[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Kind of a stupid question if you will but I got a Bilstein coilover kit that costed 1300$. Installed at around 105k KM, I think my car still had original suspension components.

In another 100k or maybe even earlier, I will certainly have to replace the shocks right?

Now the rear seems to be regular Bilstein upgraded shocks so I can just get those.

But for the front they are special threaded shocks than normal Bilstein replacements, do you think you can you get replacements or when your coil overs are done it's the norm that you need to get a whole new set again at 1300$? Because the springs are most definitely going to still be in great condition...

[9krpmrx8]

They will eventually have to be rebuilt. I have had my Bilstein PSS for 30k and they are still fine. My stock M sport suspension had 70k or so on it and two dampers were bad and we installed ST's on my buddies 2011 E92 at 95k and he had three bad dampers as well.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

They will eventually have to be rebuilt. I have had my Bilstein PSS for 30k and they are still fine. My stock M sport suspension had 70k or so on it and two dampers were bad and we installed ST's on my buddies 2011 E92 at 95k and he had three bad dampers as well.

Ah didn't know you could get them rebuilt.

That's good to know. My stock M suspension I'm not 100% sure if it was done but comparing it to my new coilovers night and day difference. I have like almost zero body roll feel right now and I put back my 12mm spacers that I rubbed a lot before but now zero rubbing since it's properly stiff.

Such a great upgrade/install. I do realise though with time it will probably become less stiff right?

[9krpmrx8]

Yeah they settle in typically. In most big metro areas you can find a local Bilstein rebuilder but you can also send them to Bilstein directly.

[feuer]

Coilovers weren't build for longevity. OEM suspension will definitely last longer.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Kind of a stupid question if you will but I got a Bilstein coilover kit that costed 1300$. Installed at around 105k KM, I think my car still had original suspension components.

In another 100k or maybe even earlier, I will certainly have to replace the shocks right?

Now the rear seems to be regular Bilstein upgraded shocks so I can just get those.

But for the front they are special threaded shocks than normal Bilstein replacements, do you think you can you get replacements or when your coil overs are done it's the norm that you need to get a whole new set again at 1300$? Because the springs are most definitely going to still be in great condition...

I just want to echo the other poster that you can get these rebuilt. You'll have to spend a couple of hundred to make it happen (not including removal and reinstall) but still way cheaper than replacement.

Without getting off topic too much, I had an Ohlins TTX on my track bike. Perhaps the fourth season at a track day I noticed I was getting some odd wear patterns on my rear tire. Local suspension vendor instantly said shock needed rebuilt and the problem was eventually solved. Point being is that even blasting around the race track I had no idea there was a problem except when I saw some odd wear patterns on the rear tire. I believe they charged me $200 for the rebuild, while a new shock would have run about $1300.

[agustincuenca]

after 47k on my Bilsteins PSS B14s I must say that at least the front struts need a rebuild... now I'm wondering how to do this since I need to park the car, send them and wait until is done or just get a new coilover set (maybe Ohlins).... but yeah, you'll have to rebuild/replace at some point sooner than factory.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by agustincuenca

after 47k on my Bilsteins PSS B14s I must day that at least the front struts need a rebuild... now I'm wondering how to do this since I need to park the car, send them and wait until is done or just get a new coilover set (maybe Ohlins).... but yeah, you'll have to rebuild/replace at some point sooner than factory.

That's exactly the ammont of milleage Bilstein recommended me to rebuilds them.

Still, my factory stuff looked worn out as hell at 60k miles... I'm not sure on factory outlasting by that much better.

47k is still a pretty long time.

Did you DIY your Bilsteins?

[agustincuenca]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

That's exactly the ammont of milleage Bilstein recommended me to rebuilds them.

Still, my factory stuff looked worn out as hell at 60k miles... I'm not sure on factory outlasting by that much better.

47k is still a pretty long time.

Did you DIY your Bilsteins?

Yup, I did the install myself. You'll need spring compressors if you are going to reuse anything from the stock fronts (mounts, etc), if not....regular tools will do the trick.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by agustincuenca

Yup, I did the install myself. You'll need spring compressors if you are going to reuse anything from the stock fronts (mounts, etc), if not....regular tools will do the trick.

Oh yeah I know I already installed mine a week ago

Just had a question since I was wodnering Bilstein manual didn't say to use OE bumpstops for the rear.

Did you end up using them? Just want to make sure since it seems odd a bit.

[Phil325i]

My local Ohlins specialist recommends a rebuild service every 50K.

[agustincuenca]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Oh yeah I know I already installed mine a week ago

Just had a question since I was wodnering Bilstein manual didn't say to use OE bumpstops for the rear.

Did you end up using them? Just want to make sure since it seems odd a bit.

