[Willsbma]

Trying not to screw a fellow member, and also trying not to pay more than appropriate. Can anyone chime in on what a good offer would be for a used m-sport suspension with 54k miles? Please pm if you don't think discussing numbers openly is ok

[ard5040]

I recently sold the BMW Performance Suspension with yellow springs, no front M3 sway bar, for $370. It had about 23k miles on it. That would be an upgrade from the M Sport suspension.

[Kevinl]

Nothing

[dmatre]

For a worn-out Msport? I don't know that I would drive across town to pick up a free one.

By 50k, it's time to replace the shocks, so they have no value. Springs will still be ok, but unless you need replacement springs they won't be worth the effort to install.

If you're repairing damage on the cheap, they're ok - but cost should be in the range of a six-pack or two. If you're looking for drop or better performance look for Koni or Bilstein Spring/shock combos, or coilovers.

[Willsbma]

Originally Posted by dmatre

For a worn-out Msport? I don't know that I would drive across town to pick up a free one.

By 50k, it's time to replace the shocks, so they have no value. Springs will still be ok, but unless you need replacement springs they won't be worth the effort to install.

If you're repairing damage on the cheap, they're ok - but cost should be in the range of a six-pack or two. If you're looking for drop or better performance look for Koni or Bilstein Spring/shock combos, or coilovers.

I'm at 92k now, figured a setup with half the mileage would be a decent refresh. Car rides well now, but I would love it to be slightly lower and I could deal with a little more stiffness. I've been looking at the koni and eibachs but from what I've read the rake is almost reversed. And I plan on doing any work myself if that makes any difference

[csu87]

Originally Posted by Willsbma

I'm at 92k now, figured a setup with half the mileage would be a decent refresh. Car rides well now, but I would love it to be slightly lower and I could deal with a little more stiffness. I've been looking at the koni and eibachs but from what I've read the rake is almost reversed. And I plan on doing any work myself if that makes any difference

You would be better off getting either new suspension or upgrading to something better.

Like others mentioned, it is barely worth the time to pick up and install.

For a reference, you can get a complete sport suspension upgrade kit new from ECS for $950, and it is an upgrade over the OEM sport suspension. Figure Half that price for OEM, and then take off 75% or so for the amount of mileage.

[Willsbma]

For $950 I wouldn't even think about it. For 75% of half that it's a good deal, even with the road trip to pick it up. I'm getting cheap in my old age lol

[csu87]

Originally Posted by Willsbma

For $950 I wouldn't even think about it. For 75% of half that it's a good deal, even with the road trip to pick it up. I'm getting cheap in my old age lol

Why waste $100 and several hours to put on used equipment that is at the end of its life cycle? Do it right the 1st time, or youre just wasting money.

FWIW, there have been plenty of people that have had components fail at or before the 50k mile mark. Why risk it?

[Willsbma]

Originally Posted by csu87

Why waste $100 and several hours to put on used equipment that is at the end of its life cycle? Do it right the 1st time, or youre just wasting money.

FWIW, there have been plenty of people that have had components fail at or before the 50k mile mark. Why risk it?

I guess you're right in the sense that it's maybe more than half worn already. And I understand the fact of the poor man paying twice. I'll take a look at some other options first, I'm not sure I want to shell out all at once for coilovers. Any objections to swapping rear first and then doing fronts in a couple weeks?

[Torgus]

I would say $200-400 but only for someone who wanted to return their car to stock to sell it depends on their time frame.

For the labor involved it is not worth it and it really isn't an upgrade.

[Volasko]

Call your local indy shop and ask him what it would cost to do a full suspension install. It might help put things into perspective. Its not an easy job, I would guess it is in the 600 dollar range. I went with Koni yellows and pro-kit springs and my car has the perfect stance. All the raked pictures seem to have install issues causing this.

[Willsbma]

Originally Posted by Volasko

Call your local indy shop and ask him what it would cost to do a full suspension install. It might help put things into perspective. Its not an easy job, I would guess it is in the 600 dollar range. I went with Koni yellows and pro-kit springs and my car has the perfect stance. All the raked pictures seem to have install issues causing this.

I have an xi

[max_330i]

What's the purpose of buying the M-sport suspension used vs. buying any other suspension upgrades? You stand to gain nothing by putting worn suspension components on your car.

If your desire is to keep everything OEM, order OEM M-sport suspension online or from the dealer-- you won't like the price, but it won't be used.

If you want a suspension refresh and lower ride height, take a look at the aftermarket options. Again, won't be cheap, but it won't be used up by the time you get it installed on your car.

