[JT8Diesel]

Hi guys,

I have a 2016 535d Xdrive with 95k km ~ 60k miles

Turns out my right rear spring is broken. I can't seem to find a part number for the spring on realoem.

So a few questions.

1. Should I change both sides, should I change all four?
2. Should I change out the shocks at the same time?
3. Can anyone help me out with either a spring part number, or recommendations on a whole set?

I'm a middle aged dude who just daily drives the thing. Occasional boot getting on a highway, etc. Comfort is primary for this car. Not looking to lower it, although that might be the only aftermarket option.

Thanks!

[Unspec]

1. At the minimum, change out both sides.

2. I would, since you're already going to be taking them out anyhow

3. For part number, I would call up a dealer. Unsure why BMW is being coy with the coil spring.

[Hoa]

Spring part number is 33536794653.

[JT8Diesel]

Great, thanks for the replies and the part number!

Any thoughts on Bilstein B12's?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6609088

$1100 CAD for the set

I'm just a middle aged white guy looking for a decent ride and no more clunking!

I'd like to be cost conscious without being cheap.

[Surly73]

Sounds like you've already got some advice that would match mine.

From another middle aged white guy who likes a good driving experience and appreciates good engineering and performance:

- as the miles rack up, even though the value of the vehicle goes down, the effects of what I'm going to mention below will increase with age and wear

- you do not want mismatch within your vehicle. A brand new spring on the right side and a 150,000km spring on the left side just isn't going to be "right". It might not even sit level. Replace in pairs.

- Plus, if there is water/salt accumulating somewhere on the rear spring and rusting through, chances are it will affect both sides identically. Replace the pair.

- the factory shocks are weak to begin with. The F10 platform is soft, floaty and underdamped compared to all base model 5s which proceed it. Factory shocks even with as little as 50k km can be 'done' - compressing easily by hand once removed from the car. I've even seen them compress due to gravity alone without pressing on them. Proper damping will improve handling, confidence, "BMWness" and, ironically, comfort. When I replaced factory shocks with Koni Sport adjustables on my E39 at only 105,000km firmness, agility AND comfort increased. The catch is that if your F10 is X-Drive, you have almost no options. This is why I ended up with KW v3s.

- Bilstein is generally good stuff. Heed the X-Drive warning I gave above and be sure they fit your application. When I installed my KWs I only lowered ~25-30mm (higher ride than KW's recommended mid-range) and I wouldn't want it any lower for a daily in Southern Ontario. My theory is that the F10 was designed with large fender gap but still fairly low ground clearance to the belly trays and skirts. I still have one finger fender gap but now my non-sport front lip hits modest driveways, a chunk of snow/ice in the middle of the road will hit belly pans etc... It looks higher than my E39 w/sport package was but hits more stuff.

[JT8Diesel]

Originally Posted by Surly73

Sounds like you've already got some advice that would match mine.

From another middle aged white guy who likes a good driving experience and appreciates good engineering and performance:

- as the miles rack up, even though the value of the vehicle goes down, the effects of what I'm going to mention below will increase with age and wear

- you do not want mismatch within your vehicle. A brand new spring on the right side and a 150,000km spring on the left side just isn't going to be "right". It might not even sit level. Replace in pairs.

- Plus, if there is water/salt accumulating somewhere on the rear spring and rusting through, chances are it will affect both sides identically. Replace the pair.

- the factory shocks are weak to begin with. The F10 platform is soft, floaty and underdamped compared to all base model 5s which proceed it. Factory shocks even with as little as 50k km can be 'done' - compressing easily by hand once removed from the car. I've even seen them compress due to gravity alone without pressing on them. Proper damping will improve handling, confidence, "BMWness" and, ironically, comfort. When I replaced factory shocks with Koni Sport adjustables on my E39 at only 105,000km firmness, agility AND comfort increased. The catch is that if your F10 is X-Drive, you have almost no options. This is why I ended up with KW v3s.

- Bilstein is generally good stuff. Heed the X-Drive warning I gave above and be sure they fit your application. When I installed my KWs I only lowered ~25-30mm (higher ride than KW's recommended mid-range) and I wouldn't want it any lower for a daily in Southern Ontario. My theory is that the F10 was designed with large fender gap but still fairly low ground clearance to the belly trays and skirts. I still have one finger fender gap but now my non-sport front lip hits modest driveways, a chunk of snow/ice in the middle of the road will hit belly pans etc... It looks higher than my E39 w/sport package was but hits more stuff.

All great input, thanks. As a minimum I'll be replacing both rear springs. Looking into options for shocks now. After your point re: X-Drive, it seems that Bilstein set is for non-X Drive. What are the differences in shocks / springs for XDrive vs. Non-XDrive, is it just height?

Thanks.

The search continues.

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by JT8Diesel

What are the differences in shocks / springs for XDrive vs. Non-XDrive, is it just height?

The difference is in the front. The height is taller and the strut design is different to make way for the front axle to pass through it.

[JT8Diesel]

Originally Posted by Hoa

The difference is in the front. The height is taller and the strut design is different to make way for the front axle to pass through it.

Makes sense, thanks.

Any ideas on where I can best research / discover my options?

US or Canadian stores are both viable options.

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by JT8Diesel

Any ideas on where I can best research / discover my options?

US or Canadian stores are both viable options.

There's not much options for xDrive. The only two companies I know of are KW V3 and Godspeed MonoMAXX. There might be more but KW V3 is the best option but it is on the more expensive side. You do get what you paid for though. Ride quality is much better over bumps and handles great.

[JT8Diesel]

Well I ended up ordering the Maxx ones.

$1500 taxed and shipped. We'll see how installation goes when they get here.

Thanks for your help everyone.

[Blue Angel]

These "look" the same as the Silvers Neomax coilovers I installed. Whether they're the same internally or not, I don't know. A friend of mine has those Godspeed coilovers in his car and he likes them. I haven't ridden in his car to judge the ride. We're both 535dx in Ottawa.

I find the Neomax are light on low speed compression damping, and I need to keep the rebound setting quite high to maintain body control. It's much firmer riding than stock the way I have it set, a little firmer than I'd like to be honest.

Comfort improves at lower settings but body control is worse.

Now that I think of it, the Godspeed have 40 settings and the Neomax have 24, so something's different between them. Maybe the Godspeed is valved better? They both use the same standard spring rates.

[jimjaxx]

fantastic thread
Ive been able to gain some facts

[JT8Diesel]

Well, springs / struts arrive Monday. Single use bolts / nuts arrived last week. Fingers crossed that things go smoothly!

[Blue Angel]

Looking forward to your impressions!

[OrcaPod]

Originally Posted by JT8Diesel

Well, springs / struts arrive Monday. Single use bolts / nuts arrived last week. Fingers crossed that things go smoothly!

hi JT8Diesel , where did your order springs/struts from? I'm in Toronto and looking for the front/rear set for my RWD F10 2011 528i.

[Blue Angel]

Originally Posted by JT8Diesel

Well, springs / struts arrive Monday. Single use bolts / nuts arrived last week. Fingers crossed that things go smoothly!

How did these turn out? Impressions?