[Erinra]

So a while back my F31 -14, Sportline, started squeaking bad from the rears and it turned out to be the lower bearings and I did the quickfix by lubricating them with white lithium grease. And recently they started again (ironically after washing the car) and I lubricated them again but I know it won't last forever so I'm planing to refresh my suspension both front and back.

Which parts would you recommend to change while I'm at it?
Is there any worth to upgrade to sports suspension?

Problem number two is that there is also and squeal I'm noticing at low speeds which I'm guessing could be any of the wheel bearings? Or could it be something else?

Thanks in advance!


edit: update below.

So I've gotten alot of tips and I'm currently looking at the Eibach/Bilstein option.

These are the parts I'm currently looking at replacing. Please let me know if I should add any parts or replace any, I would hate to miss something.


Description OE part nr. OEM part nr Manufacturer
F80 bumper stops 31336859768 BMW
F80 bumper stops 31337847662 BMW
Guard tube, front 31306791712 BMW
Guard tube, rear 33536865647 BMW

Rear wheel bearing 33416792361 713 6495 80 F-A-G
Front wheel hub/bearing 31206876840 713 6495 40 F-A-G

Guide support rear 33506862725 803 047 Sachs
Guide support front 31306881929 12-251377 Bilstein
Eibach PRO-KIT Lowering Springs e10-20-031-03-22 Eibach kit
Spring strut, front 31316874378 22-220080 Bilstein b4
Shock absorber, rear 33526874380 19-220093 Bilstein b4

Tension strut with hydraulic mount, left 31126855741 36939 01 Lemförder
Tension strut with hydraulic mount,right 31126855742 36940 01 Lemförder
Wishbone, left 31126852991 36941 01 Lemförder
Wishbone, right 31126852992 36942 01 Lemförder

Front swing support 31306792211 37356 01 Lemförder
Left swing support 33506785607 36163 01 Lemförder
Right swing support 33506785608 36164 01 Lemförder

Rubber Mounting 33326792551 BMW
Ball joint 33326792553 36426 01 Lemförder
Roll-over strut with rubber mount 33326867540 42254 01 Lemförder
Trailing arm with rubber bushing 33326792525 38932 01 Lemförder
Track strut with rubber mount 33326792533 39398 01 Lemförder
Control arm with rubber bushing, left 33326792543 39399 01 Lemförder
Control arm with rubber bushing, right 33326792544 39400 01 Lemförder
Guiding suspens. link w rubber mount left 33326792539 39396 01 Lemförder
Guiding suspens. link w rubber mount rgh 33326792540 39397 01 Lemförder

Tie rod end, left 32106799966 36518 01 Lemförder
Tie rod end, right 32106799967 36519 01 Lemförder

[cfm56d7b]

The cost of suspension upgrades can vary from reasonable to pricey, depending on your goals.

What’s your budget and goals?

[Erinra]

Main thing is to replace whats needed, shocks/struts/springs/rods/arms/joints etc.
- looking to go for oem or better (not buying original from BMW, unless it's the best/only option).

- I'd appreciate any recommendations to this.

But since I'm gonna do it myself I'm thinking maybe I should do some upgrades to better parts if possible?
I'm not interested in coilovers but maybe lowering the car with new springs - not looking to lowering the car alot, so only if its at a resonable price.

My previous experience is with the e46 where there were some z4 upgrades and some aftermarket parts which were better than OE at a resonable price.

thanks alot!

[alohasurftoad]

i recommend Eibach Pro-Kit spring, Koni Special Active dampers, F80 bumpstops along with new strutmounts, spring isolators, shock protectors...preassembled for a plug and play swap.

consider new upper and lower control arms with Millway monoball bushings for steering feel and precision.
https://www.millway.se/front-tension...lemforder.html
https://www.millway.se/control-arms-...lemforder.html

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Erinra

So a while back my F31 -14, Sportline, started squeaking bad from the rears and it turned out to be the lower bearings and I did the quickfix by lubricating them with white lithium grease. And recently they started again (ironically after washing the car) and I lubricated them again but I know it won't last forever so I'm planing to refresh my suspension both front and back.

Which parts would you recommend to change while I'm at it?
Is there any worth to upgrade to sports suspension?

Problem number two is that there is also and squeal I'm noticing at low speeds which I'm guessing could be any of the wheel bearings? Or could it be something else?

Thanks in advance!

I've just done a full suspension overhaul on my 2015 F31 RWD here in the UK; had it ALL swapped out in January just gone (every arm, link, track rod ends etc, shocks and springs (inc all new top mounts, OEM BMW rubber spring perches, bump stops, dust boots, gaskets etc)

I went for Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro-kit springs from Autodoc as I wanted to lower the car; but not have the suspension too firm (I did toy with the idea of Bilstein B16 coilovers etc, or possibly the B12 kit - but having test drove a few cars with those kits fitted, they were too firm for what I wanted)

The B4S shocks and eibach springs set up is superb; it's given me an even ride height all round; the car drives superbly, handles brilliantly and takes the rough UK roads really well now. Its as firm as OEM was; but the jarring, harsh ride / crashy ride has completely gone.

All the arms etc are a mix of Lemforder, TRW & Moog via Autodoc as well FYI - they're all F3x specific; I haven't moved to M3 arms or monoball joints etc, as for me they're simply not needed for what is an every day car - unless you plan on taking your car to the track a lot etc; they're massive overkill and expensive

The full build is linked below in my signature FYI; it starts from about page 9 IIRC:

The day I collected it (still on its winter wheels):



As it stands now back on its summer wheels:

[Erinra]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

i recommend Eibach Pro-Kit spring, Koni Special Active dampers, F80 bumpstops along with new strutmounts, spring isolators, shock protectors...preassembled for a plug and play swap.

consider new upper and lower control arms with Millway monoball bushings for steering feel and precision.
https://www.millway.se/front-tension...lemforder.html
https://www.millway.se/control-arms-...lemforder.html

Thanks alot! I sure will take a look at the Eibach Pro-kit.

The Millway stuff sure looks great, but it's a bit to much out of my pricerange I think since this is still the family car.

[Erinra]

Originally Posted by danb1979

I've just done a full suspension overhaul on my 2015 F31 RWD here in the UK; had it ALL swapped out in January just gone (every arm, link, track rod ends etc, shocks and springs (inc all new top mounts, OEM BMW rubber spring perches, bump stops, dust boots, gaskets etc)

I went for Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro-kit springs from Autodoc as I wanted to lower the car; but not have the suspension too firm (I did toy with the idea of Bilstein B16 coilovers etc, or possibly the B12 kit - but having test drove a few cars with those kits fitted, they were too firm for what I wanted)

The B4S shocks and eibach springs set up is superb; it's given me an even ride height all round; the car drives superbly, handles brilliantly and takes the rough UK roads really well now. Its as firm as OEM was; but the jarring, harsh ride / crashy ride has completely gone.

All the arms etc are a mix of Lemforder, TRW & Moog via Autodoc as well FYI - they're all F3x specific; I haven't moved to M3 arms or monoball joints etc, as for me they're simply not needed for what is an every day car - unless you plan on taking your car to the track a lot etc; they're massive overkill and expensive

The full build is linked below in my signature FYI; it starts from about page 9 IIRC:

The day I collected it (still on its winter wheels):

As it stands now back on its summer wheels:

Woah! Your car looks great.

I'm scrolling through your thread right now.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Erinra

Woah! Your car looks great.

I'm scrolling through your thread right now.

Thank you

It's taken a fair bit of work to get it there; but it's all done now

[AAG]

I am going through a suspension overhaul on my F31 340i at the moment as well.

There is a lot of great info especially from Farkle and others in quite a lot of different threads.
As said already it completely depends on your goals.

I have decided to go down the B14 coilover route, with M4 front arms.
One thing I have noticed with searching the forum is there is quite a lot of old and incorrect information around the M4 arms in some of the threads so watch out for that.

Here are the arms:
https://williamsperformance.co.uk/co...ts-upgrade-kit

I am now debating what top mounts to go for it which is a whole other rabbit hole.

Millway seem to be the way to go for ultimate adjustability and quality.
Street versions for the front for a bit more comfort with the poly bushes?
https://www.millway.se/camber-plates...0-f31-f32.html
But unsure if these are worth it when I will gain the extra camber with the M4 Arms already...

