[///miami_M]

So it's almost time to replace the front EDC front struts on my M Sport. I had a connection at my local BMW Dealer that quoted me employee pricing of $642 per leg when I was ready. It's tax time and I am making out ok this year so I decided its time to purchase only to find out that my connection has left the dealership, which means so has my "special pricing" so this brings me to my question, I found a set of used EDC struts out of a breaker with 96k km on them for about $750 + $50 shipping. My mechanic has advised me not to by the used ones as I may only get a year or so out of them, I am not in a position right now to buy the EDC Struts at dealer cost of $1102 per side. What is the general consensus on picking up the used ones as a hold over till next year when it will be a better time to afford the dealer price.

 

[Montanvs]

Why not just replace the seals? Might not be perfect, but will cost less, and you won't be dealing with a pair of struts that have 96k. Mine have 100k, and are getting tired already.....So you mechanic is probably right in regards to the 96k ones

 

[///miami_M]

Why not just replace the seals? Might not be perfect, but will cost less, and you won't be dealing with a pair of struts that have 96k. Mine have 100k, and are getting tired already.....So you mechanic is probably right in regards to the 96k ones

there are no places in the USA that will attempt replacing the seals. I would go that route in a heartbeat! I have been trying to contact Sportline in the UK via email and phone calls, however they have not responded to any emails nor have they returned any calls.

 

[Montanvs]

Another member posted (JohnR) this on this forum.


Fluid Power - The Hydraulic Seals Specialists

[email protected]
4 seal kits for $50 including shipping

Haven't done it myself, but he seemed to have some success with it.....

 

[///miami_M]

Another member posted (JohnR) this on this forum.


Fluid Power - The Hydraulic Seals Specialists

[email protected]
4 seal kits for $50 including shipping

Haven't done it myself, but he seemed to have some success with it.....

i actually spoke with someone that did this but it only works for the rear sls/edc shocks as they unscrew to come apart, whereas the fronts are welded so that would need to be broken first then they would need to be welded back together. I have researched all this... BMW really has us over a barrel on this one.

 

[kiudog]

what about getting aftermarket coil overs? get rid of that EDC system for good....

i did using Ground Control ones and some more people i know did it with success.

 

[///miami_M]

what about getting aftermarket coil overs? get rid of that EDC system for good....

i did using Ground Control ones and some more people i know did it with success.

not an option for this car, being one of only 200 cars sent to the US, it would be irresponsible to destroy what the car is all about, if that was going to be the case, I could have just purchased a regular 540i for half the cost and modded it out with the money saved. This car came with EDC, it will stay with EDC. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[JohnR]

Yes I have replaced the rear seals takes some time but pretty strait forward. I think that redoing the fronts should be easier ( less things to remove and take apart). The seals are not expensive at all from Fluid Power - The Hydraulic Seals Specialists. Hope this helps!!
JohnR

 

[///miami_M]

Yes I have replaced the rear seals takes some time but pretty strait forward. I think that redoing the fronts should be easier ( less things to remove and take apart). The seals are not expensive at all from Fluid Power - The Hydraulic Seals Specialists. Hope this helps!!
JohnR

we looked at a set of fronts to see how hard it would be to rebuild and saw that the top is welded together, the tack welds would need to be broken then re welded upon rebuild. No one seems to want to tackle that, plus my mechanic (a BMW tech) thinks that they are not only filled with oil, but also gas pressurized. I called several shock and hydraulic companies here in the States and no one is willing to do it, thats why when I saw the threads about Sportline, I became hopeful of an alternative to replacement. Sportline does not return calls or emails so that squashes that idea. I guess at this point I am gonna just drive it as is till I absolutely have to spend the money for new ones.

 

[Luxauto]

Keep trying with sportsline- I never had much luck with email either, but did get phonecalls answered when I called during business hours. If you're in Florida you need to be calling well before noon to catch them before they close for the day! As I recall they charged ~200 sterling each for rears, plus some new parts. Freight wasn't cheap either, but all in I think I spent about 1/2 of replacing new.

I had them rebuild a used set of rears I bought from a member in Europe as mine had started leaking with less than 100,000KMs on them. For that reason alone, I wouldn't assume the used set you are looking at will last any longer- these cars need to be driven, so low mileage often means leaks from lack of use!

 

[M540i LE]

Have you shopped around on prices? BMAparts (email [email protected]) and Pelican parts usually can significantly udercut the dealers prices. Worth a try.

And I agree with you. It is the late E34 M5 chassis that makes the M540i/M-Sport/540iLE's the special cars they are. It is worth the investment to keep them special.

Good luck.

 

[///miami_M]

Have you shopped around on prices? BMAparts (email [email protected]) and Pelican parts usually can significantly udercut the dealers prices. Worth a try.

And I agree with you. It is the late E34 M5 chassis that makes the M540i/M-Sport/540iLE's the special cars they are. It is worth the investment to keep them special.

Good luck.

Good idea, thanks! I am amazed at the people that tell me to rip the system out and do coil overs or other set ups. Granted it is pricey to replace the EDC components but it is what separates the car from the rest. Plus a properly functioning EDC system puts the other suspension set ups to shame.

 

[kalevera]

They are on order by AG/out of stock (both front sides) worldwide until early April, anyway. I sell them for about $860 a side.

Keep in mind that you'll also need new hub/bearing assemblies.

 

[///miami_M]

They are on order by AG/out of stock (both front sides) worldwide until early April, anyway. I sell them for about $860 a side.

Keep in mind that you'll also need new hub/bearing assemblies.

Yes I am aware of them being out of stock till April 4th. My local dealer has given me a price of $731.50 per side for the fronts, which I think is the best price I will find, so I went ahead and ordered them and paid. all together the total came out to $1680.92 including both hub/bearings, new bump stops and new rubber boots. do not think anyone will beat that price, if you can, let me know so I can cancel the order and get my money back. Thanks for the info. (i previously 2 weeks ago did the new strut mounts as mine were dangerously cracked)

 

[Elekta]

If I may ask a dumb question, what all do you get for $1600+ dollars? EDC shocks and springs too?

 

[///miami_M]

If I may ask a dumb question, what all do you get for $1600+ dollars? EDC shocks and springs too?

as I said above EDC struts, hub/bearings, bump stops and rubber dust boots. Bear in mind that EDC struts list for $1141.00 each for the fronts, Hubs/bearings go for $221 list and bump stops and boots are minimally priced. Springs are not included. so to score the whole set up for $1600+ is a great deal. EDC can only be purchased through BMW, it is not available in the aftermarket so pricing is at the discretion of your local parts manager at the dealership or an employee that is willing to purchase with their discount. Fortunately for me, I have spent so much over the years at this dealer between my E30 and E36 that the parts manager cut me a good deal, I was not sure at the time I made this thread it was going to happen that way because the person that was going to give me the great pricing left working there. Although I did not get the price I was originally quoted by the former employee, it is close enough within reason and the best price I have ben quoted since.

 

[Elekta]

Thanks. Is it a mistake not to change the springs too, since everything else will be new at that point? I was told that if you did the rear EDC's on a touring you should change everything to new as you wouldn't really do all that dis-assembly again in the life of the car if you were lucky

 

[///miami_M]

Thanks. Is it a mistake not to change the springs too, since everything else will be new at that point? I was told that if you did the rear EDC's on a touring you should change everything to new as you wouldn't really do all that dis-assembly again in the life of the car if you were lucky

I have always been of the belief that if the springs are still good and not fatigued, then there is no need to replace them, this philosophy was confirmed by my mechanic who is also a BMW tech and very familiar with the EDC set up. when he replaced my strut mounts 2 weeks ago, he evaluated the springs and advised me that they did not need to be replaced when the struts are done.

 

[dj leethal]

Yes I am aware of them being out of stock till April 4th. My local dealer has given me a price of $731.50 per side for the fronts, which I think is the best price I will find, so I went ahead and ordered them and paid. all together the total came out to $1680.92 including both hub/bearings, new bump stops and new rubber boots. do not think anyone will beat that price, if you can, let me know so I can cancel the order and get my money back. Thanks for the info. (i previously 2 weeks ago did the new strut mounts as mine were dangerously cracked)

So that is why I have not received my EDC struts yet.

 

[David Chen]

Speaking of the hub/bearing assembly, when mine were replaced a couple of years ago, nobody at 3 different parts desks were able to source or even find the part number for the original one with the two locating pins that holds the floating rotor in place. Because the set screw is also in a different location, now the front rotor can shift out of position when the wheel is removed. This means I need to grow a fourth hand to mount a wheel without cussing.

Aloha,

David
M540i #24