2002 325Xi Suspension Build

I am going to be ordering suspension parts soon so that I have everything ready to go after this winter is over. I have listed everything below that, from what I have read on this forum, I should get. Please feel free to tell me if you think something is uneccessary or if I forgot something.

Also... Should I go with the rear 5mm spring pad or go with the 15mm one? If I go with 5mm.... Should I buy front lowering spring perches? How does this setup look with just the 5mm pads in rear and no additional lowering other than the Eibach springs... Does anyone know?

THMotorsports.com
Eibach Pro Spring Kit (2089.140) - $257.92
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8040-1343SPORT) – Rear - $249.40
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8741-1481RSPORT) – Right Front - $200.10
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8741-1481LSPORT) – Left Front - $197.60

ECSTuning.com
Rear Shock Hardware kit – (ES#257139) - $7.20 X 2 = $14.40
Front Flat Washer – (ES#50876) - $1.39 X 2 = $2.78
Front Upper Strut Mount Reinforcement Plate – (ES#128656) - $8.99 X 2 = $17.98
Hex Bolt With Washer - Pinch Bolt – (ES#51180) - $5.19 X 2 = $10.38
Rear Lower Spring Pads – (ES#58638) -$7.03 X 2 = $14.06

Turner Motorsports
Front Upper Spring Pad (31331091867) - $3.95 X 2 = $7.90
Front Lower Spring Pads (31331096664) - $4.95 X 2 = $9.90
RSM Rear Shock Mounts – (JTD909) - $99.95
Front Upper Strut/Shock Mount – (31336752735) - $49.95 X 2 = $99.90
5mm Rear Upper Spring Pad – (33531136385) - $7.95 X 2 = $15.90


Thoughts and comments are welcome!

Just get:

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-36...uspension.aspx

and

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...25xi330xi.aspx

That's all you need.

I recently put this on my 2005 325xi and I absolutely love it. Its amazing. I've read some bad stuff about those Koni/Eibach configs blowing prematurely on Xi's.

Strange... I've read a lot about this setup config... But it was the Bilstein shocks and struts that I read were blowing out... Not the Konis...

Originally Posted by Dahmwern

I've read some bad stuff about those Koni/Eibach configs blowing prematurely on Xi's.

you mean h&r with bilstein sports right??

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

you mean h&r with bilstein sports right??

That's what I thought... Bad juju on those...

Originally Posted by Big Rick

I am going to be ordering suspension parts soon so that I have everything ready to go after this winter is over. I have listed everything below that, from what I have read on this forum, I should get. Please feel free to tell me if you think something is uneccessary or if I forgot something.

Also... Should I go with the rear 5mm spring pad or go with the 15mm one? If I go with 5mm.... Should I buy front lowering spring perches? How does this setup look with just the 5mm pads in rear and no additional lowering other than the Eibach springs... Does anyone know?

THMotorsports.com
Eibach Pro Spring Kit (2089.140) - $257.92
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8040-1343SPORT) – Rear - $249.40
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8741-1481RSPORT) – Right Front - $200.10
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8741-1481LSPORT) – Left Front - $197.60

ECSTuning.com
Rear Shock Hardware kit – (ES#257139) - $7.20 X 2 = $14.40
Front Flat Washer – (ES#50876) - $1.39 X 2 = $2.78
Front Upper Strut Mount Reinforcement Plate – (ES#128656) - $8.99 X 2 = $17.98
Hex Bolt With Washer - Pinch Bolt – (ES#51180) - $5.19 X 2 = $10.38
Rear Lower Spring Pads – (ES#58638) -$7.03 X 2 = $14.06

Turner Motorsports
Front Upper Spring Pad (31331091867) - $3.95 X 2 = $7.90
Front Lower Spring Pads (31331096664) - $4.95 X 2 = $9.90
RSM Rear Shock Mounts – (JTD909) - $99.95
Front Upper Strut/Shock Mount – (31336752735) - $49.95 X 2 = $99.90
5mm Rear Upper Spring Pad – (33531136385) - $7.95 X 2 = $15.90


Thoughts and comments are welcome!

This is a good list.

Your car came with front strut reinforcement plates. Buy the rear reinforcement plates instead.

