What's involved in suspension install?

[Hellrot Sachin]

Debating KWv3 vs. HAS. I read somewhere that the rear seats would have to be removed for the former? My shop swears they don't. What is involved for each and what labor time were ya'll charged? Thanks.

[M5Beast_NYC]

Some shops have removed the rear by opening the rear speaker grills. I haven't tackled it myself to confirm but from the YouTube I've seen its possible.

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by Hellrot Sachin

Debating KWv3 vs. HAS. I read somewhere that the rear seats would have to be removed for the former? My shop swears they don't. What is involved for each and what labor time were ya'll charged? Thanks.

You don't have to remove the rear seat for the actual installation on the shocks, access to the upper mount can be done through the speaker grill. But, if you're going to use the EDC module for the KWv3, the seat has to come out. The wires you need to access are under the bottom of the seat. At least they are in a 2013 model. The seat comes out very easily.

[Redrckt135]

My seats came out with my v3's with edc delete modules. Just a suggestion, if it's in the budget go with the v3's.

[Hellrot Sachin]

Originally Posted by Redrckt135

My seats came out with my v3's with edc delete modules. Just a suggestion, if it's in the budget go with the v3's.

Anyone know of reputable shops in Dallas for this job?

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by Hellrot Sachin

Anyone know of reputable shops in Dallas for this job?

European Service Center is where I'd go for aftermarket installs if I needed a shop. Not the cheapest but they are very good at what they do.

I personally use a guy I know who does side work and comes to my place. He works for BMW Corp and is the trainer for the BMW dealers here in DFW. He is a master tech and has all the same tools the dealers use. He is a very honest and Humble guy that does this for fun.

Let me know by PM if you want an introduction.

[M5Beast_NYC]

does anybody have a pic of the rear strut assembly? Im ready to do my suspension install but I read on the DIY section that the rear strut has the EDC wire permanently connected to it. I dont know how you would take the top strut nut off if the wire in there. will you need special tool for it?

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by M5Beast_NYC

I dont know how you would take the top strut nut off if the wire in there. will you need special tool for it?

Perhaps there is another way to do the rear strut, but I used a tool Sears makes called the Max Axess Ratchet. I used their 3/8" drive, part number 29308 with the 18mm six point socket, part number 29291. You'll see why they work when you look at them online. Instead of driving the socket internally, the ratchet drives them from the outside, leaving the center open to allow a shaft or a wire to extend up through the ratchet. Works on the front shock also when you're setting the preload on the KW v3 springs before you install them.