As for rears, I am currently debating standard top mounts vs solid Millway:
https://www.millway.se/upper-top-mou...-g-series.html

And then there are rear toe links to consider also!
https://www.millway.se/control-arm-t...1-f32-f33.html


Goodluck & let us know what you decide

[B58 parts]

I would add adjustable sway bar end links to the list, if you're lowered, the stock links are quite long and you're preloading the bar. The end links will wear out quicker, and you'll have an uneven amount of body roll left and right.

I just did all this stuff on the e36, complete suspension overhaul. It's amazing how much of a difference. I am a big fan of KW coilovers. The string alignment took me all weekend but it's driving perfect.

[F31da]

I’m looking to upgrade to v2.0, as my 2018 F31 is already equipped with H&R Sport springs, F80 bumpstops, and Dinan camber plates, with alignment settings and camber at stock, as well as changing the wheels to 19” with lower profile tires.
The best look of the car is when it’s driving away or to me, as I hardly ever drive this car. The stance is very low, and we always have to enter and leave our own driveway deliberately at an angle to compensate, because the front lip will almost always scrape. Other than our driveway, anyone who drives this car has never complained, even when speed bumps are encountered, but I’ll attribute this to almost all our cars being lowered. The ride has been acceptable, but only I’ve been disappointed with the amount of body lean. But, I love the unique look.
After researching coilovers, my current thinking is to move to KWv2 with the EDC cancel kit (over coding), and replace most any other worn components, and remove the Dinan camber plates, as they only added to the NVH. I am also considering a f/r sway bar upgrade, even with the additional work cost, but am not sure if this would be overkill on a daily.
The goals are to increase ride height, stiffen and be able to adjust the static ride, with a matched system and reduce body roll at speed.

[fongpei]

Im shopping to replace my OE shocks on F31_N47 328d and getting thoughts on Bilstien v Koni. Any input is appreciated as I get severe crash through now. Goal is to have a great handling car than can make 300 mile trips without spilling too much of my beverage.

[danb1979]

I'm very, very happy/impressed with the Bilstein B4S / Eibach pro kit set up I have on my F31 touring (same engine as your 328d IIRC) fongpei

They've been on the car since beginning of Jan; have covered c1k miles now

Handling is superb; they're firm, but not M Sport firm (as in not crashy/jarring at all); they allow the car to take rough roads much better than the OEM M Sport suspension; but they also allow the car to handle much better and take bends/roundabouts much, much better etc

They were fitted alongside a full suspension overhaul; so that does make a huge difference

I've not run Koni shocks on any recent BMWs; but I did fit them to an E46 quite a few years back and my first E39 after that too and had constant issues with them (leaks mainly etc) and that put me off them a lot

I've also known quite a few folk with similar issues here in the UK and some quite recently

[fongpei]

Thanks so much for the input. I'm leaning heavily towards the Bilsteins after reading what people have left for feedback.

[keithyo88]

another vote for Bilstein. have B6 struts/shocks with no mods on 340i rwd and noticed the car took bumps better, and more feedback in sport did not bother me. raised front and back more than 1/2" which may put you off.

[B58 parts]

Bilstein makes good shocks but are still having fulfillment issues for some reason. For a company as old as they are they should be super rich and have it together, but they still can't fill orders. It's been going on for 7-8 years now.

I ran the b16s on my f30 but the kwv3s are a much better ride. And offer the correct height adjustment. I've been waiting on the B12 kit for my X5 for over 2 months now. Hopefully someday this year. I ran koni yellows on other cars and they are excellent shocks as well.

[keithyo88]

Originally Posted by B58 parts

Bilstein makes good shocks but are still having fulfillment issues for some reason. For a company as old as they are they should be super rich and have it together, but they still can't fill orders. It's been going on for 7-8 years now.