If you just want to lower your car for as little money as possible... Don't do anything. Leave it the way it is. Suspension is not the place to cut corners.

Max

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by Willsbma

Trying not to screw a fellow member, and also trying not to pay more than appropriate. Can anyone chime in on what a good offer would be for a used m-sport suspension with 54k miles? Please pm if you don't think discussing numbers openly is ok

Value could be all over the map, but 54k would put a lid on it....and how much can you save, since installing used is a bit of a gamble given the labor time / cost.

imo for local pickup:

If from a good location (smooth roads, no potholes, no salt to rust), might go another 54k miles. If this were the case, a complete set of dampers could be as much as $100-150...but sellers may settle for less.

New Bilstein b4 dampers are around $350 shipped.

Springs might fetch $50-75 to a patient seller.

Shipping costs always muck up the pricing.

[Willsbma]

Originally Posted by max_330i

What's the purpose of buying the M-sport suspension used vs. buying any other suspension upgrades? You stand to gain nothing by putting worn suspension components on your car.

If your desire is to keep everything OEM, order OEM M-sport suspension online or from the dealer-- you won't like the price, but it won't be used.

If you want a suspension refresh and lower ride height, take a look at the aftermarket options. Again, won't be cheap, but it won't be used up by the time you get it installed on your car.

If you just want to lower your car for as little money as possible... Don't do anything. Leave it the way it is. Suspension is not the place to cut corners.

Max

I never said anything about cutting corners. I assumed a suspension with 40k less miles than mine would be a decent refresh, and I like the fact that it will be stiffer and a little lower. It has nothing to do with being oem, more for the style and handling of the m sport. Now, that being said I didn't realize the suspension on these cars was so difficult to work on, my e46 was a joke so I thought the same about swapping some components with this model too. I have looked into the koni/eibachs combo for the xi and the rake is off, almost backwards. There are custom options that lower the front but I feel it would be too expensive to buy new shocks and then have them customized. Coilovers are an option as well, but from reviews I've read, they are bouncy and cost about $1k. I'm just looking at all the options and this was one of them.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by Willsbma

I never said anything about cutting corners. I assumed a suspension with 40k less miles than mine would be a decent refresh, and I like the fact that it will be stiffer and a little lower. It has nothing to do with being oem, more for the style and handling of the m sport. Now, that being said I didn't realize the suspension on these cars was so difficult to work on, my e46 was a joke so I thought the same about swapping some components with this model too. I have looked into the koni/eibachs combo for the xi and the rake is off, almost backwards. There are custom options that lower the front but I feel it would be too expensive to buy new shocks and then have them customized. Coilovers are an option as well, but from reviews I've read, they are bouncy and cost about $1k. I'm just looking at all the options and this was one of them.

I wasn't trying to accuse you of cutting corners-- my apologies if it came off that way. Just trying to prod you for more information, which was successful after all

Refreshing the suspension is a noble goal but might not be as necessary as you think. Might be worth it to have an indy put it on a lift and tell you if they feel it needs a refresh. My E90 with sport pkg has 120K on the original suspension and a shop recently told me it doesn't need any suspension work. I was surprised that it's holding up so well.

You could drive yourself crazy shopping for upgrades on these cars, which you alluded to with the custom shocks. Every upgrade/mod will be a compromise, but I think the coilovers will provide the desired effect of lowering the car with minimal inconvenience to you.

Hope this helps!
Max

[redline2001]

OP just get Sachs oem replacements or Bilstein B4's. Both can be had for under $400. It makes no sense to pay someone to install used oem struts/shocks.

[Willsbma]

Originally Posted by redline2001

OP just get Sachs oem replacements or Bilstein B4's. Both can be had for under $400. It makes no sense to pay someone to install used oem struts/shocks.

B4's are not compatible with eibach springs. I want a little bit lower, and wouldn't mind a stiffer ride

[redline2001]

Originally Posted by Willsbma

B4's are not compatible with eibach springs. I want a little bit lower, and wouldn't mind a stiffer ride

Yes you are 100% right. But why did you start the thread off with buying used Msport shocks since they are not compatible either?

[Willsbma]

Originally Posted by redline2001

Yes you are 100% right. But why did you start the thread off with buying used Msport shocks since they are not compatible either?

Because they are same part numbers....What do you know that I don't lol?!!

[redline2001]

If your looking for a good shock spring combo check out the suspension section. Koni orange and Eibach springs come as a kit for $600ish. Anyway a search in the suspension section will steer you in the right direction