suspension chatter

[528 wagon]

I'm new to the forum and here out of desperation. I love my year 2000 528it(wagon). It has sport package, 5sp, Dinan stage1.

Car has 84000mi. When I hit a bump the suspension chatters. One bump and I get about 10 fast rattles & shakes. It is like the suspension has no dampening. The dealer says the car is fine. On a hoist all suspension parts are solid. It just feels old & rattley.

I'm thinking the air/auto leveling suspension may be the problem. The light occasionaly comes on, but most lights occasionally come on in these cars.

The other problem is a vibration at 2000rpm when cruising. I've ballanced the tires twice and now may look at the drive shaft.

Please help with the rattling in the suspension. The car is parked and I'm driving my '97 Camery as I cannot stand to drive a shakey/rattley old BMW!!

 

[Kirby]

Certainly sounds like one or more bad shocks or a related part in the air system. Shocks are good for 30K - 75K miles depending on road and driving conditions. Shocks can LOOK OK but have reduced or no damping, and just eyeballing on a hoist would not answer that question.

The Shock Mounts may have failed as well, and would need CLOSE inspection to see if they failed.

If the dealer says it's OK, I guess I would get a second opinion from another dealer or an independent who specializes in BMWs. Don't go to one of the volume places like Midas, Sears, etc. They won't know much about your car.

 

[PSSM5]

I had, what seems to be the same problem and it turn out to be a broken rear shock mount. Yes, everything looked fine until the shocks were removed to thoroughly inspect and the mount fell to my mechanic's feet.
I agree with Kirby, have it looked at by an independent shop that specializes in BMWs, becuause they don't seem to be as overwhelmed by a herd of cars being serviced through their warrenty program.

 

[528 wagon]

Thanks for the tip. If I could only find an experianced BMW shop close to Detroit. I've not had any luck as this is the home of the big three. I'll get the rear shock puller off and have a look.

 

[Big Daddy]

Dinan Stage 1 would include springs and shocks, do you know when these were installed?

 

[528 wagon]

Thanks for the comment. The dealer called it Stage 1 and the car has the sticker with serial number but I think it was only strut brace, muffler, chip, airbox and cool floor mats. No shocks or springs.