Broken Rear Spring ho hum

[NZ_M3]

I have a brand new unused set of CSL shocks and springs in my possession so I know exactly what you are talking about Matt.

I believe the new style CSL shocks have a different valving system compared to the originals - see video below (top new style, bottom old style shocks - both shocks are brand new - notice the rebound differences - this is a valving style difference). If you physically compared the shocks they are constructed differently also.

The original shocks on my car were removed by me when the car had only done 10k km so practically brand new and I can tell you for a fact that the rebound on them were very slow (I have removed enough stock CSL shocks and seen them behave this way enough to know that they were not like your usual shocks and that this characteristics is normal for the original shocks from the CSL)

Video

http://vid115.photobucket.com/albums/n319/M3_Power/Video_zpsehcsacph.mp4

Go grab a set of race shocks from kw or similar style valving and push them down next time and you'll be waiting for eternity for them to rebound.

[CSLManual]

I ordered a pair of rear springs on Thursday and was told 7-10 days. My car won't pass the (expired) MOT without them so let's see what happens. It's currently sitting on the lawn until I get them...

[mattCSLnut]

I have a brand new unused set of CSL shocks and springs in my possession so I know exactly what you are talking about Matt.

I believe the new style CSL shocks have a different valving system compared to the originals - see video below (top new style, bottom old style shocks - both shocks are brand new - notice the rebound differences - this is a valving style difference). If you physically compared the shocks they are constructed differently also.

The original shocks on my car were removed by me when the car had only done 10k km so practically brand new and I can tell you for a fact that the rebound on them were very slow (I have removed enough stock CSL shocks and seen them behave this way enough to know that they were not like your usual shocks and that this characteristics is normal for the original shocks from the CSL)

Video

http://vid115.photobucket.com/albums/n319/M3_Power/Video_zpsehcsacph.mp4

Go grab a set of race shocks from kw or similar style valving and push them down next time and you'll be waiting for eternity for them to rebound.

Good to know we're on the same page and funny you should mention this Tom because the first pair of OEM rear dampers that arrived directly from Germany was a mix of one New (original 2003, 12 year old Old stock) and one revised New (New 2013 New stock) :banghead: Alex (karbonkid) had the same experience, so this may be their unique way of getting rid of old stock
Like youself, I did a comparison rebound test with both of these shock side by side and the original 2003 stock was indeed much slower by comparison to the Newer 2013 revised, almost 50% slower than the other. Obviously I wasn't happy with this so I asked for the parts guy to re order another set but request they are a matching set. In fact I (and my OCD) would have preferred a pair of matching OEM old stock original CSL dampers for absolute originality as they have the correct (slower) rebound, plus the label with "M3 CSL" stamped on them as well as SACHS the OE manufacturer which the newer units don't. The practical me however thought it might be better to have a fresher dampers with newer rubber seals, oils & gasses instead of the 12 year old New old stock. Was that a mistake ? and should I have insisted on a pair of the original Old stock dampers ? :whistle:
Some pix here to show the differences between the two.

[mattCSLnut]

I ordered a pair of rear springs on Thursday and was told 7-10 days. My car won't pass the (expired) MOT without them so let's see what happens. It's currently sitting on the lawn until I get them...

Sounds like they are coming direct from Germany as this is the period I had to wait for my OEM rear dampers recently... twice :banghead: ... although the second time round they arrived within 5 days :smt023 and were a matching pair :thumbs: which was a bonus.

[GregorFuk]

I am planning on doing a suspension refresh this winter and was going to go with OEM dampers as I have no idea what I'm doing with regards to suspension adjustment and figured BMW do.

Seem now like I man not be getting the real deal CSL dampers even if I do go OEM. So what now? Bilstein or Ohlin would be my choice as I don't want to go to full coil overs on the rear but neither of these manufacturers seem to offer a CSL specific kit, they only cater for the normal M3. This bothers me somewhat. Does anybody know if the KW CSL kit differs from their normal M3 offering? And can anybody advise on the above?

[billyboysm3]

So if you order CSL Dampers are you just getting standard Sach shocks?

Just with CSL Part number?

[mattCSLnut]

So if you order CSL Dampers are you just getting standard Sachs shocks?

Just with CSL Part number?

I don't think so Billy. According to Nick @ Elms parts dept. they are still CSL specific although the part number has been changes ever so slightly in the past 12 years (which is quite a common practice) the original being: 3152 2282 507 and the revised : 3352 2282 507.

[mattCSLnut]

I've just checked the current part numbers on RealOEM and the standard E46 M3 Coupe with the same build date as my CSL (July 2003) has a different rear damper part number: 3352 2283 105 as oppose to: 3352 2282 705 which is the current CSL rear damper part number (not the original 2003 item)

[GregorFuk]

I've just checked the current part numbers on RealOEM and the standard E46 M3 Coupe with the same build date as my CSL (July 2003) has a different rear damper part number: 3352 2283 105 as oppose to: 3352 2282 705 which is the current CSL rear damper part number (not the original 2003 item)

And the front?

[cslsuperfan]

suspension info

Matt

Learning has taken place.

Great thread for peeps not in the know.:thumbs:

[CSLManual]

Just (two hours ago) been to pick up my rear springs (ordered Thursday afternoon), so that was quite a bit quicker than 7-10 days!

[mattCSLnut]

And the front?

DIY here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

[NZ_M3]

CSL dampers are shorter than the standard M3 items by quite a bit. Put them side by side and the difference is obvious.

If you order new now you are still getting the same dampers, just constructed differently with different valving system - if you chuck them on the dyno they would read exactly the same as the original dampers - have been meaning to do this actually.

Just because they return from a compressed state differently DOES NOT mean its rebound rate is different. It's the way that valving works - the return rate is still the same. Don't let the way it rebounds makes you think that the energy it takes to extend the shock is different. That IS NOT the rate of rebound and is most certainly not how it is measured!!

[Rick H]

Spring has Sprung :thumbs:

[mattCSLnut]

Matt

Learning has taken place.

Great thread for peeps not in the know.:thumbs:

Feels good doesn't it ? :smokin: