discussion Shocks

[MiteshN]

On a different note Fanatics. I am wondering if anyone has been running different brands of shocks in front and rear? I replaced my front shocks a couple months back and had monroe shocks fitted. Then needed to replace my rear ones a week back and managed to get a set of Bilstein B4 at a good price. The rear definitely holds more stiffly and seems to hold the road nicely. The front monroes are good but seem softer and although they hold well, they not as sharp as the Bilsteins.

I am thinking of maybe saving for a couple more months and trying to get the front shocks replaced with Bilstein B4s. This will mean the monroes would have done less than 15000km.

Noting that I have not replaced shocks on this car before since new and it had done over 230000km.

Any thoughts or advice?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[husaindindar]

If I were you, not that I want to be, lol just kidding...

Dont throw money again at front shocks since you've already got new ones there... Thats just wasting money.
Rather take that money and do a suspension overhaul since you've said you've covered over 230k km. At that milage, most probably the control arm bushes, tie rod end bushes, stabilizer bar bushes etc are probably shot... changing those make a huge difference in drive, stiffness and tyre life...

However with regards to shocks.
I've used OEM, Bilstein and Koni Orange.
Bilstein I felt was the best....

 

[AudiDriver]

If I were you, not that I want to be, lol just kidding...

Dont throw money again at front shocks since you've already got new ones there... Thats just wasting money.
Rather take that money and do a suspension overhaul since you've said you've covered over 230k km. At that milage, most probably the control arm bushes, tie rod end bushes, stabilizer bar bushes etc are probably shot... changing those make a huge difference in drive, stiffness and tyre life...

However with regards to shocks.
I've used OEM, Bilstein and Koni Orange.
Bilstein I felt was the best....

This is good advice. You will be chasing your tail if you don’t refresh the control arm bushes first given the mileage on the car. Bilsteins will make you happy again, after that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AdiS]

I am a massive fan of Koni Special actives with their dual valving that is effectively like a mechanical adaptive damper.

The ride quality and performance balance was amazing on my e46.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tinuva]

Another vote for the Koni Special Active shocks. Can't go wrong with them. Have them on 2 cars, on both they are amazing. Will add them to a 3rd car next year.

 

[Ahmedy]

I have a 98 323i . Replaced rear shocks when we bought it at 180 000km 12 years ago. Replaced the Gabriels that we fitted under warranty as they collapsed. Within the next year replaced the rear Gabriel's again but with yellow Konis . These have seen nearly 80 000km if not more . I've had ks coil overs or something like that for about 30 000km but still ran the Koni yellows at the rear . Eventually removed the coil overs and put them in storage , due to it hopping around the road. Replaced top mounts in the front and fitted Sachs. Did that as I didn't want to go through the pain of removing shock mountings shortly thereafter. I like a firm ride but not loose in the corners. So as above-mentioned have a look at the other components before replacing your shocks only .
Oh yes and what made a massive difference for me was the bump stops on the rear shocks . They tend to disintegrate.

 

[MiteshN]

Thanks everyone. I have replaced front lower and upper control arms when I did the front shocks. But none of the other components. Am thinking of replacing tie rod ends.
I was looking for sachs shocks when doing the rears but couldn’t find any at a good price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Heres my take and its only what I would do if I was you and going off these words "not as sharp as the Bilsteins"

Shocks only dampen bumps and any energy that transfers through the chassis or the tyres. So Sharpness isn't the right word. If you want sharpness, Tie Rods, End links, even steering rack thrust bushing. All those things add to sharpness and feel. At 230K it will need them. And when you do eventually do the fronts in bilsteins it will all complement each other.

Koni is nice and all but not for this scenario. Since its just a normal f30, and not an appreciating asset. Leave the front shocks and mounts for now and do the others bits.

 

[MiteshN]

Thanks Clint.

That makes sense. I do plan to do the tie rod ends within the next 3 months or so. I had a BMW mechanic look at the suspension and he said the rack ends are good no problem or need to replace them. The tie rods he said will need replacement but not yet gone. Can still do another year or 2 even, but I prefer to err on the side of caution.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kish2604]

On a different note Fanatics. I am wondering if anyone has been running different brands of shocks in front and rear? I replaced my front shocks a couple months back and had monroe shocks fitted. Then needed to replace my rear ones a week back and managed to get a set of Bilstein B4 at a good price. The rear definitely holds more stiffly and seems to hold the road nicely. The front monroes are good but seem softer and although they hold well, they not as sharp as the Bilsteins.

I am thinking of maybe saving for a couple more months and trying to get the front shocks replaced with Bilstein B4s. This will mean the monroes would have done less than 15000km.

Noting that I have not replaced shocks on this car before since new and it had done over 230000km.

Any thoughts or advice?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mixing shocks from different manufacturers between front and rear is like mixing tyres of different makes and thread patterns front and back or mixing your left and right shoes on different feet. You can still walk in them but you know something is wrong or you can still drive it but the car will never be = or better than what came out the factory.

I would replace the fronts to match the rears and then start working the rest of your suspension refresh. Remember buy once- cry once!