[ducatiti]

I have 86K on my 2006 325i and trying to plan for my next project. I would like to refresh/replace my existing struts/shock setup. At the moment, I don't see any leaks and drives well other than bottoming out on bigger potholes making a slightly unpleasant sound.

Would Sach's and Eibach lowering springs work, or the I should go with the Billstein B4 route? I plan to purchase all from FCP with their lifetime guarantee replacement. Recently replaced my brakes using their products (Zimmerman/Akebono Combo). At the moment, I'm shopping for a strut spring compressor and spindle housing spreader tool in preparation.

Also, what hardware would you suggest to replace such as shock mounts for rear and front, etc? Bump stops will be replaced for sure as they are all not of factory shape or form now

Edit: Actually, I am happy with my current stock ride height without the sport suspension. If I keep the springs, would it raise the car a bit with the new struts/shocks? Would you guys advice to change the springs as well?

[Bilbofraggins]

I did the lot, every bit front and rear...for 500 CAD...still going strong coming up on a year later...2008 323i

https://ca.autoshack.com/KS618-ST836 No complete strut assemblies at this time...but some good suspension deals all the same

Easy job...

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

I did the lot, every bit front and rear...for 500 CAD...still going strong coming up on a year later...2008 323i

https://ca.autoshack.com/KS618-ST836 No complete strut assemblies at this time...but some good suspension deals all the same

Easy job...

Those are cheap!!!! Thanks for the input. So you purchased the entire assembly built from the factory right? By any chance, do you know the brand for these and how is the ride and height compared to your stock setup?

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by ducatiti

Those are cheap!!!! Thanks for the input. So you purchased the entire assembly built from the factory right? By any chance, do you know the brand for these and how is the ride and height compared to your stock setup?

No name brand....but the quality was there...at the time they had struts with coils...none listed at the moment...but they do have front top mounts...

I would not recommend them if they had not panned out.

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

No name brand....but the quality was there...at the time they ghd struts with coils...none listed at the moment...but they do have front top mounts...

I would not recommend them if they had not panned out.

Ok. I'll look out for the assemblies. Have you heard or seen the A1 Auto strut/shock assemblies? Would they be possible the same thing?

https://www.1aauto.com/2006--bmw-325...A%20Suspension

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by ducatiti

Ok. I'll look out for the assemblies. Have you heard or seen the A1 Auto strut/shock assemblies? Would they be possible the same thing?

https://www.1aauto.com/2006--bmw-325...A%20Suspension

That looks very much like the exact same stuff.....I kept our coils just in case these failed...but all has been well.

[Mayorie]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

I did the lot, every bit front and rear...for 500 CAD...still going strong coming up on a year later...2008 323i

https://ca.autoshack.com/KS618-ST836 No complete strut assemblies at this time...but some good suspension deals all the same

Easy job...

+1

[Efthreeoh]

The only spreader tool you need is a 3/8-to-1/4 drive adapter. A 1/4-drive fits in the slot in the hub perfectly. Give it a quarter turn and it spreads the hub to easily put the strut out.

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

No name brand....but the quality was there...at the time they had struts with coils...none listed at the moment...but they do have front top mounts...

I would not recommend them if they had not panned out.

Does your car sit higher now with these strut assemblies?

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Mayorie

+1

I assume you purchased from the same merchant. Mind sharing a link of the items you purchased?

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The only spreader tool you need is a 3/8-to-1/4 drive adapter. A 1/4-drive fits in the slot in the hub perfectly. Give it a quarter turn and it spreads the hub to easily put the strut out.

I only have one or two of these adapters. Will it ruin it when spreading the hub?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by ducatiti

I only have one or two of these adapters. Will it ruin it when spreading the hub?

I have Craftsman tools, it has never damaged mine. Get a cheap one at a hardware store if you are worried.

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

No name brand....but the quality was there...at the time they had struts with coils...none listed at the moment...but they do have front top mounts...

I would not recommend them if they had not panned out.

Also, did you have a difficult time of pulling the existing strut assembly from its place, any tips such us compressing the spring before dismounting it?

[Bilbofraggins]

Had no problem at all... watch a few you tube vids and follow along...

I bought the set shocks with springs already loaded.... so it was a simple install. I still have the old leaking shocks with springs still on.... just in case.

This was a deal that worked out.... for daily drive purposes.

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

Had no problem at all... watch a few you tube vids and follow along...

I bought the set shocks with springs already loaded.... so it was a simple install. I still have the old leaking shocks with springs still on.... just in case.

This was a deal that worked out.... for daily drive purposes.

I'm still hesitant of buying these cheap assembled struts from reviews I have been reading but I am still considering. Is it true that the car will sit higher and ride is not close to OEM suspension?

Another cheap route maybe is buying sach's and using my existing springs + mounting hardware.

[Hoody007]

Bilstein B4s. I had them on my E46 330ci and they were phenomenal. Why go with a no-name brand when quality Bilsteins are pretty inexpensive?

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

Bilstein B4s. I had them on my E46 330ci and they were phenomenal. Why go with a no-name brand when quality Bilsteins are pretty inexpensive?

Aren't Billsteins stiffer than Sach's?

[Bilbofraggins]

When my lad comes by, I’ll take a picture of how it sits.... for now... just have these...I think it would be fair to say it definitely looked a little higher after replacement. But he had been driving with one front and one rear leaked out shocks. I just used a flat tip screwdriver to tap in so as to free the shock. We worked with the vehicle raised on a friends 4 corner lift. That definitely helped to speed the job.

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by ducatiti

Aren't Billsteins stiffer than Sach's?

There is no way we could have done a complete job, including mounts and bushings for 100 bucks a corner any other way..(We also added 48.20 CAD for lifetime warranty...forgot about that).

Anyway, horses for courses.... it’s an 11 year old vehicle, or nearly that we keep in top shape, is easy to work on and drives like new.

He gets compliments all the time - although is thinking of jumping to an M2. But, he is well aware it’s money in the bank driving this one...

[jwalker87]

I'd go with Bilsteins and also replace all the wear/rubber items you will come across along the way - spring seats, strut mounts, etc.

For the coil spring compressor, I bought the Harbor Freight one and just used it last week, and it worked fine.

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by jwalker87

I'd go with Bilsteins and also replace all the wear/rubber items you will come across along the way - spring seats, strut mounts, etc.

For the coil spring compressor, I bought the Harbor Freight one and just used it last week, and it worked fine.

Ok thanks. Watched a lot of videos with different methods to remove the strut. Did you have to loosen or remove the subframe bolt to have more "downward give"? I've seen some videos that didn't have to.

Also, did you remove the brake calipers or just left it on?

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

When my lad comes by, I’ll take a picture of how it sits.... for now... just have these...I think it would be fair to say it definitely looked a little higher after replacement. But he had been driving with one front and one rear leaked out shocks. I just used a flat tip screwdriver to tap in so as to free the shock. We worked with the vehicle raised on a friends 4 corner lift. That definitely helped to speed the job.

Thanks for the pic and tips. Mind answering my questions above too?