[techietaichi]

So most of you are probably saying, "Shit, not this again!". Hah, yeah. I know this is a subject that's been beat to death and I've read quite a few threads on this topic(some that were ancient), so I figured I'd shoot for a fresh perspective. Hey, new technologies come out all the time, right?

Anyways, I'm running on H&R Sport Springs coupled with stock shocks all the way around. The rears, I don't know how old they are as I did buy this car used. The fronts were purchased new when I had my ride lowered and are going on 2 years. My problem since the beginning was that the stocks were never meant to serve on a lowered vehicle, that's not what they were designed for, but per the recommendation of the guys at Turner Motorsports, I decided to run them. Well, here I am today and I believe that 1) they've finally "settled" or 2) it's time to get proper shocks to do the job.

See, lately on the left front when I catch the unexpected dip or hole in the road and I'm not talking "extreme" mind you, I'll get the dreaded "thwump!" that we've all come to know and love. That shit wasn't happening before. Not for the last two years anyways since I bought my ride. I did recently have my WP and thermo replaced at my local indie Schneller BMW, and they said my shocks weren't weeping or showing any signs of "decay", which brings me back to my previous statement. Stock shocks weren't meant to be run on a lowered chassis. I know lots of people run it that way and frankly I'm sure I'd be Ok with mine for a bit longer, but I still have my reservations about their performance under the current set up.

So now that you know my predicament on to the question. What should I do? and What shocks would you folks recommend that would give me better performance? Coil-overs are out of the question and if you feel the need as I'm sure some of you will, yes, you may post "Avoid the potholes". Thanks for the comments/suggestions in advance all and may the warranty be with you.

['02onthebrain]

Sounds like you are looking for Koni sport shocks based on what you have said and the hr springs you have. I think you would be happy with them.

Not sure how many miles you have but my rear shocks were shot around 50k. I just put in Koni fsds with stock springs. Love them.

[SlimE92]

Subscribed. I need new shocks to what exactly has to be changed when swapping shocks are mounts etc. required ?

['02onthebrain]

If your car has over 50k, you should replace the rear lower rubber mounts and the front upper bearing/mounts when you do the job. All of the other pieces can be reused unless they are visibly worn. For me, the rubber on my right rear shock boot/cover was very worn on the inside part so I replaced both of those to be even.

[cdgatti]

Bilstein B8 or Koni Sport - many opinions on both. But no doubt these are the best shocks you can buy for your car with the lowered springs.

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Bilstein B8 or Koni Sport - many opinions on both. But no doubt these are the best shocks you can buy for your car with the lowered springs.

Yeah, I took a long hard look at the Koni "yellows" and I think that's definitely what I'll be going with once I get my cosmetic mods done.

[HP Autosport]

Koni Yellows have my vote for long life and adjustability. FSD is more suited as a OE replacement and not suited for lowering springs.

[techietaichi]

So I'm resurrecting my old thread since I'm now looking real hard at getting some Koni's for my already installed H&R Sport Springs. My OE springs/struts are done! Anyways, I was at ECS Tuning as usual and found a couple sets that I like, but for the life of me can't figure out which to go with. Here they are:

1) Shocks & Strut Set -Sport (adjustable) $549.95

2) Shock & Strut Kit - Sport (adjustable) $679.99

Now these two seem like they're just what I need, but one's more than the other costwise. I dunno, maybe the word "Kit" is worth $130 more. They seem like the same dang thing, but what the hell do I know? I'm just the dude with the Kung-Fu grip on his cash. That's where you guys come in...HELP! I can go either way, but I need to know the benefit, so I'm looking for ANYONE that has experience with either of these. I'm all ears! Thanks all.

[raceyBMW]

One kit is for a Z4 and the other is kit for a VW.

lol

[dsb335]

These:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-325...on/Shocks/Kit/

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by raceyBMW

One kit is for a Z4 and the other is kit for a VW.

Yeah, that helped. Thanks.

[Socket]

Koni yellows (sports adjustable) they are specifically designed to operate with lowering springs. They are both short and a operating zone matched for the lowering springs.

I was running H&R race lowering springs with stock shocks which thudded almost over every bump. With the Koni yellows fitted its like the car now has a proper suspension system ..... got em. love em.

[xquisit]

I dig your thread,

I, too, have a kung-fu style grip on my cash, but I am itching to purchase a modification for my car that will make me smile.

Let me know which of the yellows you are going with; Furthermore, should I go your route?

As in, buy my springs (Eibach Pro Kit) and use them for two years (my e90 LCI has 46k on the odometer) and then swap out my struts/shocks when they are gone bad and I notice crappy noises?

Or shall I get the job done in one sitting?

[roundle]

I'd go with the Bilstein Sport shocks (not the HDs or Comforts).

[cdgatti]

xquisit - yea go with the bilstein sport aka B8 shocks with the eiback pro kit

techietaichi - what's massghanistan all about?

[gryphun]

Techie. Are those Alpina wheels?

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

techietaichi - what's massghanistan all about?

I'm a Conservative living in a heavily Liberal state. I could go on and on about the crap that they do and believe here in Massghanistan, so don't get me started.

Originally Posted by gryphun

Techie. Are those Alpina wheels?

Hey there gryph. These are aftermarket Alpina B7 knockoffs, but they're almost spot on as I compared them to a B7's when I was at the dealers last time. These can also be had in matte black and they go for $1200-1300 nowadays. I think my set "fell off" of a truck, 'cause the guy that sold them to me only wanted $500 shipped!

[techietaichi]

Well, after holding out from getting these new struts and shocks for as long as I could(I wanted to hold out 'til Spring), I finally released my grip and bought these Koni's from ECS: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-325.../Kit/ES518057/

Surprisingly and most welcome was that the price of this set had dropped down quite a bit from when it was first suggested to me months ago. I also shot over to Turner Motorsports today in Amesbury, MA to pick up their "3-series Strut/Shock Mount Kit" and learned that they had just become vendors for Koni a few months back. That said, I compared their price for the exact same set to ECS and they were well over a $100 more. The parts manager, Ben, was even taken aback at how much less it was. I asked him if he could price match it and his response was, "Man, I can't touch that". ECS FTW! Ahh yes, soon I'll be floating again as it should be!