[KiX1911]

So my car is a 2007 with 230kms and bought it with 24k but I still like it and will keep it for a while longer (it's been so reliable and it still drives amazing)

So here's the question, should I get bilstein which will cost around 500 CDN for the two fronts or should I invest in Koni's or even Koni coil overs (I don't even know how much it would cost). the reason I'm even considering it is I've heard of so many springs breaks for whatever reason so if I'm going to replace that, why not get coil overs, or is it worth more then the car?

Thanks advanced for the input guys

Brad

Edit: what do you guys think of these?

https://raceland.com/bmw-coilovers/3...coilovers.html

[tcphoto]

When my suspension needs replacing, I will likely go with an H&R kit and lower it moderately. I’ve always heard that it’s important to match lowering springs with shocks and struts or you may experience failures. I think that it’s important not to overspend on mods in relation to the value of the vehicle.

[marvinstockman]

Do you actually need struts, or are you replacing them by time and mileage?

[PocketRocket317]

My car has the Sport suspension. I would replace it with a the OEM Sachs. They are fine riding and handling. Not sure Bilstein or Koni are an improvement.
Rock Auto has the Sachs and Bilstein for less than 500 USD for all four.

[ppointer]

You don't really state your goals. For my own conservative use, I have gone with Bilstein. I put B4s on our e60 and e46, the result being a stock ride with a bit better rebound control. I'll be putting B4's on our e91 early next year. I put B6's on our M roadster but have not driven it hard enough to know how much better than stock they are. If I were going to track a car, I would go with coil-overs for the changeable ride height and better control for those extreme conditions. I am too old for a competition ride in a daily driver.

[gds52]

I got Koni FSD shocks on my e93 with H&R lowering springs. Koni claims to be better ride in straight and stiffer on corners compared to oem sport suspension.
I'm very happy with the setup, it's comfortable to drive and takes corners really good. About 40k miles on the setup and couldn't be happier.
I also have M3 control arms and rear bushings.

[Bob Shiftright]

I have an old Volvo that I "upgraded" to Bilstein struts and shocks and after about 10 years, one front strut rusted enough to actually collapse. Bilstein "warrants to the original retail purchaser that, for the life of each gas pressure shock, this product shall be free from defects in material and workmanship. Proof of purchase is required to process warranty". It had been quite a few years, but amazingly I still had the receipt. Would Bilstein replace the strut? No, the rust-out was not considered by them to be a defect in materials and workmanship.

And so I went back to OE struts. The Volvo shop that replaced the struts told me they had never seen a problem like that with Volvo branded struts.

I'm not very happy with Bilstein's warranty and customer service. (To be fair, most purchasers won't keep their cars or struts as long as I have, and so are unlikely to have a similar experience.)

[xlr88r]

+1 for the Koni FSDs - had a set fitted on mine today. My car's a 2006 330i M Sport with 103k miles on the clock, running standard MV3s with non-RFT Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics, and on standard M Sport springs.

Although I've only driven back from work on the FSDs (OK, that's 72 miles - my commute is pretty evil!) the first impressions are good.

The car's noticeably more compliant in general, especially at motorway speeds. I deliberately aimed for grates and drains at lower speeds and they've been softened a bit, albeit not quite as much as I thought they would. That said, they'll take more than 70 odd miles to soften and bed in!

When changing lanes and driving over cats eyes on the motorway, there's practically zero disturbance to the ride now. You hear the tyres react, but feel almost nothing. Ace! A good/bad observation is steering feedback. There's much more, which was good when pressing on and cornering, but it's a bit unfamiliar feeling when sat at steady speeds on crappy surfaces. Normally your feet and arse feel rough surfaces the most, but now it's virtually all felt by hand.

I'd rate these over 100k mile old M Sport shocks for sure, but they've not impressed as much as I thought they would... yet!

[Impreza98]

Have to add to the praise of the Koni FSD or in my case their new version, the Special Active. Just recently had a shop install the front dampers after I installed the rears in addition to Monroe rear upper and lower mounts, new front mounts, speedthane bump stops and dinan springs, the ride is amazing. Compliant on backroads and firms up nicely on curvy roads. The floating feeling while traveling on the highway is now gone. Love the way the car handles now.

[Fritzer]

What's the drop like on Koni FSD paired with Eibach springs? I need to refresh my suspension soon as well. Still on stock.

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

What's the drop like on Koni FSD paired with Eibach springs? I need to refresh my suspension soon as well. Still on stock.

I *think* most of the drop will come from your choice of springs, as the FSDs don't mention any drop in the literature.

Looking at mine now (with the FSDs and standard M Sport springs) the back looks to be sitting pretty much exactly as it was, but the front is now a touch higher - maybe half an inch or so. As far as I know mine was still on the original shocks, so after 100k miles they might have stated to sag a bit! Equally, I guess the FSDs could still be settling... if that's a thing!

On their own they've been a good upgrade. Just wish I'd have done them sooner!

[John 070]

I have always wanted B6 or better. Heck they're not even very expensive (they are not the cheapest). My wife's GM SUV even has B4's and B6's available for less than GM OE on the B4s. If "I need the least expensive" is the point of it all then of course there are alternatives.