suspension question

[BBARON]

I have a 2003 530i with 150,000 miles on it. I am considering new shocks and struts but am unsure whether to get new springs as well. Does anyone know what the rear wheel travel height was for this car when it was new?

 

[Big Daddy]

Wow, someone drove this baby didn't they? 150000 in three years! I am not sure what the stock ride height was. Do the springs seem weak or sagging? What happens when you place weight on the car and release it?

 

[BBARON]

I'm a salesman and I drove all of those miles. If I put weight on the front or rear of the car, it bounces back up and stops right away. The springs don't seem to be sagging but I do think that the ride and handling have slightly diminished over the course of 150,000 miles. I want to drive it for another 150,000 miles, so I think I'll replace the struts and shocks but am unsure as to whether I need new springs or not. What's your opinion?

 

[Kirby]

The springs are probably OK mechanically, unless you want to lower the ride height.

 

[adrean8j]

I have just over 148,000km on my car(~92,000miles) and it is a '99. I replaced just the shocks(bilstein sport) and the springs(FK Automotive) and it stiffened my ride back up. I did this back in August. At 150,000 miles its past time for those being replaced anyway. Go ahead and do the springs.....if you find an place that does suspensions exclusively you should be able to get a decent deal for much, much cheaper than BMW is going to charge you for it(even though you may not get the car wash and nice little BMW logo'd napkin on your steering wheel...or is that just in Germany?)