Shock replacement suggestions
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
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From: Los Angeles
The car is a 2004 530i w/ sport package.
In need of a shock replacement. But, hesitant on which shocks to replace the OEM Sachs with.
Would Bilstein sports be compatible with the OEM sport springs? Trying to steer clear away from the OEM Sachs due to longevity issues...
Any input on which shocks would be greatly appreciated!
In need of a shock replacement. But, hesitant on which shocks to replace the OEM Sachs with.
Would Bilstein sports be compatible with the OEM sport springs? Trying to steer clear away from the OEM Sachs due to longevity issues...
Any input on which shocks would be greatly appreciated!
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,972
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From: The State of Southern NJ!
The car is a 2004 530i w/ sport package.
In need of a shock replacement. But, hesitant on which shocks to replace the OEM Sachs with.
Would Bilstein sports be compatible with the OEM sport springs? Trying to steer clear away from the OEM Sachs due to longevity issues...
Any input on which shocks would be greatly appreciated!
In need of a shock replacement. But, hesitant on which shocks to replace the OEM Sachs with.
Would Bilstein sports be compatible with the OEM sport springs? Trying to steer clear away from the OEM Sachs due to longevity issues...
Any input on which shocks would be greatly appreciated!
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Contributors
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: Sin City
My Ride: Jet Black '05 545i, Sport/Premium Pkg, Steptronic, Adaptive Xenon, Nav, L7, Blue2th, PDC,
I'd second the Bilstein shocks. Performance wise they are a great replacement over OEM and, they should last you a fairly long time.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19,460
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From: Anaheim, CA
My Ride: F13 M6
it usually comes down between bilstein and koni for shocks. personally we've done more bilstein applications. if interested in some shocks since youre in LA, we can do install as well as we are located in Tustin.
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
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From: Los Angeles
Update- 8/21
Based on the suggestions and research, I've decided to go w/ bilstein sports. I had doubts leading to the purchase because the majority pair these shocks with aftermarket lowering springs, which wasn't my intent. Plus, bilstein sports are known to provide a harsh ride (a la billie sports on a e36 M3). Currently, the billie sports have about 5k miles on them and paired w/ 150k mile OEM sport springs. Overall happy by the way it has been performing. Initially, the ride quality was a tad harsh and felt like the car had higher springs rates. But overtime with more miles, shocks settled and the ride became firm, but comfortable. The dampening is a lot better than the OEM Sachs and kept the car composed every time I drove over undulations or steel plates. Yet, it is firm enough to corner with confidence. Hope this info helps anybody who's facing the same dilemma I was dealing with.
Based on the suggestions and research, I've decided to go w/ bilstein sports. I had doubts leading to the purchase because the majority pair these shocks with aftermarket lowering springs, which wasn't my intent. Plus, bilstein sports are known to provide a harsh ride (a la billie sports on a e36 M3). Currently, the billie sports have about 5k miles on them and paired w/ 150k mile OEM sport springs. Overall happy by the way it has been performing. Initially, the ride quality was a tad harsh and felt like the car had higher springs rates. But overtime with more miles, shocks settled and the ride became firm, but comfortable. The dampening is a lot better than the OEM Sachs and kept the car composed every time I drove over undulations or steel plates. Yet, it is firm enough to corner with confidence. Hope this info helps anybody who's facing the same dilemma I was dealing with.
Members
Joined: May 2012
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I have a 2009 E60 520d SE that I have recently had a set of Bilstein B6 dampers fitted to with the original OE springs. The car is a non-sport model.
The primary ride (the way the dampers deal with the the big hits) is very good but the secondary ride is very fidgety. It is certainly very firm but the upside is the improved handling. On balance I'm glad I made the change - the car had 106k miles on it when I fitted them and I want to get another 100k out of the car, hence the damper replacement.
If you do mainly motorway work I would probably go with the OE dampers.
The primary ride (the way the dampers deal with the the big hits) is very good but the secondary ride is very fidgety. It is certainly very firm but the upside is the improved handling. On balance I'm glad I made the change - the car had 106k miles on it when I fitted them and I want to get another 100k out of the car, hence the damper replacement.
If you do mainly motorway work I would probably go with the OE dampers.
Members
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 133
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From: New Jersey
My Ride: 2008 550i Alpine White
Update- 8/21
Based on the suggestions and research, I've decided to go w/ bilstein sports. I had doubts leading to the purchase because the majority pair these shocks with aftermarket lowering springs, which wasn't my intent. Plus, bilstein sports are known to provide a harsh ride (a la billie sports on a e36 M3). Currently, the billie sports have about 5k miles on them and paired w/ 150k mile OEM sport springs. Overall happy by the way it has been performing. Initially, the ride quality was a tad harsh and felt like the car had higher springs rates. But overtime with more miles, shocks settled and the ride became firm, but comfortable. The dampening is a lot better than the OEM Sachs and kept the car composed every time I drove over undulations or steel plates. Yet, it is firm enough to corner with confidence. Hope this info helps anybody who's facing the same dilemma I was dealing with.
Based on the suggestions and research, I've decided to go w/ bilstein sports. I had doubts leading to the purchase because the majority pair these shocks with aftermarket lowering springs, which wasn't my intent. Plus, bilstein sports are known to provide a harsh ride (a la billie sports on a e36 M3). Currently, the billie sports have about 5k miles on them and paired w/ 150k mile OEM sport springs. Overall happy by the way it has been performing. Initially, the ride quality was a tad harsh and felt like the car had higher springs rates. But overtime with more miles, shocks settled and the ride became firm, but comfortable. The dampening is a lot better than the OEM Sachs and kept the car composed every time I drove over undulations or steel plates. Yet, it is firm enough to corner with confidence. Hope this info helps anybody who's facing the same dilemma I was dealing with.
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Update- 8/21
Based on the suggestions and research, I've decided to go w/ bilstein sports. I had doubts leading to the purchase because the majority pair these shocks with aftermarket lowering springs, which wasn't my intent. Plus, bilstein sports are known to provide a harsh ride (a la billie sports on a e36 M3). Currently, the billie sports have about 5k miles on them and paired w/ 150k mile OEM sport springs. Overall happy by the way it has been performing. Initially, the ride quality was a tad harsh and felt like the car had higher springs rates. But overtime with more miles, shocks settled and the ride became firm, but comfortable. The dampening is a lot better than the OEM Sachs and kept the car composed every time I drove over undulations or steel plates. Yet, it is firm enough to corner with confidence. Hope this info helps anybody who's facing the same dilemma I was dealing with.
Based on the suggestions and research, I've decided to go w/ bilstein sports. I had doubts leading to the purchase because the majority pair these shocks with aftermarket lowering springs, which wasn't my intent. Plus, bilstein sports are known to provide a harsh ride (a la billie sports on a e36 M3). Currently, the billie sports have about 5k miles on them and paired w/ 150k mile OEM sport springs. Overall happy by the way it has been performing. Initially, the ride quality was a tad harsh and felt like the car had higher springs rates. But overtime with more miles, shocks settled and the ride became firm, but comfortable. The dampening is a lot better than the OEM Sachs and kept the car composed every time I drove over undulations or steel plates. Yet, it is firm enough to corner with confidence. Hope this info helps anybody who's facing the same dilemma I was dealing with.
