[daxtor]

Originally Posted by Matthewricha

I have an M235i and know of the wallowness you speak of with M Sport springs in comfort mode. However when I changed to M Performance springs, that horrible wallowness you speak of went away and I was very happy. So I think the wallowing is the "soft" compromised M Sport springs, not necessarily the adaptive shocks.

Do you keep the adaptive shocks with the M performance springs, if not which shocks? I recall that the M Performance springs can't be used with the adaptive shocks.

[Matthewricha]

Originally Posted by daxtor

Do you keep the adaptive shocks with the M performance springs, if not which shocks? I recall that the M Performance springs can't be used with the adaptive shocks.

Hi, yes I've retained the Adaptive shocks. Please see below, they are an approved BMW modification:

PI (Process Instruction): SZ_143_08_15 for SZP5A (M P Suspension)

Also Aux Damper kit for the springs (PN: 33502411196 [Adaptive])

Unfortunately BMW seems to have removed the PDF's from their website.

https://www.parts.bmwgroup.com/infod..._143_08_15.pdf

https://www.parts.bmwgroup.com/infod...icing_list.pdf



here is my writeup:
https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewto...?f=74&t=118686

also more info here:
https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show...1410070&page=2

Previous owner had ACS Springs which are > 10mm lower and I already know at least 1 rear shock has gone or has prematurely failed and I only have 20k miles on the clock. If I can't get BMW to replace under extended warranty then will be buying two rear B4 Damptronic shocks.

EDIT: also note that a large proportion of the rear sway or potentially "wallow" is down to the hollow rear subframe bushes flexing. I eliminated a lot of this with Powerflex subframe inserts, full bushes are better.

[thisismikeyb]

Well this looks promising:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspensi...Drive-EDC.html

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by thisismikeyb

Well this looks promising:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspensi...Drive-EDC.html

Very promising indeed!

The set of 4 shocks for RWD vehicles with EDC suspension is $2.2K.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspensi...2-F3X-RWD.html

I sense B16 PSS10 Damptronic coilovers are not too far behind.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Very promising indeed!

The set of 4 shocks for RWD vehicles with EDC suspension is $2.2K.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspensi...2-F3X-RWD.html

I sense B16 PSS10 Damptronic coilovers are not too far behind.

B6 EDC dampers only is about the same price as a non-EDC Ohlins R&T coil over kit. I understand the EDC bypass could add price but I think I might go Ohlins. I have to think about it.

[daxtor]

Originally Posted by Matthewricha

Hi, yes I've retained the Adaptive shocks. Please see below, they are an approved BMW modification:

PI (Process Instruction): SZ_143_08_15 for SZP5A (M P Suspension)

Also Aux Damper kit for the springs (PN: 33502411196 [Adaptive])

Unfortunately BMW seems to have removed the PDF's from their website.

https://www.parts.bmwgroup.com/infod..._143_08_15.pdf

https://www.parts.bmwgroup.com/infod...icing_list.pdf



here is my writeup:
https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewto...?f=74&t=118686

also more info here:
https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show...1410070&page=2

Previous owner had ACS Springs which are > 10mm lower and I already know at least 1 rear shock has gone or has prematurely failed and I only have 20k miles on the clock. If I can't get BMW to replace under extended warranty then will be buying two rear B4 Damptronic shocks.

EDIT: also note that a large proportion of the rear sway or potentially "wallow" is down to the hollow rear subframe bushes flexing. I eliminated a lot of this with Powerflex subframe inserts, full bushes are better.

Thanks for the detailed info. Unfortunately it seems the suspension for M235i is different from 335i. I may not be able to go your route, as the official option for my car is actually a coil over kit.

[Matthewricha]

Originally Posted by daxtor

Thanks for the detailed info. Unfortunately it seems the suspension for M235i is different from 335i. I may not be able to go your route, as the official option for my car is actually a coil over kit.

no problem!

recently found out from Bilstein themselves that both the B4 and B6 Damptronic units are Twintube shocks! Only the M Car Damptronic units are monotube.

[thisismikeyb]

They exist! Got my set for xDrive last night. Planning to install this weekend. I won't be able to really compare to stock dampers since mine have over 83k miles on them. The front dampers took a beating in shipping though...

[cfm56d7b]

thisismikeyb, thanks for sharing! Please post an update after installation. Very interested in your experience.

PS. Which shocks did you get? Wasn't clear from the pictures.

[thisismikeyb]

cfm56d7b, I ordered the B6's for xDrive.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by thisismikeyb

cfm56d7b, I ordered the B6's for xDrive.

Great. Thank you.