To be honest, I don't recall that specifically, but I remember transfering some stuff from the old strut to the new, like the plastic cover for the shaft... I think there is a YouTube video from ECS that explains it.....check it out. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[9krpmrx8]

The bumpstops are built in on the Bilsteins IIRC.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by agustincuenca

To be honest, I don't recall that specifically, but I remember transfering some stuff from the old strut to the new, like the plastic cover for the shaft... I think there is a YouTube video from ECS that explains it.....check it out. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Ahhh it's alright.

I did transfer everything in the diagram so I think I'm good.

I learned Bilstein uses a bumbstop under the dustcover design compared to outside for OE shocks. Under the dustcover there was already a black rubber piece, about half the size of OE bumpstop in terms of height. So I guess that was it and I'm good to go.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

The bumpstops are built in on the Bilsteins IIRC.

When I was looking to those who only replaced shock they had a OEM sized bumpstop under the dust cover.

On the coils it was a really small black rubber piece half the size.

I guess it is built in?

[agustincuenca]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

The bumpstops are built in on the Bilsteins IIRC.

100% for the fronts, but I think the rear does not have built in stops.

[BMWRich]

TheMidnightNarwhal can I asked where you purchased your coilover kit? Which Bilstein set did you end up going with? How is the ride comfort compared to OEM?

My rear shocks are gone and I'm deciding whether to replaced with OEM or do a complete suspension upgrade.

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Kind of a stupid question if you will but I got a Bilstein coilover kit that costed 1300$. Installed at around 105k KM, I think my car still had original suspension components.

In another 100k or maybe even earlier, I will certainly have to replace the shocks right?

Now the rear seems to be regular Bilstein upgraded shocks so I can just get those.

But for the front they are special threaded shocks than normal Bilstein replacements, do you think you can you get replacements or when your coil overs are done it's the norm that you need to get a whole new set again at 1300$? Because the springs are most definitely going to still be in great condition...

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by BMWRich

TheMidnightNarwhal can I asked where you purchased your coilover kit? Which Bilstein set did you end up going with? How is the ride comfort compared to OEM?

My rear shocks are gone and I'm deciding whether to replaced with OEM or do a complete suspension upgrade.

I went with Bilstein B14 PSS coilover kit and bought from ECS tuning and picked them up across border since it was much cheaper than getting it in Canada.

Compared to stock ride comfort I would say the Bilstein are definitely a bit more stiff but not crazy stiff. I was personally surprised how well it rode I was expecting more stiffness but I like it how it is.

[BMWRich]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I went with Bilstein B14 PSS coilover kit and bought from ECS tuning and picked them up across border since it was much cheaper than getting it in Canada.

Compared to stock ride comfort I would say the Bilstein are definitely a bit more stiff but not crazy stiff. I was personally surprised how well it rode I was expecting more stiffness but I like it how it is.

Was there any reason why you chose Bilstein say over KW or others?

I'm going back and forth between KW V1's or Bilstein. The cost being a factor. I even thought about BC BR coilover but I don't know whether I should stay away from something like that.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by BMWRich

Was there any reason why you chose Bilstein say over KW or others?

I'm going back and forth between KW V1's or Bilstein. The cost being a factor. I even thought about BC BR coilover but I don't know whether I should stay away from something like that.

Honnestly my only reason was price. I would've loved to get the KW V1 because they are stainless and I plan to run them in winter, but I'm sure if I slather some anti seize and put tape on my threads they will be fine this winter. They have a coating on the threads as well apparently.

So the 2 options that fell to me were the Bilsteins or BC Racing. BC racing only had 1 year warranty compared to Bilstein lifetime so went with Bilstein.

One thing to note though Bilstein are partially threaded coils while the BC are fully threaded.

[BMWRich]

I read the KW are stainless steel so good for winter and lifetime warranty sold me but price being a factor and seeing online ppl complain about KW speaking or noises poses a concern to me.

wondering what others coilovers are good for the winters here in Canada. trying not to sink too much cash into this.

you mentioning anti seize and tape for the winter. the Bilstein B14 PSS are not stainless steel?

sorry for my ignorance but what did you mean by Bilstein are partially threaded coils while the BC are fully threaded?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by BMWRich

I read the KW are stainless steel so good for winter and lifetime warranty sold me but price being a factor and seeing online ppl complain about KW speaking or noises poses a concern to me.

wondering what others coilovers are good for the winters here in Canada. trying not to sink too much cash into this.

you mentioning anti seize and tape for the winter. the Bilstein B14 PSS are not stainless steel?

sorry for my ignorance but what did you mean by Bilstein are partially threaded coils while the BC are fully threaded?

No, they seemed to be before but the new design is this.

I think really the only difference between both is that fully threade allows you to modify spring preload independently of ride height.