[czrny]

I'm kind of lost while trying to choose right shock absorbers for the car.
Decided on SACHS and want to confirm part number to be 100% sure.

Car is '07 e92 330xD 170KW (xDrive without M package).
I checked springs on car - C3 (standard suspension).
Realoem shows following part number for shock absorber: 33 52 6 779 985

[Wolf 335]

BMW Shock Absorber - Sachs 311-409

BMW Part Number: 33526779985

[czrny]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

BMW Shock Absorber - Sachs 311-409

BMW Part Number: 33526779985

Thanks, 100% sure? I literally have Sachs catalogue in front of me which states: 311-410

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by czrny

Thanks, 100% sure? I literally have Sachs catalogue in front of me which states: 311-410

Nothing in life is for sure.

I checked the bmw part number on realoem.com with your car year and model. I then entered that number in fcpeuro.com and got the Sachs part number.

Edit:
On realoem.com it shows that 33526779985 is superseded by 33526796469 which shows up on fcpeuro as Sachs 311-410

Someone on fcp asked this:

Question Posted by a customer
What is the difference between these Sachs 31–409 and the blue label Sachs 311-410?
Answer (Posted by FCP Euro Products Team)
311-409 is for vehicles with a standard suspension and 311-410 is for vehicles with a sport suspension.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...35i-311-409#qa

[bmw_solid]

Beware - In UK SACHS does not do a Standard (Non M Sport) rear shock. I did this mistake and later ended up selling them and putting on Bilstein B4s Standard OEM non m sport shocks.

[czrny]

Originally Posted by bmw_solid

Beware - In UK SACHS does not do a Standard (Non M Sport) rear shock. I did this mistake and later ended up selling them and putting on Bilstein B4s Standard OEM non m sport shocks.

Which part number did you get (shocks?)
I'm in EU went through Sachs catalogue - they have only 311 410 shocks matching to my VIN. Contacted two sellers and they say these are OK.

I pretty much decided on following:
Sachs 311 410 Shocks
Sachs 900 126 Wheel Suspensions (900 127 are for sport suspension)

I may end up buying Bilstein B4s just to be sure. What a mess.

[edycol]

Get B4. Better shock. Or even better, get B6.

[whyzee125]

I think you're overthinking this. A lot of part numbers get superseded, replaced, updated, etc.

If it shows it's for your model, that's the shock to get. Bilstein B4 is probably not a better shock but is an equivalent shock so that'll work too.

[czrny]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I think you're overthinking this. A lot of part numbers get superseded, replaced, updated, etc.

If it shows it's for your model, that's the shock to get. Bilstein B4 is probably not a better shock but is an equivalent shock so that'll work too.

You might be right but getting work done on car is getting difficult at place where I live so want to get this right first time.

[czrny]

Originally Posted by edycol

Get B4. Better shock. Or even better, get B6.

I'm hearing good things, B4 being stiffer than OEM / Sachs. We'll see.

[czrny]

I went with Bilstein B4s and supports from Sachs. Here's list of parts for reference. Thanks guys.

19-135021 Bilstein B4 absorbers
900 126 Sachs covers and stops
802 547 Sachs bottom strut mount
802 548 Sachs top strut mount
802 549 Sachs top strut mount

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by czrny

I went with Bilstein B4s and supports from Sachs. Here's list of parts for reference. Thanks guys.

19-135021 Bilstein B4 absorbers
900 126 Sachs covers and stops
802 547 Sachs bottom strut mount
802 548 Sachs top strut mount
802 549 Sachs top strut mount

Good choice - I dont get why people think B4s are not good! Bilstein is by far the best German OEM for BMW and Mercedes etc. B4s are not some 'universal' dampers for all makes and models - they are the OEM equivalent and tuned for the specific requirements of the model. B8, B12s etc are the 'better than OEM' solution according to my research? Anyone know more about this topic?

The B4 and SACHS are both the OEM solution...B4 is not a non-OEM solution...

From what research I did couple of years back, I usually found people really hated the SACHS dampers and some people said LCI E9x models had their suspension made by Bilstein also and co-incidentally the LCI drove better...

[edycol]

Originally Posted by czrny

I'm hearing good things, B4 being stiffer than OEM / Sachs. We'll see.

Yes, genera agreement is 10%. I was thinking to go, but I occasionally track car. I drive daughter to daycare every day, take car to ski. It is my DD. I put around 25k minimum every year. Got B6 and never looked back! Not harsh (I don't have lowering springs), and I even have M3 wishbones in the back, stiffer mounts and polyurethane bushings.

But, if you go B4, go Monroe lower mounts in the back. Cheap, BIG upgrade!

[czrny]

Originally Posted by edycol

But, if you go B4, go Monroe lower mounts in the back. Cheap, BIG upgrade!

Interesting, wondering how mounts can make substantial impact on handling both Monroe and Sachs look solid.

[czrny]

Originally Posted by bmw_solid

Good choice - I dont get why people think B4s are not good! Bilstein is by far the best German OEM for BMW and Mercedes etc. B4s are not some 'universal' dampers for all makes and models - they are the OEM equivalent and tuned for the specific requirements of the model. B8, B12s etc are the 'better than OEM' solution according to my research? Anyone know more about this topic?

The B4 and SACHS are both the OEM solution...B4 is not a non-OEM solution...

From what research I did couple of years back, I usually found people really hated the SACHS dampers and some people said LCI E9x models had their suspension made by Bilstein also and co-incidentally the LCI drove better...

Have to admit I never was too happy with back handling so, again, will try out Bilstein.

BMW OEM's price is 3.5 times and you don't know what you get - like you said it's either SACHS or Bilstein from what I hear.

PS. current shocks passed inspection and were in good condition until one of them started leaking week ago

[edycol]

Originally Posted by czrny

Interesting, wondering how mounts can make substantial impact on handling both Monroe and Sachs look solid.

Monroe are solid rubber unlike OE or OEM. Spongy ones are designed to mitigate RFT effects.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by czrny

Have to admit I never was too happy with back handling so, again, will try out Bilstein.

BMW OEM's price is 3.5 times and you don't know what you get - like you said it's either SACHS or Bilstein from what I hear.

PS. current shocks passed inspection and were in good condition until one of them started leaking week ago

SACHS are OE.

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by czrny

You might be right but getting work done on car is getting difficult at place where I live so want to get this right first time.

I feel that, impossible to get anything done right here too lol

[edycol]

By the way, change ALL four dampers!

[czrny]

Originally Posted by czrny

I went with Bilstein B4s and supports from Sachs. Here's list of parts for reference. Thanks guys.

19-135021 Bilstein B4 absorbers
900 126 Sachs covers and stops
802 547 Sachs bottom strut mount
802 548 Sachs top strut mount
802 549 Sachs top strut mount

Got this changed today. With these parts (top mounts and stops) new dampener is lengthwise is 1:1 vs OE.

Currently body sits 7mm-10mm higher than before replacement - either rubber mounts were so beaten (they were visibly but nothing terrible) or suspension needs to settle in.

Car feels stiffer in the back when cornering and going on power out of corner.
Unfortunately I'm unable to tell whether Bilstein is 10% stiffer than Sachs / OE but happy with current handling.