[Chief_Bimmer_Fan]

I have a 2015 328i GT xDrive in need of new shocks.

I have what I think are stock non-DampTronic shocks (LF ex: #3131-6867447).

If I get Bilstein B6 Performance w/DampTronic shocks (part: 23-266490 for example), is there an electrical port to connect into on the chassis (ie. Plug and Play)?

I've read all GT xDrive models have the M Performance Chassis.

It's subzero here and too cold to get a good look without jacking it up.

Thanks

[skyline408]

Unless your car came with adaptive dampers, do not replace the shocks with adaptive damper shocks. Even if you had a place to plug in the electrical connectors, your car wouldn't have the ECU, console button, and coding to make it work.

factory ordered adaptive suspension on the F34 is extremely rare.

[Chief_Bimmer_Fan]

Oh wow, it has an independent ECU? Wouldn't mind if it was just maybe coding and switch replacement, but that scales the job to 'not worth it' level.

Thanks for preventing a costly mistake!

[skyline408]

Originally Posted by Chief_Bimmer_Fan

Oh wow, it has an independent ECU? Wouldn't mind if it was just maybe coding and switch replacement, but that scales the job to 'not worth it' level.

Thanks for preventing a costly mistake!

Note that I have not physically seen it! I had Adaptive suspension on my F80 M3 and when I check codes, front what I remember there is a module for the dampers, so I assumed an independent ecu.

[Chief_Bimmer_Fan]

Actually, it looks like these particulars are addressed for Bilstein dampers. Their DampTronics are designed for plug and Play.

I was thinking that could be a longshot, but they do this now for all 1-4 series.

I may pull a wheel off and look at the harness.

If the link doesn't hook to the scroll point, see comment @

Carlos@TAG 09:07 PM 08-23-2016

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ght=damptronic

[skyline408]

Originally Posted by Chief_Bimmer_Fan

Actually, it looks like these particulars are addressed for Bilstein dampers. Their DampTronics are designed for plug and Play.

I was thinking that could be a longshot, but they do this now for all 1-4 series.

I may pull a wheel off and look at the harness.

If the link doesn't hook to the scroll point, see comment @

Carlos@TAG 09:07 PM 08-23-2016

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ght=damptronic

Everything points to PnP IF you already have EDC / Adaptive Dampers.

If you don't, these are not PnP.

Here is someone who was able to retrofit Adaptive dampers on their F3x.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=14

As you can see, you'll need an ECU and ability to do the wiring to each wheel.

[Chief_Bimmer_Fan]

Correct on all points.

Ok, so here is the summized skinny on retro fitting in my own words.

There are two methods and both require wiring front and back and one requires a switch if not M-Sport. M Performance Chassis from my understanding is required for method 1 (don't quote me on that, doesn't apply to F34 chassis because they are all that type).

Method 1: ~Factory - (Integrated Adaptive)

Benefits - Variable Dampening Control
Communicates with the other ECUs to react to terrain-speed-engine-etc for track performance quality. The switch is the M-Sport switch.

Cons
Cost & availability of the required VDC module and wiring harnesses. The latter of which can be homemade but is still push pin wiring connector hell, but the switch is already there.

Complexity and time is high no matter skill level. Since this is wiring in a module, there is a lot of wiring, much much more than method 2 and coding.

Method 2: Bypass Static Dampening Control

Benefits
Easier, less costly, allows user control of two stage dampening. Great for a retro fit with only a high degree of sensitivity to know the difference from variable adaptive.

Cons
Not variable dampening. Requires a switch that bleeds from a 9v that's not stock, but can easily take the place of a socket as the button.

----

Method one is to mount and wire multi pin connectors from the mounted VDC $$, then add the 2VF coding which I guess can be done with e-sys. This is for true circuit racing drive control where the dampening adapts to road conditions in real-time within it's wired configuration.

Method two is adding the absorbers to a binary switch that is active in basically either comfort or sport mode. All the wires are similarly wired back to front, but no module (like four wires simple) and the switch can replace the 9v socket for on/off. I am a bit fuzzy on the last part and buzzed after getting the kiddos to bed.
In either case, this method is independently controlled and has nothing to do with coding or the system intelligence.

Anyways, both great upgrades, but for M-Sport equiped models, the added cost is ~$700, so there is absolutely no ROI.

Method 1 is for $$ loaded enthusiast.
Method 2 is for the avid mechanic.

[Chief_Bimmer_Fan]

Just to point out, every bit of advice you provided was correct and greatly appreciated along my research. Given there are multiple approaches, techniques, goals, finances, starting configurations etc., it's was hard to decip.

For me, it's my daily ride, no-track. It was a project consideration after an arctic freeze melt cycle that murders out roads every year is just horrid.

Which is why the transition to the X# series, the F34 was properly promoted to it's class model in the X6 variant. The odd thing is, BMW specifically made the F GT series to be a break in model into the luxury market. Sad they made the upgrade to much more like a mock M series.

[skyline408]

I'm not understanding what you mean by F34 M performance chassis. It's the same chassis as the Chinese long wheel base 3 series. It's not a performance oriented chassis.

[Chief_Bimmer_Fan]

Like I said, don't quote me on that part. I did see it along my research from a reputable source, but I didn't dig into it.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by skyline408

It's the same chassis as the Chinese long wheel base 3 series.

True. It was never a performance model, nor a luxury model either. The long wheelbase was for more rear legroom. In China that's important, because the status symbol there isn't a BMW propeller on the hood, it's a chauffeur in the driver's seat.