high mileage adaptive dampers. When are they breaking?

jedi-knight83 · 06-15-2019, 02:34 PM

I'm looking at buying an F31 330d with between 80-100k miles already on it with adaptive dampers. I'll be adding another 100k miles before I would look to re sell it.

Now there are some higher mileage F31 cars knocking around, how do the adaptive dampers seem to be holding up?

And when they do inevitably pop and need replacing, whats the replacement part cost these days? (I get labour free at work which is fortunate)

I've just had the dampers on my current E91 330d SE replaced (again) and Sachs parts all round inc new top mounts cost me about £290. I can imaging that wouldn't even buy a single adaptive damper!

Thanks in advance

psyki · 06-16-2019, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedi-knight83

I'm looking at buying an F31 330d with between 80-100k miles already on it with adaptive dampers. I'll be adding another 100k miles before I would look to re sell it.

Now there are some higher mileage F31 cars knocking around, how do the adaptive dampers seem to be holding up?

And when they do inevitably pop and need replacing, whats the replacement part cost these days? (I get labour free at work which is fortunate)

I've just had the dampers on my current E91 330d SE replaced (again) and Sachs parts all round inc new top mounts cost me about £290. I can imaging that wouldn't even buy a single adaptive damper!

Thanks in advance

I can't speak for their longevity but the M-adaptive struts for an x-drive vehicle are around $600 a piece for the fronts and around $350 each for the rears.

cfm56d7b · 06-16-2019, 05:45 PM

At 100K miles, the adaptive shocks are very close to the end of their useful life. If the springs are still original, I suggest to replace springs as well.

ClevelandBeemer · 06-16-2019, 09:58 PM

I'm at 100k right now and have no leaks or signs of failure. That said they do not feel at 100%. At $2,000 to replace just the dampers I'm looking into coilover options when the time comes to replace these puppies.

cfm56d7b · 06-17-2019, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBeemer

I'm at 100k right now and have no leaks or signs of failure. That said they do not feel at 100%. At $2,000 to replace just the dampers I'm looking into coilover options when the time comes to replace these puppies.

Coilovers would be an excellent choice to explore but coilovers may necessarily cost less.

KW Street Comfort coilovers will be approx. $2K USD with installation + potential 4 wheel alignment depending on how much the vehicle has been lowered.

jedi-knight83 · 06-18-2019, 05:11 AM

£1554 inc VAT trade price for all 4
£1829 inc VAT retail price

Thats direct from BMW in the UK

I've done some googling for the B4 Damptronic direct replacements but can't seem to find anywhere that sells them? Are they actually available in the UK?

Digidick · 06-19-2019, 06:52 AM

I need one Adaptive drivers side front for my 330d Saloon if anyone changes theirs and wants to sell.

Think I've damaged it after hitting a pothole as it's abit noisy over bumps.

exE36M3 · 07-04-2019, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBeemer

I'm at 100k right now and have no leaks or signs of failure. That said they do not feel at 100%. At $2,000 to replace just the dampers I'm looking into coilover options when the time comes to replace these puppies.

Silly question but... is it really the dampeners or worn control arm bushings? I *thought* the stock suspension was vague, floaty, and mushy at 58k. But replacing the control arm/thrust arm bushing from the rubber filled to the Turner Monoball... sheesh, the car feels like new.

Farkle did some pretty extensive research on the M Adaptive Suspension shocks, they are incredibly robust.

ClevelandBeemer · 07-16-2019, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by percychow

Silly question but... is it really the dampeners or worn control arm bushings? I *thought* the stock suspension was vague, floaty, and mushy at 58k. But replacing the control arm/thrust arm bushing from the rubber filled to the Turner Monoball... sheesh, the car feels like new.

Farkle did some pretty extensive research on the M Adaptive Suspension shocks, they are incredibly robust.

Honestly it's probably both. At over 100k miles it's time for a full suspension refresh.

Jasper99 · 07-17-2019, 07:24 AM

I'm at 110k miles on adaptive dampers and thinking of a suspension refresh. The car doesn't handle like it used to and there is an increase in road noise too.

Any advice on which linkages I should replace to tighten the handling and quieten the noise?

Looking at RealOEM.com I see two linkages: "wishbone" and "tension strut with hydraulic mount". Do these both tend to wear out? Can just the bushings be replaced or do I need the whole assembly?

Grateful for any advice!

FaRKle! · 07-17-2019, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper99

Looking at RealOEM.com I see two linkages: "wishbone" and "tension strut with hydraulic mount". Do these both tend to wear out? Can just the bushings be replaced or do I need the whole assembly?

Grateful for any advice!

Both of the rubber bushings and ball joints on those two control arms wear out. 110k is A LOT for the bushings. It's usually easier to just replace the whole assembly (bushing, arm, and ball joint) since they're sold as a complete assembly, and you don't need a press to take out the old bushing and install a new one. At 110k there's not really any point to only doing just one of the components. The tension strut should make the most difference with regards to feel.

