[Tcheb]

I want to return my 2012 328i xdrive E91 to stock suspension.

How do I know what the part numbers are? RealOEM doesn't list them and info on most online stores is very confusing.

Also, what is the difference between Heavy duty and not?
Thanks!

[TunafishE93]

I would go with the part numbers from FCP Euro..
Front springs 31336769915
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...769915#fitment

Front left strut 31316796467 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ve-31316796467

Front right strut 31316796468 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ve-31316796468

Rear springs 33536767341 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ve-33536767341

Rear shocks 33526796470 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ar-33526796470

[Tcheb]

Thanks! That's really helpful!

Does anyone know a good aftermarket setup that maintains factory ride height? I'm ok with stiffer as long as it doesn't lower it.

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by Tcheb

Thanks! That's really helpful!

Does anyone know a good aftermarket setup that maintains factory ride height? I'm ok with stiffer as long as it doesn't lower it.

Dinan and BMW performance springs are both very close to stock height, though I'm not sure if they make them for XI. I don't know of anything higher than those.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Tcheb

I want to return my 2012 328i xdrive E91 to stock suspension.

How do I know what the part numbers are? RealOEM doesn't list them and info on most online stores is very confusing.

Also, what is the difference between Heavy duty and not?
Thanks!

For non x-drive E82 and E9x, the spring part no's vary depending on the options (weight) on the car. I'd think the same case for x-drive.

Call a dealer with you VIN and ask them to run it in the spring selector and give you the part number and the alpha-numeric code in case you want to search for used springs.

[Efthreeoh]

I recently did the same thing and returned my car to the factory sport suspension, new struts, shocks and springs. I found the spring numbers on getbmwparts.com website. You can check using your VIN

[Efthreeoh]

OP, are you DIY'ing the install?

[Tcheb]

Yes. DIY

And I did enter my vin in realoem but the spring section was empty

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Tcheb

Yes. DIY

And I did enter my vin in realoem but the spring section was empty

Yes realOEM doesn't have spring P/Ns. getbmwparts is a dealership that sells BMW parts on line. Their parts system has suspension spring part numbers.

Do you have a good spring compressor tool? The cheap-shit ones from autozone don't work on BMW struts very well.

[tcphoto]

I borrowed the Autozone spring compressor last week to install my Supreme Power lowering perches and felt as though I was at risk. After pulling everything and trying to assemble the strut, I took everything to a local garage and had them use their professional compressor.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I recently did the same thing and returned my car to the factory sport suspension, new struts, shocks and springs. I found the spring numbers on getbmwparts.com website. You can check using your VIN

You post your impressions on this somewhere? Would like to hear your thoughts as you’ve had a couple different set ups.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I borrowed the Autozone spring compressor last week to install my Supreme Power lowering perches and felt as though I was at risk. After pulling everything and trying to assemble the strut, I took everything to a local garage and had them use their professional compressor.

I just did my suspension last weekend. I bought the ECS Schwaben-branded spring compressor. Great tool. Worked perfectly. Takes a bit of practice to figure out the best way to use it.

ES# 2918793.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by tlow98

You post your impressions on this somewhere? Would like to hear your thoughts as you’ve had a couple different set ups.

I've not yet had it aligned. But it is the same setup from what came frome the factory when I bought my car new, so I'm familiar with it already.

The new setup just installed felt a bit softer than the H&R/Bilstein B8, but more compliant, which was what I was after. The B8s got to harsh and bouncy after 70,000 miles. And the springs just kept dropping over time.

[tcphoto]

Yes, the Schwaben tool looks to be a good choice especially when used with an impact wrench.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I just did my suspension last weekend. I bought the ECS Schwaben-branded spring compressor. Great tool. Worked perfectly. Takes a bit of practice to figure out the best way to use it.

ES# 2918793.

This type of spring compressor works great with our cars. You can also rent similar ones at Autozone. Was surprised they had this type as well as the normal (aka, terrible ones) as well.

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I've not yet had it aligned. But it is the same setup from what came frome the factory when I bought my car new, so I'm familiar with it already.

The new setup just installed felt a bit softer than the H&R/Bilstein B8, but more compliant, which was what I was after. The B8s got to harsh and bouncy after 70,000 miles. And the springs just kept dropping over time.

Sounds like the ideal setup. The factory does a pretty darn good job.Do you think it was dropping over time due to bumps stop wear? I'm pretty sure that's why the rear of my wagon kept dropping. Basically sits on the bump stops from the factory and those bump stops were completely trashed @ 110k on my car.

[3PedalJake]

If you have the space to store it a floor standing model is the mack daddy of spring compressors, and less expensive than the Schwaben tool, this one was $120. It is effortless and not at all terrifying like the hook type screw cheap ones, the only drawback is where to put it when you're not compressing springs.

[Tcheb]

Thanks for all the info! I'll order that Schwaben tool. They have it at Pelican which is closer to me. I have the cheapo spring compressor and I always feel like I have to say a prayer when I use it.

[drawz]

FYI xi springs are even harder to compress because they're so short (the whole strut is shorter to make room for the front axle). I have a spring compressor that's the same style as the referenced Schwaben and found it much easier to compress from the strut mount using the adapter below. Note that this adapter is intended for e39/e46 struts, but it worked fine for me on my e90 xi and e60 xi.

I of course take no responsibility if you hurt yourself or break something using this tool!

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800062~bav/