Another ZHP Suspension Refresh thread. Do I have everything I need?

[roddykar]

Hey all. In the process of doing a complete refresh on my '04 ZHP coupe, nearing 200k miles.

Thanks for bearing through another refresh thread. I've been researching for the past couple weeks on the best routes to refresh the suspension. I've researched quite a bit, but there is so much info out there on what to do and not to do, what's important and what's not, it gets a little crazy. I've checked Mango E46 (http://www.e46mango.com/2016/10/the-ultimate-bmw-e46-suspension-refresh.html)'s list, BMWCurves (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years), and this random google doc I found on one of the forums. (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17S02SoifvlUOJHS2dW6vufdzMwodb0DuaK_aptqeLvY/edit#gid=1494818237)

EDIT: Thanks Fredo for your list as well (located here) (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?15710-Fredo-s-ZHP-Project&p=593000#post593000)

My chief goal is to achieve a smoother ride, and I've set my eyes on the next generation of FSD's that launched in 2018, the "Special Active". I haven't done suspension things in quite some time, except for a front lower control arm bushing set with brackets (P/N: 31126757623)

My biggest question is; are springs recommended in a refresh? Or do people only change springs when necessary? I have not noticed any real concern in my regular driving, other than a rough ride, probably due to shot shocks/struts.

EDIT***

Here is what I ended up on. Thanks again to everyone for their help. These are parts I thought were most important for my suspension refresh. You may need a few other parts, like front control arm bushings (FCABs) which I got replaced not too long ago, so I opted not do it again here. Any extra nuts and bolts I'll get from my independent repair shop. I was able to find the Koni Special Actives with Sport Suspension from eEuroParts.com (https://www.eeuroparts.com)

QTY • PART NAME • PART NUMBER • VENDOR
x2 | Strut Bump Stop - Front (w/ Boot) • 31302290313 (EE)
x2 | Bump Stop - Rear (w/ Dust Boot) • 33502290347 (EE)
x2 | Sway Bar End Link - Front • 31351095694 (EE)
x2 | Koni Special Active Rear Shocks - Sport Susp • 82451024 (EE)
x1 | Koni Special Active Strut - Front Passenger • 87451022R (EBAY) sold out everywhere?
x1 | Koni Special Active Strut - Front Drivers Side • 87451022L (EBAY) sold out everywhere?
x2 | Front Shock Mount Kit • 31352241448 (ECS)
x2 | Sway Bar Bushing • 33556751269 (ECS)
x1 | Lemfoerder Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly Front Left Lower • 31122282121 (AZ)
x1 | Lemfoerder Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly Front Right Lower • 31122282122 (AZ)
x2 | Lemfoerder Trailing Arm Bushing Rear Arms Front Position; M3 Upgrade • 33326770817 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Coil Spring Seat/Insulator - Front Lower • 31331096664 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Coil Spring Insulator - Front Upper • 31331091867 (AZ)
x2 | Lemfoerder Shock Absorber Mount - Rear Upper • 802177 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Strut Mount; Reinforce Plate - Front • 51717036781 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Coil Spring Seat/Insulator - Rear Upper • 33531136385 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Coil Spring Seat/Insulator - Rear Lower • 33531094518 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Nut; Lock Nut; M14-1.5 • 31121095420 (AZ)
x1 | Genuine BMW Nut; Lock Nut; M12-1.5 • 32211095267 (AZ)
x2 | ElringKlinger Shock Mount Gasket - Rear Shock Mounts to Body • 33521128734 (AZ)

***OLD LIST, DISREGARD UNLESS YOU NEED A PART ***
Koni - Sepcial Active Shock/Strut Set - P/N: 87451022lKT
Lemfoerder Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly; Front Left Lower - P/N: 31122282121
Lemfoerder Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly; Front Right Lower - P/N: 31122282122
(x2) Rein Automotive Strut Bumper; Front Upper - P/N: 31306757046
(x6) Genuine Nut; M8-8 Collar Nut - P/N: 31316769731
(x2) Genuine BMW Coil Spring Seat/Insulator; Front Lower - P/N: 31331096664
(x2) Lemfoerder Trailing Arm Bushing; Rear Arms; Front Position; M3 Upgrade - P/N: 33326770817
(x2) Vaico Shock Bumper; Rear Upper - P/N: 33506757047
(x2) Shock Mount Gasket; Rear Shock Mounts to Body - P/N: 33521128734
(x2) Genuine BMW Coil Spring Seat/Insulator; Rear Lower - P/N: 33531094518
(x2) Genuine BMW Coil Spring Insulator Front Upper - P/N: BM-31331091867
(x2) Genuine BMW Strut Mount; Reinforcement Plate; Front - P/N: 51717036781
(x2) Lemfoerder Strut Mount; Front Upper - P/N: 802186
(x8) Genuine BMW Bolt; M10x35mm; 17mm Hex Head - P/N: BM-31106772199
(x4) Genuine BMW - Mini Nut; 10mm - P/N: BM-33306760587
(x2) Genuine BMW Shock Absorber Nut; Rear - P/N: BM-33526773882

Thanks again.

[t.er]

Sometimes rear springs can rust and break off a coil or two from one end, but if they look good it's perfectly okay to reuse them.

The only things you might want to replace are fasteners and bump stops, they get crumbly with age, but FWIW I reused mine when I swapped in my Bilsteins 3 years ago. Rubber spring pads and stuff like that can be reused as well.

Also I may have missed it (on mobile) but I see you have front strut reinforcement plates spec'd, but not rear shock plates, I'd recommend those as well. They go on top of the shock tower and prevent pullout of the nuts under rebound. For stock or like-stock suspension it's not really a concern but it's peace of mind

[roddykar]

Sometimes rear springs can rust and break off a coil or two from one end, but if they look good it's perfectly okay to reuse them.

Gotcha. My independent mechanic didn’t mention anything bad when I had it in last, and I did mention a suspension refresh was on the way. Guessing it’s probably fine, and if it’s not I can order the springs.


Also I may have missed it (on mobile) but I see you have front strut reinforcement plates spec'd, but not rear shock plates, I'd recommend those as well. They go on top of the shock tower and prevent pullout of the nuts under rebound. For stock or like-stock suspension it's not really a concern but it's peace of mind

Thanks for the tip. I’ll look it over again and make sure to grab that.
Besides these, you think anything else?

[fredo]

My suspension was refreshed recently at 150k miles. Here's the list of parts included:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?15710-Fredo-s-ZHP-Project&p=593000#post593000

[BMWCurves]

Since you're already in there, and the parts aren't expensive, the rubber spring pads and the bump stops might be worth it, IMO. That's how I felt about it. Looks like a good list to me, but other people will have better insight!

[roddykar]

My suspension was refreshed recently at 150k miles. Here's the list of parts included:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?15710-Fredo-s-ZHP-Project&p=593000#post593000 Thanks for this. I've added a couple things I've forgotten about.


Since you're already in there, and the parts aren't expensive, the rubber spring pads and the bump stops might be worth it, IMO. That's how I felt about it. Looks like a good list to me, but other people will have better insight! Cool. Your thread was really helpful. I thought I had listed bump stops, they should've been on the list. Appreciate the advice.

[Will]

List looks good. Fredo's and BMWCurves posts/lists are very informative and complete. I think springs are good for reuse unless there's significant rusting/broken coils, but you're in southern California so I think you won't have that problem.

The only other thing I could think of are dust boots / bellows for the strut and shock (PN: Front: 31331094749 (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id=BD53-USA-04-2004-E46-BMW-330Ci&mg=31&sg=10&diagId=31_0408&q=31331094749), and Rear: 33521136283 (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id=BD53-USA-04-2004-E46-BMW-330Ci&mg=33&sg=45&diagId=33_1025&q=33521136283), quantity two each. If yours are still good, then probably good for reuse, but I think they're pretty cheap (especially for the OEM rather than OE ones. Rein is the OEM, I think).


Just to clarify, you mentioned having changed the front control arm bushing (FCAB, PN 31126757623) in the past, will that be added to the list for the refresh? If they're within your budget, I'd say add it and start fresh to match the other new parts.

Where in socal are you? If close enough to Orange County / Irvine I can help you out (at a minimum drink a beer and be part of the peanut gallery).

[roddykar]

List looks good. Fredo's and BMWCurves posts/lists are very informative and complete. I think springs are good for reuse unless there's significant rusting/broken coils, but you're in southern California so I think you won't have that problem.

