What Kind of Shocks Should I Buy?

scbim · 10-30-2022, 09:24 PM

Need to replace the shocks on my E93 335i and I'm hoping to find something that strikes a balance between performance and comfort.

Not sure how brand new OEM feel since I bought the car at 100k but mine are really spongey now (likely well overdue for a change).

Never done a shock job before so any tips on the job/parts buying are appreciated too. Sounds like some recommend replacing the springs if the shocks are upgraded...TBH I don't know much about coilovers vs. struts and differences to consider between front and rear; I have 19" wheels and the car sits pretty low to the ground (around 5"). Not sure if that's because the shocks are so old but I definitely wouldn't want to lower it past that point. Will continue researching on my own but any input is helpful.

TL;DR: I like to drive aggressively and want a setup that will handle well in turns but isn't going to explode my steering system if I hit a pothole.

Looking to spend < $1000. Any info/resources are appreciated, thanks

StradaRedlands · 10-30-2022, 10:27 PM

Springs are probably fine, but you'll want new mounts, upper bearings, misc hardware refreshed. Basically all the stuff you see in this kit, minus the actual struts/shocks::
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ce-35120377kt1

Those B6 struts are probably a good place to start from BTW.

scbim · 10-30-2022, 10:48 PM

Thanks for the input. I was actually looking at this Bilstein coilover kit, the adjustable height is attractive although one user said the kit slightly lowered the car from stock even at the highest setting. Any reason you would recommend the B6 kit over this one?

I'll have to check again but I think the car might currently have a coilover setup in the back (which would mean I'd have to buy new springs if I wanted to go B6? I'm still a bit confused on springs vs. struts etc.)

Also considering the M5 control arm upgrade plz lmk if you have any thoughts on that as well

StradaRedlands · 10-31-2022, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scbim

Thanks for the input. I was actually looking at this Bilstein coilover kit, the adjustable height is attractive although one user said the kit slightly lowered the car from stock even at the highest setting. Any reason you would recommend the B6 kit over this one?

I'll have to check again but I think the car might currently have a coilover setup in the back (which would mean I'd have to buy new springs if I wanted to go B6? I'm still a bit confused on springs vs. struts etc.)

Also considering the M5 control arm upgrade plz lmk if you have any thoughts on that as well

Oh, neither option is better or worse, I just think the B6 is a good neutral starting point. You basically can't go wrong with them, so a good place to start your research at.

I went with those M3 control arms in the front... for the price they are the obvious choice. I don't have an aggressive alignment, but just appreciate the better quality in them. Plus bling.

tlow98 · 10-31-2022, 02:15 AM

Koni yellows all the way. They’re like a better OE schock.

Serf27 · 10-31-2022, 02:25 AM

I agree with the second post. Buy everything that is replaceable except the spring.
Would be a shame if your top hat was ripped and the car sat on jack stands for a week…Lol.

scbim · 11-10-2022, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the tips - think I'll go with the B6 and M3 control arm upgrades. Will wait til the weather improves a bit and then I'll be getting to it!

tlow98 · 11-11-2022, 02:41 AM

Lots of people say they love the b6/8 around here but I find them very harsh. At low speeds they ride like a truck, and not the new fancy trucks.

If you live in an area with crap roads I wouldn’t touch them with money that was given to me. On the highway, they’re great. Otherwise, meh.

The list of people that have complained about Koni yellows is impossible small.

BKzu · 11-11-2022, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scbim

Thanks for the tips - think I'll go with the B6 and M3 control arm upgrades. Will wait til the weather improves a bit and then I'll be getting to it!

Right, B6 works

POBEP · 11-12-2022, 02:21 AM

I have B8's on E90 335d - way too low for DD.

Highway is awesome, especially on the twisty mountain roads.
Potholes, speed bumps, etc at city speeds is far from ideal.

When time comes for my E91 I'll go with B6/m3 control arms.

Because of above, I drive 335d highway only and E91 in a city.

Nando_e90 · 11-12-2022, 03:45 PM

Bilstein B6 they ride hard in town. Had them on my 330i and was terrible driving in town where roads are no the best ones. Ended up ditching them off and installing OE Sachs.
For perfect roads, on highways, twisty roads as said above, they are awesome.

