[MrSteak]

Front shocks are leaking... and I'm debating Koni Yellows or Bilstein H6's to replace OEM; but worry that they'll be a nightmare on roads around NYC/Queens.


Anyone have experience with these or other sport shocks in/around NYC/Queens? Please share.

[NewToBeamer]

It all depends on how you drive, if you're the type that doesn't look out for bumps or slow down for speed bumps then its going to be hell for you. I have koni fsd shocks with lowering springs and I use them all year round but nothing beats the feel of sport oem suspension imo.

[MrSteak]

Originally Posted by NewToBeamer

It all depends on how you drive, if you're the type that doesn't look out for bumps or slow down for speed bumps then its going to be hell for you. I have koni fsd shocks with lowering springs and I use them all year round but nothing beats the feel of sport oem suspension imo.

Thanks. How do the FSD's feel aside from the bad roads?

Part of me was leaning towards OE replacements to play it safe,like these: https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-33...cks/ES2725374/.

I drive pretty hard, and doing a good job at avoiding potholes / bad roads... But in & around the city you can only do so much. Last time I bent a rim was in a pothole that was full of water in the rain (couldn't even see it). The roads here are probably the worst in the country (I've driven across the US twice, never seen worse.)

[NewToBeamer]

They're fine aside from feeling every dip, crack, and bump in the road they're great. For performance it feels even better.

[MrSteak]

Originally Posted by NewToBeamer

They're fine aside from feeling every dip, crack, and bump in the road they're great. For performance it feels even better.

Whenever I tell people I'll NEVER drive an automatic, people always ask "what about traffic?". I say the enjoyment of a manual supersedes any instance where it may be annoying (like traffic).


With you saying "nothing beats the feel of sport oem suspension imo" and the FSD's are "fine".... it feels like I may be better off with the OE's.


Thanks again for sharing your experience. I don't post as much these days, but I appreciate any/all feedback I can get here when it comes to fixing/maintaining my car.

[redline2001]

Probably gonna pick up the B4's myself for that same reason

[napeHbNYC]

Had Koni yellows on multiple cars and for me it's perfect. Paired with Eibachs.

[MrSteak]

Originally Posted by napeHbNYC

Had Koni yellows on multiple cars and for me it's perfect. Paired with Eibachs.

Driving around NYC/Queens/BK wasn't a nightmare avoiding bumps?

Even with my stock sport suspension, the "newly" paved BQE is a nightmare.

[kermitthefloer]

Go with th b4 if you want to get as close to stock as possible

[napeHbNYC]

Originally Posted by MrSteak

Driving around NYC/Queens/BK wasn't a nightmare avoiding bumps?

Even with my stock sport suspension, the "newly" paved BQE is a nightmare.

I guess you can say I was used to it but no, not really.

[MrSteak]

Originally Posted by kermitthefloer

Go with th b4 if you want to get as close to stock as possible

That's what I'm leaning towards.

Just seeing what people think, so I can try to get away with B6's (some people on other boards say B6's handle bumps better than OEM... but then again they probably don't know NYC roads.)

Originally Posted by napeHbNYC

I guess you can say I was used to it but no, not really.

True... I never get used to these roads. Thanks for the answers!

[lukkyp]

I have a 335xi with koni yellows and I bottom out on really bad pot holes. I live in queens and commute to brooklyn on weekends via belt parkway and the ride is horrible. I'm thinking about switching to b6 in the spring.

[WreckerX5d]

Interested in more shock choices as well. The roads out in NY just fucking suck. I had the B12 kit but that was obnoxious, even with OEM sport springs. I was thinking of the Koni Yellows but the above poster mentioned they are a bit harsh.

[mjd335]

Originally Posted by lukkyp

I have a 335xi with koni yellows and I bottom out on really bad pot holes. I live in queens and commute to brooklyn on weekends via belt parkway and the ride is horrible. I'm thinking about switching to b6 in the spring.

isnt there more to it than just shocks like what springs youre running and even bumpstops? does the OP have factory springs?

[redline2001]

Originally Posted by Wrecker335d

Interested in more shock choices as well. The roads out in NY just fucking suck. I had the B12 kit but that was obnoxious, even with OEM sport springs. I was thinking of the Koni Yellows but the above poster mentioned they are a bit harsh.

I have the yellows on my stock sport springs and do not find them harsh. They are adjustable.

[lukkyp]

yes, there are a lot of things that play into suspension. i'm at 108k, I've changed the bumpstop also and that helped a lot but on big pot holes nothing can help, lol. I keep adjusting my koni, its hard to find a good medium. It all depends on the road that day.

[redline2001]

Originally Posted by lukkyp

yes, there are a lot of things that play into suspension. i'm at 108k, I've changed the bumpstop also and that helped a lot but on big pot holes nothing can help, lol. I keep adjusting my koni, its hard to find a good medium. It all depends on the road that day.

If you didnt refresh your other suspension parts besides your bumpstops then that is your problem. Besides that if you have sport springs your cars will never float over these roads. The tri-state roads are what they are

[SE7EN335]

A lot of people who say the koni yellows are harsh is because they don't get shorter bumpstops when installing them with lowering springs. When you lower your ride height you need to maintain OEM amount of suspension travel. A way to do that is to get shorter bump stops. I followed the instructions of the eibach to only cut the rear bump stops and not the front. So I did that and the front rode noticeably harsher than the rear. I cut the front bump stops and that made a huge difference in ride comfort. You need a good amount of suspension travel to maintain dampening force of the shock over bumps and imperfections. A good option is to get e36 m3 front bump stops and z4 M rear bump stops because they are exactly 1 inch less than the regular OEM bumpstops for the e92

[DS3IAM]

probable going with 17 wheels would help too

[AWDBooSTIn90]

Im in the same situation. LI roads suck. My oem sport suspension is not what i want. It doesn't handle that great and it handles even medium pot holes like shit!!

Was considering:
-Bilstein B12 kit (B8's & Eibach Pro-Kit Springs)
-Koni Yellows with Eibachs, H&R sprts, or Swift springs
-B6's with ?? Springs

-BC BR-Series Coilovers
Drove an E90 335xi fbo with these and it handled and drove really good. I was impressed.

-KW Street Comforts (KW V2's w/lineaer springs & possibly diff damping to match)
Well recommended on the forum. KW's seem to be good quality


I dont daily drive my car. And my plan is fbo & e85. But i want great handling without a crazy sacrifice in ride quality.... I know, i know lol

Dont want the car to low either. Just alittle lower than oe sport suspension and close the front gap alittle..

Lets hear some advice, reviews, comments or anything lol...


I need to order this in the next week or two and i feel like i have similar goals as the OP.

Anthony

[Roman-dude]

Curious what you guys ended up getting and how it turned out. I need to replace my B6's on E46 M3 and considering options since they are on a national back order. Many thanks.

[Spitfire007]

Had B6 on my e38 in Brooklyn for 2 years.
Awful.

Still have B6 on my e90, and was still in Brooklyn for 5 years with it.
Awful.

You need stock NON SPORT suspension in NYC. Period.

I've moved since, and am keeping B6s, but they are rough.