[MHDBMW12]

Hi, so I’m new to BMW work I guess kinda it’s been 6 months from when I owned my first BMW (E92 N54). I didn’t know how to even do an oil change before now. I’ve replaced every seal every cooling hose including the radiator and tank itself. I’m eager to learn more. I have engine running in good shape for now. I took my car to get inspection on my suspension, idk anything about suspension. Way too much money to fix so I’m gonna attempt it myself. First of all how hard is a shock absorber job? What shocks should I buy and where can I find them? I want a budget option that is close enough to stock. I have an msport model so idk what shocks would match. PS. I’m not making a race car so I don’t need some crazy suspension.

[Vivek.]

Opinions are like assholes on this one, but I generally like Koni dampers. You won't go wrong with Bilstein either. Those will be the most recommended ones.

As for DIY-ing the job, removing the strut assembly from the car is fairly straightforward albeit a little annoying. Removing the spring and strut insert without a proper (IE--wall mounted) spring compressor is difficult and frankly dangerous. By the third time I did this job, I figured it was the best use of my time/money to take the strut housings off the car and bring them to a shop (basically any shop can do this, they don't need to know anything about BMWs) and have them swap the strut inserts. Probably cost me less than a hundred bucks last I did it but that was 2015.

[jwalker87]

Go to www.fcpeuro.com to research parts. Your profile says you have an xdrive, so the suspension is actually the same as the base even if it's a Sport or M-Sport.

Rear shocks are not too bad of a job, you really just need to define the scope of what you want to replace. Use www.realoem.com and enter your VIN to see detailed parts diagrams that will help you to learn what all the parts are, and you can grab the part numbers to research pricing. Rear shocks aren't too bad, but then you start looking at things like shock mounts, bushings, control arms, sway bar bushings and end-links, etc. ... they all wear out around the same time!

Front struts (shocks that are part of a MacPherson suspension) are a bit more difficult. Removing the entire assembly from the car is pretty easy, but you need a spring compression tool to safely remove the spring from the strut. You may be able to pay a shop a small fee to do this for you. Then, you have the same problem of the rear in the form of spring seats, strut mounts, sway bar bushings and end-links, as well as tie-rod ends.

[mainbearing]

Bilstein B4s will be easy to find, Rock Auto, RM European, or the FCS Euro mentioned, which gives you lifetime replacement warranty. I heard some like Koni Yellows (sport) or the more standard Koni Orange. These yon check ECS Tuning and Tire Rack.

Since you are taking out the steering knuckle for wheel bearing work, you can check out FCS's lower control and ball joint 6-pcs package for replacement at the same time. Use new nuts and bolts from FCS too.

Make sure to load the suspension when you tighten things up after changing control arms. as in 4:23 of this video:

For OEM suspension parts like mounts and dust bellows, use Lemforder, which is a ZF and TRW aftermarket brand.

Here is a video on non-X struts and shocks including rear coil springs. I do agree you should find a shop that can assemble the strut assemblies by transferring the old coil springs over. It is the safest if you have not done this type of work before. These coil springs are strong and carry a lot of energy.

Here is the rear shocks without changing the sway bar links or coil springs. I used this video changing mine and also changed the upper and lower mounts, plus the dust boot and bumper stop.

[tcphoto]

DIY, save money and learn about your car. The front is easy but the springs are a challenge to transfer to the new struts. I added lowering perches and had a shop swap the springs for $75 and then I installed them.

[MHDBMW12]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-strut-assembly-sachs-317-366

Would this OEM replacement from FCP euro be good? Thanks for everyone’s advice I’ll go to a shop with the assembly to have the spring swapped over. I am only replacing the front struts btw!! Those were the only ones that were seen to be leaking.

[MHDBMW12]

Originally Posted by jwalker87

Go to www.fcpeuro.com to research parts. Your profile says you have an xdrive, so the suspension is actually the same as the base even if it's a Sport or M-Sport.

Rear shocks are not too bad of a job, you really just need to define the scope of what you want to replace. Use www.realoem.com and enter your VIN to see detailed parts diagrams that will help you to learn what all the parts are, and you can grab the part numbers to research pricing. Rear shocks aren't too bad, but then you start looking at things like shock mounts, bushings, control arms, sway bar bushings and end-links, etc. ... they all wear out around the same time!

