How much $ for totally new suspension, dealer-installed?

[Dinoti]

Yo!

Anyone want to share thoughts about replacing the whole bunch of bushings, ball joints, shocks/struts, and springs -- versus just the struts/shocks and springs? I'm in a '96 Active with 116,000 highway miles on the clock.

How important is replacing the bushings? It seems to me I should have it done at the same time - rubber doesn't last forever! Should I do sway bar bushings/mounts? Sub-frame mounts?

Don't I need to replace the control arms to get new ball joints? Should I bother? No symptoms yet, but heck: they're getting old!

I've been thinking Bilstein touring, or the PSS Coil-overs if I want to spend the dough. Is the dealer likely to put them in for me? Are OEM Sport shocks just as good but cheaper?

UPSHOT: What am I likely to have to spend to get the struts/shocks and new springs only, versus getting the whole thing done with all bushings and ball joints (control arms?) at the same time?

The reason I am planning to have the dealer do it is that I trust the mechanics, and I will never have to do this overhaul again, so might as well do it right. Not true?

Any other final thoughts would be appreciated mucholy! :D

Thanks.
Dino

[1996 328ti]

Once I do mods I don't like to look back at the receipts.:cry:

AFAIK, you do not need to replace your control arms to replace your ball joints but it is easier to do them all at once. Your mechanic will appreciate it.

I would replace anything rubber.
Lower control arm bushing can be replaced with solid bushings. In my case I went with 1995 M3 solid offset LCA bushings which required the matching LCA. A noticeable improvement considering my original LCA bushings where completely torn.

Change the sway bar link bushings while you are there.

Check your front wheel bearings too.

It wouldn't hurt to replace you rear subframe bushings and I'd take a close look at the rear shock mounts.

I have no opinions on strut/springs.
To say you will not have to do this again depends on how long you keep your car. Nothing is forever.

[Dinoti]

Thanks, Steve.

I'm thinking "replace all the rubber bits", too. Sway bar link bushings hadn't occurred to me -- thanks! I want to keep some compliance in the ride, so I'm thinking along the lines of stock bushings to prevent jitters over bad asphalt, of which there is plenty here in New England, especially after this winter. :x I am planning to replace all shock/strut mounts at the time, and add the Z3/M Roadster rear reinforcement thingies.

How much of this is DIY? Seems to me that the rear should be pretty easy, but the front requires some special tools. Maybe I'll do the rear and let the dealer do the front.

I suspect at least one front wheel bearing. How much are they to replace?

Sub-frame bushings sound major -- are they way expensive to have done? Can I do them myself? I'm not afraid to turn a wrench on the thing -- do my own brakes, etc. -- but don't have special tools.

Thanks again.
Dino

[1996 328ti]

Sub-frame bushings sound major -- are they way expensive to have done? Can I do them myself? I'm not afraid to turn a wrench on the thing -- do my own brakes, etc. -- but don't have special tools.I am not a DIYer. Subframe bushings require a special tool. You can rent one from http://www.koalamotorsport.com