Bilstein B6 on a 1989 Highline

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Chrisd635
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Bilstein B6 on a 1989 Highline

Post by Chrisd635 »

Please excuse if this is a naïve question but I am lacking in technical knowledge, I have an '89 Highline with all original suspension parts, which need a refresh big time. Should Bilstein B6/HD with Bilstein B3 springs fit on existing mounts or will I need a host of additional parts? I can't see these sold as a set including anything other than shocks and springs. I'd like to do a refresh but not have to change loads of parts (albeit I accept it depends on whatever nasties are found when the current parts are off the car.
Thanks in advance
Chris.
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Da_Hose
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Re: Bilstein B6 on a 1989 Highline

Post by Da_Hose »

My understanding is that if you are replacing original, self-leveling rear shocks then you need new top mounts. If you do not have the factory, self-leveling setup then you can just swap out. I'm pretty sure your highline will have the SLS.

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Re: Bilstein B6 on a 1989 Highline

Post by wattsmonkey »

Hey Chris,

There's a bit of variation between us and uk cars. Put your chassis no (last 7 digits) into real oem for starters. I'm not sure about uk cars and sls.

Walloth&nesch are good for suspension bits.
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Chrisd635
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Re: Bilstein B6 on a 1989 Highline

Post by Chrisd635 »

Thanks, yes it's a UK car. Can't tell if realoem tells me it has sls or just lists every part that could possibly be on the car. I don't know if anyone on here has been to a decent UK specialist to refresh tired suspension?
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sansouci
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Re: Bilstein B6 on a 1989 Highline

Post by sansouci »

There are several BMW VIN DECODER sites that will tell you what you have. They are generally accurate.
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Re: Bilstein B6 on a 1989 Highline

Post by ron »

Chrisd635 wrote:Thanks, yes it's a UK car. Can't tell if realoem tells me it has sls or just lists every part that could possibly be on the car. I don't know if anyone on here has been to a decent UK specialist to refresh tired suspension?
I have never seen a UK car with SLS. If yours has it, there will be various hydraulic parts in your spare wheel.
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Brucey
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Re: Bilstein B6 on a 1989 Highline

Post by Brucey »

The B6s will fit all Series 2 e24 (apart from the rears of M635) that does not have SLS fitted (which a UK car shouldn't have).

I have no idea what B3 springs are but I note that the springs BMW specify vary in length with the build options. If you get the wrong springs the ride height will change. I did a long post about this which included PNs for various BMW springs that fit E24 and could be used to give a different ride height.

Standard BMW springs are progressively wound to give a rising rate and are long enough that you won't get dislocation issues. Post 6/87 springs are different (fewer turns of thinner wire) to pre 6/87 springs but they can be fitted (in sets) to either type of car.

Aftermarket springs are a mixed bag, mostly (IMHO) of shite.

BTW when you buy parts you will need springs and a B6 damper kit. You will also need

- rear bumpstops
- rear protection tubes (if the old ones are not serviceable)
- top mounts all round unless the original ones are perfect (unlikely, so front and rear probably)
- rubber spring mounting pads (4 off front, 4 off rear; NB front ones are available in different thicknesses to tailor ride height)
- front 'top hats' if the originals are corroded
- various nuts and washers if they don't come with the struts and the old ones are in poor condition

In addition there is no point in fitting nice springs and dampers to knackered suspension/steering linkages etc. Think about getting new/upgraded control arm bushings and checking all the ball joints in the steering (the centre link in the steering of a RHD car is almost certain to be defective), the steering box mountings (the subframe cracks), the steering box itself (for free play) the steering column (for free play in the telescopic joint and/or the couplings) and the rubbers that located the rear trailing arms and subframe.

Quite a lot to do. BTW maybe I'm fussy but I've only driven a few E24s that I thought steered properly.....

cheers
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