OEM vs Sachs vs Bilstein Shocks/Struts
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Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 639
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From: Jacksonville Florida
My Ride: BMW 550I BLK
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N62
Ok I do have some ruff roads all over jacksonville florida and I don't have the roads laced with rubber so which ones should I get if no to the 8's and the 4's
+1
Bilsteins are great. I had a couple of leaking original struts and switched over to B8 sport struts. I expected much of the mushiness to go away but never expected the huge improvement in handling that was the result. With the active sway bars handling was already very good, but now I can throw the car around with controlled precision.
For those of you in major cities with pot holes the size of Smart cars I would not recommend the B8s as you will knock the fillings out of your teeth.
B4s (either regular travel or shorter travel sports if you have a sport suspension) would be a better choice. But here in Scottsdale with our glass-smooth roads (many rubber coated to reduce noise) the B8s are fantastic.
Bilsteins are great. I had a couple of leaking original struts and switched over to B8 sport struts. I expected much of the mushiness to go away but never expected the huge improvement in handling that was the result. With the active sway bars handling was already very good, but now I can throw the car around with controlled precision.
For those of you in major cities with pot holes the size of Smart cars I would not recommend the B8s as you will knock the fillings out of your teeth.
B4s (either regular travel or shorter travel sports if you have a sport suspension) would be a better choice. But here in Scottsdale with our glass-smooth roads (many rubber coated to reduce noise) the B8s are fantastic.
New Members
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
My Ride: 2008 535i Sport
+1 here. Rough roads here in NorCal. I have Sport (not Msport) don't really want to go any lower, but would welcome something superior or equal to OEM if the price was comparable.
New Members
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 41
Likes: 2
From: Central Coast California
My Ride: 2008 535xi sport
Anyone have updates with using the bilsteins on the 535xi? I have an 08, and I'm upgrading the suspension. It's been hard to find info, but from the above posts it sounds like the bilsteins B6 may be a good middle ground stock for comfort/handling and would also accommodate a slightly lower ride height?
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 109
From: Fairfield County, CT
My Ride: 530xi
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
There are actually a number of threads discussing this. Quality and results haven't changed in the three years since the start of this thread. People who like the Bilsteins still like the Bilsteins and those who like Sachs still like the Sachs.
Last edited by JayArras; May 10, 2019 at 05:33 AM.
New Members
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 41
Likes: 2
From: Central Coast California
My Ride: 2008 535xi sport
What did you ultimately end up doing on your ride Jay?
Administrator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 109
From: Fairfield County, CT
My Ride: 530xi
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles, CA
My Ride: BMW
Model Year: 2006
I'm thinking of getting this B4 kit for my car (2006 525i standard suspension). Do I have to get anything else like adapters or something? Would it just be plug and play?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...t/22-138361kt/
Sad thing is they seem to be backordered everywhere.
Thanks!
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...t/22-138361kt/
Sad thing is they seem to be backordered everywhere.
Thanks!
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