Rear Springs Help Req'd!!!

[bmwpip]

Does anyone know where I can find the colour codes for BMW springs?

I'm based in the UK (hence 'colour'), and need a supplier for 2 rear springs for a 1994 318is coupe. Mine have both snapped on the bottom coil. These were only changed 2 year ago!!

I want replacement springs (not lowered etc) but all I can find are full sets of sports/lowered springs.

Surely there must be some kind of compatibilty with other models too? (325 possibly?) I'm pretty sure the 318is coupe has Mtech suspension.

Plz help!

Pip

[Furious]

most aftermarket spring companies make OE style springs, i think H&R, eibach and other big name companies have ones that have an OE ride height however they are a bit more performance oriented. i dont think the 318 has Mtech because those were ment for 6 cylinder cars. if you put them on a 318 it would actually raise the ride hieght because of the weight of the engines.


a side question.....when you got your springs changed did they use new spring pads or the old ones or any at all?

[bmwpip]

I wasn't the owner when the new springs were fitted, but I have the reciepts in with the log book. They were supplied by BMW to the owner to fit himself, so I guess the original spring pads were re-used. (do these affect the springs life?)

I think the standard 318i has normal suspension, but I have been informed that the 318is has Mtech? It also has the M43 B16 engine (I think )

[Furious]

maybe they have mtech , i honestly dont know but you were saying it could have been off a 325 or something so i was just letting you know that its not a good idea.


spring pads could potentially cause the tips of the springs to wear faster but within a few years? i dont think it would matter all that much, the noise alone would be too much.

keep checking aftermarket spring comapanies to see what they may have for you also private message our moderator Autotechnica, hes the suspension specialist and also owns a 318

[bmwpip]

The weird thing is, is that the car is running fine and there is no noise from the broken springs.
I only noticed them because I was changing the 2 rear shocks which were leaking oil. Both springs have broken in EXACTLY the same place. (and some peolpe are paying to have their cars lowered )

I have lost about 20mm in height due to the break, but the 318is coupe is already 15mm lower than a standard 318 (according to the web sites I have been looking for new springs from)

Could I possibly leave these springs as they are? I guess this is a bad idea, and can't believe that just went through mt head :P

Are the spring pads dear? I haven't even look for these on the www yet!

[Furious]

you can actually leave them like that if you want, take a pic so i can see how it looks (even though i have a feeeling i know where the break was) i know lots of people cut their spring (big no-no) and they ride around with it like that, so i cant see the tip being broken being any different

[bitcore]

What did you do? jump off a cliff?

[bmwpip]

Well - here they are... as you can see they have sheared rather than being cut.

I am a careful driver, and do not jump off cliffs - this is the 3rd time a rear spring has snapped on this car??????

The rear wheels are 17" M-Tech, with 245*40*Z17.


ghead

(as a rough scale - these coils are about 3". The springs are tapered top and bottom)

[Jamez]

:P

[markyd]

www.gsfcarparts.com these are the people i use in the uk for bmw spares.
this must be common for that model as i havehad to replace my springs a couple of times too

[bmwpip]

Is it possible to change the rear springs without dropping the driveshaft?

I'm hoping to remove the wheel, disconnect the shocker and then make a small spring compressor --- is this possible?

I have a pair of springs on order, but don't know how strong they are (am using 10mm studbar - 'tis partly made already... hope it works!