Best replacement for OEM shocks & struts?

EdwardSkribLHndz · 10-01-2012, 08:32 AM

Looking for best oem replacement, ride quality, comfort. Not coil overs.
I have Bilstein Sport with H&R springs. Love the handling, hate the bumps. Want to go back to oem feel.

2001 325xiT

LeMansteve · 10-01-2012, 10:02 AM

I'm replacing my shocks and struts with Sachs, per the Sachs part catalog. I believe at one point were or currently are the original shock/strut supplier to BMW. They should give you what you need, at a lower price than the Original BMW branded parts.

http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u...cks_Struts.pdf

ZHPinthe103 · 10-01-2012, 10:16 AM

Bilstein HDs with stock springs. pretty much stock feel/ride height

SpeedDemon · 10-01-2012, 11:32 AM

No question about it.... I've used pretty much every suspension setup that is available for the E46 and you hands-down want to get the Koni FSD struts and just use your H&R Springs with them.

EdwardSkribLHndz · 10-01-2012, 01:11 PM

Hmm, I've always heard bad about Koni.

SeanC · 10-01-2012, 01:18 PM

Koni Yellows.

scca_ziptie · 10-01-2012, 05:25 PM

Koni's are a good bang for the buck shock that will be close to factory feel. If you get Koni adjustable (top adjust) you can play with the damping to get a little more personalization/customization out of the driving experience.

erice46 · 10-01-2012, 05:35 PM

How do the compare top hotchkis springs

Roach · 10-02-2012, 10:22 PM

Just put on the Koni FSDs with stock sport springs. Feels like stock only with slightly better control when cornering hard. Highly recommended.

SpeedDemon · 10-04-2012, 11:58 AM

FSD is not the same as other Konis. Read up and trust the guy who has had 4x E46s and has used every piece of suspension. /thread

ZHPSteve · 11-09-2012, 02:36 PM

Would you also recommend these for a 330i ZHP? I have 120K Miles on what I think are the original shocks/springs so it's definately time to replace.

austin335i · 11-21-2012, 02:29 PM

I just installed Monroe OESpectrum front and rear. Feels softer than stock and doesn't control the rebound as well as stock. Probably a good choice for someone who doesn't know any better, seeing as they were affordable and readily available, but I would stick with koni str.t or FSD if you have the money.

boongsin12 · 11-21-2012, 03:47 PM

I too am looking for OEM replacement for struts and shocks. I came across the Meyle brand struts and shocks and they are much lower in cost. Has anyone tried them? Seems like a good deal since Meyle is an OEM supplier.

SeanC · 11-21-2012, 05:23 PM

Since when Meyle is an OEM supplier?

Sent from my SGH-I997 using Bimmer App

boongsin12 · 11-21-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanC

Since when Meyle is an OEM supplier?

Sent from my SGH-I997 using Bimmer App

Oppps. I think I am incorrect. OE? manufacturer? right?

SeanC · 11-21-2012, 08:31 PM

Meyle is an aftermarket supplier for BMW. Sachs is the OE brand for shocks.

Sent from my SGH-I997 using Bimmer App

boongsin12 · 11-21-2012, 08:43 PM

OK I understand now. But still want to know if anyone has used them.

Meyle shocks are around $40 from BMA parts
http://www.bmaparts.com/item.wws?sku...MEYLE&weight=4

The struts are about $75 each also from BMA parts
http://www.bmaparts.com/ShopByVehicl...sembly&mode=PA

I might also have a deal for Bilstein HD shocks and struts for $500. Should I get them or should I just go for stock sports suspension? I use my e46 as a daily.

10-01-2012, 08:32 AM	#1
EdwardSkribLHndz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 6 My Ride: 2001 BMW 325xi Wagon View My Garage	Best replacement for OEM shocks & struts? Looking for best oem replacement, ride quality, comfort. Not coil overs. I have Bilstein Sport with H&R springs. Love the handling, hate the bumps. Want to go back to oem feel. 2001 325xiT

10-01-2012, 11:32 AM	#4
SpeedDemon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,934 My Ride: 08 M3/05 ZHP/02 325i View My Garage	No question about it.... I've used pretty much every suspension setup that is available for the E46 and you hands-down want to get the Koni FSD struts and just use your H&R Springs with them. __________________ Click here for pics and info about my ZHP

10-01-2012, 01:18 PM	#6
SeanC Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: PA Posts: 3,985 My Ride: 330i View My Garage	Koni Yellows. __________________ Sapphire Black MetallicNatural BrownSilver Cube e46 330i ZHP/ZCW/6MT - Sold HellrotDove Grey e36 ///M3 - RIP Alpine WhiteTanSand High Gloss e46 330i SunRoofLess/5MT For Sale: $300 winter wheel/tire set (sport edition F7s and Dunlop graspics) For Rent: RTAB Removal/Installation and Preload Tools

10-01-2012, 05:25 PM	#7
scca_ziptie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 404 My Ride: 2006 M3 SMG Comp pkg View My Garage	Koni's are a good bang for the buck shock that will be close to factory feel. If you get Koni adjustable (top adjust) you can play with the damping to get a little more personalization/customization out of the driving experience. __________________ "! First rule of Italian driving, that which is in your mirror is not important !" Last edited by scca_ziptie; 10-01-2012 at 05:25 PM.

