kodachrome

I'm thinking about changing the suspension in my new to me 2007 550i Touring E61 which has Dynamic Drive (EDIT, it does have Self Leveling). I notice on BMW-Fans that the Front and Rear Axel lists show diff PNs for models with Dynamic Drive:

Front Spring strut/Carrier/Wheel bearing | BMW 5' E61 550i N62N Europe
Rear spring strut mounting parts | BMW 5' E61 550i N62N Europe


Anyone know why they are spec'ing Dynamic Drive with diff Shocks given that Dynamic drive is an improved Sway bar and not a change to the shocks at all??

kd7iwp

Hm, I didn’t even know 550i E61’s existed anywhere, or that they could even have dynamic drive. Does yours have xDrive? I’m assuming not as I thought xDrive and dynamic drive were mutually exclusive.

kodachrome

Oh yeah 550i e60/61's are reasonably popular in the RHD markets that don't like diesels. This one is a Jap import to NZ.
Its RWD, AWD BMWs are way rarer over here, I think only on the Fxx ,keeps too.

Yesterday drove it on the highway out of Wellington over this road, felt amazing, twisting on the spot like it was sliding but wasn't:
https://www.google.com/search?q=rimu...bih=1003&dpr=2

Very impressive on so-so tyres and to the point if thread, just standard SE shocks with 160k km on them!

jtbgonesailing

Lookup your OE part numbers on realoem.com and google the part numbers for availability through local suppliers, there in NZ, for Sachs, Koni, Bilstein, etc. By the way, Sachs is the OE supplier to BMW.

kodachrome

But thats what I did and found Dynamic Drive and saw it listed separately... however thanks to your prompt I specicially looked up the PNs and Dynamic Drive PN is the same as standard Shock (and DD plus MSport is the same as Msport and no DD):
Rear spring strut mounting parts | BMW 5' E61 550i N62N Europe
Front Spring strut/Carrier/Wheel bearing | BMW 5' E61 550i N62N Europe

I can answer my own question, Dynamic Drive (S229A) does not spec different shocks! Which is great as I can look at those cheap Solowerks Coilovers now.