[Lenaxia]

So I've mentioned this to a few people and I've gotten the same response from all of them, that what I'm experiencing in my car is "not normal".

Basically, my suspension bottoms out very easily, and ends up transferring pothole impacts directly to the chassis, resulting in "pothole explosions" in my car. It sounds very much like a 9mm going off in the cabin if I'm moving at highway speeds (70mph).

At lower speeds, I can get my suspension to bottom out on a speed bump at 15mph where I feel my suspension reaching the end of it's travel and hitting the bump stops at the end, its not very graceful.

I had assumed that this was normal considering I have XI (with sport but obviously non-sport shocks), but everyone I've spoken to has been perplexed by it.

Is my suspension shot? Are these symptoms due to busted springs or shocks? And can I check for it myself and what should I look for?

[blingman]

that does not sound normal. the shocks should not bottom out, thats why the bump stops are there to help prevent incase it goes that far. you can push on the body of the car around the shock area and make it bounce few times and when you stop, it should stop bouncing pretty quick, it if continues to give a few bounce, then its pretty worn out.l

[Lenaxia]

That's definitely not the case. I push down and the car settles within one bounce.

I guess I can take it to a shop and have them take a look...

[OnlyTruth]

Originally Posted by blingman

that does not sound normal. the shocks should not bottom out, thats why the bump stops are there to help prevent incase it goes that far. you can push on the body of the car around the shock area and make it bounce few times and when you stop, it should stop bouncing pretty quick, it if continues to give a few bounce, then its pretty worn out.l

This test used to be good for a 1977 Buick, not anymore though!

[panzerfaust]

I'm pretty interested in the answer to this as well. From what I've read, it seems that the suspension should last a long time, but my car feels the same way when I hit potholes (currently at 38K mi). At highway speeds, it's pretty ridiculous to the point that I cringe when I see a pothole so late that I can't swerve to avoid safely. I recently drove a 2011 328xi loaner, which took every imperfection in the road like a champ. I understand they made some tweeks to soften the suspension due to RFTs in recent years, but I still have a hard time believing my car is "normal."

[bigdaddycane]

OP how many miles do you have on your car? The oem BMW shocks and struts can wear out after 40K....sometimes sooner. The springs would take 200,000+ miles before they started to lose their rates.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by Lenaxia

At lower speeds, I can get my suspension to bottom out on a speed bump at 15mph

I don't know what your old car was, but 15mph over speed bumps is pretty fast, and would be extrememly harsh on just about every car I've driven, save for an older Cadillac DeVille or Lincoln Town Car.

If your shocks/struts are blown, the car will start to bounce or undulate up/down a lot more than it should. Also, they may start leaking fluid, which you can check. But honestly, these cars aren't meant to handle speed bumps at 15mph.

[Lenaxia]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

OP how many miles do you have on your car? The oem BMW shocks and struts can wear out after 40K....sometimes sooner. The springs would take 200,000+ miles before they started to lose their rates.

Really? Only 40k? I have 95k on my car so yeah... But they've all been highway miles so it still shouldn't've worn out that much right? All with fairly mellow driving, never tracked.

Is there a way to visually check? Or is it pretty much the symptoms I'm describing, I know my struts aren't leaking, I've checked that already.

Originally Posted by mike-y

I don't know what your old car was, but 15mph over speed bumps is pretty fast, and would be extrememly harsh on just about every car I've driven, save for an older Cadillac DeVille or Lincoln Town Car.

If your shocks/struts are blown, the car will start to bounce or undulate up/down a lot more than it should. Also, they may start leaking fluid, which you can check. But honestly, these cars aren't meant to handle speed bumps at 15mph.

Mmmm, I'm not talking about those really harsh speed bumps. I'm talking about ones like these (or ones just slightly taller):



They're right outisde my office so I go over them every day. 15mph over one of these things shouldn't be an issue, I'll get a picture of the ones I go over later today.

