Sport Pkg Suspension: Any Value?

[CMOS]

I'm thinking of putting in aftermarket springs, struts, shocks and sways. Is there any market for the stock components from a 330i sport package? (~7500 miles, 2003)

I think the front struts are dismantled in the install process. But would there be a market (on eBay or the like) for the SP springs, rear shocks, etc?

Would anyone w/o sport package on a 330 or 325 be interested in the parts if it they were priced to move?

The main problem would be the costs of install. Why pay for hours of labor to install stock 330 SP equipment? Once you are into the labor costs, you might as well install some more aggresstive aftermarket components.

Any opinions welcome!

-CMOS

[Desertnate]

Originally posted by CMOS
I'm thinking of putting in aftermarket springs, struts, shocks and sways. Is there any market for the stock components from a 330i sport package? (~7500 miles, 2003)

I think the front struts are dismantled in the install process. But would there be a market (on eBay or the like) for the SP springs, rear shocks, etc?

I could image that someone w/o sport package on a 330 or 325 might be interested in the parts if it they were priced to move. The main problem would be the costs of install. Why pay for hours of labor to install stock 330 SP equipment? Once you are into the labor costs, you might as well install some more aggresstive aftermarket components.

Any opinions welcome!

-CMOS

All 330's come with the SP supension regardless of what package is ordered so I don't see there being much of a 330 market for the parts. As for the 325's I don't know the compatability of the parts, but I would think that if someone is going to be shelling out the money for suspension parts they would be looking towards aftermarket anyway rather than upgrading from standard OEM to SP OEM components.

[drmwvr]

I would thinkg that the 330 sport suspension would not work well with the 325 because of the different spring rates used to adjust for the heavier motor. Back when I had an A4, this was an issue for people who where trying to swap suspensions between A4s with 1.8T, 2.8 and S4 motors. There could also be issues between coupe, sedan and wagon suspensions as well :dunno:

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Originally posted by drmwvr
I would thinkg that the 330 sport suspension would not work well with the 325 because of the different spring rates used to adjust for the heavier motor. Back when I had an A4, this was an issue for people who where trying to swap suspensions between A4s with 1.8T, 2.8 and S4 motors. There could also be issues between coupe, sedan and wagon suspensions as well :dunno:

Last I checked, the motors weighed the same.

[drmwvr]

Originally posted by Nick325xiT 5spd
Last I checked, the motors weighed the same.

Good point, I just checked the BMW site and the curb weight difference between a 330 manual and a 325 manual is only 66 pounds :yikes: I am sure that changes somewhat based on options, but suggests that the 2.5 and 3.0 motors should be close in weight...

[The HACK]

Originally posted by drmwvr
I would thinkg that the 330 sport suspension would not work well with the 325 because of the different spring rates used to adjust for the heavier motor. Back when I had an A4, this was an issue for people who where trying to swap suspensions between A4s with 1.8T, 2.8 and S4 motors. There could also be issues between coupe, sedan and wagon suspensions as well :dunno:

330 springs, shocks and sways are identical to 325 parts. Sedan springs, shocks and sways are identical to coupe parts.

Almost ALL of the 330i/Ci suspension can be bolted directly onto the 325i sans sports package, and is identical to the 325i sports and ZHP suspension parts.:thumbup:

[chrischeung]

When I took the Munich factory tour last year, the guide, retired BMW engineer, mentioned that springs are different not just by model, but also by specific options. This is perhaps one of the reasons that dealers want your VIN before looking up parts, to make sure car specific items are accurate?

One way would be to look at the spring P/N for a stripped manual 325i, and thos for a auto 325i PP/SP etc., fully loaded.

[PhilH]

If I recall correctly, the sport suspension was an option in the first year of the 330i in the US (2001). The sport suspension was made standard in 2002.

[CMOS]

Just to be sure... are you saying the ZHP suspension is identical to the SP suspension? I understand that the ZHP suspension is tighter than the SP suspension. If the parts are identical, how is this enhanced firmness achieved?


Originally posted by The HACK
330 springs, shocks and sways are identical to 325 parts. Sedan springs, shocks and sways are identical to coupe parts.

Almost ALL of the 330i/Ci suspension can be bolted directly onto the 325i sans sports package, and is identical to the 325i sports and ZHP suspension parts.:thumbup:

[The HACK]

Originally posted by CMOS
Just to be sure... are you saying the ZHP suspension is identical to the SP suspension? I understand that the ZHP suspension is tighter than the SP suspension. If the parts are identical, how is this enhanced firmness achieved?

Mr. Paddleshift has "access" to the latest ETK and confirmed that ZHP suspension parts are identical to normal sports suspension.

I suspect the bushings may have been redesigned to make the suspension feel stiffer, however the bushings are not part of the springs/shocks/sways package. I'll have the right parties check it out.

