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M2 Technical Topics > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Interesting find when upgrading suspension: shipping blocks still present

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      02-05-2018, 04:21 PM   #1
cenz422
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Interesting find when upgrading suspension: shipping blocks still present

Just wanted to throw this out there. I recently upgraded to coilovers on my M2 and during the breakdown of stock suspension I found something that completely shocked me. This might not be relevant to all, nonetheless, please confirm for yourself.

I found what are transport retainers still mounted to from shocks which were under the dust boots. These were obviously crushed when we discovered them but seems like BMW service team forgot to remove during vehicle prep prior to picking up the car. The crazy thing is I drove around with these on for approximately 6 months, lol. No wonder I thought the ride was more harsh than i thought it would be.
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      02-05-2018, 04:30 PM   #2
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If those are indeed the shipping blocks, your dealer pulled a major boner. It must've felt like you were driving a Camry.

Forward those pics to your CA and see what response you get.
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      02-05-2018, 04:46 PM   #3
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Whoa! I'm checking mine tonight. I've always thought the ride on my M2 was pretty harsh but having nothing to compare it to, who knows.
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      02-05-2018, 04:51 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stage IV View Post
If those are indeed the shipping blocks, your dealer pulled a major boner. It must've felt like you were driving a Camry.

Forward those pics to your CA and see what response you get.
I sent them the pics the day of and was told "we're looking into it".....Right....
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      02-05-2018, 04:55 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cenz422 View Post
I sent them the pics the day of and was told "we're looking into it".....Right....
lol. Sure they are.
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      02-05-2018, 04:56 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stage IV View Post
If those are indeed the shipping blocks, your dealer pulled a major boner. It must've felt like you were driving a Camry.

Forward those pics to your CA and see what response you get.
Well those are 100% the shipping blocks. Wow what a screw up.

Last edited by //M; 02-05-2018 at 05:35 PM..
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      02-05-2018, 04:59 PM   #7
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How do I go about checking this with zero knowledge of how struts work?
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      02-05-2018, 05:19 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmh600cbr View Post
How do I go about checking this with zero knowledge of how struts work?
An quick and easy way is to check your wheel gap. If you have M3/4 gap, the blocks are still in place.
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      02-05-2018, 05:47 PM   #9
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One of the main reasons I sold my M2 was due to the ride.... actually more the suspension travel.

But from the OP's post, it appears these are not visible unless the boot was pulled up - is that what you are saying to do? Pull that up? Because I'm guessing that from just looking, there would be no way to tell.

OP - any chance of posting a pic of how your car looked prior to this? (I guess I can try and search too
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      02-05-2018, 05:58 PM   #10
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Your dealer should have removed the shipping blocks during pre-delivery inspection (PDI) ! Someone didn't do his job properly.

You're not alone. See also for example here:
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=727672
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1304075
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=558862
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1198375
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1088757









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      02-05-2018, 06:06 PM   #11
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Such a weird system. Why not use a finger block on the spring like most manufacturers
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      02-05-2018, 08:26 PM   #12
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Is there a way to visually see this from under the car, side of the tire, etc?
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      02-05-2018, 09:40 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stage IV View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmh600cbr View Post
How do I go about checking this with zero knowledge of how struts work?
An quick and easy way is to check your wheel gap. If you have M3/4 gap, the blocks are still in place.
I have no idea what the M3/M4 Wheels gap is. How do I figure this out?
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      02-05-2018, 10:03 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
One of the main reasons I sold my M2 was due to the ride.... actually more the suspension travel.

But from the OP's post, it appears these are not visible unless the boot was pulled up - is that what you are saying to do? Pull that up? Because I'm guessing that from just looking, there would be no way to tell.

OP - any chance of posting a pic of how your car looked prior to this? (I guess I can try and search too
Yes I do have some before pics. Will post up tomorrow. It kind of sucks because I never really got to experience the real feel of the stock suspension.
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      02-05-2018, 10:14 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rich8566 View Post
I have no idea what the M3/M4 Wheels gap is. How do I figure this out?
I’m surprised that the OP couldn’t tell his car had the shipping blocks still installled when he took delivery of his M2.The wheel gap is very pronounced when the shipping blocks are still in the car.Here are a some pics of the M2 with the shipping blocks.
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      02-06-2018, 08:29 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nantucket View Post
I’m surprised that the OP couldn’t tell his car had the shipping blocks still installled when he took delivery of his M2.The wheel gap is very pronounced when the shipping blocks are still in the car.Here are a some pics of the M2 with the shipping blocks.
I don't disagree with you, but being this my first new vehicle pick-up and purchase, I attributed the gap to suspension requiring break and movement. Similar thought process when I've installed coilover systems on my previous cars. This was definitely a lesson learned and I'm glad it was discovered. Just wish I could receive an acknowledgement from the dealer.
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      02-06-2018, 10:22 AM   #17
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Wow. Maybe a kind member from this group can measure hub-to-fenderlip on their stock height M2s with the shipping blocks removed. I'll verify this weekend on mine.

I'm used to driving cars that ride like garbage, maybe my blocks are still there. If they're not, all good because racecar!

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      02-06-2018, 11:21 AM   #18
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cenz422

Did you find two white blocks and one blue or just one of each per corner?
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      02-06-2018, 11:22 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
One of the main reasons I sold my M2 was due to the ride.... actually more the suspension travel.
Why not just buy an aftermarket suspension? Seems like an easy fix.
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      02-06-2018, 11:39 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewc89 View Post
Why not just buy an aftermarket suspension? Seems like an easy fix.
He wanted 4 doors and more lux.
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      02-06-2018, 12:15 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stage IV View Post
He wanted 4 doors and more lux.
makes sense
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      02-06-2018, 12:54 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tag View Post
cenz422

Did you find two white blocks and one blue or just one of each per corner?
found exactly as you mentioned on front two only. Rear was fine
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