323ci cheapest shocks/spring???

Originally Posted by dblock020

The car has 112k ml so the springs should be good still???

I think so. When you are down there check them out. Give them a good clean and see if there is any corrosion going on. I don't mean surface rust. You are going to have that. But pitting which will cause high stress concentration points. If there is then change them.

Originally Posted by dblock020

The car has 112k ml so the springs should be good still???

This is something that varies more by age, not miles, and by environmental conditions. I wouldn't expect many SoCal and Arizona cars to have this, for example. Cars that live in the rust belt are more likely to be prone.

As noted above, just inspect for more-than-normal rusting. Springs aren't terribly expensive and, if you need to do them, you want to do it when you do the dampers.

I've got 125K on my 330CiC, stone stock, southern car. I measured the ride height as instructed in the Bentley manual and found 3 corners about 1/4" lower than the lowest tolerance in the spec. One corner was still within spec. My point is, springs may sag without a ton of miles and without environmental damage. That said, other than dragging a few speed bumps, I don't have a problem with the height and was still able to get the car aligned to spec. Oh, and stock rear springs are about $125 ea. I didn't check the price for fronts.

I ordered the KYB Gr-2 for $312 and when it get a lil warmer outside ill jack up the car and see what condition the springs are. In case they do need to be replaced I saw Tein H Tech springs for $200.

Originally Posted by CharlieFoxtrot

I've got 125K on my 330CiC, stone stock, southern car. I measured the ride height as instructed in the Bentley manual and found 3 corners about 1/4" lower than the lowest tolerance in the spec. One corner was still within spec.

As Click and Clack might say...you must be carrying a lot of mothers-in-law in that thing!

Originally Posted by CharlieFoxtrot

I've got 125K on my 330CiC, stone stock, southern car. I measured the ride height as instructed in the Bentley manual and found 3 corners about 1/4" lower than the lowest tolerance in the spec.

most likely its because of the old shocks/struts. The shocks don't change the hight of the car, but if you install new shocks, such as Bilstein Touring or HDs, you willl notice a slight hight increase from original spec due to the firmness of the shock itself. the springs are one of those items that do not have a set lifespan... they could last the life of the car. The problem begins when someone doesn't change out the old suspension and allows more of the weight to rest on the spring, increasing the stress and shortening the lifespan.

Originally Posted by dblock020

I ordered the KYB Gr-2 for $312 and when it get a lil warmer outside ill jack up the car and see what condition the springs are. In case they do need to be replaced I saw Tein H Tech springs for $200.

The KYBs are not rally ment for shorter springs... they are a great substitute for original suspension, but thats about it.

if you are looking into lowering the car, look for something with long history of success like HR Koni and Bilstein... sometimes guys sell the HR kits slightly used for $400 (this includes the springs).

Consider your road conditions as well... I chose to stay at original sport suspension springs because the car handles great as is, and realistically, the firmer your car is the more items will be impacted by the road surface, and more items will begin to wear on you. If your GFs is a touring hight then get a set of sport springs with low milage (very cheap alternative) and use the KYBs... This will eliminate most of the gap and give you a good performance overall without braking the bank and sacrificing the ride.

Originally Posted by dblock020

I ordered the KYB Gr-2 for $312 and when it get a lil warmer outside ill jack up the car and see what condition the springs are. In case they do need to be replaced I saw Tein H Tech springs for $200.

Enjoy the KYBs. You can often get low mileage OEM springs off forum members in the $100 ballpark.

just realizes its a Ci, so you have sport suspension, keep the springs... they should be ok. like someone mentioned, rust is fine as long as they are not corroded.

Originally Posted by CharlieFoxtrot

I've got 125K on my 330CiC, stone stock, southern car. I measured the ride height as instructed in the Bentley manual and found 3 corners about 1/4" lower than the lowest tolerance in the spec. One corner was still within spec. My point is, springs may sag without a ton of miles and without environmental damage. That said, other than dragging a few speed bumps, I don't have a problem with the height and was still able to get the car aligned to spec. Oh, and stock rear springs are about $125 ea. I didn't check the price for fronts.

What dimension are you referring to when you talk about ride height? From what start point to what end point are you measuring? The only meaningful dimension would be from center of wheel to wheel arch apex and that's not easy to measure with any degree of accuracy. The shock itself offers no support to the suspension. Its just a damper.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=808185

You probably checked this out, but if not...