523i Touring suspension is getting me down

[Roscoe62]

Hi
I have a 99 523i Touring which I love to bits but it's suspension(rear) is gradually wearing my affection down. It's always seemed a tad firm over small bumps and potholes and seems to thud over small road ripples but I seem to be more aware of it now, not that it's worse, I just seem to be thinking about all the time, especially when I have passengers in the car, I'm thinking that they must be aware of this thudding as well.
I also noticed when trying to find a reason for this, that if I sit in the back of car with the tailgate open and bounce up and down, it obviously moves vertically, but as it's settling it moves to and fro as well.. is this normal. I've also noticed this to and fro movement when coming to a complete stop, if I apply the brakes quite firmly when the car stops, it momentarily moves back and forth, I've owned numerous cars including several BM's over the years and have never come across symptoms like these, and to be honest I didn't expect to have suspension like this on a car of this quality, so any help on these 2 issues would be greatly appreciated, this a great car but it's being dragged down by less than acceptable suspension.

[jimmythepie]

sounds like the car needs some love,check the springs and suspension.Also whats the mileage?These cars suffer from worn suspension at about 60000 miles plus.Bushe"s also wear out rapidly.
Remember if you want to go by concord you have to pay a first class fare,oh shit that crashed and burned too.

[Roscoe62]

Hi

The car is mint and has done 87K, it's just mot'd and examined by local indy who drove the car, agreed it was firm at the back but couldn't find anything in particular which would cause it, said it 'might' benefit from new sub frame bushes but couldn't guarantee it would cure the problem.
But there's also this strange to and fro movement, I hadn't mentioned this to him as Ive only recently become aware of it, but do I have 2 separate problems or are they symptoms of the same problem??

[jimmythepie]

there are a few parts that could cause your probs,Bmw puts lots of linkages etc in their suspension, when they start to go problems like yours arise.If you can,get a BMW specialist to look at it,as lots of non BMW guys get the wrong diagnosis.It sounds like the shocks to me but what do i know?A Knowledgeable mech will be able to tell by looking and pulling the various parts.this should take about ten mins max if it"s on a ramp a bit longer if jacked up.