Replacing Shocks/Struts with Bilstein Touring Class *Question* '00 e46 328ci Sport

mpower325 · 12-28-2008, 01:54 AM

Hey,

I have a 2000 328ci Sport package and I need to replace the shocks since they are worn. I want to replace them with the Bilstein touring class OE replacements. I just want to make sure my car's stance will be the same with these replacements. I heard the shafts are slightly longer then OEM, but they are listed as the OE replacements. The sport springs (stock) should be the only things determining the height of the car, correct?

Anyone have pictures of a sport package coupe with Bilstein touring class struts/shocks installed?

cimper43 · 12-30-2008, 10:10 AM

don't they are underdampened in the front, i had them on my non sport and they bounced alot. you either do oem or upgrade only...

ALPIN3 · 12-30-2008, 01:36 PM

They will work and ride decently...but OEM sport springs are the lowest you can go on Bilstein's OE replacements. I had them temporarily with 60mm drop vogtland springs and it was horrible. If you don't plan on getting new springs, I would say they are a good deal.

mpower325 · 12-30-2008, 05:58 PM

I ordered them, It was 280 bucks shipped with new RSM, so I couldn't beat that deal.

I am reusing my stock sport springs, I figure that anything will be better then the suspension I'm riding on now. I have 120K on my original struts/shocks.

I just don't want the car to sit higher. I know it probably will because my suspension is probably sagging, but I dont want any new excessive wheel gap. I guess that is what the springs dictate anyway.

hummer · 12-31-2008, 10:51 AM

Touring shocks are dual tube low pressure just like OEM. They shouldn't change the ht at all. Sports and HD are monotube high pressure and can raise the car as you describe.

pepper 325i · 02-26-2009, 02:43 PM

So how's the ride on the car now? i'm considering doing the same to my sport package 01 325i. i want to replace them with the Bilstein Twin Tube shocks. or should i bite the bullet and get the HD shocks?

mpower325 · 02-27-2009, 09:47 PM

the ride is like a new bmw.. these shocks are direct replacements for OEM. I didn't care to upgrade, this is my daily driver and it has 123K miles on it. If your suspension is shot and you just want that new car ride back, then get the Touring Class and some new front sway bar links. You can't beat it for the money.

BobLikesDole · 09-29-2010, 04:28 PM

I just got a warranty replacement of my front strut mounts on my 02 325ci sports package. The mechanic told me my shocks r shot...he wanted to replace them with OEM i told him to choose Bilsteins HD's...i had my fingers crossed thats what he got but i saw that he put the touring Class in. The stance looks a bit higher (I also added those metal disks to prevent further mushrooming of the struck frame)...i am hoping it will settle down. worst case i think i will go with eibach sport springs that only drops it 1.4 in. Has anyone done that combination? I like to autocross (and can't believe i did a whole season with such shot struts, when pressed they didn't come back up right away)

12-28-2008, 01:54 AM	#1
mpower325 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: nj Posts: 172 My Ride: cars View My Garage	*Replacing Shocks/Struts with Bilstein Touring Class Question* '00 e46 328ci Sport** Hey, I have a 2000 328ci Sport package and I need to replace the shocks since they are worn. I want to replace them with the Bilstein touring class OE replacements. I just want to make sure my car's stance will be the same with these replacements. I heard the shafts are slightly longer then OEM, but they are listed as the OE replacements. The sport springs (stock) should be the only things determining the height of the car, correct? Anyone have pictures of a sport package coupe with Bilstein touring class struts/shocks installed?

12-30-2008, 01:36 PM	#3
ALPIN3 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,071 My Ride: 323i View My Garage	They will work and ride decently...but OEM sport springs are the lowest you can go on Bilstein's OE replacements. I had them temporarily with 60mm drop vogtland springs and it was horrible. If you don't plan on getting new springs, I would say they are a good deal. __________________

02-26-2009, 02:43 PM	#6
pepper 325i Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York Posts: 12 My Ride: 2001 325i View My Garage	So how's the ride on the car now? i'm considering doing the same to my sport package 01 325i. i want to replace them with the Bilstein Twin Tube shocks. or should i bite the bullet and get the HD shocks? Last edited by pepper 325i; 02-26-2009 at 02:51 PM.

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12-30-2008, 10:10 AM	#2
cimper43 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sharon Posts: 117 My Ride: 02 325i View My Garage	don't they are underdampened in the front, i had them on my non sport and they bounced alot. you either do oem or upgrade only...

12-30-2008, 05:58 PM	#4
mpower325 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: nj Posts: 172 My Ride: cars View My Garage	I ordered them, It was 280 bucks shipped with new RSM, so I couldn't beat that deal. I am reusing my stock sport springs, I figure that anything will be better then the suspension I'm riding on now. I have 120K on my original struts/shocks. I just don't want the car to sit higher. I know it probably will because my suspension is probably sagging, but I dont want any new excessive wheel gap. I guess that is what the springs dictate anyway.

12-31-2008, 10:51 AM	#5
hummer Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Haverhill, MA Posts: 3,250 My Ride: 2001 330CI View My Garage	Touring shocks are dual tube low pressure just like OEM. They shouldn't change the ht at all. Sports and HD are monotube high pressure and can raise the car as you describe.

02-27-2009, 09:47 PM	#7
mpower325 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: nj Posts: 172 My Ride: cars View My Garage	the ride is like a new bmw.. these shocks are direct replacements for OEM. I didn't care to upgrade, this is my daily driver and it has 123K miles on it. If your suspension is shot and you just want that new car ride back, then get the Touring Class and some new front sway bar links. You can't beat it for the money.

09-29-2010, 04:28 PM	#8
BobLikesDole Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rockville md Posts: 1 My Ride: 2002 325ci Conv. View My Garage	I just got a warranty replacement of my front strut mounts on my 02 325ci sports package. The mechanic told me my shocks r shot...he wanted to replace them with OEM i told him to choose Bilsteins HD's...i had my fingers crossed thats what he got but i saw that he put the touring Class in. The stance looks a bit higher (I also added those metal disks to prevent further mushrooming of the struck frame)...i am hoping it will settle down. worst case i think i will go with eibach sport springs that only drops it 1.4 in. Has anyone done that combination? I like to autocross (and can't believe i did a whole season with such shot struts, when pressed they didn't come back up right away)