E90 suspension issues

[Rowen]

Hi everyone.

Please assist.

I have a 2011 e90 320d m sport.. About 10 months/10 000kms ago, I installed bilstein b4 shocks all round with new mountings...Meyele HD upper control arms and stabliser bar links, M3 TRW lower control arms.

Car was riding amazing. Steering was sharp, feedback on steering was awesome.. Car was extremely direct.

Just recently, I noticed that the front end of the car just doesn't feel as tight as it used to. The car kind of feels like it got excessive body roll in the front and a very vague, unresponsive steering. I also got this feeling of the back end of the car being very disconnected from the front end.

I suspect that the upper control arms were not tighten at ride height causing pre mature failure.

I took the car to a steering and suspension place in Randburg who couldn't find anything wrong, and they suggested that I do a shock test which I did and this revealed that my shocks are just on the borderline of being worn out... Not yet worn out...but almost on the border. I did ensure that at the time I purchased the correct MSport Bilstein B4s.

I don't believe it's the shocks as my had a better more precise steering feel before I changed all these parts and had the incorrect Gabriel shocks on it that used to bottom on on bumps (previous owner installed).

Anyways.. Any ideas... And anyone knows where I can take my car to have this checked out reoperly.

Thanks all

 

[Swiegie1]

Hi

I can almost guarantee you that the non OEM control arms and bushes is causing all your problems.

In my experience aftermarket bushes, etc does not last.

T

 

[Rowen]

@Swiegie1... The TRWs are original e90 m3 items... Is Meyele HD no good?

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[M3boi]

I would agree and say the arms weren't torqued down with the suspension under load.

 

[nirvash]

I would agree and say the arms weren't torqued down with the suspension under load.

I'm no expert, but this is my thought as well, torqued in the air.

Also, even if the suspension bushes have worn, I don't how the shocks could have been affected and worn so quickly?!

 

[Rowen]

I'm strongly suspecting this is the case... Anyone knows someone who can change my upper control arm rubbers correctly....

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[Gordvisr]

You were supposed to get the B8 and not the B4, i have made the same mistake on my 1 series.
B4 is for Non Msport and B8 for the Msport suspension.

 

[Gordvisr]

I'm no expert, but this is my thought as well, torqued in the air.

Also, even if the suspension bushes have worn, I don't how the shocks could have been affected and worn so quickly?!

From my understanding, the B8 is a bit shorter than the B4, Msport suspension is a bit lower than non Msport and me thinks this is the reason why the shocks is wearing so quickly, on mine there is no leaks but it drives like a boat on a river. Also did not happen directly after changing them. Possibly now the Coils is stretched out that makes this "bouncing" effect. might have to replace them now too.

 

[Rowen]

You were supposed to get the B8 and not the B4, i have made the same mistake on my 1 series.
B4 is for Non Msport and B8 for the Msport suspension.

Yoh.... That's news to me... I thought there was two types of b4s... One for the non Msport and one for the Msport...also, for sure, there's two different part numbers for these.. Where did you get B8s from?

 

[Gordvisr]

Yoh.... That's news to me... I thought there was two types of b4s... One for the non Msport and one for the Msport...also, for sure, there's two different part numbers for these.. Where did you get B8s from?

still have to get the B8, sure GW has them. not sure about the two types of B4's. After replacing mine and the problems started, i have done some research on these dampers and found that the b* is the better one to use for Msport suspension and not the b4. ( There now is a B6 also in the mix )

Bilstein B4 Vs B6 Vs B8 - A Real Comparison

Bilstein B4 vs B6 vs B8 - A Real Comparison

suspensionlist.com

 

[Rowen]

Update guys... Changed my upper control arms today and car is riding perfect... Did it at Boksburg Auto alignment.. Guys did the right procedure...they actually took it for a short drive (200m) with the bolts not torqued to let the shock settle after it was jacked up and then torqued it... Car is now riding amazing... My opinion... BMWs are not that problematic... What's problematic is guys who claim they car perform repairs correctly....Another well know BMW repair centre in Rivonia said my shocks and lower control arms are the problem... I stuck to my gut feeling and changed the upper control arms as suspected and car is now riding perfectly

 

[Gordvisr]

thanks for the feedback

 

[NB92325]

My shocks are approaching kaput I suspect. Front shocks have some oil on the stanchions and bump stops all round are dust. Not sure whether rear ones are also on their way out - bump stops are also finished but it may be that they just re-used old ones because according to BMW they were replaced early 2024 (about 20k ago). I also know my one front upper control arm bushing is in need of replacement.

So far the car handles fine (not that I'd really know better). It doesn't wallow or track through dips but I am pretty sure the front ones are due soon.

So I am thinking of just biting the bullet and doing everything one shot, but could use some advice. On shocks I got a quote from Goldwagen for Bilstein B4 and it looks like about R6k for the whole set of 4 shocks. They then also only stock TRS bumpstop kits at R250 per set.

To me that's not the controversial part and I'll approach it by buying one shock per month and then as I get a set I'll have them installed, starting with the front. That way at least it's not a massive kick in the wallet in 6 months.

What I'm not sure about though is the upper control arms. I know I have to do it as a set, but it sounds like you can't easily get just the bushing and it's not really worth the labour anyways so the mechanic recommended just getting the whole arm

Goldwagen have Meyle HD and TRS as options (Meyle at R2k a side and TRS at R1350 a side). I've heard Meyle is no longer good even though they used to be OE, but can't find any proper evidence to support this beyond M539's opinion but as much as I love him, he is a massive perfectionist and it's not like I own a million rand car - it's a cheap daily which I just want to keep in good working order. I have no knowledge of TRS.

Any advice on the Control Arms would be appreciated. If I can do only the bushings that would be first prize obviously, but I suppose accounting for the labour in pressing them out and in, it's probably just worth getting the full thing.