[mcscoobs]

Just been told my front near side shock is leaking, which caused it to fail the MOT. They are trying to source the part but said it may be a main dealer only part as it's an M Sport.

Anyone any ideas as to how much I'm looking at? Should they replace both fronts?

[archerz]

Upgrade to ACS

[mcscoobs]

Haha! Trust me, i'm tempted....!!

[Rathian]

Exactly what I did. Two leaking rear shocks. Quoted about £500 so got rid of all springs and socks and replaced with the ACS sports suspension. This combined with go flat tyres has transformed the comfort of my daily drive

[Sheepy]

Unsure with the F3X range but the genuine parts were made by Sachs on my old E36 M3 and E92 330. I changed them all on these cars over ownership, the Sachs parts were exactly the same as the parts removed apart from a BMW badge, they were about half the price and were probably bought from Euro car parts.

I would always change in pairs and depending how many miles you have done maybe change them all, I was very surprised to see how bad the old shocks were when a I removed them at around 80k, once compressed they wouldn't rebound back out!

Then whilst the shocks are removed wack some lowering springs on, now things start to get expensive!

[mcscoobs]

Originally Posted by Rathian

Exactly what I did. Two leaking rear shocks. Quoted about £500 so got rid of all springs and socks and replaced with the ACS sports suspension. This combined with go flat tyres has transformed the comfort of my daily drive

My MOT was due to expire on Saturday, but now it's failed, in theory, I shouldn't be driving on the roads. I wonder whether it's worth forking out £200 (ish) for a set of Eibachs or £300+ for ACS jobs, whilst replacing the leaking shock?

I'm just looking online here https://www.rtecshop.co.uk/index.php, as it's my closest one... but there's so many options here...

[mcscoobs]

Originally Posted by Rathian

Exactly what I did. Two leaking rear shocks. Quoted about £500 so got rid of all springs and socks and replaced with the ACS sports suspension. This combined with go flat tyres has transformed the comfort of my daily drive

How much did that set you back? Did you get them from ACS directly?

[Rathian]

Originally Posted by mcscoobs

My MOT was due to expire on Saturday, but now it's failed, in theory, I shouldn't be driving on the roads. I wonder whether it's worth forking out £200 (ish) for a set of Eibachs or £300+ for ACS jobs, whilst replacing the leaking shock?

I'm just looking online here https://www.rtecshop.co.uk/index.php, as it's my closest one... but there's so many options here...

I can't answer that for you,. I always subscribe to the replace in pairs. For me I wanted it lowered from SE suspension so once the shocks were being replaced it was a case of might as well refresh the whole lot.

Originally Posted by mcscoobs

How much did that set you back? Did you get them from ACS directly?

From memory it was £2000 for 4 shocks and 4 lowering springs fitted at Malory Performance including wheel alignment.

[archerz]

Originally Posted by Rathian

From memory it was £2000 for 4 shocks and 4 lowering springs fitted at Malory Performance including wheel alignment.

About the same for me. with BMW fitted/aligned (ordered through Lorcan )

[mcscoobs]

Garage just called back... £475 all in for the pair... booked in for Friday. Waiting on a quote for the springs... am thinking of getting some in time to fit altogether.... General consensus seems to be ACS over H&R/Eibach when I look through the forum... can't see anything cheaper than this so far:

ACS - £360
Eibach - £200

[Sasquartch]

If you're going to do the springs then now is the time to do it, there's no more labour involved as the springs have to be removed from the shocks anyway

[mcscoobs]

Originally Posted by Sasquartch

If you're going to do the springs then now is the time to do it, there's no more labour involved as the springs have to be removed from the shocks anyway

Just a case of deciding what ones!

[3-GT]

Originally Posted by mcscoobs

My MOT was due to expire on Saturday, but now it's failed, in theory, I shouldn't be driving on the roads.

