[left123]

I have the BMW Performance Suspension V2 kit waiting to get installed and wanted to do some prep work before I embark. I have seen a few people replace the shock mounts front/rear but wanted to see if this was advisable or not for my car. I have an 06 330i w/ 53k miles. I don't notice any noises. I have not disassembled them to inspect visually but, here are my questions:

1.)Since I have the BMWP kit, what additional parts would I need as I know many pieces are included in the kit?

Here is a possible kit, but its pretty expensive (from Turner):

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...uspension.aspx

Would I need all of these pieces?

2.) If I had all of those pieces, could I preassemble the front spring/shock and have it ready to install right after I take out the old set, or would I still need to use spring compressors to remove and install the old/new kit?

Thank you and please let me know.

[cvc 22349a]

Now is the time to replace the mounts. Doesn't the PS kit include the rear upper shock mounts? Those wear pretty quickly. I just replaced my rear lower shock mounts at 57k. I'd do those and the strut top mounts-the two most expensive mounts..

[left123]

Thanks for the reply. Would these work:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-330...098/ES2580446/

or:

http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...60-31306775098

I believe those are the same parts and seem to match the OEM BMW factory part number, at considerably cheaper pricing and reputable brands. Any thoughts?

Where did you source your front strut mounts?

And I have not looked into the exact contents of the BMW PS but knew it came with quite a few additional parts other than springs/shocks.

[left123]

Originally Posted by left123

Thanks for the reply. Would these work:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-330...098/ES2580446/

or:

http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...60-31306775098

I believe those are the same parts and seem to match the OEM BMW factory part number, at considerably cheaper pricing and reputable brands. Any thoughts?

Where did you source your front strut mounts?

And I have not looked into the exact contents of the BMW PS but knew it came with quite a few additional parts other than springs/shocks.

Has anyone ordered these front upper shock mounts? They are 1/3 the price of OEM and seem to be the same part #. Thoughts?

[cvc 22349a]

Make sure they are the sport suspension strut mounts and not the standard susp mounts.

[wheen]

I ordered them last week. Should get here this week, so I don't know much else about them.

[left123]

Originally Posted by wheen

I ordered them last week. Should get here this week, so I don't know much else about them.

Thanks wheen. Send out feedback after you get them.

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Make sure they are the sport suspension strut mounts and not the standard susp mounts..

I noticed that distinction when I was looking and almost missed it at first. I believe that the ones I put the links for are in fact for the sport package, not the regular. At least I hope so.

[pocoyo_3]

Has anyone compared the mounts side by side? I've seen a number of posts with questions about them in the past (including one from myself).

[David1]

The BMW kit comes with new rear upper shock mounts with firmer bushings and are a different color so you don't mix them up.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by David1

The BMW kit comes with new rear upper shock mounts with firmer bushings and are a different color so you don't mix them up.

That's a good thing. The oe upper rsm's are way too soft and degrade rapidly. If those weren't provided I'd suggest Dinan or power flex rsm's

[luckyu]

If anyone could get part numbers on these firmer rear upper shock mounts, that'd be great.

Also: are we sure they are firmer? Or, are they just a different color?

A while ago I ordered some mounts for the E9x M3 EDC, that's the M3 with electronic damper control, and the mounts are different and significantly stiffer. But, those mounts are designed for shock shafts of larger diameter.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by luckyu

If anyone could get part numbers on these firmer rear upper shock mounts, that'd be great.

Also: are we sure they are firmer? Or, are they just a different color?

A while ago I ordered some mounts for the E9x M3 EDC, that's the M3 with electronic damper control, and the mounts are different and significantly stiffer. But, those mounts are designed for shock shafts of larger diameter.

Hopefully 'left123' has the p/n sheet that comes with the PS kit and can get those to you. I remember having to find someone with that sheet a couple years ago to get the bumpstop p/n's.

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by left123

I noticed that distinction when I was looking and almost missed it at first. I believe that the ones I put the links for are in fact for the sport package, not the regular. At least I hope so.

Wow, yes those appear to be the sport susp strut mounts.
Not sure why the second link is charging half of the first being the exact same P/N. They also label it is non sport-susp when the P/N is for sport. I'd call to confirm they're really selling what they're advertising. That's a crazy deal if its true.

[left123]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Hopefully 'left123' has the p/n sheet that comes with the PS kit and can get those to you. I remember having to find someone with that sheet a couple years ago to get the bumpstop p/n's.

Here is the part # sheet that I received with my kit (33500444832)



I believe the rear mount is 6789112.

[left123]

Pertaining to ordering the correct front strut mounts, I found this on realoem:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...16&hg=31&fg=10

Under "01 guide support" the part that says "for vehicles with... Performance Suspension...SZP5A=Yes"

My question is what does the SZP5A mean?

I cannot seem to differentiate between all the different codes. Any feedback?

I just want to square this away before I buy the parts from the previous mentioned vendors.