[joe130]

Doing this same work next weekend. Mine took a beating in shipping also. I have 60K miles now. I bought all the replacement parts (expendable fasteners and shock mounts) from BMW.

I was wondering - is there any other good things to do when I'm in there doing this work? (mounts, bushings, etc). I've seen a video from a guy doing the sway bar end links (

). Wondering if that's something that should be done as well... I do get some suspension noise when going over the cobblestone like roads here where I live.

Looking for any advice from those with experience.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by joe130

Doing this same work next weekend. Mine took a beating in shipping also. I have 60K miles now. I bought all the replacement parts (expendable fasteners and shock mounts) from BMW.

I was wondering - is there any other good things to do when I'm in there doing this work? (mounts, bushings, etc). I've seen a video from a guy doing the sway bar end links (

). Wondering if that's something that should be done as well... I do get some suspension noise when going over the cobblestone like roads here where I live.

Looking for any advice from those with experience.

This question has been on my mind lately. I'm pondering where I stop; especially when my car has 95k miles.

One thing for sure, I suggest replacing the "strut bearings" or "pillow mounts" on top of the struts. They wear and add a lot of harshness.

[joe130]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

This question has been on my mind lately. I'm pondering where I stop; especially when my car has 95k miles.

One thing for sure, I suggest replacing the "strut bearings" or "pillow mounts" on top of the struts. They wear and add a lot of harshness.

Yes - I bought those and will be replacing them with the front struts. You're referring to the what Real OEM calls the Guide Support ( BMW part 31306863136)?

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by joe130

Yes - I bought those and will be replacing them with the front struts. You're referring to the what Real OEM calls the Guide Support ( BMW part 31306863136)?

Yes Sir!

[joe130]

Ok.. installation of the rears today and I've run into an issue. That upper nut that attaches the shock to the upper mount. The torque spec is IMPOSSIBLE to find. I tried the TIS spec - 38NM. The allen key (5mm) in the top of the shock couldn't take that much torque. I've looked all over the web and can't really find the Bilstein torque spec. Anyone have any ideas? The closest I've come is some places indicate 20 Ft-lbs (around 24-25 NM or so) for other similar shocks.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Eschmacher]

Originally Posted by joe130

Ok.. installation of the rears today and I've run into an issue. That upper nut that attaches the shock to the upper mount. The torque spec is IMPOSSIBLE to find. I tried the TIS spec - 38NM. The allen key (5mm) in the top of the shock couldn't take that much torque. I've looked all over the web and can't really find the Bilstein torque spec. Anyone have any ideas? The closest I've come is some places indicate 20 Ft-lbs (around 24-25 NM or so) for other similar shocks.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Per ista, it's 38NM. That's only 28 ft-lbs, that should definitely be doable. Also, you are just holding the center while you tighten the nut around it.

[joe130]

The saga continues..

I went to do the rear dampeners this weekend and after removal of my OE dampeners and installation of the Bilstein adapter dampeners (20-250744), I was unable to get the adapter wire provided by Bilstein to connect to my vehicle's OE harness. It seems that the connectors are not compatible with each other. Attached are photos of the supplied connector compared to the OE harness. The harness with the blue end is the OE. According to the instructions, the short harness is supposed to plug into the dampener and then into my factory OE harness. Clearly the ends don't go together (even if I try to force it... completely different size and shape). The supplied connecter from Bilstein won't plug into the vehicle harness without the OE harness either - not only are the plugs incompatible, the wire they provided is way too short.

Already torqued the single use fasteners, so for now I have the Bilstein dampeners installed (had already used the one use fasteners for mounting the dampeners) with the harness unplugged.

Anyone ever seen anything like this? I've sent an email to Bilstein customer support, but I think I'll have to wait until after the holiday weekend to hear back.

Thanks in advance for any advice. You can bet I'll be checking the front connectors before I install the struts to make sure they are compatible!

[cfm56d7b]

Thanks for sharing. Very unusual. Please keep us informed.

[Matthewricha]

Trying to see if I can help, but forgive me, isn't this how it is supposed to connect up? The keying circled in red needs to line up. The Blue circled Keying might be an issue and what that you're referring to?

I see that you wouldn't be able to connect the OEM cable to the Bilstien Shocks due to the orientation of the shock socket being in a different place and that the OEM cable plug would foul due to it's right angled plug.

EDIT: actually I can see the pin spacing on the provided adaptor cable is wider/larger than the OEM connector! mm

[ceedawg]

Man that sucks! I hope they have a solution so looking forward to getting these.

[daxtor]

Best of luck doing the installation guys. I am also quite interested in the B4/B6 setup as I don't want to lower my car either (still need to have some ground clearance for the snow season).