10-30-2022, 09:24 PM	#1
scbim cap 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Santa Cruz iTrader: (0)	What Kind of Shocks Should I Buy? Need to replace the shocks on my E93 335i and I'm hoping to find something that strikes a balance between performance and comfort. Not sure how brand new OEM feel since I bought the car at 100k but mine are really spongey now (likely well overdue for a change). Never done a shock job before so any tips on the job/parts buying are appreciated too. Sounds like some recommend replacing the springs if the shocks are upgraded...TBH I don't know much about coilovers vs. struts and differences to consider between front and rear; I have 19" wheels and the car sits pretty low to the ground (around 5"). Not sure if that's because the shocks are so old but I definitely wouldn't want to lower it past that point. Will continue researching on my own but any input is helpful. TL;DR: I like to drive aggressively and want a setup that will handle well in turns but isn't going to explode my steering system if I hit a pothole. Looking to spend < $1000. Any info/resources are appreciated, thanks Last edited by scbim; 10-30-2022 at 09:55 PM..
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10-30-2022, 10:27 PM	#2
StradaRedlands Colonel 4920 Rep 2,965 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.21] 2009 BMW 328i Touri ... [7.90] 2013 BMW X5 35i [7.63] 2011 BMW 528i [8.75] 2006 Mazda3 [5.50]	Springs are probably fine, but you'll want new mounts, upper bearings, misc hardware refreshed. Basically all the stuff you see in this kit, minus the actual struts/shocks:: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ce-35120377kt1 Those B6 struts are probably a good place to start from BTW.
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10-30-2022, 10:48 PM	#3
scbim cap 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Santa Cruz iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input. I was actually looking at this Bilstein coilover kit, the adjustable height is attractive although one user said the kit slightly lowered the car from stock even at the highest setting. Any reason you would recommend the B6 kit over this one? I'll have to check again but I think the car might currently have a coilover setup in the back (which would mean I'd have to buy new springs if I wanted to go B6? I'm still a bit confused on springs vs. struts etc.) Also considering the M5 control arm upgrade plz lmk if you have any thoughts on that as well
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10-31-2022, 02:15 AM	#5
tlow98 Brigadier General 2173 Rep 4,989 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Koni yellows all the way. They’re like a better OE schock.
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10-31-2022, 02:25 AM	#6
Serf27 Brigadier General 2850 Rep 4,322 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	I agree with the second post. Buy everything that is replaceable except the spring. Would be a shame if your top hat was ripped and the car sat on jack stands for a week…Lol.
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11-10-2022, 03:26 PM	#7
scbim cap 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Santa Cruz iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the tips - think I'll go with the B6 and M3 control arm upgrades. Will wait til the weather improves a bit and then I'll be getting to it!
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11-11-2022, 02:41 AM	#8
tlow98 Brigadier General 2173 Rep 4,989 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Lots of people say they love the b6/8 around here but I find them very harsh. At low speeds they ride like a truck, and not the new fancy trucks. If you live in an area with crap roads I wouldn’t touch them with money that was given to me. On the highway, they’re great. Otherwise, meh. The list of people that have complained about Koni yellows is impossible small.
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11-12-2022, 02:21 AM	#10
POBEP Lieutenant 361 Rep 552 Posts Drives: E70 E90 E91 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Christmas Valley, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 335d [9.33] 2013 E70 xDrive35d [5.00] 2009 E91 328i [10.00] 2016 F25 xDrive28d [0.00]	I have B8's on E90 335d - way too low for DD. Highway is awesome, especially on the twisty mountain roads. Potholes, speed bumps, etc at city speeds is far from ideal. When time comes for my E91 I'll go with B6/m3 control arms. Because of above, I drive 335d highway only and E91 in a city. __________________
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11-12-2022, 03:45 PM	#11
Nando_e90 Second Lieutenant 105 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: El Salvador iTrader: (0)	Bilstein B6 they ride hard in town. Had them on my 330i and was terrible driving in town where roads are no the best ones. Ended up ditching them off and installing OE Sachs. For perfect roads, on highways, twisty roads as said above, they are awesome.
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