Which harmonic balancer for my M57N2?

DanMZe90 · 02-22-2023, 01:54 PM

Hi, I've posted on the UK technical forum but I think this may be more specific to this forum so apologies for cross posting.

I've decided to replace the serpentine belt/tensioners on my 2005 E90 330D with M57N2 engine. The belt(s) are sounding a little bit chirpy and, since my ownership from 89k miles (now on 220k!) the belts have not been replaced...so it may be about time!

I've been looking at harmonic balancers and thought that whilst I'm there, to replace that. Realoem has my vibration damper here:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_2317 as part 11238511371.

However, when I check this against various parts places here in the UK that match by OEM part, I get different dimensions/configuration of balancers. As an example, look at:

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/11238511371

where each item professes to be a match to the oem part...but as you go down the list you see different configurations of ribs/diameters etc. Its the same with other part websites.

Soooo, the $64k question is, which one do I need or how do I tell which one I need other than going with the rather expensive BMW part?

Thanks!

Dan (UK)

Elpach0 · 02-22-2023, 02:01 PM

febi bilstein is good to go

DanMZe90 · 02-22-2023, 04:14 PM

Thanks, I've seen Febi Bilstein mentioned a few times. Being a cheapskate though and knowing that this car won't have many years left with me, I'm trying to get to the viable and possibly cheaper alternatives. Has anyone used anything other than Febi Bilstein?

Thanks

Dan

Owen81 · 02-24-2023, 09:43 AM

Corteco is allegedly the OEM for the damper, the FAI is popular on this side of the pond as well but if Corteco is cheaper I would go that route.

lnxguy · 02-24-2023, 01:26 PM

I went Corteco, no complaints until it lets go I guess.

335dlci · 02-24-2023, 01:31 PM

Whitbread sells fai with a clutched pulley. Lifetime warranty.

DanMZe90 · 07-05-2023, 10:48 AM

Hi again,

Autodoc stocks both Febi and Corteco for OEM 11238511371. However, there are two available for each brand:

Febi

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/febi-bilstein/1889330

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/febi-bilstein/1883846

Corteco

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/corteco/2103253

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/corteco/7700008

Eerrm, which one(s)?

Thanks

Dan

02-22-2023, 01:54 PM	#1
DanMZe90 Private First Class 16 Rep 107 Posts Drives: BMW E90 330D SE Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Devon iTrader: (0)	Which harmonic balancer for my M57N2? Hi, I've posted on the UK technical forum but I think this may be more specific to this forum so apologies for cross posting. I've decided to replace the serpentine belt/tensioners on my 2005 E90 330D with M57N2 engine. The belt(s) are sounding a little bit chirpy and, since my ownership from 89k miles (now on 220k!) the belts have not been replaced...so it may be about time! I've been looking at harmonic balancers and thought that whilst I'm there, to replace that. Realoem has my vibration damper here: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_2317 as part 11238511371. However, when I check this against various parts places here in the UK that match by OEM part, I get different dimensions/configuration of balancers. As an example, look at: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/11238511371 where each item professes to be a match to the oem part...but as you go down the list you see different configurations of ribs/diameters etc. Its the same with other part websites. Soooo, the $64k question is, which one do I need or how do I tell which one I need other than going with the rather expensive BMW part? Thanks! Dan (UK)
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02-22-2023, 02:01 PM	#2
Elpach0 New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: M57 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: EU iTrader: (0)	febi bilstein is good to go
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02-22-2023, 04:14 PM	#3
DanMZe90 Private First Class 16 Rep 107 Posts Drives: BMW E90 330D SE Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Devon iTrader: (0)	Thanks, I've seen Febi Bilstein mentioned a few times. Being a cheapskate though and knowing that this car won't have many years left with me, I'm trying to get to the viable and possibly cheaper alternatives. Has anyone used anything other than Febi Bilstein? Thanks Dan
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02-24-2023, 09:43 AM	#4
Owen81 Lieutenant 83 Rep 432 Posts Drives: 335d, 17/22 TDI Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta, Canada iTrader: (0)	Corteco is allegedly the OEM for the damper, the FAI is popular on this side of the pond as well but if Corteco is cheaper I would go that route.
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02-24-2023, 01:26 PM	#5
lnxguy Lieutenant Colonel 357 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2009 335D Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Barrie iTrader: (1)	I went Corteco, no complaints until it lets go I guess. __________________ '09 335D
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02-24-2023, 01:31 PM	#6
335dlci Lieutenant Colonel 277 Rep 1,575 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Whitbread sells fai with a clutched pulley. Lifetime warranty.
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07-05-2023, 10:48 AM	#7
DanMZe90 Private First Class 16 Rep 107 Posts Drives: BMW E90 330D SE Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Devon iTrader: (0)	Hi again, Autodoc stocks both Febi and Corteco for OEM 11238511371. However, there are two available for each brand: Febi https://www.autodoc.co.uk/febi-bilstein/1889330 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/febi-bilstein/1883846 Corteco https://www.autodoc.co.uk/corteco/2103253 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/corteco/7700008 Eerrm, which one(s)? Thanks Dan
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