E9X Which Spring Compressor?

carabuser

Lieutenant
Oct 2, 2019
870
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UK
Ride
Z4 35i & 335i
I'm going to put some new Bilstein B8 dampers on my 335. The rears are no problem but I'm going to need a spring compressor for the fronts.

In the past I've always used these cheap claw type ones:
1629805358286.png


On my E46 they just about worked but it was really sketchy and they gnarled up the coating on the springs. I'd really like to get a decent tool that won't kill me or make the install any harder than it should be.

I watched the Bav Auto DIY and he uses a nice tool that looks like a clone of the genuine BMW tool. Unfortunately it's really expensive and I'd have to ship it from the USA so add an extra 50% on top for duty and freight-forwarding. (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-aut...pressor-tool-bavarian-autosport/b8800017~bav/)

I found this tool that looks identical:

It doesn't list the E9x as compatible but I'm certain that's just an oversight.

Has anyone used these Chinese clones before to good effect?
 

ShocknAwe

Captain
Jan 24, 2018
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Charleston, SC
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N54/3 1er ///Mutt
I always use just whatever is available for free rental at AutoZone and put some thin microfibers or something between the spring and the compressor