E46 B3 3.3 Saloon - Suspension help

[Rav]

Hi All.

My car is #032 saloon B3 3.3 and when i bought the car was fitted with coil overs. One of the rear shocks has had it and needs replacing and my mechanic has advised to change all suspension on that axle.

So, its time to bite the bullet and man up to replace the suspension on the whole car. After @Charles offered me a ride in his mega miles B3 touring, i was blown away by his suspension as well as the condition of his car. So composed but yet still sporty, but not harsh.

As always, I am toying with genuine Alpina suspension from FMW in Germany or Bilstein B8s. I might be able to afford the (more preferable) Alpina equipment if I can fit this myself with the help of my mechanic.

Here is the kit from FMW:
https://www.fmw-tuning.de/bmw/3er-e46/e ... abrio.html and Frank has confirmed that this is the kit i need.



Please remember I am at ladybird level on this, but have heard that I need top and bottom mounts - any idea of part number?

All help much appreciated. My car is booked in at Birds on 23rd Nov for Kevin to run an inspection. I want to be sure that the car is mechanically sound and worth investing in.

Rav

[Fast3000]

Hi Rav,

You should be able to get the top mounts from BMW parts. They are standard e46 parts and if they are not then BMW parts will provide you with the parts no.s Cotswold BMW usually offer 10% for club members (Your club being the alpina forum!). They use to offer more pre covid!

in regards to part no.s When AWD made up my Kit the vin was sent to Alpina who then match spring rates to your car. No doubt cab, coupe, touring and saloon are different. Have you got a quote from alloy wheels direct?

[DogWagen]

Hi Rav,

I'd suggest you take a look at realoem.com to obtain the BMW part nos. Use the BMW VIN (last 7 characters) and the website will filter to your car (bar any options).

Hope that helps,

[Metrics]

Rav, I've got nothing against Bird's, but in your shoes I'd get the car down to BMR for the check over and advice on suspension refresh. What they don't know about Alpina and top quality resto work isn't worth knowing IMO.
CPC are also a great bet.
Allow Wheels Direct can source all the parts for you and do a very thorough job of checking all the right parts for your chassis number.
Won't be cheap, but will be worth it.

[Sab]

Hi Rav,

Definitely check with AWD who (IMO) are better placed to obtain the right setup as they cross reference your vin with Alpina to ensure the springs rates are correct in relation to options added to the car.
Given your car was a press model it should have been specced up therefore your spring rates must be different.

Mine had the 3.2 springs to compensate for the extra weight from the air con.

Also, my kit came with the lollipop bushes which were Alpina specific.

[hap]

Alloy wheel direct definitely
Had great service from Tony and will be doing as metric and dab say when I look to do mine Tony will tell me everything parts wise for the full overhaul I don’t want to miss anything and end up having to orde again
Price wise is competitive and he also knocked a bit off my postage from Germany which was nice

[Fast3000]

Considering a few of us have had their suspension done in the past 6months ! we should have done a multi buy from AWD!

[Jules Sunleu]

Booking in with Birds was a good move, Kevin is hugely knowledge on both Alpina and standard BMWs and well knows the differences. My B5 suspension was replaced there under the previous owner to me. My car is there currently actually as having done service and MOT etc they are currently dealing with my pano roof issue before I can collect her

[Trilly-Uk]

Have #270 E46 B3 Coupe recently purchased which recently had full Alpina OEM new suspension parts and its superb ride and handling. Can definitely recommend full OEM if you are still undecided.

[Rav]

BMR performance in Crawley have given my car a tick in the box and confirmed that she is worth saving! Lots of minor points wear and tear items to look at though.

A chat with Tony at Alloy Wheels Direct this morning and he has a direct line into the Buchloe gang. He has returned a price for me for my suspension:

Price below per piece including VAT.
31 31 163 shock absorber front left £305.41
31 31 164 shock absorber front right £305.41
31 33 626 spring front £166.96
33 52 118 shock absorber rear £212.80
33 53 114 spring rear £154.51

You can order this as a set with part number 31 00 134 £1219
Shipping is a flat £20.

This is not bad value at all and in fact i was budgeting 3 times this amount for parts alone.

Now to see how much BMR will charge to fit and what else i can ask them to look at whilst the car is there.

[hashluck]

BMR performance in Crawley have given my car a tick in the box and confirmed that she is worth saving! Lots of minor points wear and tear items to look at though.

A chat with Tony at Alloy Wheels Direct this morning and he has a direct line into the Buchloe gang. He has returned a price for me for my suspension:

Price below per piece including VAT.
31 31 163 shock absorber front left £305.41
31 31 164 shock absorber front right £305.41
31 33 626 spring front £166.96
33 52 118 shock absorber rear £212.80
33 53 114 spring rear £154.51

You can order this as a set with part number 31 00 134 £1219
Shipping is a flat £20.

This is not bad value at all and in fact i was budgeting 3 times this amount for parts alone.

Now to see how much BMR will charge to fit and what else i can ask them to look at whilst the car is there.

Excellent, and I agree the kit is good value and you are in good hands with BMR

[hap]

Good work rav
Sure it will be a fair price for the labour and don’t forget sell the existing kit which should cover cost of fitting at least

[jolls]

That's a good price Rav. I paid about the same from FMW just under 3 years a go.

[Charles]

That kit represents quite a discount on individual item prices!

[hap]

See my quote
AWD not mentioned a kit price as there is 400 difference btw that and my quote? Confused ?
Rav what was your total cost for the parts alone