Shocks worn out, replace with OEM or...?

rothwem · 06-24-2011, 12:44 PM

I've got 5 years and 80K on my original shocks, and they're pretty much done. Truthfully, I liked the way the stock sport suspension rode when I first got the car, so I don't know that OEM would be that terrible, but if theres something that rides as well or better than stock but handles better, I'm willing to take a look.

I'm not looking to lower my car either, I can barely get out of my driveway without scraping as it is, and I just have the OEM sport suspension. I'm doing the install, so I wont be paying labor, but I'd like to keep the cost below 1000, and the less the better. Suggestions? I'm looking at OEM vs. KONI sports vs. KONI FSDs. What else should I look at?

bavarian19 · 06-24-2011, 02:07 PM

OEM performance suspension?

Very minimal drop (if at all).

tibra1 · 06-24-2011, 02:59 PM

Upgrade to coilovers..ASTs, Konis, (KWs-but not w their springs)..You can keep stock height if u choose..n ur handling will improve immensely

cvc 22349a · 06-24-2011, 03:07 PM

I've had the FSD's for a couple years now and wouldn't recommend them. I've driven the same car with Koni sports, and that's what I'm going to replace my FSD's with. Or just stick with OE. Too bad you (and me) missed out on the Tischer sale of Performance dampers at $133. g/l

smack · 06-26-2011, 03:57 AM

Another option is some Bilsteins.

mike-y · 06-26-2011, 01:46 PM

I'll second the koni sports. I'm on stock zsp springs with koni sports, and the difference is very noticeable, even though the springs are the same. So if you like your ride height, then koni sports (or bilstein HD's) are the obvious choice.

just4kickz · 06-26-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibra1

Upgrade to coilovers..ASTs, Konis, (KWs-but not w their springs)..You can keep stock height if u choose..n ur handling will improve immensely

asts and kws are out of his price range

seems like there are only four options for non coilovers. oem, oem perf, bilstein, koni.

i'm actually contemplating on suspension after they blow. i'm probably going to go koni sports with oem performance springs

rothwem · 06-27-2011, 07:35 AM

Whats the story on the Bilstein HDs? I've heard of people using them on Volvos and they raised the front of the car an inch and made the ride super harsh, but sometimes there's huge differences between car brands when it comes to aftermarket suspension.

samchoi604 · 06-28-2011, 03:04 AM

My brother installed Bilstein HD's + stock sport springs on his G35, and WOW.. his car rides so much better than the OEM setup (which was very firm but uncomfortable). Now, it's both very firm and very comfortable. The difference is night and day. I would be getting Bilstein HD's for my e92 335i sport in the future.

06-24-2011, 12:44 PM	#1
rothwem Major 475 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Wagon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Asheville, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i [0.00]	Shocks worn out, replace with OEM or...? I've got 5 years and 80K on my original shocks, and they're pretty much done. Truthfully, I liked the way the stock sport suspension rode when I first got the car, so I don't know that OEM would be that terrible, but if theres something that rides as well or better than stock but handles better, I'm willing to take a look. I'm not looking to lower my car either, I can barely get out of my driveway without scraping as it is, and I just have the OEM sport suspension. I'm doing the install, so I wont be paying labor, but I'd like to keep the cost below 1000, and the less the better. Suggestions? I'm looking at OEM vs. KONI sports vs. KONI FSDs. What else should I look at?
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06-24-2011, 02:07 PM	#2
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	OEM performance suspension? Very minimal drop (if at all).
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06-24-2011, 02:59 PM	#3
tibra1 Banned 127 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	Upgrade to coilovers..ASTs, Konis, (KWs-but not w their springs)..You can keep stock height if u choose..n ur handling will improve immensely
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06-24-2011, 03:07 PM	#4
cvc 22349a Colonel 164 Rep 2,556 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (11)	I've had the FSD's for a couple years now and wouldn't recommend them. I've driven the same car with Koni sports, and that's what I'm going to replace my FSD's with. Or just stick with OE. Too bad you (and me) missed out on the Tischer sale of Performance dampers at $133. g/l __________________ 2007 E90 335i, TiAg, 6AT, ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, 6FL, HD Quaife lsd, ETS fmic, GIAC s/w, Dinan intake/exhaust/oc, Koni/M3 susp, Apex Arc 8, Mich PSS
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06-26-2011, 03:57 AM	#5
smack Lieutenant Colonel 34 Rep 1,569 Posts Drives: BMW's/Flex Polishers Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spangdahlem Germany iTrader: (0)	Another option is some Bilsteins.
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06-26-2011, 01:46 PM	#6
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	I'll second the koni sports. I'm on stock zsp springs with koni sports, and the difference is very noticeable, even though the springs are the same. So if you like your ride height, then koni sports (or bilstein HD's) are the obvious choice.
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06-27-2011, 07:35 AM	#8
rothwem Major 475 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Wagon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Asheville, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i [0.00]	Whats the story on the Bilstein HDs? I've heard of people using them on Volvos and they raised the front of the car an inch and made the ride super harsh, but sometimes there's huge differences between car brands when it comes to aftermarket suspension.
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06-28-2011, 03:04 AM	#9
samchoi604 Colonel 60 Rep 2,334 Posts Drives: black on black Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby, BC iTrader: (3)	My brother installed Bilstein HD's + stock sport springs on his G35, and WOW.. his car rides so much better than the OEM setup (which was very firm but uncomfortable). Now, it's both very firm and very comfortable. The difference is night and day. I would be getting Bilstein HD's for my e92 335i sport in the future.
	Appreciate 0 Quote