[hdmark]

Good morning - Found out my rear shock is leaking so going to replace both of the rear (55k on car, 2011 328xi).

assuming ECStuning.com is a good place to buy (are they not)? question regarding the difference between :
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-32...Kit/ES2684817/

and

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-32...Kit/ES2684818/

. one kit is over 100 cheaper and it looks like the only difference is the shock mounts themselves? Are the ECStuning shock mounts not good? or am i missing something?
also, the kit doesnt include the bump stop. can i reuse the old ones?

thank you

[feuer]

You need to do more research:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1145344

[hdmark]

Originally Posted by feuer

You need to do more research:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1145344

thank you but this does not answer my question in the slightest.

I found that page and that looks great if you want a stiffer alternative. I do not. i just want to replace with oem quality components which is why i asked about the two kits i did

[Precision Autosport]

The difference between the 2 kits one is made from all OEM components, and the other is made from by multiple other companies. ECS typically puts together a good kit with name brand components. As far as bump stops go, just matters what condition yours are in.

[hdmark]

Originally Posted by Precision Autosport

The difference between the 2 kits one is made from all OEM components, and the other is made from by multiple other companies. ECS typically puts together a good kit with name brand components. As far as bump stops go, just matters what condition yours are in.

great, thank you! I'll go with the cheaper kit, and going to hope my bump stops are still good.
then going to grab B4's.

In my last car(g35 coupe), i replaced everything with racing aftermarket stuff. for this car... id like to be comfy

[feuer]

Originally Posted by hdmark

I found that page and that looks great if you want a stiffer alternative. I do not. i just want to replace with oem quality components which is why i asked about the two kits i did

You did not mention neither of those two "requirements". Knowing that mine superior OEM qualityfailed and was letting water into the battery area I would not consider them even if they are as cheap as Monroe.

[hdmark]

Originally Posted by feuer

You did not mention neither of those two "requirements". Knowing that mine superior OEM qualityfailed and was letting water into the battery area I would not consider them even if they are as cheap as Monroe.

wait what?? which ones were letting water into the battery area?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by hdmark

wait what?? which ones were letting water into the battery area?

BMW OEM
I had my car at the dealer for battery cable replacement and guess what they found? I saw it myself, so softer or not, never again.

[Precision Autosport]

Originally Posted by feuer

You did not mention neither of those two "requirements". Knowing that mine superior OEM qualityfailed and was letting water into the battery area I would not consider them even if they are as cheap as Monroe.

Wow that's crazy! Were the mounts damaged at all? Any cracks in the bushings where water could get through?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Precision Autosport

Wow that's crazy! Were the mounts damaged at all? Any cracks in the bushings where water could get through?

Yes, both bushings but especially the bottow were deformed. Squashed and out of round in the middle where the shaft goes. The metal cup shape washer was flimsy and you cound not mount the shaft tightly on there. You will run out of thread and will continue being loose. I worked on one local car (Wisconsin) where the washer completely broke off and the shaft poke thru the liner in the trunk. It has been known issue for years as these cars are 10y old already.

[Precision Autosport]

Did they have a lot of corrosion due to being on the east coast? Non of the E90's I have worked on had any rust or corrosion due to being in california. Sorry for all of the questions, just curous.

[nanceman]

Originally Posted by hdmark

Good morning - Found out my rear shock is leaking so going to replace both of the rear (55k on car, 2011 328xi).

assuming ECStuning.com is a good place to buy (are they not)? question regarding the difference between :
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-32...Kit/ES2684817/

and

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-32...Kit/ES2684818/

. one kit is over 100 cheaper and it looks like the only difference is the shock mounts themselves? Are the ECStuning shock mounts not good? or am i missing something?
also, the kit doesnt include the bump stop. can i reuse the old ones?

thank you

One is made by the companies who make the BMW brand parts but without the Roundel. I work for for an automotive supplier we make the BMW parts like this (among many other things) for our after market parts group and BMW off the same tools. Literally the exact same thing as the BMW branded, they are the OEM validated parts.

Research the suppliers of the components and then buy those they are exactly the same, and I believe in quality. Generally speaking, buying the OE supplier or OE branded parts is best because parts can fail 10000 ways, and it only takes one of them for a part of far higher grade material that's machined and God knows what else to fail simply because it's not designed to take into account every possible mix of salt, dust, heat, cold, humid, cycling, vibration, shock, etc. that's why you'll see the same "better designed" after market part fail in the exact same place time after time. Buy from suppliers who supply OE parts however and you're generally well off (i.e. Koni/Bilstein, TRW, etc.). Some are more crucial than others also. For suspension tolerances quality and controls is key, for some areas you can get away with deviation from +/- 0.3mm like a down pipe with gaskets. It all depends.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Precision Autosport

Did they have a lot of corrosion due to being on the east coast? Non of the E90's I have worked on had any rust or corrosion due to being in california. Sorry for all of the questions, just curous.

Very minimal surface rust.

[hdmark]

oh wow okay. well now im somewhat hesistant about the softer top mounts... ill inspect the area and see how it looks. but thanks for the responses!

[feuer]

Originally Posted by hdmark

oh wow okay. well now im somewhat hesistant about the softer top mounts... ill inspect the area and see how it looks. but thanks for the responses!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1219475
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...op-Help-please

[hdmark]

Originally Posted by feuer

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1219475
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...op-Help-please

im not exacty sure which part is breaking in those pictures. the support cup?

[martinblair]

Originally Posted by hdmark

thank you but this does not answer my question in the slightest.

I found that page and that looks great if you want a stiffer alternative. I do not. i just want to replace with oem quality components which is why i asked about the two kits i did

Admittedly he didn't answer your initial question, but he's not wrong. You may not think you need stiffer, but in the case of the upper shock mount it's a good "upgrade" that costs less than oem. The soft oem mount deforms so easily and is an unnecessary soft spot that is easily corrected.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by hdmark

im not exacty sure which part is breaking in those pictures. the support cup?

Yes, mainly because the OEM bushings are soft and when they get deformed all the load is on the supporting cup. Mine cup was deformed too. The center where the shock shaft goes was out of round, was oval.

[hdmark]

Originally Posted by feuer

Yes, mainly because the OEM bushings are soft and when they get deformed all the load is on the supporting cup. Mine cup was deformed too. The center where the shock shaft goes was out of round, was oval.

ah okay. so i already orderd the full kit, but i guess i can replace the top mount with the monroe one? or do i need the upper and lower monroe ones and i just should return the kit?

not sure how much return shipping is on the kit, but i guess ill go get the monroe ones and replace them in the kit

[feuer]

Originally Posted by hdmark

ah okay. so i already orderd the full kit, but i guess i can replace the top mount with the monroe one? or do i need the upper and lower monroe ones and i just should return the kit?

not sure how much return shipping is on the kit, but i guess ill go get the monroe ones and replace them in the kit

You should have not bought the kit but that is done and honestly I would return it and swallow the restocking/return fee.

[hdmark]

Originally Posted by feuer

You should have not bought the kit but that is done and honestly I would return it and swallow the restocking/return fee.

if i do return the kit, i still need to buy the sealing grommet, and lower shock mount right?

[hdmark]

im wondering if i can just return the upper/lower sections and the support cup.

also also wondering how long it takes for the upper support to fail on me.