GSF or ECP

[koos]

Which is better? I need to overhaul my suspension and there is a £6 difference in the two. Any advice helpful.

Thanks
Mitch

[E30Mark]

If it's rubber bits your after, I'd use the dealer...

[boxclever1753]

koos - your car is a lovely colour... what is it?

[fuzzy]

If it's rubber bits your after, I'd use the dealer...

agreed. i changed the top mounts 3 times in a year as the rubbers kept ripping but havent had a problem since using original bmw parts.

[koos]

Getting 4 x gas shocks, 2 inner b/joints, 2 outer b/joints and 2 ARB drop links. What are the b/joint prices like from the stealers?

Its Calypso Red. It is a nice colour.

Mitch

[fuzzy]

Getting 4 x gas shocks, 2 inner b/joints, 2 outer b/joints and 2 ARB drop links. What are the b/joint prices like from the stealers?

Its Calypso Red. It is a nice colour.

Mitch

i dont think you can change just the ball joint ,it has to be the whole arm. front arms are about £35 each at ecp.drop links are about £20 iirc.

[koos]

i dont think you can change just the ball joint ,it has to be the whole arm. front arms are about £35 each at ecp.

Really? I didnt know that, how come they sell them seperatly? I've got a 30T press at work.
But at least I know now. Thanks

Mitch

[fuzzy]

are they e30 specific balljoints being sold seperately ? it might be just the alloy arms im thinking off,not to sure tbh.if you have a press at work then it wouldnt be a problem.

[tomson]

You can change the ball joints seperately if you have access to a press, thats why they are available seperately.

[koos]

sweet, thats what i was hoping. Is it worth changing the front top shock mounts when changing the shocks?

Thanks
Mitch

[stuartgallafant]

for what it was worth, i changed both my lower arms for new ones. i think the price difference between brand new arms or 4 new ball joints was about 4 quid or something silly. so new arms it was!!

[Eddie25]

Im with stuartgallafant on that one. Its alot easier to change the whole arm rather than mess about taking it off and pressing ball joints in and out.

[B7]

Agreed, change the whole arms. Worth changing the rear control arm mounts (lollipop) mounts on the front while your there as well.

As for which company? GSF everytime. I've had no amount of aggro with ECP pars (wrong bits, poor quality) they are the last resort for me now. (come on ECP, get your act together)

Agree with the above. any rubbers are best from the dealers ESPECIALLY the rear shock top mounts. I've not heard of anyone replacing these with pattern parts that ain't had to change them again very quickly. I think these are the ones Fuzzy's on about. However, go for OEM shocks etc from GSF and they are fine.

Front top mounts? I would while it's all out. I've got GSF ones on mine and they seem fine but only time will tell I suppose.

[scotty86d]

used both and never had a problem but there is a gsf just down the road from me so i use that more and no problems have been had with quality

[Rosc0PColtrane]

i dont think you can change just the ball joint ,it has to be the whole arm. front arms are about £35 each at ecp.

Really? I didnt know that, how come they sell them seperatly? I've got a 30T press at work.
But at least I know now. Thanks

Mitch

My car had a ball joint changed to pass the MOT

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Used ecp for a few years and never had any problems. Very helpful.

[E30Mike]

GSF had promlems with ECP both private and at work.

Also helps though as I have a GSF branch 10 mins down the road.

Face to face is always better than mail order.

[gra325i]

agreed, Gsf everytime..mail order 2nd to none imho bmw top mounts though

[koos]

GSF it is then, dont have either close to me, so mail order it is. Will check on the price of the arms.
Thanks
Mitch

[evostormm]

ECP are hopeless and its customer service even worse. Cheap in the short term but long term you'd wished you'd bought original equipment. That's my experience at least. Could GSF be any worse? Hard to think so and I certainly hope not.

[JohnnyRob]

I used to use ECP over at Catford SE London over many years and always found them very helpful, always supplied the right part and were good VFM.

[StuBeeDoo]

In 4 years I've never had any bother with my local ECP.
I used to use GSF's Exeter branch (many years ago now) they were OK, but did sometimes supply the wrong bits inspite of being given all the relevant information.
Agreed on the "rubber parts from BMW" front.

[Templ8e30]

I'd get genuine drop links, I've had ECP and GSF drop links in the past and the rubber boot on the balljoint part rots out in less than 12 months.

I also fitted new trailing arm bushes on the wifes e36 with GSF items, knackered in 10 months. Genuine parts were only 60p dearer too

Regarding shocks and balljoints, both companies sell the same makes of bits so it's purely down to price and location really.

Cheers,

Iain T

[charlE30]

I'd get genuine drop links, I've had ECP and GSF drop links in the past and the rubber boot on the balljoint part rots out in less than 12 months.

As Iain has said DO NOT use there ARB links your lucky if they last 12 months , buy these from BMW

Charlie