Jasper99 · 07-18-2019, 03:18 AM

Thanks FaRKle! I'll take your advice on those control arms.

I'm already planning to replace the dampers (with Bilstein B4 damptronic rather than B6 because I like a soft ride on the highway) and I'm happy with my ride height, so I wasn't going to renew the springs.

What about the "top hat" mountings. Do they wear out?

FaRKle! · 07-18-2019, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper99

What about the "top hat" mountings. Do they wear out?

There's a bearing that the spring sits against to prevent bind on the top mount that can wear out. I don't think you can get that part separately, so it's worth it getting new top mount assemblies.

Matthewricha · 10-07-2019, 11:11 AM

Hi jedi-knight83

You've probably sorted out your B4 Damptronic shocks now, but the cheapest place I've found in the UK are Balance Motorsport:

Rears (£265):
https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/cata...t/?q=20-238933

BTW these used to be £230 inc VAT so the price does fluctuate.

Fronts are here:

Left (£355)
https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/cata...t/?q=23-238916

Right (£355):
https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/cata...t/?q=23-238923

I'd be very interested to hear your review on these.

I am in the process of replacing my standard pre-LCI shocks with LCI used ones with 14k on them (got a set of 4 for a very good price). Previous owner had lowering springs on mine and they are shot already at 25k miles.

06-15-2019, 02:34 PM	#1
jedi-knight83 Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 255 Posts Drives: F36 430d GC, XKR, Clio 172 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rayleigh / Cambridge - UK iTrader: (0)	high mileage adaptive dampers. When are they breaking? I'm looking at buying an F31 330d with between 80-100k miles already on it with adaptive dampers. I'll be adding another 100k miles before I would look to re sell it. Now there are some higher mileage F31 cars knocking around, how do the adaptive dampers seem to be holding up? And when they do inevitably pop and need replacing, whats the replacement part cost these days? (I get labour free at work which is fortunate) I've just had the dampers on my current E91 330d SE replaced (again) and Sachs parts all round inc new top mounts cost me about £290. I can imaging that wouldn't even buy a single adaptive damper! Thanks in advance
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06-16-2019, 05:45 PM	#3
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5876 Rep 10,251 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	At 100K miles, the adaptive shocks are very close to the end of their useful life. If the springs are still original, I suggest to replace springs as well.
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06-16-2019, 09:58 PM	#4
ClevelandBeemer Second Lieutenant 94 Rep 262 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 45e [0.00] 2013 335i [0.00] 2015 BMW S1000R [0.00]	I'm at 100k right now and have no leaks or signs of failure. That said they do not feel at 100%. At $2,000 to replace just the dampers I'm looking into coilover options when the time comes to replace these puppies.
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06-18-2019, 05:11 AM	#6
jedi-knight83 Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 255 Posts Drives: F36 430d GC, XKR, Clio 172 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rayleigh / Cambridge - UK iTrader: (0)	£1554 inc VAT trade price for all 4 £1829 inc VAT retail price Thats direct from BMW in the UK I've done some googling for the B4 Damptronic direct replacements but can't seem to find anywhere that sells them? Are they actually available in the UK?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2019, 06:52 AM	#7
Digidick Captain 142 Rep 627 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Derby iTrader: (0)	I need one Adaptive drivers side front for my 330d Saloon if anyone changes theirs and wants to sell. Think I've damaged it after hitting a pothole as it's abit noisy over bumps.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2019, 07:24 AM	#10
Jasper99 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2013 F31 330d Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I'm at 110k miles on adaptive dampers and thinking of a suspension refresh. The car doesn't handle like it used to and there is an increase in road noise too. Any advice on which linkages I should replace to tighten the handling and quieten the noise? Looking at RealOEM.com I see two linkages: "wishbone" and "tension strut with hydraulic mount". Do these both tend to wear out? Can just the bushings be replaced or do I need the whole assembly? Grateful for any advice!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-18-2019, 03:18 AM	#12
Jasper99 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2013 F31 330d Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Thanks FaRKle! I'll take your advice on those control arms. I'm already planning to replace the dampers (with Bilstein B4 damptronic rather than B6 because I like a soft ride on the highway) and I'm happy with my ride height, so I wasn't going to renew the springs. What about the "top hat" mountings. Do they wear out?
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10-07-2019, 11:11 AM	#14
Matthewricha Private First Class 43 Rep 132 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Hi jedi-knight83 You've probably sorted out your B4 Damptronic shocks now, but the cheapest place I've found in the UK are Balance Motorsport: Rears (£265): https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/cata...t/?q=20-238933 BTW these used to be £230 inc VAT so the price does fluctuate. Fronts are here: Left (£355) https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/cata...t/?q=23-238916 Right (£355): https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/cata...t/?q=23-238923 I'd be very interested to hear your review on these. I am in the process of replacing my standard pre-LCI shocks with LCI used ones with 14k on them (got a set of 4 for a very good price). Previous owner had lowering springs on mine and they are shot already at 25k miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote