To self-level or not to self-level...

[Whit]

To self-level or not to self-level, that is the question. My 750il seems to have most of the LAD suspension in it. But it is not hooked up. No shocks/struts with hydraulic fittings and no high pressure lines from the accumulator bombs to the shocks/struts. The pentosin resevoir is there. Apparently, the previous owner in Japan disconnected the LAD and put in regular shocks to lower the car.
Right now it has the wrong shocks with the stock springs and it rides too low (like crap) and bottoms out over speed bumps. Do I convert to manual set-up or go for the real deal? Where can I get the hydraulic shocks and the missing lines? I need a decent price with shipping to the Philippines. I have read that used hydraulic shocks are OK with good boots. Yes or no? I will consider the LAD if I can hook it up for about the same cost as the manual set-up, as cost is a factor. My wife and I have a driver while we are living in the Philippines, so ride quality in the back is important. What else does Pentosin control in the car? Ahhh!

[shogun]

I understand, and that on bumpy roads.
First of all have a look at my website. There is a wonderful long training manual for the EDC and LAD (in German = Niveauregulierung). It is in German, but there are plenty of cross section drawings, system explanation etc.
There you will also see for what the Pentosin is also still in charge. That means power steering and brake booster system.

click here (http://tridem.han-solo.net/auto/erich/edc/edc.htm)

The basic idea for the LAD is to keep the car always at the same level at the rear. That is all. It has basically not that much to do with the comfortable ride. A shock just softens the movements. The main thing are the springs. Many owners in Japan have terribly lowered their cars, just for the looks and they even cannot drive over small bumbs at normal speed.
Used LAD shocks will cost you at least 200 $, even in Japan which is closest.
New ones I found for my car are about $ 320,- for one. Then you need 2 rear 'bombs" each about 120,- $. Plus the hydraulic lines etc.
check here for used parts (http://www.theeurodepot.com/newBMWparts.html)
BMW online vendor list. check prices here (http://home.earthlink.net/~hainesinutah/bmwvendors/)

I my opinion it costs too much to re-design to LAD. What you want, is comfortable ride. Install stock springs from BMW.
In addition you could also install a thing which not so many people know. The Eastern European version had additional spacers at the rear to keep the car higher on bumpy streets.. People in Germany use it for example when they use the car often with a boat trailer or camping car. Here I (on the German board my real name Erich is shown) have explained it a bit
have a look here (http://www.7-forum.com/forum/showthread.html?t=30316&highlight=Osteuropa)
Some general info on suspension options (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/suspensions.htm)

So just buy some standard shocks and standard springs, that is easy to install and very cheap. If you want to have the rear higher, use the parts for Eastern European version. Note down the part numbers required for that, not many people know these.
As for available shocks and springs, look for example at
http://www.bavauto.com
Maybe you go for Bilstein or Koni. Excerpt from the description:
Bilstein street shocks will gave you an unparalleled combination of comfort and control when paired with BMW springs. Thanks to a patented oil and nitrogen gas design, Bilstein shocks reduce body roll to deliver exceptional road handling and cornering stability. They also reduce wear and tear on steering and suspension components and increase tire life by dampening wheel movements on the roughest roads and in the tightest corners. Superior design, precision manufacturing and attention to quality are Bilstein’s high-pressure gas street shocks are known as the world’s top performing street shocks.
http://www.bavauto.com/assets/product_images/dept_headers/bilstmove.gif
There are plenty here on offer in Japan.

If you have more questions, just let me know.

[Whit]

Wow. Great info. The LAD has been disconnected I found out--for quite some time. There are Bilsteen shocks and springs that sit low in the rear. The front tires have a gap between the top of the tire and wheel well lip on the fender. They sit higher. The rear has no gap and sits much lower. Maybe 2 inches lower! I think if I put on longer springs I might be OK.
There is so much info, what springs should I get? I would like a higher ride height closer to stock. A little lower is OK, but I can't scrape on the speedbumps anymore. Labor is cheap here, so I will take it to a suspension shop here in the Philippines. What springs do I tell them to put on or to order for me? Sorry, I am looking for the "order this/try this" answer...thanks!

[shogun]

this link seems to be quite cheap:
shocks
http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.com/parts/autopartswarehouse/wizard.jsp?year=1989&make=BM&model=750-IL-001&category=L&part=Shock+Absorber

http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.com/parts/autopartswarehouse/wizard.jsp?year=1989&make=BM&model=750-IL-001&category=L&part=Strut+Insert

Go to
http://www.bavauto.com
click suspension, use year and model or type in the word or this p/n
BMW Factory Coil Spring - Rear ( sold individually ) - 2 required * only for use with Bavarian Autosport Self Levelling Elimination Kit ( rear shocks must be purchased separately )
Part # : 33 53 1 132 693 $ 99.95
http://www.bavauto.com/assets/product_images/hardpart/33531132693.jpg

[shogun]

http://www.bavauto.com/assets/product_images/hardpart/31331134086.jpg
Part Number Description Price
31 33 1 134 086 Upper Shock Tower Bearing - $119.95
Also available from bavauto.
These are from the front, same is available for the rear.

Just in case it sometimes 'klong's/click's" in that area.
You can see them for the front when you open the hood.
The rear ones are more difficult get get to. See links above.

[Whit]

Thanks!