[Pb63]

Afternoon everyone. I’m after some advice on my 2007 E91 touring msport 66K miles. I recently had a spring break on the front suspension and I’m struggling to find the correct or best shock and spring combination to give me the same setup I had before which is OEM msport.

My mechanic has fitted on one side Napa springs and shock absorber which I don’t think are msport compatible according to their own website. I believe the springs are but the shocks definitely aren’t.

I’ve investigated and from what I can tell Bilstein B4 22-135032 and 22-135049 seem to get the thumbs up. But which springs should I pair with these? Is it also worth replacing the top mounts?

Are the Napa shocks and springs a complete no? I’ve still got the standard m sport setup on the rear so to my mind having a stiffer rear paired with softer fronts is going to feel odd?

Are there any other shocks/spring combos I should consider? My local motor factors suggested KYB but again the shocks say they are not msport compatible.

It’s a daily driven car so not interested in spending silly amounts, but want the msport feeling back if possible. Thanks for any advice!

[ppointer]

I checked my notes. Those Bilstein part numbers matched what I use on my m-sports. I have a few.

No idea who supplies Napa with springs, so I cannot help there.

Regarding mounting new struts, FCP sells a kit with all of the pieces parts you need. Just give them a call. They might be able to help with springs, too.

[ppointer]

Let me add that if you don’t already have the struts, FCP can furnish them. If the part numbers have been updated, they will get you the correct m-sport B4’s.

[Pb63]

Thanks very much, I’m in the UK. But thanks for confirming the part numbers At least I know i have are the right ones.

[jaffles]

Pb63

Not sure of your car age, but I have 2x 2010 m sports. Both measure the same height on all corners so I feel one can say Sachs springs don't sag. This opens the door to buy second hand if you find the same m sport as yours.

One of mine has KYB (Japanese) shocks on it. And to be honest I can't tell the difference from OE to KYB. Yes KYB don't list them a m sport, just series 3 or suit E92 in my case.

Have you tried realoem.com, if you put in your VIN in it will give you the Sachs part number for OE replacements. I have found however finding the shocks and springs almost impossible, the world has just moved on.

You could ask Sachs what they suggest as replacements. They will have spring rates and valving specks so should be able to match/moderise the part number.

[Pb63]

Originally Posted by jaffles

Pb63

Not sure of your car age, but I have 2x 2010 m sports. Both measure the same height on all corners so I feel one can say Sachs springs don't sag. This opens the door to buy second hand if you find the same m sport as yours.

One of mine has KYB (Japanese) shocks on it. And to be honest I can't tell the difference from OE to KYB. Yes KYB don't list them a m sport, just series 3 or suit E92 in my case.

Have you tried realoem.com, if you put in your VIN in it will give you the Sachs part number for OE replacements. I have found however finding the shocks and springs almost impossible, the world has just moved on.

You could ask Sachs what they suggest as replacements. They will have spring rates and valving specks so should be able to match/moderise the part number.

Hi thanks,

Yes have tried real OEM. It says

Left front spring strut 1
31316786009

Front right spring strut 1
31316786010

For vehicles with
M Sports suspension
S704A=Yes

It doesn’t have anything for the springs either.

When I look at euro car parts sack’s shocks are on there and they have msport compatible ones such as https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/sachs...rber-635111710, but I wonder if they are the same…

[Tambohamilton]

Look up the Sachs passenger car springs catalogue. I think suplex also have a useful catalogue. Between the 2 of them you can find the correct part for your exact car/spec. Also autodoc.co.uk are also very reliable for listing the correct parts and OE cross references.

[Pb63]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Look up the Sachs passenger car springs catalogue. I think suplex also have a useful catalogue. Between the 2 of them you can find the correct part for your exact car/spec. Also autodoc.co.uk are also very reliable for listing the correct parts and OE cross references.

Ok thanks. I’ve investigated further and can see my original spring has a tag on it with barcode and it says D2. From what I can see the nearest sachs spring for this is Sachs 993 255 which I intend to pair with the bilstein codes I shared in my original post. Hopefully this gets me back to OEM Msport setup…

[Pb63]

Originally Posted by Pb63

Ok thanks. I’ve investigated further and can see my original spring has a tag on it with barcode and it says D2. From what I can see the nearest sachs spring for this is Sachs 993 255 which I intend to pair with the bilstein codes I shared in my original post. Hopefully this gets me back to OEM Msport setup…

Actually looking at auto doc website it’s SACHS 993 254 Coil spring which is directly linked to D2. So that’s what I’m going to go for paired both the bilstein shocks. Bloody hell that was difficult. Fingers crossed it’s all ok!

[Tambohamilton]

Yes, 993 254 is D2, for a 316-320i e91

[Pb63]

Argh... so bilstein shocks are not available until May 10th from a few place I've tried, various bilstein suppliers, demontweaks etc... So I've gone through the euro car parts site and considering ordering the following Sachs parts:

Will these work or not? According to my reg it says they will but it's been hit and miss in the past.

Shocks:
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/sachs...rber-635110520
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/sachs...rber-635110590

Springs:
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/sachs...ring-627111620

[Tambohamilton]

Check the Sachs catalogue:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrN...w?usp=drivesdk

[Pb63]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Check the Sachs catalogue:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrN...w?usp=drivesdk

Thanks but the numbers from eurocar parts that are stated on their website are not comparable. When I look up my vehicle in the Sachs catalogue and filter on shock absorbers It has 3 pages of various parts. One shock (amongst many) is 311 405 which when I look at the image on euro car parts is what is stamped on this shock: https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/sachs...rber-635110520 which is 'for vehicles with m technology' and matches up with my reg.

So I am assuming it'll fit. I understand sachs has condensed it's parts over the years.

[jaffles]

Sadly this is what I found. Images used for marketing don't match the part number. Or sellers say or don't say supports m sport. Or M sport numbers that just reflect standard shocks and so on. It's all very confusing and easy to see why people just go aftermarket.

I even found the number on the shock itself didn't match RealOEM, and that particular shock attracted similar pricing to Koni and Bilstein. Of course was out of stock, but could also be that the seller priced them that way believing koni/bilstein are comparable. I had been under the impression replacement OEM would be around 1/3 as online shops were suggesting that for Sachs generally.

If you are happy 311 405 is what you need, just ask the seller to confirm.

[Pb63]

Thanks glad it’s not just me. I’ve literally spent hours trying to decipher codes etc I would have gone bilstein b4 but there’s just no supply at the moment and I’ve already been without my car for 3 weeks.

To top it off, the sachs springs have a code actually printed on them which I can’t even find in the sachs catalog unless I’m misunderstanding something. So on the box it says item number 79150. On the spring itself it is stamped 79150 T 1092926. Nothing comes up for it and it’s these ones on ECP site https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/sachs...ring-627111620 which says is compatible with my car and for “m technology suspension”. Not sure why it’s so difficult but very frustrating. Almost going to give up and buy the RS4/6 that’s been winking at me in the classifieds 🤣

[AndyVR]

I have an E91 MSport , yours is low mileage, I'm on 145k with original front suspension, so interested in this.

Have you tried a BMW dealer? Some items they are not too bad on price.

Have you tried searching Amazon? last year I managed to get the correct OEM Sachs rear shocks for mine on there.

[Pb63]

Originally Posted by AndyVR

I have an E91 MSport , yours is low mileage, I'm on 145k with original front suspension, so interested in this.

Have you tried a BMW dealer? Some items they are not too bad on price.

Have you tried searching Amazon? last year I managed to get the correct OEM Sachs rear shocks for mine on there.

Hi, i did try my local ‘unfriendly’ BMW dealer, Group 1 in bedford for the topmounts. Can you believe they wanted over 350 pounds for them which did include on the fitting nuts and bolts but christ i nearly fell over. I asked for the part number and they said it was against their policy to give it out. So i gambled on these on eBay and guess what they were absolutely spot on. Apparently they were the OE supplier and were exactly the same as the ones removed. All for 50 quid delivered for 2. https://ebay.us/m/IK9a9A. Part number 2700101 in case anyone needs that in the future by Lemforder.

All back together now. Rides well. Shocks were exactly the same in dimension terms as the ones removed. Springs not sure yet. Car does seem to sit a bit higher than before but perhaps that’s just a settling in thing. Need to get tracking done now.

One odd thing that’s come up since this work is I now I have a stearing speed/angle sensor light on the dash. Dead ahead is slightly off so wonder if it’s something to do with that. Will get tracking done first then see if we can clear them. Any way mobile once again after nigh on 5 weeks!