10-04-2012, 11:58 AM	#10
SpeedDemon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,934 My Ride: 08 M3/05 ZHP/02 325i View My Garage	FSD is not the same as other Konis. Read up and trust the guy who has had 4x E46s and has used every piece of suspension. /thread __________________ Click here for pics and info about my ZHP

10-01-2012, 10:16 AM	#3
ZHPinthe103 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pennsylvannia Posts: 365 My Ride: 325i Black on beige View My Garage	Bilstein HDs with stock springs. pretty much stock feel/ride height

10-01-2012, 01:11 PM	#5
EdwardSkribLHndz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 6 My Ride: 2001 BMW 325xi Wagon View My Garage	Hmm, I've always heard bad about Koni.

10-01-2012, 05:35 PM	#8
erice46 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: riverside Posts: 335 My Ride: 2002 325I View My Garage	How do the compare top hotchkis springs

10-02-2012, 10:22 PM	#9
Roach Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Lake Forest, IL Posts: 5 My Ride: 2005 325iT View My Garage	Just put on the Koni FSDs with stock sport springs. Feels like stock only with slightly better control when cornering hard. Highly recommended.

11-09-2012, 02:36 PM	#11
ZHPSteve Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 22 My Ride: 2004 330i ZHP View My Garage	Would you also recommend these for a 330i ZHP? I have 120K Miles on what I think are the original shocks/springs so it's definately time to replace.

11-21-2012, 02:29 PM	#12
austin335i Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10 My Ride: Pre-LCI E90 View My Garage	I just installed Monroe OESpectrum front and rear. Feels softer than stock and doesn't control the rebound as well as stock. Probably a good choice for someone who doesn't know any better, seeing as they were affordable and readily available, but I would stick with koni str.t or FSD if you have the money.

11-21-2012, 03:47 PM	#13
boongsin12 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: US Posts: 183 My Ride: none View My Garage	I too am looking for OEM replacement for struts and shocks. I came across the Meyle brand struts and shocks and they are much lower in cost. Has anyone tried them? Seems like a good deal since Meyle is an OEM supplier.

11-21-2012, 05:23 PM	#14
SeanC Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: PA Posts: 3,985 My Ride: 330i View My Garage	Since when Meyle is an OEM supplier? Sent from my SGH-I997 using Bimmer App __________________ Sapphire Black MetallicNatural BrownSilver Cube e46 330i ZHP/ZCW/6MT - Sold HellrotDove Grey e36 ///M3 - RIP Alpine WhiteTanSand High Gloss e46 330i SunRoofLess/5MT For Sale: $300 winter wheel/tire set (sport edition F7s and Dunlop graspics) For Rent: RTAB Removal/Installation and Preload Tools

11-21-2012, 08:31 PM	#16
SeanC Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: PA Posts: 3,985 My Ride: 330i View My Garage	Meyle is an aftermarket supplier for BMW. Sachs is the OE brand for shocks. Sent from my SGH-I997 using Bimmer App __________________ Sapphire Black MetallicNatural BrownSilver Cube e46 330i ZHP/ZCW/6MT - Sold HellrotDove Grey e36 ///M3 - RIP Alpine WhiteTanSand High Gloss e46 330i SunRoofLess/5MT For Sale: $300 winter wheel/tire set (sport edition F7s and Dunlop graspics) For Rent: RTAB Removal/Installation and Preload Tools Last edited by SeanC; 11-21-2012 at 08:31 PM.

11-21-2012, 08:43 PM	#17
boongsin12 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: US Posts: 183 My Ride: none View My Garage	OK I understand now. But still want to know if anyone has used them. Meyle shocks are around $40 from BMA parts http://www.bmaparts.com/item.wws?sku...MEYLE&weight=4 The struts are about $75 each also from BMA parts http://www.bmaparts.com/ShopByVehicl...sembly&mode=PA I might also have a deal for Bilstein HD shocks and struts for $500. Should I get them or should I just go for stock sports suspension? I use my e46 as a daily.

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