[bt1339]

Originally Posted by johnung

Do you remember where you heard that Monroe is BMW’s Adaptive damper supplier? In the US I’ve always associated the Monroe brand with average quality replacement dampers. But perhaps these are a higher level product made at a different location. Maybe in Europe?

I crossed referenced several clues: my original Munich-made F30 M-Sport active dampers say "made in Spain". Monroe has a factory in Spain (not Bilstein, that I could find). There is a thread here somewhere that posted every single supplier for the F30 and Monroe was there. Then there is the fact that the Monroes are listed as OEM on Pelican Parts for the exact part # as the damper found on my own car. Finally, if you look at the pics of the OEM vs. the Monroes, they are the exact same things down to the color and the details of the damper (cylinder slightly not round, etc.) The Bilsteins are a different color and totally round I think.

That's a lot of clues IMO. Of course these things tend to be hush-hush so BMW can sell their overpriced genuine parts. But there is a bit of an echo-chamber in enthusiast circles that paints everything with a broad brush. Monroe is often associated with cheap parts but I'm trying to be objective and not let here-say drive the conversation.

OEM
Front left: 37116793867 ($640)
Front right: 37116793868 ($640)
Rear: 37126852927 ($397)

Monroe
Front left: C2522L ($315)
Front right: C2521R ($315)
Rear: C1531S (?- can't find a US supplier)

Total crap-shoot as to whether the Bilstein B4s are same or better.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by bt1339

I crossed referenced several clues: my original Munich-made F30 M-Sport active dampers say "made in Spain". Monroe has a factory in Spain (not Bilstein, that I could find). There is a thread here somewhere that posted every single supplier for the F30 and Monroe was there. Then there is the fact that the Monroes are listed as OEM on Pelican Parts for the exact part # as the damper found on my own car. Finally, if you look at the pics of the OEM vs. the Monroes, they are the exact same things down to the color and the details of the damper (cylinder slightly not round, etc.) The Bilsteins are a different color and totally round I think.

That's a lot of clues IMO. Of course these things tend to be hush-hush so BMW can sell their overpriced genuine parts. But there is a bit of an echo-chamber in enthusiast circles that paints everything with a broad brush. Monroe is often associated with cheap parts but I'm trying to be objective and not let here-say drive the conversation.

OEM
Front left: 37116793867 ($640)
Front right: 37116793868 ($640)
Rear: 37126852927 ($397)

Monroe
Front left: C2522L ($315)
Front right: C2521R ($315)
Rear: C1531S (?- can't find a US supplier)

Total crap-shoot as to whether the Bilstein B4s are same or better.

Sounds like you did pretty thorough research to me. It’s a little odd that Pelican sells the Monroe EDC’s, but their company owner ECS Tuning, and their brother Turner Motorsports don’t list the Monroe’s. Maybe they are testing sales on Pelican before adding it to the other companies owned by ECS.

I did a search on the Monroe catalog and I did find Monroe EDC options for the F30 335i RWD and 335i XDrive models.

Heck, anyone who was happy with their Adaptive Suspension when new, should just use replacements from Monroe (plus refresh rubber spring perches with new OEM). Then use the money saved for other suspension improvements like Eibach springs, or sway bar upgrades or tire upgrades or a front strut top brace.