[n00bkiller944]

80k on my 2014 328d m sport and after driving a brand new rental for three months I am missing the new car feeling. Clearly these have lost some if not most of their dampening power over these 80k.

Just curious when others change them. I am looking at doing the Bilstien B4's unless anyone has a set they recommend more.

I have also always changed the full strut mount kit/ shock mount kits when I have done this, but these kits are pricey from FCP. Happy to pay to play. Just curious what you all have used.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31306881929kt

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-33506862725kt

Thanks!

[sspade]

I think 100k is a standard rule of thumb but there are too many variables to put a number on it. Id say you're just about in the sweet spot for replacement. Even more so if you can do the work yourself.

I think you'll be very happy with a fresh set of B4's. I had B8 on my prior lowered F30 and they were amazing on smooth road although very firm and potentially jarring on rough road.

Im debating on going with B6 or B4 this time around since I dont plan to lower much if any (may toss on M Sport springs for a 10mm drop all around).

Either way, the improvement will be worlds better than worn out stock that we gradually get used to over time.

[sspade]

Honestly...

For the money, it'd be damn near impossible to beat a deal like this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/152717917555

[n00bkiller944]

Originally Posted by sspade

Honestly...

For the money, it'd be damn near impossible to beat a deal like this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/152717917555

Agreed. But it does not include much of the parts in the kit. Unknown if I really need all of them though. 50 dollars for bolts that seem to be reuseable is a stretch for me.

However, I do love using FCPEuro because I appreciate their warranty. I will pay a bit more just to support them. (also moving to CT so close by for pick up and drop off lol)

[n00bkiller944]

Originally Posted by sspade

I think 100k is a standard rule of thumb but there are too many variables to put a number on it. Id say you're just about in the sweet spot for replacement. Even more so if you can do the work yourself.

I think you'll be very happy with a fresh set of B4's. I had B8 on my prior lowered F30 and they were amazing on smooth road although very firm and potentially jarring on rough road.

Im debating on going with B6 or B4 this time around since I dont plan to lower much if any (may toss on M Sport springs for a 10mm drop all around).

Either way, the improvement will be worlds better than worn out stock that we gradually get used to over time.

Agreed on the m sport springs (My car is msport and love it) Not planning to go any lower though

[Solidjake]

I have B4 shocks and I like them

If you get them from FCP euro they will have lifetime warranty so you can just get new ones (minus shipping cost) when the old ones wear out.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by sspade

I think 100k is a standard rule of thumb but there are too many variables to put a number on it.

The official rule of thumb for the industry is 50k miles, but I personally find ~75-80k more accurate. I replaced my adjustable dampers at 95k.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by n00bkiller944

Agreed on the m sport springs (My car is msport and love it) Not planning to go any lower though

I'd love to track down the exact PN of those springs so that I could begin to search for a set...

FCP is a great place to get the bolts... $50 sounds about right for what I spent too. I do wonder how many of those are really necessary to replace. My guess is none lol but for the money, do it once and do it right. Then forget about it. I know some people have definitely re used them without issue.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Solidjake

I have B4 shocks and I like them

If you get them from FCP euro they will have lifetime warranty so you can just get new ones (minus shipping cost) when the old ones wear out.

What springs are you wearing with the B4?

Im plotting my attack here.

[sspade]

@Dog Face Pony Soldier

I think if you polled 100 auto technicians across multiple brands/platforms...

More of them would say 100k than 50k for a good time to refresh suspension.

Thats not to say that BMW specifically are known to wear out closer to 50k and therefore BMW techs would say replace earlier.

Just sayin'

My two cents, aint worth shit.

[sspade]

@Dog Face Pony Soldier

For the record... I definitely agree from my personal experience that by about 50-60k the stock dampers on F30 are just about toast.

Thats when I replaced on my last car and the manual rebound/compression comparison to the new Bilstein B8 was absolutely shocking. The stock rears in particular could be depressed by a toddler and then once loaded... would literally take 15 seconds to slowly rebound. It was bad.

I did run lowering springs for the last 5-10k of their life which surely sped up the process of their ultimate demise.

[Solidjake]

Originally Posted by sspade

What springs are you wearing with the B4?

Im plotting my attack here.

Stock msport springs

[328iX]

Meanwhile my civic is at 180k original suspension and feels as tight as day one. No leaks and one rebound for one compression.

It must be the weight of these cars

If you want to stay at stock height or slightly lower I'd highly recommend the Koni special active struts

[Littlebear]

I put in Billies as soon as I got the car, ~11k miles.

Murf

[n00bkiller944]

Originally Posted by Littlebear

I put in Billies as soon as I got the car, ~11k miles.

Murf

Worth it?

[Littlebear]

Originally Posted by n00bkiller944

Worth it?

Very worth it! I love Billies, unlike some here who seem to feel the action is too abrupt.
And I've never broken a Billie, while I've broken so many Konis, I can't count them....

Murf

[n00bkiller944]

For a follow up. Did the DIY at 89k. Super glad that I did, car feels MUCH better. Would have done it at 60k if I could do over again!

[frchdragon]

I installed B4 on my E60 sport suspension and they are great, after 100k km they still feel great.
Just installed B4s on my F30 M-sport with stock springs, will report as soon as I put the car back on it's wheels.

Big fan of Bilstein shocks, being the B6 with lower springs or the B4s.
But my race car has ground control suspension...