The only other thing I could think of are dust boots / bellows for the strut and shock (PN: Front: 31331094749 (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id=BD53-USA-04-2004-E46-BMW-330Ci&mg=31&sg=10&diagId=31_0408&q=31331094749), and Rear: 33521136283 (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id=BD53-USA-04-2004-E46-BMW-330Ci&mg=33&sg=45&diagId=33_1025&q=33521136283), quantity two each. If yours are still good, then probably good for reuse, but I think they're pretty cheap (especially for the OEM rather than OE ones. Rein is the OEM, I think). Yeah agreed. I've decided to heavily use Fredo's list with the Koni Special Active's and sprinkle in some of BMWCurves parts based on what I think I've needed. I'll only change the springs if I have to, and even then, I'm hearing to just buy some lightly used because they last so long.


Just to clarify, you mentioned having changed the front control arm bushing (FCAB, PN 31126757623) in the past, will that be added to the list for the refresh? If they're within your budget, I'd say add it and start fresh to match the other new parts.

Where in socal are you? If close enough to Orange County / Irvine I can help you out (at a minimum drink a beer and be part of the peanut gallery). I figured I'd reuse FCAB because it's pretty new, still, and since I've installed those the car actually hasn't even been driven much. I'm in San Diego. So.. pretty close, I'd definitely appreciate that!

[roddykar]

Also, can anyone here confirm that the Koni Special Active kit that I need - part number: 87451022lKT (located here) (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-koni-parts/fsd-2100-shocks-struts-kit/8745-space-1022lkt/) which mentions "For Vehicles without Sports suspensions" is correct?

Versus:

This kit: 87451022KT (located here) (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-koni-parts/fsd-2100-special-active-shock-strut-kit-e46/87451022kt/) that mentions "For Vehicles with Sports Suspension"

Kind of confusing, due to the nature of our cars being ZHP. I read somewhere that it was the former (without sport suspension), and not the latter.

[BMWCurves]

I can't confirm it, but my guess is for sport suspensions, as that is what our cars came with. I know that's not particularly helpful, but that's all I've got

[Galapolis]

I believe the only difference between the sport and non sport Special Active is that the rears are shorter on the sport. You'd definitely want the sport for ZHPs.

[roddykar]

I see. Thank you both. Looks like the sport suspension Special Active's are sold out everywhere I've checked. I'm not particularly in a rush, so I'm glad I asked.

[roddykar]

Hey all. Wanted to post an update, for those who'll come after me and question what to upgrade.

Here is what I ended up on. Thanks again to everyone for their help. These are parts I thought were most important for my suspension refresh. You may need a few other parts, like front control arm bushings (FCABs) which I got replaced not too long ago, so I opted not do it again here. Any extra nuts and bolts I'll get from my independent repair shop. I was able to find the Koni Special Actives with Sport Suspension from eEuroParts.com (https://www.eeuroparts.com)

QTY • PART NAME • PART NUMBER • VENDOR
x2 | Strut Bump Stop - Front (w/ Boot) • 31302290313 (EE)
x2 | Bump Stop - Rear (w/ Dust Boot) • 33502290347 (EE)
x2 | Sway Bar End Link - Front • 31351095694 (EE)
x2 | Koni Special Active Rear Shocks - w/ Sport Susp • 82451024 (EE)
x1 | Koni Special Active Strut - Front Passenger • 87451022R (EBAY)
x1 | Koni Special Active Strut - Front Drivers Side • 87451022L (EBAY)
x2 | Front Shock Mount Kit • 31352241448 (ECS)
x2 | Sway Bar Bushing • 33556751269 (ECS)
x1 | Lemfoerder Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly Front Left Lower • 31122282121 (AZ)
x1 | Lemfoerder Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly Front Right Lower • 31122282122 (AZ)
x2 | Lemfoerder Trailing Arm Bushing Rear Arms Front Position; M3 Upgrade • 33326770817 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Coil Spring Seat/Insulator - Front Lower • 31331096664 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Coil Spring Insulator - Front Upper • 31331091867 (AZ)
x2 | Lemfoerder Shock Absorber Mount - Rear Upper • 802177 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Strut Mount; Reinforce Plate - Front • 51717036781 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Coil Spring Seat/Insulator - Rear Upper • 33531136385 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Coil Spring Seat/Insulator - Rear Lower • 33531094518 (AZ)
x2 | Genuine BMW Nut; Lock Nut; M14-1.5 • 31121095420 (AZ)
x1 | Genuine BMW Nut; Lock Nut; M12-1.5 • 32211095267 (AZ)
x2 | ElringKlinger Shock Mount Gasket - Rear Shock Mounts to Body • 33521128734 (AZ)