Originally posted by chrischeung
When I took the Munich factory tour last year, the guide, retired BMW engineer, mentioned that springs are different not just by model, but also by specific options. This is perhaps one of the reasons that dealers want your VIN before looking up parts, to make sure car specific items are accurate?

One way would be to look at the spring P/N for a stripped manual 325i, and thos for a auto 325i PP/SP etc., fully loaded.

Yes. All the suspension parts are specifically tuned to model and options. Model meaning the 3 series, option meaning sports suspension, AWD, M...etc. All the suspension geometry on the 3 series (except ///M and Xi models) are nearly identical. The only difference between the i, Ci, and iT is the shape of the control arms, all other parts share IDENTICAL parts.

The only reason they ask for your VIN to look up parts, is because it's how the ETK is set up.

[GJM325i]

Originally posted by CMOS
I'm thinking of putting in aftermarket springs, struts, shocks and sways. Is there any market for the stock components from a 330i sport package? (~7500 miles, 2003)

I think the front struts are dismantled in the install process. But would there be a market (on eBay or the like) for the SP springs, rear shocks, etc?

Would anyone w/o sport package on a 330 or 325 be interested in the parts if it they were priced to move?

-CMOS

Have a 2002 325i w/o SP. Priced to move, i'd be interested:thumbup:

[AlexM520]

Originally posted by The HACK
Mr. Paddleshift has "access" to the latest ETK and confirmed that ZHP suspension parts are identical to normal sports suspension.
..............
..............
IYes. All the suspension parts are specifically tuned to model and options. Model meaning the 3 series, option meaning sports suspension, AWD, M...etc. All the suspension geometry on the 3 series (except ///M and Xi models) are nearly identical. The only difference between the i, Ci, and iT is the shape of the control arms, all other parts share IDENTICAL parts.
..............


HACK,

I have a very hard time believing that ZHP suspension is the same as normal sports suspension. I am currently driving 330Ci with M-sport package (Canada), which suppose to have the same firmer suspension as ZHP (US), and it drives completely different to my previous 328Ci (2000) that came with Sport suspension.

Current car feels much firmer, no body roll in cornering (I tracked both cars so I am not talking here about slow 50-70km/hr turns) ...it's like a different car.

I tried to measure the sway bars on the new one and I it looks like the same width as before, so my conclusion there are new springs in the new suspension.


AlexM520

[numbersguy]

You asked if the parts have any value. They might be more valuable to the next owner of your car than anybody else. Some people like to buy things that are all original or that can be put back in original condition in the future if desired. And if the parts are option-specific as somebody suggested, well it would sure be a lot easier to restore the car using the takeoff parts than guessing at which parts to go looking for.

[CMOS]

Good point. However, I'm not sure that would work with a 2003 330i suspension. Used 330s are not hard to come by. If a buyer didn't want the aftermarket suspension, it might be cheaper for the buyer to find a car without such a mod than to buy a car and pay for the stock suspension to be put back on.

But I suppose if I had the right car at the right price and the only hangup was the aftermarket suspension, then the original parts might be helpful.

On a related note, I don't think that BMW has helped my residuals much lately. I've got a 2003 330i 5sp. Now that the 6sp is standard and the ZHP is available, in two years, when 5sp, 6sp and ZHP are all on the market as used, I think the 5sp values will get somewhat depressed no?

Originally posted by numbersguy
You asked if the parts have any value. They might be more valuable to the next owner of your car than anybody else. Some people like to buy things that are all original or that can be put back in original condition in the future if desired. And if the parts are option-specific as somebody suggested, well it would sure be a lot easier to restore the car using the takeoff parts than guessing at which parts to go looking for.

[Jon325iT]

Mr. Paddleshift has "access" to the latest ETK and confirmed that ZHP suspension parts are identical to normal sports suspension.

I suspect the bushings may have been redesigned to make the suspension feel stiffer, however the bushings are not part of the springs/shocks/sways package. I'll have the right parties check it out.



Yes. All the suspension parts are specifically tuned to model and options. Model meaning the 3 series, option meaning sports suspension, AWD, M...etc. All the suspension geometry on the 3 series (except ///M and Xi models) are nearly identical. The only difference between the i, Ci, and iT is the shape of the control arms, all other parts share IDENTICAL parts.

The only reason they ask for your VIN to look up parts, is because it's how the ETK is set up.


Sorry to revive an old thread but I found this post by the Hack very interesting. I've been looking into upgrading my wagon's suspension and I was under the impression that the touring suspension is different than the other models. I'm about to purchase some sports package shocks/springs and on the shock label it says "touring." I'm just curious because obviously there is a much bigger market out there for non touring specific suspensions.

[fu98]

i am pretty sure he was proven to be 125 percent wrong as two boys doing the nasty... lol