[DaveySprocket]

Hi folks,
I'm wanting to make my E91 last as long as possible, hoping for at least 200,000 miles, or more. It's just passed 100,000 and is in pretty good fettle, so I want to stay on top of things to give it every chance of hitting the high miles. I know the car is nowt flash, but it's mine and it's paid for

I'm doing oil changes every 6,000 miles, which should keep the engine in good shape, but have some other questions about various aspects of the car.

It's going to need new rear shocks for the next MOT, and although I like the low down look, it is a bit of a pain, partly because it does sometimes scrape on things, also because it's very low for older relatives to get in and out of, and most of all it's a pain to work on. So I am pondering going to standard springs all round. So if I do this I am wondering:

1. Genuine BMW Springs or aftermarket?
2. If aftermarket any recommendations?
3. Best shocks and struts to go for?
4. Anything else to consider?

I will also be changing the drive belt and was thinking to get the Gates Belt and pulleys, is it worth changing the crankshaft pulley at the same time even if it seems fine?

It's on Uniroyal Rainsport tyres, which seem to wear very quickly, is there a general consensus on best tyres for these cars in the UK?

I tend to hunt around for parts on ebay, looking for suppliers with good feedback, selling decent quality parts, but rarely manage to get everything I want from one supplier. So I was wondering if there are any E90 specialist in the UK that can be recommended?

Thanks in advance for any help of suggestions, Dave

[pmorg4]

Welcome! Nice looking Touring

If you're not looking to lower the car or stiffen up the handling, I'd probably go for BMW springs. Dampers either BMW or Bilstein B4/Sachs.

Gates belt and pulleys are good (or INA pulleys, which are OE on the petrol engines, not sure about the diesel). I wouldn't bother with the crank pulley unless you have any reason to have concerns around it.

In my view, best all-round tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (or 5).

[Tambohamilton]

1. AM
2. Sachs
3. OEM Sachs, unless you want improved performance?
4. Suspension bushings/arms/ball joints. Lemforder or TRW. How long is a piece of string? To go with the springs etc, you'll also want bump stops, spring pads, top and bottom mounts for the rear, probably top mounts for the front....
5. +1 for PS4/5 tyres. Though maybe you can find something else that works decently well and wears better - something like Goodyear efficientgrip performance 2 (catchy name), though they may not be available in your size.
6. Not in the UK, but do deliver here: autodoc. They're annoying, but almost always best prices and always genuine parts. Watch the discount and the base price of the parts. Discount is generally best on a Monday. They're the same company as buycarparts and a bunch of other sites. Use their app to get more discount. That said, for some parts you'll probably need to go direct to BMW.

And yes, INA are OEM for diesel pulleys too.

If you're not aware of it already, realoem.com gives you part numbers for your car, if you enter the last 7 of the vin.

[Will_460cs]

Bilstein B4s are also a good OEM like option.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the springs but make sure you raplace all the tops mounts, sump stops etc.

[DaveySprocket]

Thanks for the replies!

In my quest to find a decent BMW parts supplier in the UK, I emailed three companies asking about the suspension situation, BMW Parts Online, Munich Legends, and Linwar Motors. Munich Legends were the least knowledgeable in their reply, so I didn't pursue wit them. Linwar did seem to know what they were talking about, but were quite expensive. Danny from BMW Parts Online has been mega helpful and patient, and his prices, all for OEM stuff (Sachs Springs) are very reasonable.

I can't do the work until the first week of August, so I am still building up a list of parts I might as well order at the same time, like new gas struts for the tail gate, as the old ones don't have the oomph to lift it anymore.

I will look at Michelin Pilot Sports for sure, I am not impressed with the mileage I am getting from the Uniroyal.

Somewhat annoyingly we set off back from a weekend break last weekend, only to discover that I had a broken front spring. After wasting time with RAC who were clearly never going to provide any kind of realistic response, I set too and changed it myself, with some assistance from my BIL. So at least I know how to get the struts off now. Was surprised at how the gas strut sucks down, rather than up as well, seems like a BMW anomaly, that doesn't make life any easier when changing springs..

[Tambohamilton]

It's a reasonable assumption that if the strut sucks down, it's dead

[jacbo]

Front struts: hmm yes did you do the classic test of pushing strut down and see if it comes back up? Like above, sounds like they might be on their way out unfortunately. Pretty common for them to need replacing between 90 and 120k.

Tyres: I had Pirelli P zeros on the rears which lasted 33k but had a little bit more life left at time of changing. Currently running good year eagle f1 which are better than the p zeros and also very reasonably priced. can't comment on longevity yet

Parts: Depending what you are after will depend where you will buy. Use realoem website to find part numbers first

For OE BMW dealer parts use the "Genuine BMW Parts at Discounted Rates for Members" in the classifieds section. I use this for parts i cannot get anywhere else and the bits and bobs like bolts, o-rings.

Ebay salvage yards are good for parts you can't really find new anymore. i used them for steering wheel, differential, interior parts. Quite a few specialise in BMWs only

Autodoc for OEM parts. filters, brakes, suspension arms and dampers, bearings, cooling system etc. Based in germany so takes around a week to arrive but they offer a massive range of parts and brands and usually far cheaper than euro car parts

[DaveySprocket]

I'm pretty sure the struts are supposed to pull down.. See at 9:24 in this video, the mechanic has to lift up the strut to fit the spring top plate..

