[rah4539]

G'Day
2011-BMW E93, 83K miles mostly highway, garaged, weekend car.
Shocks are going - leaking an broken - Dealer says replace. That's ok
Dealer want to replace all the other pars around the shocks - bumps, arm, stops, etc. About 11 pieces. They claim once the shock goes these other parts should be taken and replaced.
Is this true? OR is this a way to sell more parts (about another $1000 worth).
Dealer wants $2500 (yeeouch) but replaces all these parts to OEM.
I am keeping the car so want to do it right - but is this really needed? OR just go to pep boys and swap out the shocks?
As always - and as this forum has helped me before - I thank you
RAH

[R3dLeader]

Don't take a 2011 car to a dealership! They charge way too much. And yes, they are probably trying to upsell you as much as possible. The Service Advisor (guy/gal you talked to) is paid 100% dependent on how much money they bring in. They will try to upsell you EVERYTHING.

There are going to be a million independent shops around you that can do this job for half the price or less. The suspension on this car is nothing special/nothing fancy or exotic. It is a simple and basic job that any competent shop can do. The hardest part is probably removing the trunk liner in the e93, which is a little bit specialized but not a big deal at all.

In terms of what all needs replacing, it's going to be very difficult for anyone here to tell you. It depends on the condition of those components. Sure there are some basic items that should be replaced together with the shocks, such as the upper and lower mounts. I don't think they're too expensive. If you're including control arms, that's gonna be a few hundred more. Control arms are simple to inspect to see if they are loose/cracked/worn or not.

I would get a 2nd and/or 3rd opinion from some independent shops. I would take this opportunity to consider upgrading or lowering your car on a Bilstein prokit if you're interested.

You didn't even specify if you are replacing all 4 corners, or only the rear?

[rah4539]

Originally Posted by R3dLeader

Don't take a 2011 car to a dealership! They charge way too much. And yes, they are probably trying to upsell you as much as possible. The Service Advisor (guy/gal you talked to) is paid 100% dependent on how much money they bring in. They will try to upsell you EVERYTHING.

There are going to be a million independent shops around you that can do this job for half the price or less. The suspension on this car is nothing special/nothing fancy or exotic. It is a simple and basic job that any competent shop can do. The hardest part is probably removing the trunk liner in the e93, which is a little bit specialized but not a big deal at all.

In terms of what all needs replacing, it's going to be very difficult for anyone here to tell you. It depends on the condition of those components. Sure there are some basic items that should be replaced together with the shocks, such as the upper and lower mounts. I don't think they're too expensive. If you're including control arms, that's gonna be a few hundred more. Control arms are simple to inspect to see if they are loose/cracked/worn or not.

I would get a 2nd and/or 3rd opinion from some independent shops. I would take this opportunity to consider upgrading or lowering your car on a Bilstein prokit if you're interested.

You didn't even specify if you are replacing all 4 corners, or only the rear?

Hello:
Thanks for the advice.
I did some shopping and checked w/ Bilstein, talked to a bunch of people and decided to go with OEM - and went to FCP Euro for a pair of Sachs.

Front are still ok - but probably replace in the next few years.

Won't lower the car - just wouldn't look good on this car really and not worth it. WIll spend money elsewhere.

Dealer wants $2700 (just for rear) and about $1500 for front - that's just robbery. As much as I like the dealer - they've been helpful and know what needs to be done one and done and right, this is just over the top.

I thought the same - going to a few shock houses, and ask them for estimate. There are a lot of small, single owner garages but I think I should go with a chain like Monroe, Meineke or Pep Boys. At the very least if they screw up I can go back and complain.

Rear shocks and mounting kits from FCP Euro are around $400. Maybe another $6-800 for labor - big savings over $2700.

Want to thank you for your input on this little project. I expect to follow same when fronts go.
Richard

[TGTIW]

Rear shock install is seriously like 15 minutes of work, and 10 of that is jacking up the car and removing the wheels and trunk inner panels. Totally doable if you have even the slightest bit of capability.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by rah4539

I did some shopping and checked w/ Bilstein, talked to a bunch of people and decided to go with OEM - and went to FCP Euro for a pair of Sachs.

Front are still ok - but probably replace in the next few years.

Won't lower the car - just wouldn't look good on this car really and not worth it. WIll spend money elsewhere.

Dealer wants $2700 (just for rear) and about $1500 for front - that's just robbery. As much as I like the dealer - they've been helpful and know what needs to be done one and done and right, this is just over the top.

I thought the same - going to a few shock houses, and ask them for estimate. There are a lot of small, single owner garages but I think I should go with a chain like Monroe, Meineke or Pep Boys. At the very least if they screw up I can go back and complain.

Rear shocks and mounting kits from FCP Euro are around $400. Maybe another $6-800 for labor - big savings over $2700.

Want to thank you for your input on this little project. I expect to follow same when fronts go.
Richard

Rear shocks and mounting kit on FCP shouldn't cost $400; the Sachs shocks are $60 each, and the full mounting kit is $120 which includes bump stops, dust boots, upper mounts, and lower mounts.

Stay away from chain shops like Monroe, Pep Boys, or Meineke. There are always exceptions, but most of those clowns aren't familiar with working on BMWs. I let the chain shops touch my wheels/tires (I take them off the car myself) but that's about it. Find yourself a good independent mechanic experienced with German cars; they do better quality work and are usually significantly cheaper than the chains. They won't screw anything up so you won't have to complain.

Originally Posted by TGTIW

Rear shock install is seriously like 15 minutes of work, and 10 of that is jacking up the car and removing the wheels and trunk inner panels. Totally doable if you have even the slightest bit of capability.

Not on the E93... it's an extra 45 minutes of work to remove a bunch of clips and trim and brackets that hold the folded roof.

[rah4539]

Originally Posted by TGTIW

Rear shock install is seriously like 15 minutes of work, and 10 of that is jacking up the car and removing the wheels and trunk inner panels. Totally doable if you have even the slightest bit of capability.

Thank you!

[jwalker87]

I don't think there's a single 'correct' answer, other than "the dealer will rip you off." I just did a full suspension refresh on my wife's 2011 e90 with 90k, and I replaced everything I could reasonably get to. Then again, I did all the work myself, so parts were my only cost (and I went with mostly OE, but not OEM. parts).

Find a good independent shop that will work to understand what actually needs to be replaced, as well as charge you a fair labor rate. If you don't already know one, maybe try looking for a local BMW Car Club of America chapter or another European marque club - they will find the good shops and will likely love to share the info. You already found FCP Euro, which I strongly recommend for the lifetime guarantee (even on things like engine oil )!