Re: Bilsteins for e46?

[alex.fadeev@xxxxxxxxxxx]

"Philip Alpatov" <palpatov@domain.elided> wrote:
> I've recently began to notice that the e46 323is that i've owned since
> new does not hold the road with the same "tightness" (for the lack of 
> a better word) as it used to. The car is now 71 K miles old and I 
> suspect that the shocks are worn. 

Philip,
By 71K miles a lot of things may wear out, not just shocks. Take a closer 
look at all rubber suspension bushings (front control arm, rear trailing 
arm, rear shock mounts, diff, etc, etc). 
The Boge/Sacks used in E36 cars were known to go south in 30-60K miles. I 
don't have personal experience with E46s, but would not be terribly 
surprised if they were the same.

> I'm told that due to the suspension design one cannot test the condition
> of the shocks by "bouncing" the car at each "corner". 

You've been told wrong. 
There is nothing magic about BMW suspension design. Coil-over (aka 
MacPherson) front struts. Multi-link rears (shocks and springs are mounted 
separately).

> How do I test the shocks then?

Start with the bounce and visual inspection for leaks.
If that doesn't show any signs of trouble, borrow a similar car from a 
friend or a dealer for comparison.
If your car is a little floaty, bite the bullet and replace the shocks. 
They will go away by 100K miles anyway.

> Also as a long time reader I'm aware of the general attidude toward
> Bilsteins as a superior choice over the stock Boge/Sachs. 

Bilstein and Koni are by far the most popular aftermarket performance 
upgrades. 
Contact one of the following aftermarket suppliers for suggestions:
www.turnermotorsports.com
www.tckline.com

More listed here: www.bmwlinks.com

> The former shock comes in two varieties -- HD and Sport. What is 
> the difference? 

The difference is not constant between different shock models, but in 
general Sports are shorter and a little stiffer.

> WHich one will work better with the optional sport suspension that 
> I've got?

Assuming you are keeping the stock springs, I would stick with HDs.
But before you do anything, do yourself a big favor and come to the local 
BMW CCA chapter meeting. Ask around for what other E46 owners had done to 
their cars. Bum a ride from them and form your own opinion as to which 
aftermarket shock/spring combination you would like to have on your car. 
THEN open the wallet.

HTH,
alex f

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