HELP with suspension!

Well it is that time to replace the front shocks on my 2004 545i with sport suspension and active steering. I have looked everywhere and have decided to go with the KONI yellow sport. I am not replacing the springs so keeping the stock sport springs. Most sites list the Koni 8741 1476SPORT as the correct shocks including Bavauto and Koni site but on Bavauto it says "Not for vehicles with active suspension or self leveling rear suspension"??? What is active suspension, is that sport suspension? Those are the only shocks listed for the 04 545i so has anyone ordered these for their 545i with sport? If these are not the correct ones any idea what to go with? I am open to Bilstein or Koni only but both show the Not for active suspension???? Any help would be appreciated...Thanks

When they say "Active Suspension" They mean the Electronic Dampening System the M5 ONLY has, just means the shocks will not work with EDC cars (M5s). Self leveling rear suspension only comes on wagons - they have air suspension in the rear to cope with heavier loads. The Konis you are looking at will be fine for your car. Just make sure you go to a shop that knows how to do it, with the sports suspension it is very easy to twist the sway bars (when the car has ARS, which yours will) and pop the sway bar end links. The end links are cheap, but why replace them if you don't have to?

87411476Sport (LINK) is the correct Koni part number for your 545i sport. You shouldn't have EDC and as long as your a sedan you're not going to have self leveling.

Originally Posted by jerrybsal

If these are not the correct ones any idea what to go with? I am open to Bilstein or Koni only but both show the Not for active suspension???? Any help would be appreciated...Thanks

Were you satisfied with the OEM ride?

If so, these are the front struts for you:

Front Left (Drivers side)

OEM BMW: 31316766997

Sachs Super Touring: 310 464

Boge Automatics: 36-C85-A

Front Right (Passengers Side)

OEM BMW: 31316766998

Sachs Super Touring: 310 465

Boge Automatics: 36-C86-A

Boge & Sachs are identical shocks and OEM to BMW.

Koni, KYB, and Bilstein are all stiffer, to much stiffer, than the above.

Thanks for the responses I went with the Koni Sport, I do like the stock ride but I drive the car alot and I wanted something that would not be dead by 40k miles like the stock shocks. I had Bilstein sports on my e39 and loved them so I figured I would try the Koni as i have heard good things about the ride and the life of these shocks.

Originally Posted by jerrybsal

Thanks for the responses I went with the Koni Sport, I do like the stock ride but I drive the car alot and I wanted something that would not be dead by 40k miles like the stock shocks. I had Bilstein sports on my e39 and loved them so I figured I would try the Koni as i have heard good things about the ride and the life of these shocks.

Really you can't go wrong with Konis or Bilstiens. They are very close to stock, just slightly stiffer. It's not like you're adding coilovers

Originally Posted by jerrybsal

Thanks for the responses I went with the Koni Sport, I do like the stock ride but I drive the car alot and I wanted something that would not be dead by 40k miles like the stock shocks. I had Bilstein sports on my e39 and loved them so I figured I would try the Koni as i have heard good things about the ride and the life of these shocks.

I would suggest you replace the strut mounts as well. If your struts are shot, I would guess your strut mounts might be in the same category.

I'm not that familiar with Koni's product line, but I would guess they have a strut mount to match in terms of firmness.

Do they come with the strut bumper? If not, I'd match it to the strut; so Koni once again.