[Philipangoo]

Was passing a very slow driving old man and hit a hard to see pothole last night going about 25-30 mph. Heard it hit and heard some clunking. I pulled over to diagnose the noise and this is what I saw.

Doubt it will be covered under warranty since I am running HR Sport springs, and Bilstein B8 Shocks but hey, worth a shot.

Oddly enough my soft-as-hell Forgestars did not bend from the pothole (at least not from what I can see on the outside, and no air leaking).

From the picture it looks like I need a new top hat mount. Anyone have a photo of the entire assembly ? I might need a new Bilstein shock ? I was like 1 mile away from home so I unlatched my hood and rolled it home going 15 mph.

[Philipangoo]

http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/201...iagram=1943365

Guessing I need parts 2-8 ?

[_bdiddyb_]

Looks like only 6 is busted from the picture. Can't tell the rest until they're all removed. I would inspect 4,3,7. You bottomed out - I'm surprised your shock is not blown.

[r33_RGSport]

Seems like you will only need number 6. But wouldn't know until you take them apart.
Hopefully the shock is not bent.

[Damon44]

Originally Posted by Philipangoo

Was passing a very slow driving old man and hit a hard to see pothole last night going about 25-30 mph. Heard it hit and heard some clunking. I pulled over to diagnose the noise and this is what I saw.

Doubt it will be covered under warranty since I am running HR Sport springs, and Bilstein B8 Shocks but hey, worth a shot.

Oddly enough my soft-as-hell Forgestars did not bend from the pothole (at least not from what I can see on the outside, and no air leaking).

From the picture it looks like I need a new top hat mount. Anyone have a photo of the entire assembly ? I might need a new Bilstein shock ? I was like 1 mile away from home so I unlatched my hood and rolled it home going 15 mph.

Sorry about your damage. That had to one deep hole!

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Damon44

That had to one deep hole!

That's what I said.

[Tommy_hf]

Even on stock springs, damage from a pothole isn't warranty, but insurance. Then again, the part is so cheap you wouldn't go through insurance for that.

[Philipangoo]

Yeah I doubt I will need insurance, the stock top hat is like 120$ from getbmwparts. I have a buddy that works at the local bmw dealer so I am having him take it apart and let me know if anything else needs to be replaced. Unfortunately hitting a enormous pothole and tearing your tophat is not a warranty item. WHO KNEW lol.

[Philipangoo]

Well got the call back from BMW, they were charging 1010$ to replace part number 6 and also new bolts and alignment. Oddly enough, my local dealer would not pricematch Getbmw parts since there was a 120$ + difference in the parts they quoted me for the top hat and 3 bolts lol.

Also they were charging close to $500 for 2.5 hours in labor. I did my entire suspension in 4 hours including a trip to autozone to buy the correct tool.

I just decided to replace the top hat myself. Will probably take it to BMW or a performance shop to get a 4 wheel alignment afterwards. I am just glad I didn't blow the shock.

[obriennathaniel]

Originally Posted by Philipangoo

Well got the call back from BMW, they were charging 1010$ to replace part number 6 and also new bolts and alignment. Oddly enough, my local dealer would not pricematch Getbmw parts since there was a 120$ + difference in the parts they quoted me for the top hat and 3 bolts lol.

Also they were charging close to $500 for 2.5 hours in labor. I did my entire suspension in 4 hours including a trip to autozone to buy the correct tool.

I just decided to replace the top hat myself. Will probably take it to BMW or a performance shop to get a 4 wheel alignment afterwards. I am just glad I didn't blow the shock.

Yea screw that, do it yourself lol. 18mm, 16mm and a 13mm wrench, along with a reverse torx socket and a torx socket and youre good to go!

[Philipangoo]

They told me if I reported it to insurance I couldn't keep the BMW loaner car either. I didn't get that since if I pay for it or my insurance pays for it why does it matter.... they still get their money.

Anyways yeah front suspension is the easier one to do, and its literally just one corner, pop, compress, unbolt, replace, reinstall.

[djpeetur]

Same thing happen to me also. Driver side front. What part did u need to replace

[overkill1125]

Originally Posted by djpeetur

Same thing happen to me also. Driver side front. What part did u need to replace

Were you also running on bilstein sport + h&r sport or was it all stock?

[djpeetur]

Bilstien and hr sports also. Why

[overkill1125]

Originally Posted by djpeetur

Bilstien and hr sports also. Why

Reason behind is because I am highly considering ordering the Bilstein sport to be paired with my current H&R Sport. Right now the stock shocks/struts are too soft for the H&R so my ride is harsh and crashes with big bumps/dips.