I ran the b16s on my f30 but the kwv3s are a much better ride. And offer the correct height adjustment. I've been waiting on the B12 kit for my X5 for over 2 months now. Hopefully someday this year. I ran koni yellows on other cars and they are excellent shocks as well.

point taken. I waited 4 months for B6. I get the preference for Koni since the stiffer ride of Bilstein is Not for everyone (but I drove an '05 mini

[alohasurftoad]

Eibach 16-22 or 17-22 pro-kit springs, F80 bumpstops over Koni Special Active (red) dampers

[Erinra]

Thanks alot for the tips, I've edited the top post for visibility.
Please let me know if I've missed something or should swap any for another manufacturer.

Br,

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Erinra

Thanks alot for the tips, I've edited the top post for visibility.
Please let me know if I've missed something or should swap any for another manufacturer.

Br,

FYI you don't need F80 bump stops unless you really want them; I'm running all new OEM F31 ones and there are zero issues; they're no where near bottoming out and I've had my F31 absolutely loaded with compost and bark chippings from the nursery gardens a lot recently

That's on Bilstein B4 shocks/Eibach pro kit springs - exactly what you're considering

Re the other parts; if you can get Lemforder then great; but TRW is OEM also and Moog are very good indeed. I couldn't get a lot of parts via Autodoc in Lemforder; one side would be in stock, but not the other etc

As a side note; even Sreten of M539 Restorations fame has had issues with Lemforder parts recently as well... They're not as good as they used to be!

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by Erinra

Main thing is to replace whats needed, shocks/struts/springs/rods/arms/joints etc.
- looking to go for oem or better (not buying original from BMW, unless it's the best/only option).

That is where the rabbit hole begins. If you like how the car drives now, stick to OEM BMW dampers and just refresh the perishables.

The temptation is to go aftermarket because the M Sport dampers are very expensive. You can buy an entire Bilstein B12 kit for the same price as a pair of front stock dampers, which doesn't feel like sound financial sense, but you're paying for BMW's R&D and lifespan. The stock M sport setup - when new - is nicely judged for a wide range of roads.

Due to suspension wearing out progressively, and especially if you buy the car used and don't know what it's supposed to drive llke, old worn out stock suspension makes you think the stock setup was poor from the get go, when it isn't. Just refreshing it with new parts will make it feel like new again.

I would just do stock control arms for now. Leave the expensive aftermarket control arms and top mounts until you've established a baseline with fresh dampers and bushes etc.

As Dan said, the Eibach springs and Bilstein B4 is about as close to stock as you'll get for a considerable cost saving, but will be approx 10-15% stiffer. B6/B8 are a LOT stiffer than stock and they don't last very long either. Way shorter life than stock dampers.

Everything aftermarket will be stiffer than stock, so focus on your priorities.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

That is where the rabbit hole begins. If you like how the car drives now, stick to OEM BMW dampers and just refresh the perishables.

The temptation is to go aftermarket because the M Sport dampers are very expensive. You can buy an entire Bilstein B12 kit for the same price as a pair of front stock dampers, which doesn't feel like sound financial sense, but you're paying for BMW's R&D and lifespan. The stock M sport setup - when new - is nicely judged for a wide range of roads.

Due to suspension wearing out progressively, and especially if you buy the car used and don't know what it's supposed to drive llke, old worn out stock suspension makes you think the stock setup was poor from the get go, when it isn't. Just refreshing it with new parts will make it feel like new again.

I would just do stock control arms for now. Leave the expensive aftermarket control arms and top mounts until you've established a baseline with fresh dampers and bushes etc.

As Dan said, the Eibach springs and Bilstein B4 is about as close to stock as you'll get for a considerable cost saving, but will be approx 10-15% stiffer. B6/B8 are a LOT stiffer than stock and they don't last very long either. Way shorter life than stock dampers.



Everything aftermarket will be stiffer than stock, so focus on your priorities.

^^^ This - a lot! The B12 kit suits some folks; for me it's far too firm (more so for the UK roads) - the test drive in the 330D with the B12 kit fitted I had was superb; until I got back to normal speeds on normal roads and it was bouncy, jarring and it tended to skip a lot and that's not good IMO

Least with decent coilovers you can dial them into how you want them more or less

But for fixed/static suspension; as close to OEM M Sport F3X suspension you can get are the B4S shocks and Eibach pro kit springs They lower c10-15mm MAX but they pair up very well indeed