[Tambohamilton]

That's just to compress the spring. I've never seen a strut in good condition that pulls down. All of them have gas pressure inside, which will push the shaft fully out unless the have a tall top out stop.

[Silver Streek]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

That's just to compress the spring. I've never seen a strut in good condition that pulls down. All of them have gas pressure inside, which will push the shaft fully out unless the have a tall top out stop.

I thought this was the case too till I got a set of Bilstein B4S the m sport spec ones. I pulled the fronts out the packaging and they were fully withdrawn. I had to pull them out then they would suck back in. I called the Bilstein tech dept and they said this is normal for the B4S.

Made them a pain in the butt to fit the springs on, but worth it. They have been on the car for 50k and still working very well.

[Tambohamilton]

Fair enough. It's too late to bother my brain with how that is possible while having positive pressure in the system.

Stock dampers/struts certainly shouldn't suck down.

[Will_460cs]

Hi

I have fitted B4s to my e91 and the shock absorber was at full length. as there gas pressurised. the video at 9m is showing compression of the spring only - the damper is already at its full height.

If the damper isn't fully extended then the gas pressure has been lost inside it.

[Will_460cs]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Fair enough. It's too late to bother my brain with how that is possible while having positive pressure in the system.

Stock dampers/struts certainly shouldn't suck down.

You were right - in your first post.. there is no way that the damper pops up further beyond what the damper gas pressure pushes it out of the box.

[Silver Streek]

Think I remember Bilstein said something about the sport version of the B4 also controlling the rebound or some such. It was back in 2018 when I got them. My memory isnt that good unfortunately.

[Silver Streek]

Originally Posted by Silver Streek

I thought this was the case too till I got a set of Bilstein B4S the m sport spec ones. I pulled the fronts out the packaging and they were fully withdrawn. I had to pull them out then they would suck back in. I called the Bilstein tech dept and they said this is normal for the B4S.

Made them a pain in the butt to fit the springs on, but worth it. They have been on the car for 50k and still working very well.

*Clarification after remembering the issue with mine*

Just to clarify I didn't mean to say my struts were fully withdrawn, what I should have said is they were not fully extended, to become fully extended they rely on the suspension spring pulling the rod fully out. This is because they have an internal spring that controls the rebound, this is what prevents the gas inside from fully extending the piston rod. So when you buy them thay are not strapped with tape to keep them withdrawn. This is just the sport version B4 though not the standard B4.

[DaveySprocket]

I have to admit I was convinced I was correct about this, but having carefully studied the video again, I can see that I was wrong doh!

It certainly makes more sense, and I wonder if that was why my spring snapped, if the damper is knackered then it won't help the spring much at all. Might have to bring forward my total suspension rebuild..

Apologies for any confusion caused!

[Will_460cs]

Just ordered my B6's for the e90 335I. Wanted more than the b4s on the e91...
will see how they compare...

If you get stuck I will have some decent condition hem BMW units available if you want to do a cheap repair..

[Will_460cs]

Originally Posted by Silver Streek

Think I remember Bilstein said something about the sport version of the B4 also controlling the rebound or some such. It was back in 2018 when I got them. My memory isnt that good unfortunately.

Bilstein B4 comes in normal version for cars with normal bmw suspension and B4s/sports which is for Mtech equipped cars.

So if you have a SE and want Mtech suspension then get B4s/Sports

[DaveySprocket]

Thanks for the RealOEM tip, that will come in very handy!

Have checked out a few parts on Autodoc as well, and BMW Parts Online are coming in cheaper on the exact same Sachs stuff, so I will stick with them I guess.

[Will_460cs]

Autodoc own all the companies they are just trading names...

Cheapest is always Autodoc app on a phone - by it that way for max discount. often 20% extra discount.

if you haven't ordered before use this code and you will get £10 off:

AC28763294

I have just order my B6s off the app saved 20-30£ per corner.

[Will_460cs]

Also get the other bits you need, recommend lemforder:

Front:
Lemforder Front Top Mounts
Dustboot and bump stop (if B4, but not required for B6/B8 as its an inverted strut with integral bump stop and dust boot)

Rear:
Lemforder rear mounts (lower) (its a lump of rubber which the strut bolts too and then 2 studs that secure to the hub). they are always knackered.
Dustboot and bump stop (if B4, but not required for B6/B8 as its an inverted strut with integral bump stop and dust boot)

also you need the upper mounts, for this an OEM + upgrade is the Monroe solid rubber mounts sold in USA but available through Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IMO replace spring only if rusty or damaged, my E91 has 156K on original springs with replacement B4s about 28K miles ago, IMO E90's don't break springs unless the strut is broken (unlike e46's which eat rear springs)


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[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Will_460cs

Autodoc own all the companies they are just trading names...

Cheapest is always Autodoc app on a phone - by it that way for max discount. often 20% extra discount.

if you haven't ordered before use this code and you will get £10 off:

AC28763294

I have just order my B6s off the app saved 20-30£ per corner.

Full disclosure; Will will also get a £10 coupon if you use that code.