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by left123

Pertaining to ordering the correct front strut mounts, I found this on realoem:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...16&hg=31&fg=10

Under "01 guide support" the part that says "for vehicles with... Performance Suspension...SZP5A=Yes"

My question is what does the SZP5A mean?

I cannot seem to differentiate between all the different codes. Any feedback?

I just want to square this away before I buy the parts from the previous mentioned vendors.

You kinda answered it actually, that's just the reference code, nothing more
SZP5A=BMW Performance Susp
S704A=M Sports Susp
S226A=Sports Susp

[left123]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

You kinda answered it actually, that's just the reference code, nothing more
SZP5A=BMW Performance Susp
S704A=M Sports Susp
S226A=Sports Susp

i guess my question was more is this reference code a specific part number rather than just a number saying its the BMW PS code? I guess based on your answer that its not a part number.

Im going to order replacement zsp upper strut mounts using the 31306775098 part #. Ill be honest though and say that the reps on various reselling sites are having trouble figuring out all the differences between the various parts that should fit the upper strut mount for the front suspension. To be continued...

[left123]

I plan on installing my BMW PS suspension over July 4th weekend and to prepare, I considered preassembling the front struts/springs to make the process easier. In order to do that, I looked at the realoem site to see what I would need on top of the strut. Here's what I came up with:

1. From realoem link:



part #'s 1-9:

#1: ordered from fcpeuro.com. see previous post link. They confirmed that it DOES work with the zsp mount, but I have an 06 330i. Not sure about others)
#'s 2,4: included in the performance suspension kit
# 3: no part # included on realoem and not shown on my local dealer parts site so I ignored it. Mistake?
# 5: didn't bother buying the replacement plastic caps
#'s 6-9: bought from local dealer (all parts 25% off): ~$40.00

parts 6-9 here:


My question is, did I waste my $40 on the above parts 6-9?

While its just $40, I have spent quite a bit of $$$ lately on this car for various other reasons and if you think it is a waste of $$$, Ill consider that. So, is it worth preassembling the strut/spring/top cap to facilitate install or just disassemble and re-assemble using existing parts?

[nitehawk]

IMO, you can just reuse all the existing parts. Of all the things you ordered, the only wear item is the strut mount.
So FCPeuro confirmed the ZSP part no. 31306775098 and it's indeed just $20?

[left123]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

IMO, you can just reuse all the existing parts. Of all the things you ordered, the only wear item is the strut mount.
So FCPeuro confirmed the ZSP part no. 31306775098 and it's indeed just $20?

I called fcpeuro and the guy initially gave me a different part # when I told him what I wanted. Knowing I probably was more informed of the variations on this particular part (I know the guy on the phone knew a lot but I doubt he's studied the different realoem diagrams as much as we have lately), I inquired about the $19.11 part that I posted on this thread. He agreed that it should work but wanted my build date and vin # to call BMW, which he then did.

He called back later on and said that the cheaper $19.11 part DID fit my 06 330i zsp (build date 07/2006).

There does not seem to be a different part # for the sport/non-sport for my build date though, so perhaps thats different for you 335i people. I suppose Ill find out when I take my old strut mount off and visually compare them. My guess is they are the same as the pictures of them match completely all of the other sport parts.

[wheen]

Originally Posted by left123

My question is, did I waste my $40 on the above parts 6-9?

While its just $40, I have spent quite a bit of $$$ lately on this car for various other reasons and if you think it is a waste of $$$, Ill consider that. So, is it worth preassembling the strut/spring/top cap to facilitate install or just disassemble and re-assemble using existing parts?

I'm doing the almost exact same thing. I didn't buy #6 though, as I don't think it's needed to pre-assemble the struts, at least according to that diagram. I guess I'm just overly cautious of the spring compressor and want to do it carefully instead of rushing through it on the install day, so the extra "few bucks" is worth it for me. But like you said, stuff add up, and I think my bill for all these extras was around $285, though that includes the bumpstops that I had to buy anyhow.

FYI I bought 1, 2, 7-13, as my combo only comes w/ 4 and not much else (and it's a 19mm at that too, diff than 21mm of stock (i think?)).

[left123]

Originally Posted by wheen

I'm doing the almost exact same thing. I didn't buy #6 though, as I don't think it's needed to pre-assemble the struts, at least according to that diagram. I guess I'm just overly cautious of the spring compressor and want to do it carefully instead of rushing through it on the install day, so the extra "few bucks" is worth it for me. But like you said, stuff add up, and I think my bill for all these extras was around $285, though that includes the bumpstops that I had to buy anyhow.

FYI I bought 1, 2, 7-13, as my combo only comes w/ 4 and not much else (and it's a 19mm at that too, diff than 21mm of stock (i think?)).

The BMW PS kit comes with 10-13 so I guess I was lucky in that sense (although Im sure I paid a premium to get the kit in the first place). Good luck with the install and let us know how it goes.

Btw, what kit/setup are you installing wheen? Just curious.