Originally Posted by Big Rick

THMotorsports.com
Eibach Pro Spring Kit (2089.140) - $257.92
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8040-1343SPORT) – Rear - $249.40
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8741-1481RSPORT) – Right Front - $200.10
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8741-1481LSPORT) – Left Front - $197.60

ECSTuning.com
Rear Shock Hardware kit – (ES#257139) - $7.20 X 2 = $14.40
Front Flat Washer – (ES#50876) - $1.39 X 2 = $2.78
Front Upper Strut Mount Reinforcement Plate – (ES#128656) - $8.99 X 2 = $17.98
Hex Bolt With Washer - Pinch Bolt – (ES#51180) - $5.19 X 2 = $10.38
Rear Lower Spring Pads – (ES#58638) -$7.03 X 2 = $14.06

Turner Motorsports
Front Upper Spring Pad (31331091867) - $3.95 X 2 = $7.90
Front Lower Spring Pads (31331096664) - $4.95 X 2 = $9.90
RSM Rear Shock Mounts – (JTD909) - $99.95
Front Upper Strut/Shock Mount – (31336752735) - $49.95 X 2 = $99.90
5mm Rear Upper Spring Pad – (33531136385) - $7.95 X 2 = $15.90


Thoughts and comments are welcome!

It's a great list but you can probably get all this cheaper from other places. Also, I run the normal Lemforder upper strut mounts without an issue, they were a lot cheaper than $50 each.

Why is it recommended to buy new spring pads and hardware?

I'm having a hard time swallowing the recommendation of replacing springs on these things...

Originally Posted by yo_marc

Why is it recommended to buy new spring pads and hardware?

I'm having a hard time swallowing the recommendation of replacing springs on these things...

Because when you have everything apart, it's nice to have smaller parts around in case you need them, rather than dong the job twice.

Front strut pinch bolts must be replaced.

Originally Posted by yo_marc

Why is it recommended to buy new spring pads and hardware?

I'm having a hard time swallowing the recommendation of replacing springs on these things...

The rear springs on your car are likely broken. That's usually a good reason to replace them.

Also, pads and hardware are cheap insurance to ensure proper performance.

Thanks guys.

The car sits nice and square, so I am guessing my springs are kosher... but I'll check them out.

Not to be the unpopular one in the crowd...but I ran the H&R coilovers on my XI for over 50k miles. The car took corners like it was on rails, it was more confidence inspiring than my E46 M3, BUT, that came at a cost. Ride comfort. This car was my daily driver, and it was not a very comfortable ride at all. If you take the family out or others in your car often you might want to think again. Personally I would not opt for the H&R coilovers if it is a daily driver.

Seems the most comfortable setup for an XI is Eibachs and Konis.

Originally Posted by yo_marc

Thanks guys.

The car sits nice and square, so I am guessing my springs are kosher... but I'll check them out.

Mine sat square too, rear springs were cracked at the first bottom coil when I took them out.

Yeah... I was putting on new pads, rotors and brake lines and noticed my passenger side rear spring was broken off 1 coil up from the bottom. (I was also missing my bottom caliper bolt!) Mine sits right too and I would have never known the spring was broken unless I accidentally found it. By the rust on the ends... It has been broken for YEARS!

No coil overs... This is a daily driver... I drive at least 125 miles every day and would prefer it it be a comfortable ride. I did A LOT of reading to come up with the list.

Can someone check to tell me if that is the correct bolt (pinch bolt)??? Nobody has "pinch bolt" listed so I used a parts diagram.... I think it is correct.

Originally Posted by Mark M

Not to be the unpopular one in the crowd...but I ran the H&R coilovers on my XI for over 50k miles. The car took corners like it was on rails, it was more confidence inspiring than my E46 M3, BUT, that came at a cost. Ride comfort. This car was my daily driver, and it was not a very comfortable ride at all. If you take the family out or others in your car often you might want to think again. Personally I would not opt for the H&R coilovers if it is a daily driver.

Seems the most comfortable setup for an XI is Eibachs and Konis.

I've had the same h&r coil-overs on my car for about 60k miles now. Agreed - car handles like its on rails but overall, this suspension setup sucks - it is WAY too harsh for street use for both car and driver.

If you live where your roads are really, really good - maybe this is a good option. Otherwise, this suspension will beat the *hit out of your strut towers and other suspension components. I've also had one of the struts themselves fail prematurely due to the roads here just being too hard on them.