Front struts (shocks that are part of a MacPherson suspension) are a bit more difficult. Removing the entire assembly from the car is pretty easy, but you need a spring compression tool to safely remove the spring from the strut. You may be able to pay a shop a small fee to do this for you. Then, you have the same problem of the rear in the form of spring seats, strut mounts, sway bar bushings and end-links, as well as tie-rod ends.

Wow thanks for all your help. Had no idea that the xdrive made it pretty much the same as non sport model. The rear suspension was done by the previous owner but for some reason he didn’t do the front. I can find a shop to do that for me most likely for the spring shouldnt be an issue. I will also be doing my front wheel bearings, brakes and shock mounts as well anything else you recommend I should change while being in the front already?

[mainbearing]

I prefer Bilstein over Sachs. What year is your 335Xi? Let me use 2009 as an example. The PO probably changed the rear shocks only because they were easy to do. The fronts with the coils springs and the small wheel well are a different story.

Get a kit like this, everything except a shop can swap the old springs and rubber perches over:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ing-22214294kt

And the 6-pcs lower arms and ball joints I mentioned:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...2-e90caxdrive1

New nuts and bolts:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-33306793891kt

Rubber perches (upper plate pad and lower spring pad, BMW calls them) #16 and 20. Mine were in good condition for reuse. Search the part numbers on FCP too.
https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2009-b...ion-components

[MHDBMW12]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Bilstein B4s will be easy to find, Rock Auto, RM European, or the FCS Euro mentioned, which gives you lifetime replacement warranty. I heard some like Koni Yellows (sport) or the more standard Koni Orange. These yon check ECS Tuning and Tire Rack.

Since you are taking out the steering knuckle for wheel bearing work, you can check out FCS's lower control and ball joint 6-pcs package for replacement at the same time. Use new nuts and bolts from FCS too.

Make sure to load the suspension when you tighten things up after changing control arms. as in 4:23 of this video:

For OEM suspension parts like mounts and dust bellows, use Lemforder, which is a ZF and TRW aftermarket brand.

Here is a video on non-X struts and shocks including rear coil springs. I do agree you should find a shop that can assemble the strut assemblies by transferring the old coil springs over. It is the safest if you have not done this type of work before. These coil springs are strong and carry a lot of energy.

Here is the rear shocks without changing the sway bar links or coil springs. I used this video changing mine and also changed the upper and lower mounts, plus the dust boot and bumper stop.

Hahah thanks for helping out on my posts. I couldn’t imagine working on my car without this form. I would be lost. Thanks for the advice I’ll check out that kit from FCP!

[MHDBMW12]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

I prefer Bilstein over Sachs. What year is your 335Xi? Let me use 2009 as an example. The PO probably changed the rear shocks only because they were easy to do. The fronts with the coils springs and the small wheel well are a different story.

Get a kit like this, everything except a shop can swap the old springs and rubber perches over:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ing-22214294kt

And the 6-pcs lower arms and ball joints I mentioned:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...2-e90caxdrive1

New nuts and bolts:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-33306793891kt

Rubber perches (upper plate pad and lower spring pad, BMW calls them) #16 and 20. Mine were in good condition for reuse. Search the part numbers on FCP too.
https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2009-b...ion-components

2009 the cars around 150k kms for context. Thanks I’ll check out the bilstien the price isn’t much different.

[ppointer]

+1 on FCP. They are excellent. I get about 70% of my parts from FCP and 20% from ecstuning.com. I highly recommend the B4's, which I have used in numerous of my own vehicles. I have heard great things about Koni, but have not even ridden in a car equipped with them.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

I prefer Bilstein over Sachs. What year is your 335Xi? Let me use 2009 as an example. The PO probably changed the rear shocks only because they were easy to do. The fronts with the coils springs and the small wheel well are a different story.

Get a kit like this, everything except a shop can swap the old springs and rubber perches over:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ing-22214294kt

And the 6-pcs lower arms and ball joints I mentioned:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...2-e90caxdrive1

New nuts and bolts:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-33306793891kt

Rubber perches (upper plate pad and lower spring pad, BMW calls them) #16 and 20. Mine were in good condition for reuse. Search the part numbers on FCP too.
https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2009-b...ion-components

This is excellent advice. The FCP kits come with all that is needed. Great post here.