suspension advice

[naren512]

Hi guys,

I'm hoping to get some advice on suspension reapairs for my car. I have a 2009 E90 320d LCI, i just had the shocks done, I replaced the OEM ones with Sachs this weekend at 207 000km, while doing that I noticed that there is a fair amount of play on the ball joints on the upper and lower control arms as well as the stabilizer links. I called BMW just to get an idea, they quoted me for both sides, upper and lower control arms and stabilizers links R13000 and R6500 labor to install.

Goldwagen quoted me R7500 for the complete front suspension, however this is fibi Bilstein.

I'm curious to know if anyone has used the fibi suspensions parts and can comment on their quality and longevity? Also looking for other recommendations?

Many thanks.

 

[Beemerbro]

BMW SA prices are always ridiculously high. Febi Bilstein is a reputable German brand making high quality OE spec parts for over a century. I've used their parts on BMW many times- my preference is always Febi, Meyle or Lemforder for suspension parts because they're durable, reliable and cost a fraction of what BMW charges. Sachs makes dampers for BMW but if you buy Sachs at Goldwagon you'll pay substantially less. So on your question on Febi, I trust them with my life.
But if I may suggest though, Meyle sells heavey duty control arms that cost around the same as Febi, but have slightly more superior quality esp for SA pot hole ridden roads. I'm guessing you're going to have to replace the entire control arm. Just a thought...

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P/S I hope you've replaced the shock mountings and bump stops too when you changed your shocks. It's an often neglected part of the procedure by some outlets and if don't replace those supporting components your shocks can get damaged quite quickly and won't provide the stability and safety they're designed to provide.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

I have just done this exercise replacing 4 shocks, bump stops, mounting and drop links.

I have fitted Koni FSD shocks which are quite a bit more expensive than OEM equivalent and the whole job including parts and labour was 21k.

If I had gone for OEM equivalent it would have been 13k

Perhaps get prices from DS suspension who are the Koni agents.

The Bumpstops are made buy Meyle and the top shock mounts are made by Febi both are German brands and good quality we have never has any issues with them .
Thanks

Ashley Hurley


Director

D and S Shocks ( Pty ) Ltd
Unit 29 N12 Industrial Park
27 Dr Vosloo Road
Bartlett
Boksburg

Hope this helps

 

[Sankekur]

Hi guys,

I'm hoping to get some advice on suspension reapairs for my car. I have a 2009 E90 320d LCI, i just had the shocks done, I replaced the OEM ones with Sachs this weekend at 207 000km, while doing that I noticed that there is a fair amount of play on the ball joints on the upper and lower control arms as well as the stabilizer links. I called BMW just to get an idea, they quoted me for both sides, upper and lower control arms and stabilizers links R13000 and R6500 labor to install.

Goldwagen quoted me R7500 for the complete front suspension, however this is fibi Bilstein.

I'm curious to know if anyone has used the fibi suspensions parts and can comment on their quality and longevity? Also looking for other recommendations?

Many thanks.

Honestly in this situation I would go for the dealers parts as the price difference is not substantial enough for me to justify taking a chance on parts that might last. Even more so if you are reliant on someone else's time to fit the parts.

 

[naren512]

thank @Beemerbro, where would i be able to get pricing on them? im based in Midrand, but don't mind traveling to get the parts. I was just worried because the parts guy at bmw told it may last 3 months before i have to change them, but I've seen some great reviews.

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Thanks for the advice @WIDEOPN-X3

@Sankekur, BMW's price of R13k was just for upper and lower control arms as well as the stabilizers links. Goldwagen was for this including new boots, bolts, inner tie rod and tie rod ends, a complete front suspension setup.

 

[Beemerbro]

Hi Naren512
I have often bought these parts from the UK as I travel here often. When I have bought them in SA I've sourced them from Goldwagon or Europarts. I'm based in KZN but there are branches all over the country. Also try Imcomex- they have a branch in Centurion. They sell high quality parts at similar prices to Goldwagon and Europarts.
The person at BMW who told you that Febi, Meyle, Sachs or Lemforder will last only 3 months is not being honest. These parts carry the same warranty as BMW parts viz one year but they will last much longer than that. I'm not an expert but I've owned several BMWs for over 20 years and I do a lot of work myself, and some is done by people who were BMW technicians who've now gone private so the knowledge base we have about these parts is pretty robust. If you read online reviews from other enthusiasts around the world you'll get to know which brands are rated as best, and Febi is among those without a doubt.
There's a few engine parts you should only buy from the dealer, and perhaps they'd be internal engine ones. But the vast majority of parts on your BMW are made by Bosch,Corteco, Sachs, ZF, GM, behr, Siemens VDO, Wahle etc
You can research each component in your car as to who makes it for BMW and and where you can source it. that will enable you to compare prices and you'll save tens of thousands with this knowledge. :thumbs:

 

[Sankekur]

BMW's price of R13k was just for upper and lower control arms as well as the stabilizers links. Goldwagen was for this including new boots, bolts, inner tie rod and tie rod ends, a complete front suspension setup.

Like I said my opinion and the above still doesn't change that. The original parts on your car lasted 200+k km my logic tells me new ones should be capable of doing the same. Even if they can only manage half that its still good enough. Personally I rather save up and do it properly and/or over a couple of months than having to do stuff again.

My opinion is formed out of my experienced with these "German" "OE" components, I won't deny that some have lasted, but that was definitely the minority.
(Lemforder is not one of the above mentioned as I have never had a chance to test them)

 

[naren512]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate the advice and guidance raise: