XSeries-forum

Dealership today for a brake fluid change and an MOT for the X6, i never considered there would be any issues. I was truly shocked to be told it failed on a broken driver side front spring. And to inevitably add value, BMW suggest replacing both sides due to its age. Only 40K miles but UK roads and runflat tyres? I was blissfully unaware of any issue with the suspension.

To say I'm angry wouldn't get near my emotions currently, but now i seek the opinions of others. There's a ten days back order delivery timescale for OE, so alternatives would be good. I wont go to the dealership. They'll charge again for a retest as i took the car away. Ill visit the newly found techie whos worked on the X5.

My options seem to be one OE replacement.

Two OE replacements

A new non OE pair, Eibach or whatever...

What would 'you' do?

Our E46 has broken springs in the past and at similar age/mileage. Second time was the same scenario, at the MOT. Failure was right at the top on both occasions and the car was drivable. Fitted OEM replacements but done by BMW independents both times. No failures since.

Dealer told my wife it was because they used recycled steel. Knowing how steel is made I find that highly unlikely to be the cause. You have to melt it to reform / recycle it.

Still image from the techies video shows a distinct break at the bottom, one coil up.

Thats frustrating but the value adding to service visits is infuriating. Voice commentary on the video suggests replacing both due to age. Paperwork states both need replacing, 'MOT fail'. Service adviser at payment was somewhere in between, only one needs replacing.

Put a call in to discuss this, not had a reply, yet.

One of the challenges with BMW coil springs is that you can’t find a part number on line.

This is because BMW put specific springs on your car the spec of which is determined by what options were added at the original build. The more factory options, the heavier the car, the requirement for different spring design.

It all used to be available on line using BMWs Spring Table. Sadly it’s all now behind paywalls. Non-OEM springs tend to be set at the highest rating (so for the heaviest optioned car) and that can make the ride very harsh (crashy) unless there is some way of fine tuning the dampers.

Dealers can enter your VIN into the tool and it comes back with the correct spring version. There could be as many as 8 - 10 for the X6. Of course main dealers want a lot of money for said bits of bent metal!

Your words point me to having to go with a BMW supplied replacement. I dislike having a gun to my head.🤨

The alternative is to replace both with a known pedigree maker. However, that obviously means doubling the labour costs. Owning a BMW brings pleasure and frustration in equal measure.

The professional after market ones will be just as good, possibly better. I think the better end of the market make adjustable versions that will make up for any other deficiencies in the OEM offerings.

The techie I've started using only likes to work with OE parts. I need to catch up with him next week to seek his opinion on alternatives.

OEM could be ZF, Sachs, Bilstein, KYB or Tenneco. I like OE parts but not from a dealership. Changing the box, and putting a different badge on it does not justify a 100% markup.

Ive found a nearby seller offering Bilstein for under £100 the pair. And others for circa £120 a pair.

The unsolicited dealer quote to replace both front springs is a tad under £720.

Is this really a broken spring? This capture looks very odd to me

I had this happen on my X6 with 89k on the clock...one broken....change both as the other wont be too far behind, went for Bilstein....sold it at 179k on the clock...springs were still fine, even to the point when wiped were still black painted,,,the BM originals were rusted...

That black paint on the genuine springs appears to last very well ,mine have only a little rust and I'm guessing they are still original at 175k, too many speed bumps now is what i blame if you don't slow down enough the springs get a pounding

Oh well, I've had to roll over and go with the main dealer quote as noted above. I looked into various possibilities but none overall were as good. It seems lots of BMW related parts, including non OE, are on back order in Germany.

OE springs are Sachs apparently, and a pair commercially are circa £350 +VAT. This still leaves assorted fixings, top mounts etc and labour of course. I think over £700 is outrageous, but its the price for owning a prestige brand i suppose.

Doesn't mean i like it, but i am resigned to it.

Id have just replaced the broken one and taken my chances which is what bmw would do if under warranty I suspect.

The dealership won't replace just the broken spring. Its a pair or nowt. Age related wear is a reasonable excuse/observation, albeit i dont fully agree. Its the low 40k mileage that makes this hurt so much.

Having finally caught up yesterday with the independent techie I've used recently, I was stunned when he quoted a very similar figure for one OE spring, against the dealers price for the pair. Huge money, imo, for springs but a no brainer if two are similarly priced to just one. And the main dealership maintenance is itself maintained.