Also, I first noticed it on driveways because the roads out here have severe crowning some of the driveways dip on the way onto the road and even going slowly it happens (obviously at like 2-3 miles per hour its fine).

[bigdaddycane]

Like mike-y stated you can look for leaks on the shocks or struts.

at 95K I would def change out my shocks and struts.

My 335 shocks and struts were done at 45K.

[fdriller9]

My suspension is defientely going...on a turn if I dive over a bump, the whole rear end wobbles. Feels like it's just springs, no shocks.

[bigdaddycane]

^ definitely worn out shocks and struts.

[fdriller9]

So under cpo front and rear suspension is covered....I kinda want to get it replaced under warranty, then get a set of coilovers and sell the new xi suspension.

Anyone want it?

[Eric@e2design]

the only thing you can do is drive in a quiet place going up and down ramps/bumps/apex of something and check if the strut makes any noise (assuming you're stock - sometimes aftermarket bushings will make noises if you have any other suspension components replaced).

Another thing you can do as someone mentioned before is to rock the car.. give it a good NUDGE on fender and quarter.. the car should recover after one motion(if i'm making any sense lol).

[vase330]

Originally Posted by Lenaxia

Really? Only 40k? I have 95k on my car so yeah... But they've all been highway miles so it still shouldn't've worn out that much right? All with fairly mellow driving, never tracked.

Is there a way to visually check? Or is it pretty much the symptoms I'm describing, I know my struts aren't leaking, I've checked that already.



Mmmm, I'm not talking about those really harsh speed bumps. I'm talking about ones like these (or ones just slightly taller):



They're right outisde my office so I go over them every day. 15mph over one of these things shouldn't be an issue, I'll get a picture of the ones I go over later today.

Also, I first noticed it on driveways because the roads out here have severe crowning some of the driveways dip on the way onto the road and even going slowly it happens (obviously at like 2-3 miles per hour its fine).

You have an E46 right? I had one and pretty much had to change shocks every 60K. If you live in California, your roads are pretty much what we got over here. For those living in NYC, Philly, Bean Town, and northern NJ or CT, they may have o change even sooner. Especially NYC. I can see your shocks being pretty shot at 40K miles.

[Lenaxia]

Originally Posted by Eric@e2design

the only thing you can do is drive in a quiet place going up and down ramps/bumps/apex of something and check if the strut makes any noise (assuming you're stock - sometimes aftermarket bushings will make noises if you have any other suspension components replaced).

Another thing you can do as someone mentioned before is to rock the car.. give it a good NUDGE on fender and quarter.. the car should recover after one motion(if i'm making any sense lol).

I get a squeaking sound from my struts when I go over harsher speed bumps even at 1-2mph, but I believe that is normal, and I'm on entirely stock.

My car recovers after 1 nudge when rocking it.

I will check again for leaks this weekend.

Thanks for all the help so far guys. I'm hoping these tips also help other people diagnose their suspension.

[Eric@e2design]

Originally Posted by Lenaxia

I get a squeaking sound from my struts when I go over harsher speed bumps even at 1-2mph, but I believe that is normal, and I'm on entirely stock.

My car recovers after 1 nudge when rocking it.

I will check again for leaks this weekend.

Thanks for all the help so far guys. I'm hoping these tips also help other people diagnose their suspension.

squeeking sounds can be bushings or strut.. seems like youre under warranty just take it in..

recovering after 1 nudge is normal.

[Lenaxia]

Way out of warranty. '06 with 95k no extended.

I'll prob switch to v1s anyway.

If I'm gonna do it all prob want to see if I can find xi compatible front bushings.

Originally Posted by Eric@e2design

squeeking sounds can be bushings or strut.. seems like youre under warranty just take it in..

recovering after 1 nudge is normal.

[MCOChuck]

Likely the shocks should be replaced.

Shocks are the #1 most important consideration for driving feel. Your 5-6 year old car could likely benefit from a new set.