Does the 2.2 sport have the lower sports sprigs as standard fit
Sport Spring replacement discussion
- Thread starter mrscalex
- Start date
For what it may be worth I asked Ross at Cotswold BMW for the part numbers of the springs for my cars and ended up with this.
It doesn't cover pre-facelift and there may be other facelift types.
But the bizarre point I was trying to prove was that Sport cars with aircon left the factory with different front springs!
The other useful thing I learnt was that all types listed above use the same spring pads.
It doesn't cover pre-facelift and there may be other facelift types.
But the bizarre point I was trying to prove was that Sport cars with aircon left the factory with different front springs!
The other useful thing I learnt was that all types listed above use the same spring pads.
As for measuring the "rod" used they taper towards the ends (pig tails) so that complicates things too in as how long is the taper and how many coils make up the taper etc.
Tony.
Tony.
A genuine Sport will have springs which are 15mm shorter than a non-Sport.
But that's a genuine Sport. That has option S719A Sport Edition on a vin decoder. Like my 2.2 here:
https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/lk15779
Indeed. But I meant the gauge of the rod rather than the length. My 35 cm (from memory - need to check) for a standard spring is from tip to tip. That's last edge of pig tail to last edge of pig tail. It's a consistent length between BMW springs. It's not consistent between aftermarket spring providers, particularly for the rear.
But the gauge is tapered at the ends. Not so on aftermarket where the use the same diameter from end to end. It's the tapering which gives the progressive suspension isn't it?
Tony.
Tony.
I'm really only talking about a comparison between 2 different springs to identify 4 cylinder v 6, Sport v non-Sport. Just to check what is coming off a car. After 20 years who knows. So indeed, it might be relevant to measure the gauge at 3 or 5 different points. i haven't tried yet to know.
In terms of producing a spec for a new spring to be made the intention was only ever to give them a spring to test and replicate. Which is why I turned off springcoil.co.uk when they just talked about extending their -30mm 'stock' spring.
In all honesty most broken springs have snapped on the narrow section end coils. I can't recall having seen an aftermarket replacement one break again which is likely down to them not having tapered ends.
Tony.
Tony.
If you have the gauge and the number of coils, there are various online calculators to determine the rate. Or at least get you close. From experience the calculators are within 5% of the actual rate as measured on a machine.
I'm told they mostly break at or near the pigtails as that's where most of the instantaneous load is focused. The pigtail is there to spread the load on the seat and isn't counted as a coil apparently. Where you actually start to count from exactly seems to vary from manufacturer.
I'm told they mostly break at or near the pigtails as that's where most of the instantaneous load is focused. The pigtail is there to spread the load on the seat and isn't counted as a coil apparently. Where you actually start to count from exactly seems to vary from manufacturer.
Robert
I had a look on SpringCoil web site and yes they claim making Z3 springs and some on the shelf to order as well ?
I think a very prudent idea to let Lee handle this
after the conversation I had with them 
Oh well done Lee
I had a look on SpringCoil web site and yes they claim making Z3 springs and some on the shelf to order as well ?
I think a very prudent idea to let Lee handle this
after the conversation I had with them Oh well done Lee
Paulro
Zorg Legend
I have a 3L sport with the S719A code and am in the process of replacing my shocks, springs and other bits.
I can't afford (or would really prefer not to have to buy ) rear bmw main dealer springs at £442.00 each and would like to find a good replacement for the fronts which are £184.38.
These are Sopers prices with club discount.
Looks like I can't replace the 15mm sports springs without going main dealer.
I'm also struggling to find Sachs shocks for a 3L. They seem to go to 2.8?
I'm sure with all of your knowledge you can point me in the right direction for good replacement front and rear shocks that are pretty much identical to original spec I'd be grateful because the front and rear shocks are £757 and £975 a pair respectively from bmw.
I'm thinking Bilstein B4 but I'm open to suggestions.
I'm also nearly mid 60's so don't need something so stiff it's going to be uncomfortable?
I can't afford (or would really prefer not to have to buy ) rear bmw main dealer springs at £442.00 each and would like to find a good replacement for the fronts which are £184.38.
These are Sopers prices with club discount.
Looks like I can't replace the 15mm sports springs without going main dealer.
I'm also struggling to find Sachs shocks for a 3L. They seem to go to 2.8?
I'm sure with all of your knowledge you can point me in the right direction for good replacement front and rear shocks that are pretty much identical to original spec I'd be grateful because the front and rear shocks are £757 and £975 a pair respectively from bmw.
I'm thinking Bilstein B4 but I'm open to suggestions.
I'm also nearly mid 60's so don't need something so stiff it's going to be uncomfortable?
If the springs have not broken or cracked why are you changing them?
Tony.
Tony.
Paulro
Zorg Legend
Hi Tony. I don't think the springs have broken.
I started out thinking it would be good to replace as much as I could. BMW told me springs become weaker so that's another reason I guess.
I'm certainly thinking I won't bother if you are suggesting if they are not broken, don't replace them?
P.S the 2.8 shocks are the same they will do the job.
Springs may possibly become weaker over time but I would say that line us more sales talk than real advice to be honest. Shock absorbers certainly do lose effectiveness with use and age so definitely worth refreshing. If it were me I would leave the springs alone. Clean and a coat of paint maybe but that's all.
Tony.
Tony.
Well I will happily take your old Sport springs or anyone else's to use in my projects. Because BMW are the only place you can get -15mm springs from (the point of this thread), they're expensive new and I don't suscribe to the springs becoming weakened to an extent it makes any material difference.
The shocks - Bilstein B4, Sachs or Monroe are all well regarded on this forum.
What Tony said, inspect them first and if no visible signs of failure then no need. Of course if you end up changing the springs you can see from this thread they should fetch a decent price.
Yes you can.
I've just come across this thread and it is highly relevant to me as my genuine 2.2 Sport recently failed the MOT for a broken rear spring. The independent garage I use couldn't get proper sport springs at a sensible price so he put a pair of standard springs on the rear. In my opinion it looks slightly taller at the back but you have to know the cars to spot that. As for ride and handling, on my normal driving I can't notice any difference at all. However, if it became possible to buy real sport springs at a sensible price, I would probably get a set. My car is a 2002 sport 2.2 litre with air con.