Add me to the broken rear coil spring club....pics of carnage

Originally Posted by mkodama

I'm in the boat of believing no true endurance limit exists, and some materials just last longer and are better suited for the job than others.

*now miles goes off on tangent of wondering why more cars don't use air springs...*

...because air has a fatigue limit. Try this simple experiment: Place a paper bag over your mouth and exhale. Repeat the respiration process with the same air.

See, you get fatigued.

Originally Posted by kuksul08

...because air has a fatigue limit. Try this simple experiment: Place a paper bag over your mouth and exhale. Repeat the respiration process with the same air.

See, you get fatigued.

Here is a more scientifically correct one that applies to only you; instead of a paper bag, use a plastic bag, and instead of your mouth, substitute with your head. Make sure to tightly duck tape the bag around your neck region to reduce sources of error.

Originally Posted by mkodama

Here is a more scientifically correct one that applies to only you; instead of a paper bag, use a plastic bag, and instead of your mouth, substitute with your head. Make sure to tightly duck tape the bag around your neck region to reduce sources of error.

you are evil

e30, e36 and e46 rear springs crack the same way - nothing new - aftermarket is the way to go.
ask any e36 owner :-)

Originally Posted by DCJodon

I know that?

Maybe you're not reading my post correctly.

I misunderstood!Myself! OP, FYI; The UUC V2.0 springs are only $325 for a set of 4!

Originally Posted by 330I6SPD

I misunderstood!Myself! OP, FYI; The UUC V2.0 springs are only $325 for a set of 4!

lol, H&R springs are $115 less for a set of 4 and I think Eibach are like $75 less. H&R and Eibach actually makes their springs, unlike UUC who has some other company unnamed make them.

In to see BMWNA's response to OP's e-mail. Pretty sure you're out of warranty by now, so the response should be amusing.

How about all the other things that break? Are you crying about those too? Window regulators, camshaft position sensors, sunroof shade, these are not "wear items," but they still break. BMW will pay for them if you're under warranty.

Guess what? nothing lasts forever. Except me, of course.

If you're going to go through with e-mailing them, I'd approach it more as a safety concern, as it's not really a problem associated specifically with E46's

You may be able to get them to replace it if you approach it that way, just a thought

Good luck--if it doesn't work out, just pick up a set of H&R or Eibach springs as others have suggested, can't go wrong with either of those choices

I have a replacement spring on the way. I would have went with the Eibach Pro Kit but hopefully I won't have this car for much longer.

Originally Posted by Hartman

I have a replacement spring on the way. I would have went with the Eibach Pro Kit but hopefully I won't have this car for much longer.

What!? Did you email BMWNA at least?

I wanted to see their response.

Originally Posted by mkodama

What!? Did you email BMWNA at least?

I wanted to see their response.

Hahaha! STS.

damn never knew they can break.....i tried cutting springs before and it was a pain in the azz....kind of scary that it can just break like that...especially oem ones.

Originally Posted by mkodama

What!? Did you email BMWNA at least?

I wanted to see their response.

Yes I e-mailed them, I am awaiting a response. For safety reasons I wanted to replace the spring right away, that's why I ordered a new one. Honestly I doubt this will get anywhere but I will post their response.

Keep us posted!

Originally Posted by Hartman

So every single metal item on a car that "moves" is expected to fail?

Move along apologists.

Apologists? Are you serious? What does this even have to do with BMW? Any piece of moving metal will fail, it just depends on when. Thats basic science, it has nothing to do with BMW. Just because you got scared by a spring that you feel should never break, we're apologists?

Just did my suspension too and found my rear spring looked just like your. The car now had Bilstein sports and the Eibach pro kit. My last two cars also broke their rear springs and were replaced with after market springs. Neither of them was a BMW.

hartman you just like to make a fuss don't you? A broken spring like yours is NOT a safety issue, you big girlie!

Originally Posted by Lestat_

hartman you just like to make a fuss don't you? A broken spring like yours is NOT a safety issue, you big girlie!

Yeah I'm a big drama queen. I mean, when a spring breaks in two places, reducing the overall height of the spring by over an inch, it really isn't that big of a deal.

Does anyone have any non sport/stock rear coil springs for sale? I need a pair for a 1999 323i sedan. Any help would be appreciated!