Sport Front Springs again

[Stevo7682]

I understand that you would not be wanting to fit ( I'd be the same) if I wanted to return them .
I was curious to know if anyone had fitted the spring with the part number you have and if so how did the car sit compared to standard oe springs.
Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

That is the only way to be sure. The unloaded length of a spring bears little resemblence to one fitted to a car. Im not saying fit them if you're sending them back but you cannot compare like for like without fitting them and measuring the ride height.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

I think we’re missing the point a little. My main argument was from the markings I could see they were Eibach 30-40mm drop springs so were mis-sold.

However...

A BMW unloaded standard spring is 350mm and a Sport Spring 335mm. Which is also the difference in ride height (15mm) when fitted and loaded being the familiar drop for a Sport. So my start point is it’s not unreasonable to compare the two BMW springs unloaded but accepted things may change for other springs.

However I’m not sure 1mm of coil thickness, some of which will be the powder coat is going to make that much difference to the compression.

The Eibach spring would have to compress 25-35mm less than a BMW Sport spring to reach the quoted 30-40mm drop. Maybe it does. But I’ve had a set of H&Rs on which claim the same drop and for sure it ended up a lot lower than 30mm total and possibly 40mm. I never measured but it was obvious from what it started catching on on the underside.

I’d rather have a pair of BMW standard springs on there and go up 15mm than drop further. @Bumpa already has standard springs on the rear. But remember even then some manufacturers can’t stick to factory spring lengths. I’ve not seen it on fronts yet. But for sure I have supposedly standard rears (Killen I think) which are actually Sport height...

 

[mrscalex]

Lots of people on the forum have these springs btw. They are in the Bilstein B12 kit as well as sold stand-alone. So plenty out there who could measure. But you might also need to find someone who knows for sure they have BMW original Sport springs to make a fool-proof comparison. Or you could rely on the Bentley data which is hopefully accurate anyway.

 

[t-tony]

I know that Dave @Mint has BMW Sport springs on his 2.2, I fitted them. I can measure the ride height on Saturday at the Shed meet so can have realtime measurement to work from. Someone out there sure must have a set of Eibach springs on a 2.2 to compare?

Tony.

ps. Also, the point being that IF BMW can no longer supply original sport springs what are people going to do? Write their cars off or make a compromise on ride height and comfort?

 

[mrscalex]

I know that Dave @Mint
ps. Also, the point being that IF BMW can no longer supply original sport springs what are people going to do? Write their cars off or make a compromise on ride height and comfort?

I have been banging this drum for a long time.

 

[ktnez99]

I know that Dave @Mint has BMW Sport springs on his 2.2, I fitted them. I can measure the ride height on Saturday at the Shed meet so can have realtime measurement to work from. Someone out there sure must have a set of Eibach springs on a 2.2 to compare?

Tony.

ps. Also, the point being that IF BMW can no longer supply original sport springs what are people going to do? Write their cars off or make a compromise on ride height and comfort?

...or be forced to buy a new car...which BMW will be hoping to be purchased from it.

I've read this thread with interest and the time and trouble that it is taking to source the correct spring/s. There must be an alternative supplier. I wish I knew who to share this info with you all but sadly I don't.

 

[Bumpa]

OK, I hope this is my last post on the subject. Since my car already has standard length springs on the rear, I popped down to Eurocarparts this morning and bought Sachs standard length front springs. The photo shows the three types together. I think my car will be fine on standard springs and only someone who is a keen Z3 fan would spot the slight increase in ride height. The Sachs spring is only 17 mm longer than the Sport spring, which is what you might expect. The Eibach springs will be returned for a refund. Thanks for all contributions to this thorny topic. Maybe one day some enterprising individual will commission the remanufacture of the genuine Sport article, but I'm not holding my breath.
Mike

 

[mrscalex]

I think you've done the right thing to be honest - as the rear already had standard. BMW themselves have a tolerance of +/-10mm on ride height and the Sport drop sits only just outside of that at 15mm. I think you can spot a difference if you know what you are looking for. But if you're happy that's all that matters. You'll do your head in finding Sport springs more than worrying about the ride height.