You're the other person that experience the same broken suspension running on Bilstein/H&R so just wanted to make sure that it won't become a trend.

A bit off topic but how was your ride quality besides that 1 pothole that busted your suspension?

[LastFrontierBimmer]

Originally Posted by overkill1125

Reason behind is because I am highly considering ordering the Bilstein sport to be paired with my current H&R Sport. Right now the stock shocks/struts are too soft for the H&R so my ride is harsh and crashes with big bumps/dips.

You're the other person that experience the same broken suspension running on Bilstein/H&R so just wanted to make sure that it won't become a trend.

A bit off topic but how was your ride quality besides that 1 pothole that busted your suspension?

This^^^ I'd like to hear your reply too.

I'm running H&R Sport springs with stock dampers, but the damping isn't stiff enough. I like the ride height, but recently I hit a monster pothole - a product of the very strange freezing/raining/thawing cycles we're having. It put a slight flat spot on both driver-side winter wheels (tire beads are okay) and broke the lower tab on the front strut, causing the strut to slide in the lower pinch bolt/clamp and dropping the ride height about 3/4" on the driver front.

I'm wondering if I would have sustained such damage had I been running the taller & softer stock springs. My guess is I would have, as it was an exceptionally bad pothole. I'm deciding now whether to replace the stock struts and shocks with Bilstein B8s, which are supposed to be 20% stiffer than stock hence, theoretically better suited to the H&R springs; or, go back to the stock springs with an OEM replacement strut.

If the ride is significantly improved with the B8 struts & shocks, then I'm likely to go with the H&R/Bilstein combo in spite of the damage the OP and one other have experienced. If it's only "so-so" however, I may revert back to fully stock, since I'm still waiting for a replacement strut.

[djpeetur]

I have hr and Bilstien. My Bmw parts guy say f30 strut mount is very soft. Also that it's better the mount broke then the frame mushrooming. I had e90 hit a curb and had to replace one side of frame. Jsut becareful driving. $130 for parts $100 labor. $140 tow to my local tuner shop. Bmw wouldn't touch after maket suspension

[djpeetur]

Be honest with you. Sports spring and B8 Shocks are still a little soft. Im getting Lower Control Arms and Strut bar this week. If needed I will get a front sway bar.

[LastFrontierBimmer]

I just had the Bilstein B8s installed yesterday (front struts and rear shocks). I already had the H&R Sport Springs, but the car was over-sprung and underdamped with the stock shocks & struts. This caused a bouncy, bumpy ride with the front end crashing on abrupt dips and bumps. It was unpleasant and felt "cheap." With the Bilstein B8s, all now seems to be as it should. I consider the ride a significant improvement over stock xDrive suspension. It is firm and composed over smooth road, bumps, and even the frost-heaved pavement we have here in Alaska. It stays flat in the corners including some spirited play in roundabouts last night, where I pushed her hard enough in sport mode that the nanny features were kicking in. Overall it seems to be riding like a sport coupe that is my daily driver ought to. I'm very pleased thus far - I feel like it's back to riding like a high quality new German car, with firm commanding ride, excellent handling, and much composure. Mind you, I haven't hit any (more) terrible potholes or such (yet), so the verdict is still out on how it deals with adverse conditions. Bottom line - I'm very pleased. I was concerned that if this "experiment" failed, then I would pay to revert back to full stock xDrive suspension. I will not be doing that. BTW, the "stance" is excellent too. Now, let's hope my "top hats" survive daily life on our local roads.

[CBoom]

I'm looking to also go with the Bilstein/H&R set up this Summer. In the meantime I am going to attempt to swap out my springs alone. You guys, especially obrien are making it sound easy enough for a novice like me.
Would you guys mind offering a step by step? Or do you know of a DIY video for the F30?

[Shazsta]

Add me to the list of cracked top hat. Just happened today. Bilstein + H&R Sports.

Besides the obvious how can we keep it from happening again? I feel like the overly stiff run flats played a part in my case.

[LastFrontierBimmer]

Originally Posted by Shazsta

Add me to the list of cracked top hat. Just happened today. Bilstein + H&R Sports.

Besides the obvious how can we keep it from happening again? I feel like the overly stiff run flats played a part in my case.

Ugh...this is not good news. I've the same set up. It's working great so far - the daily drive is quite nice. Standard roads, rolling bumps, (reasonable) speed bumps, etc. are all good and I like the firm, yet compliant ride. There's a certain (rare) frequency of bump however, when the whole set-up seems to push shock straight up through the strut shaft, creating a cringe-inducing "slam." It's only happened a couple of times, but I must say I live in apprehension of that "one bump," when I let my guard down while driving along a rough road.