New Suspension - Bilstein vs OEM/Sachs

At 108k miles, my rattling bones are saying it's time for new shocks and struts. I do not have any leaks and can get more service out of them if I wanted to.

Bilstein -- potential longer service life and better handling. A bit cheaper than OEM.

OEM -- original ride but pricey in comparison.

Sachs -- harder to find but about the same price as Bilstein when I finally found a source. Oem provider, so should be same ride for a few hundred less but not as good a warranty as either oem or Bilstein.

What's everyone's thoughts....GO!

I'm on Bilstein HDs and Eibach Pro kit springs and am happy with the ride. Although I went with a taller side wall tire to keep the ride compliant. Mostly went this route because of the lower price and the lifetime warranty on both shocks and springs.

Assuming you didn't change tire size, what do you think the bigger impact to ride compliance was..the Bilsteins or the springs?

I am going to reuse the oem springs.

How much are struts and shocks? I am at 135.000kms and believe I will need to replace them soon (a lot of dirt road / pothole driving).

This is hands down the best price that I have found at $656.20:

http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?M...=All&SubChar=Q

For the oem strut bearing plates, Max has the best price:

http://www.oembimmerparts.com/mobile...lt.aspx#P40567

All other parts I plan to reuse from what's currently there. I will DIY the install.

You also have to factor in spring removal at a local shop if you don't have a strut compressor and a front end alignment.

Originally Posted by x3brian

This is hands down the best price that I have found at $656.20:

http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?M...=All&SubChar=Q

For the oem strut bearing plates, Max has the best price:

http://www.oembimmerparts.com/mobile...lt.aspx#P40567

All other parts I plan to reuse from what's currently there. I will DIY the install.

You also have to factor in spring removal at a local shop if you don't have a strut compressor and a front end alignment.

- Brian
Try these guys for Bilstein's, ImportRP. Mike is a good guy and quoted me $620 shipped! Granted they were for my e46 but I am not sure the difference in price for an e83. Here are the links for their site.
http://performance.importrp.com/bils.../i-223527.aspx
http://performance.importrp.com/bils.../i-223528.aspx
http://performance.importrp.com/bils.../i-223397.aspx

E-mail Us: sales@importrp.com
Call Toll Free 1-888-378-7278 ( or 425-357-6818 Local/International) - Mon-Fri 8am-5pm PST
*Make sure to mention you're from Bimmerforums!*

(I am part of Bimmerforums site and vendors give some nice discounts)

Thanks!! I sent them an email. Their website doesn't list the necessary part numbers for the e83. I also have ecstuning trying to track down alternative prices as they only show oem.

Originally Posted by x3brian

Thanks!! I sent them an email. Their website doesn't list the necessary part numbers for the e83. I also have ecstuning trying to track down alternative prices as they only show oem.

Well hopefully they can help you out. I like their site a lot, and plan on getting those shocks/struts soon for my e46. My E83 is still a baby and the suspension should still be good (knock on wood)

Originally Posted by x3brian

Assuming you didn't change tire size, what do you think the bigger impact to ride compliance was..the Bilsteins or the springs?

I am going to reuse the oem springs.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...g+thing&page=3

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...light=bilstein

Here are a few good links to threads with comments on ride quality that may be helpful.
I bought my Bilstein HDs from BavAuto for $563.20 during a sale.

I remember those threads...lol they prompted me to jack up my then almost new 09 to look for broken pig tails...lol.

Bav auto is a bit pricey right now but maybe I will wait to see if they have spring specials. Heck that price difference almost covers new springs.

Originally Posted by x3brian

I remember those threads...lol they prompted me to jack up my then almost new 09 to look for broken pig tails...lol.

Bav auto is a bit pricey right now but maybe I will wait to see if they have spring specials. Heck that price difference almost covers new springs.

Yeah, the Bilsteins go on sale at least once a year at BavAuto.
The Eibach springs are on sale quite a bit at Tirerack.

I changed them both at the same time because I didn't want to have to do it twice and pay 180 for an alignment 2 times. Also, I plan on keeping the X3 until it dies. Just turned 139,000 miles!

I'm curious, when you switch to manufacturers other than the OEM, does the clearance drop?

Thankfully I'm not yet ready for new suspension parts, but when I do I want to preserve the existing clearance. Even if I have to pay more for the OEM parts to do that.

Originally Posted by spokelizard

I'm curious, when you switch to manufacturers other than the OEM, does the clearance drop?

Thankfully I'm not yet ready for new suspension parts, but when I do I want to preserve the existing clearance. Even if I have to pay more for the OEM parts to do that.

Just changing the shocks alone will have no impact on the ride height. You can pair your original BMW springs with Bilstein, Sachs or BMW shocks and the ride height will not change.

Only by changing the springs will the ride height be lowered.

Everyone is linking the Bilstein HD line, does anyone know US vendors that carry the Bilstein B4/Touring line? They are slightly less harsh then the HD line and closer to factory valve spec. I recently replaced my factory shocks on my E90 with the Touring line from tirerack, and love them.

+1. It's the springs that lower the ride height.

Two advantage the Bilsteins have over oem is warranty and price.

Originally Posted by bluskye

Everyone is linking the Bilstein HD line, does anyone know the US vendors carry the Bilstein B4/Touring line? They are slightly less harsh then the HD line and closer to factory valve spec. I recently replaced my factory shocks on my E90 with the Touring line from tirerack, and love them.

Good question. I am having a really hard time finding anything in the US other than the Bilstein b6 or the sachs shocks...although I haven't checked tire rack yet.

It's interesting, that there are other options in Europe that are dramatically cheaper though after currency conversion.

Originally Posted by x3brian

Good question. I am having a really hard time finding anything in the US other than the Bilstein b6 or the sachs shocks...although I haven't checked tire rack yet.

It's interesting, that there are other options in Europe that are dramatically cheaper though after currency conversion.

The B4/Touring line is also half the cost versus HD! $350 for a full set for my E90 from tirerack.

I can only find parts houses in Europe carrying the b4 for the x3....like I said above, it's a bit irritating that Europe has the inexpensive parts.

Also as a side note tire rack doesn't have any shocks or struts listed for the e83.

Originally Posted by mlukas161

Just changing the shocks alone will have no impact on the ride height. You can pair your original BMW springs with Bilstein, Sachs or BMW shocks and the ride height will not change.

Only by changing the springs will the ride height be lowered.

Thanks, that makes sense.

Does koni make a set for X3?

Not that i have found. The koni website does not list the x3.

Originally Posted by x3brian

Not that i have found. The koni website does not list the x3.

I may give them a call to see what they have, I think their suspension products are on par with the billys

Originally Posted by jdauria

Does koni make a set for X3?

Nope, unfortunately Koni does not make any products for the X3.
I'm using Koni Sport Yellows on my e46 and would have loved to put something
similar on the X3.
I called and they said they have nothing for the X3 unfortunately.

Originally Posted by mlukas161

Nope, unfortunately Koni does not make any products for the X3.
I'm using Koni Sport Yellows on my e46 and would have loved to put something
similar on the X3.
I called and they said they have nothing for the X3 unfortunately.

damnnnn yea I hear really good things about konis on e46's.

Get Bilsteins or BMW original, don't get Sachs..it sucks!
If you are a BMWCCA member, you get around 20% discount at the dealer and no shipping!