I'm a pedantic git so I'd have to have Sport springs. But as I mentioned to you in PM I try and buy them up and keep a small stock. On that subject if you fancied parcelling up the odd Sport springs you are left with I'll happily make a small donation to your new spring fund.

 

[Althulas]

Just a thought. Wouldn’t the ///M springs be of similar length to the sport springs? Might be firmer to thicker coils though.

 

[Synclare]

I'm the same in keeping a stock of used sport springs. The first occasion I had to buy a front one it was £109 from BMW, had to come from Germany, took couple days. I bought a near new set of genuine sport springs off German eBay for £39 some time ago. A zed I bought just for the hardtop off it had a new set of ebach springs just fitted, red in colour, looked daft as the front end was slammed to the ground whilst the rear was sat up in the air - I bought it at the right price thinking the fronts had broken. Unless you're into aesthetics or spirited driving I'd just stick with standard springs.

 

[Bumpa]

Well, after a fair struggle with compressor tools, I have the Sachs standard length springs on and the car back on its wheels with nice new Monroe struts as well. Quite honestly, it looks just the same as it did on Sport springs as far as the front goes. Comparing it to a side-on photo taken before it suffered any spring breakage, the rear is very slightly taller, but the front looks just the same. I'm just happy to have it usable again.

Robert, I may well pack up the one front and one rear sport springs that are left over, and send them off to you. I'll PM you if and when I get around to it. I don't suppose anyone wants the old struts for refurbishing? None of the ones I saw on the internet were exchange items. I'll dump them in the council metal waste bin.

Thanks to all for support and encouragement. That is not a job I want to do again in a hurry!
Mike

 

[mrscalex]

It’s hard work with hand tools to compress the springs, especially standard length as they are so long.

I invested in a floor mounted one. I’m not sure I’ll ever get a financial return but it was more health and safety and for speed / sanity.

 

[mrscalex]

And thanks. Yes, anytime in the future for the springs is good.

 

[Bumpa]

It’s hard work with hand tools to compress the springs, especially standard length as they are so long.

I invested in a floor mounted one. I’m not sure I’ll ever get a financial return but it was more health and safety and for speed / sanity.

You are dead right about compressing the spring being hard work. I had two pairs of screw type compressors and some webbing straps, but it still took a lot of effort to get it short enough for the nut to go on top. But I did it. Never underestimate an old guy with time to keep on trying! The most difficult springs I have done were on an Elan Sprint. Those beauties are so long, and too narrow to use ordinary compressor tools. I manufactured a tool with my welder, but it was still really tricky, and quite dangerous.

Why do I always seem to have to do car repairs when the daytime themperature is below 5 degrees? I can't remember ever being warm in the garage.
Mike

 

[DrWong]

Also used two sets of compressors and ratchet straps when I did it. Was the only way I could pull the uppermost coil down enough to get the top nut on. Fitting front springs is bloody terrifying!

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Softies. Try changing the springs on one of these big-boy-toys. 6 sets of coil springs to hold up 50-odd tons. Now, that's what I call scary.

 

[mrscalex]

Why do I always seem to have to do car repairs when the daytime themperature is below 5 degrees? I can't remember ever being warm in the garage.
Mike

Last 2 years I've had a new rule. 10 deg plus or we don't work on the cars. It basically means no action Dec-Feb time. And that's fine as we catch up inside on DIY.

 

[DrWong]

Softies. Try changing the springs on one of these big-boy-toys. 6 sets of coil springs to hold up 50-odd tons. Now, that's what I call scary.
View attachment 132997

Get a ratchet strap on it, be fine

 

[Stevo7682]

@Bumpa good news your zed is back on the road all ready for yet another sunny weekend in Ayrshire
We use twin ram air operated floor mounted compressor so much better than the threaded bar ones although they still have a use done @Scooblitz Montreal zed front springs up in Glasgow in my mums drive.
Stephen.