Springs for a 330i touring?

[Morat]

It's that question again!
ze e46 is getting baggy at the back end (149k up now) and I was advised that it'll need new rear bushes at the next MOT. I was thinking this might be a good time to replace the springs for two reasons...

1. It rides really hard
2. There's a 70kg LPG tank in the wheel well

The car has MTech skirts and 17" staggered wheels - would it have come with MTech springs or were they all the same?
Does anyone have any suggestions for springs? I'd go with OEM but I heard that Eibach actually give a nicer ride. I'm not looking to lower it at all, possibly raise it at the back!

[mcbonio]

Eibach are great, but at 149k i'd be replacing the shocks too.

[Brianmoooore]

2. There's a 70kg LPG tank in the wheel well

And a (presumably) near empty petrol tank nearby. A full LPG tank weighs no more than a full petrol tank. It's only when they're empty that there's a significant weight difference.
Definitely replace dampers at that mileage.

[Morat]

Hmm, they do a B12 kit for the E46. After loving the E30 version, I'm tempted!

Brian, you're right about the tank. Perhaps I should blame 50Kg of Basset Hounds in the boot for the collapsed rear end

[Andyboy]

The 320d Touring had springs, shocks and rear arm bushes at 149k as they were all shagged. E46's always ride badly but I find Eibach springs improve things a bit.

[pnd]

I have the H+R cup kit on my 330i it rides very well.

[Simon13]

My b3s rides very well but the dampers on these are f**ked long before 100,000 miles

They're not very long lived on e46's

[mcbonio]

Theres a seller on eBay called johnyboy-1 that sells the Meyle HD stuff. He does a set of rear Sachs shocks, MeyleHD top mounts, bump stops and covers for 87 quid. You just need to get some springs then.

[bss325i]

The completely f ucked shocks (they will be at 169k!) will be what's causing crashy ride.

Shorter springs will accentuate the problem no end.

OEM spec sachs shocks are cheap enough on ebay, carparts for less are doing them on there cheap as are other sellers as mentioned with Meyle top mounts etc.

On my old 228k 328Ci i put the eibach pro kit springs and bilstein B4 shocks on and it rode and handled better than standard M sport suspension.

Don't get the eibach sport line springs as they are more like a 50mm drop.

Put the last seven of you vin number into this site and it will tell you if your car has M sport suspension.

http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

[mcbonio]

Barry - So which eibach springs set will fit an M sport coupe and have OEM ride height?

[Blitz]

Eibach Pro-kit is front 30mm rear 20-25mm lower then standard suspension minus however lower the sport suspension height is.

[bss325i]

The closest is eibach pro kit.

[Andyboy]

I put the prokit on my 323i because a) they were free and b) both rear coils were broken. It works well enough and the ride height is perfect.

[Morat]

Cheers folks - and nice link Barry!

Data for vehicle identification number: WBAAW5
Model description: 330I
Market: Europa
Type: AW52
E-Code: E46 (3)
Chassis: touring
Steering: rechts
Doors: 5
Engine: M54 - 3,00l (170kW)
Drive: Heckantrieb
Transmission: manuell
Body Color: Stahlblau Metallic (372)
Upholstery: Standardleder/schwarz (N6SW)
Production date: 12.09.2000
Assembled in: Regensburg


Code Standard Equipment
S411A Window lifts,electric,front/rear
S473A Armrest front
S520A Fog lights
S550A On-board computer
S832A Battery in luggage compartment
S853A Language version English
Code Optional Equipment
S210A Dynamic stability control
S226A Sports suspension settings
S249A Multifunction f steering wheel
S255A Sports leather steering wheel
S261A Side airbags for rear passengers
S302A Alarm system
S320A Deleted, model lettering
S358A Climate comfort windscreen
S386A Roof railing
S403A Glass roof, electrical
S423A Floor mats, velours
S428A Warning triangle and first aid kit
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S439A Interior trim finishers, matt chrome
S441A Smoker package
S470A Isofix-System
S481A Sports seat
S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S502A Headlight cleaning system
S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)
S521A Rain sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S606A Navigation system Business
S632A Preparation BMW Handy (Motorola)
S672A CD changer for 6 CDs
S674A Hi-Fi System Harman Kardon
S775A Headlining anthracite
S785A White direction indicator lights
S788A BMW LA wheel, Individual
L812A NATIONAL VERSION GREAT BRITAIN
S863A Retailer Directory Europe
S877A Delete cross-pattern operation
S880A On-board vehicle literature English
S995A


So I guess it does have sports suspension. I've no idea where those wheels went. It's got wheels like this on it now:



but pretty rough.

[bss325i]

S226A is indeed sports suspension.