from the Swiss DMV. I imported my US car into Switzerland a few months back. No issues with the car being US spec but they did test the suspension and came back with a few issues. It is a 2014 BMW 335 xDrive w/M Sport Package The first issue is with the rear shock absorber(foam piece I think) needs to be replaced as it is worn. Not complaining as it is a wear and tear item and the car currently has 55k miles on it. The second issue, I'm a bit confused by. They ran a test that as far as I understand measures suspension travel distances. The rear came back fine but the front had a difference between each wheel. The left wheel moved 27% while the right wheel moved 39%. The tolerable difference is 30% and since this is Switzerland, of course my car failed the test with a 31% difference. This Swiss DMV provides a document that I translated which summarizes the test as: "Vibration amplitude of the wheel suspension leftand right; (maximum permissible deviationleft / right: 30%; minimum damping required)." My question is, is there some sort of equivalent test in the US that I can read up about so I can get better informed? Also, I asked some people over on the Swiss english forums(not a car forum) and they thought it meant I might need to replace my front struts. Does this sound right? Is there any sort of alignment adjust I could do instead?
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02-26-2021, 06:19 AM	#2
mmm-five First Lieutenant 222 Rep 375 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MC + 2015 320D M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Liverpool, UK iTrader: (0)	It just means one damper/spring is in worse condition than the other - could simply be failing with age. Unless you've got electronic damping and can adjust it on a per side basis, I can't see how you could 'adjust it'. The only way of rectifying this is to either replace one side or the other - once you know what component is causing the variance - or to replace both sides to be 100% sure (as they're both the same age anyway).
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02-26-2021, 09:28 AM	#3
jpjpjpjp New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: BMW 335 Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Zurich iTrader: (0)	Replacement parts Going to see a few mechanics on the weekend. What are the chances its a cheap fix with a cheap part? After reading up, if the suspension does need to be replaced, I thinking of going with the BILSTEIN B12. Am I right to assume about 5-7 hours labor for a suspension job like that?
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02-27-2021, 10:21 AM	#4
Jvac Captain 432 Rep 785 Posts Drives: 2015 335i rwd Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Usa iTrader: (1)	Gotta love that Swiss precision. They do not f*ck around over there huh. And yes it will take a few hours for most shops to install new shock absorbers up front. Probably ~ 2 hours per side depending on the shop. __________________ 335i rwd auto, 2015 with m performance LSD and Dinan stage 2. Cts charge pipe, mad 5" stepped intercooler.
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