My understanding of what I found on the government website is you should be ok (legally) if it's classed as a 'major'. I believe your current MOT only becomes invalid if you receive a 'dangerous' fail.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26903976

[mcscoobs]

Originally Posted by 3-GT

My understanding of what I found on the government website is you should be ok (legally) if it's classed as a 'major'. I believe your current MOT only becomes invalid if you receive a 'dangerous' fail.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26903976

Ah nice one, yeah mine has the shock absorber classed as a "major"

[mcscoobs]

Just been quoted this...

Ac Schnitzer springs fitted and wheel alignment £629
Eibach £539
H/r £569

[KRS_SN]

Originally Posted by mcscoobs

Just been quoted this...

Ac Schnitzer springs fitted and wheel alignment £629
Eibach £539
H/r £569

that £629 is a good quote (guessing labour of £329).
go with acs for a £90 difference its a no brainer.
BUT
if it was me I would go acs springs and damper combination now. Especially if the car has excess of 60 k miles it needs a refresh so treat yourself.
I did springs
then dampers few months later
so paid twice for labour.

[Simon89]

You can get Eibach springs off Autodoc for around £150.

[Olly_P]

I recently upgraded my springs from standard M-Sport on adaptive shocks to ACS springs on my 440 GC, some pics and info HERE and in my build thread. Would recomend the upgrade, has nice even lowering, a slightly stiffer ride but still comfortable as a daily driver.

Decided to go with ACS springs over the Eibach (which i've used on several other cars, a good option) as found a few threads where people had reported slightly uneven lowering. Also nice to keep it OEM 'ish' with ACS springs and keep your warranty etc.

As other have said, if this is something you want to do, get it done at the same time to save labout costs. Upgrading dampers too would be ideal, but gets kinda expensive.

[peetee]

I've thought about this scenario myself. Personally i'd go ACS dampers which will finish off the ACS suspension setup nicely

[mcscoobs]

Ok, so we have a problem. The garage asked me to drop car on Friday and to leave with them for the day. Friday afternoon they call, they state BMW have sent them the wrong part. Asked if I can leave the car with them whilst they sort out the issue and get the right part for Saturday. Saturday afternoon, they call again and say the wrong part was sent to them AGAIN, and to leave the car with them until Monday.

Heard nothing all day yesterday. I called them at 2pm today. They said they are still awaiting the part.

WTF is going on here? I reckon the garage keep ordering the wrong part rather than BMW sending them the new parts. Good job I'm working from home! But it's my birthday tomorrow, I need the car to over to see the missus... not looking good!

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by mcscoobs

Ok, so we have a problem. The garage asked me to drop car on Friday and to leave with them for the day. Friday afternoon they call, they state BMW have sent them the wrong part. Asked if I can leave the car with them whilst they sort out the issue and get the right part for Saturday. Saturday afternoon, they call again and say the wrong part was sent to them AGAIN, and to leave the car with them until Monday.

Heard nothing all day yesterday. I called them at 2pm today. They said they are still awaiting the part.

WTF is going on here? I reckon the garage keep ordering the wrong part rather than BMW sending them the new parts. Good job I'm working from home! But it's my birthday tomorrow, I need the car to over to see the missus... not looking good!

I dont want to put the wind up you mcscoobs but a friend of mine had a similar issue with Audi a couple of years ago. He went down the dealership in the interim to find out one of the spanner monkeys had driven it into a skip and they were desperately trying to get it mended.

I am sure this hasnt happened to your car but I wouldnt trust any Dealership further than I could throw them

[BBri89]

Ordering the wrong parts does seem to be a speciality though.

I don't know if it's a problem with the system, or a lack of knowledge of the mechanics, or what, but you would think how difficult to order the correct powered tailgate struts for an F31 when all F31s come with electric open/close tailgate.

Four times they ordered the wrong but different parts before they got the correct one.


I did have to get something from my car in the meantime and didn't notice anything too untoward other than a load of boot trim removed. But no sign of damage that I have noticed then or since.