Like driving a new car - changed the shocks !

[Zeuk in Oz]

I know this might sound trivial to those who think all E34s should be lowered and fitted with racing suspension, but I was a little surprised at the effect it had - it absolutely transformed the car.

Got the shocks changed on the 525ix with new stock shocks from Germany via BMA - not many companies, if any, make aftermarket shocks for this car apparently. One of the jobs I pay someone else to do - don't like playing with compressed springs.

The car has only travelled 110,000 km in its 13 years and there was no sign of leakage from them but what a difference - whereas before it was a little floaty in the front it is now as all BMWs should be.

If your car has never had its shocks changed - think about it - you might be surprised. :)

[Dave M]

Congrats on the transformation. Of course I concur as I noticed a dramatic change going from old stock setup to new eibach/boge combo.

Out of interest, are you the only one on the board with an e34 ix?? How many were produced? I've never noticed and would love to see photos of the transfer case / shifter etc.

Dave thinks to himself "What a F'in nerd"

Dave M

[mikeythekidd]

I,too recently replaced my shocks with the lowly OEM Sach/Boge and couldn't be happier with the shocks or the price and service from BMA.

[Sam-Son]

I think mine might be starting to go the car doesn't feel as sharp or stiff as before and it moves aroun abit more over bumps...but what the hell it does have 170000 miles on it

[DanDombrowski]

Good to hear! Since the shocks go bad so slowly, it can be hard to justify new shocks because you never really feel them go bad.

I know my E34 is VERY floaty upfront, and I know the shocks are worn. Unfortuantely, I can't justify replacing them because I really need to just sell the car and stop putting money into it. But good to know!

[Zeuk in Oz]

would love to see photos of the transfer case / shifter etc.

Dave thinks to himself "What a F'in nerd"

Dave M
Dave, I don't have any photos of it but these links to realoem should gibve you some idea how they have engineered it - the driveshaft passes through the sump :

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD72&mospid=47377&btnr=31_0241&hg=31&fg=15

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=HD72&mospid=47377&hg=31&fg=10

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=HD72&mospid=47377&hg=31&fg=05

and it has rack & pinion steering ;

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD72&mospid=47377&btnr=32_0637&hg=32&fg=10

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD72&mospid=47377&btnr=27_0004&hg=27&fg=05

Cheers,

Bo

[Zeuk in Oz]

I wasn't quite sure what to expect as both my other E34 and my E39 have sports suspension so didn't know how much of the floating was normal.

Very pleased with the result.

[Dave M]

Rack and peanut steering? Does is suffer from the same slop our boxes do? Thanks for the links to realoem, I had a good long through your set-up. Been a while since I've shown an interest in those diagrams. You must be tiresd of us always complaining about $hit you don't even have ;)

Are leaks at the sump an issue?

Dave

[Zeuk in Oz]

Rack and peanut steering? Does is suffer from the same slop our boxes do? Thanks for the links to realoem, I had a good long through your set-up. Been a while since I've shown an interest in those diagrams. You must be tiresd of us always complaining about $hit you don't even have ;)

Are leaks at the sump an issue?

Dave
My other E34 is not an ix so I have an interest in most things E34. :)

Apparently sump leaks are rare, and BMW continued with the same theme on their X3 which also has a driveshaft through the sump. The only difference to me is that the sump is larger with larger capacity. :D

I presumed that the steering would be heavier but it is just as direct as my 2WD car. No complaints with either.

My E39 has rack & pinion steering and feels fantastic but I drove a friend's E36 320i the other day which also has rack & pinion but its steering felt terrible - as if it was loose. Have since driven 2 more E36s and they felt the same. I presume it is a matter of different geometry.

[rob101]

how do you mean as if it was loose?

[Zeuk in Oz]

how do you mean as if it was loose?
Not so much play as delayed response followed by over-response. I first thought some ball joints might be worn but then when all 3 seemed the same it might just be how they are.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

As a matter of interest, did you change the strut top bearings? I have the same set up as you but found the tops of the Boge are a larger diameter than the old strut tops, anybody have a part number for the larger ID strut tops? Also the old ones seem to need a narrowed 22mm socket.

[rob101]

Not so much play as delayed response followed by over-response. I first thought some ball joints might be worn but then when all 3 seemed the same it might just be how they are.
yeah that sounds like its either too much toe in or not enough damping

[mattyb]

Hi Zeuk, sorry, I know its OT but i wanted to ask how you went with insurance on the X, a friend has just bought a grey import and told me that he couldnt get insurance because it was a grey import. What was your experience? if possible who did u use?

[Zeuk in Oz]

Sent you a PM Matty.