Originally Posted by Big Rick

THMotorsports.com
Eibach Pro Spring Kit (2089.140) - $257.92
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8040-1343SPORT) - Rear - $249.40
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8741-1481RSPORT) - Right Front - $200.10
Koni Shock - Sport Series (8741-1481LSPORT) - Left Front - $197.60


ECSTuning.com
Rear Shock Hardware kit - (ES#257139) - $7.20 X 2 = $14.40
Front Flat Washer - (ES#50876) - $1.39 X 2 = $2.78
Front Upper Strut Mount Reinforcement Plate - (ES#128656) - $8.99 X 2 = $17.98
Hex Bolt With Washer - Pinch Bolt - (ES#51180) - $5.19 X 2 = $10.38
Rear Lower Spring Pads - (ES#58638) -$7.03 X 2 = $14.06

Turner Motorsports
Front Upper Spring Pad (31331091867) - $3.95 X 2 = $7.90
Front Lower Spring Pads (31331096664) - $4.95 X 2 = $9.90
RSM Rear Shock Mounts - (JTD909) - $99.95
Front Upper Strut/Shock Mount - (31336752735) - $49.95 X 2 = $99.90
5mm Rear Upper Spring Pad - (33531136385) - $7.95 X 2 = $15.90


Thoughts and comments are welcome!

My list:
From TheBMWPartStore.com (All OEM Genuine BMW)
Front Suspension:
Pinch Bolt - 31356778832 - $3.86x2 = $7.72
Upper Washer (not needed, just reuse the old) - 31336776760 - $1.03x2 = $2.06
Upper Spring Pad - 31331091867 - $3.02x2 = $6.04
Lower Spring Pad - 31331096664 - $3.70x2 = $7.40
Strut Nut - 31106774714 - $1.42x2 = $2.84
Strut Mount Nut - 31316769731 - $0.70x6 = $1.40

Rear Suspension:
Lower Shock Bolt - 07119900402 - $2.35x2 = $4.70
Shock Mount Gasket - 33526772864 - $1.45x2 = $2.90
Lower Spring Pad - 33531094518 - $5.06x2 = $10.12
Upper Spring Pad - 33531136385 - $5.12x2 = $10.24
Shock Mount Nut - 31316769731 - $0.70x4 = $1.40

From Pelican Parts
Front Strut Mount (OEM Lemfoeder) - $27x2 = $54
Rear Shock Mount (OEM Boge) - $13.25x2 = $26.50

My hardware total: $137.32

Your total: $293.15

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

Shock Mount Gasket - 33526772864 - $1.45x2 = $2.90

Nice catch.

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

My list:
From TheBMWPartStore.com (All OEM Genuine BMW)
Front Suspension:
Pinch Bolt - 31356778832 - $3.86x2 = $7.72
Upper Washer (not needed, just reuse the old) - 31336776760 - $1.03x2 = $2.06
Upper Spring Pad - 31331091867 - $3.02x2 = $6.04
Lower Spring Pad - 31331096664 - $3.70x2 = $7.40
Strut Nut - 31106774714 - $1.42x2 = $2.84
Strut Mount Nut - 31316769731 - $0.70x6 = $1.40

Rear Suspension:
Lower Shock Bolt - 07119900402 - $2.35x2 = $4.70
Shock Mount Gasket - 33526772864 - $1.45x2 = $2.90
Lower Spring Pad - 33531094518 - $5.06x2 = $10.12
Upper Spring Pad - 33531136385 - $5.12x2 = $10.24
Shock Mount Nut - 31316769731 - $0.70x4 = $1.40

From Pelican Parts
Front Strut Mount (OEM Lemfoeder) - $27x2 = $54
Rear Shock Mount (OEM Boge) - $13.25x2 = $26.50

My hardware total: $137.32

Your total: $293.15

Sam,

THANK YOU! I was so zoned in on finding the best price on the shocks and springs... I didn't hunt well for the other stuff! I truly appreciate the effort!

Rick

EDIT: So the heavy duty rear shock mount is not really needed?

OEM RSMs with the z3 reinforcement plates is the best option.

Thanks guys! I'll be ordering the parts soon... I'd love to do the work myself but threw my back out when I did my rear rotors, brake lines, caliper painting, bleeding, etc... Is this going to be easy enough to do in my garage on jackstands or would it be easier to try to get with one of my dealers and use a lift? Or... What do you think a fair price to pay to have the stuff installed?

I know I'll have to get it all realigned when I am done...