Bilstein OEM Replacements??

[Cadeez]

I googled the ZHP front shock part #'s (31312282460 & 31312282459) and some Bilsteins popped up on RMeuorpean site with a smoking deal. Does anybody have these? Are they direct replacements? The price is hard to pass up @ $105 ea. Let me know!

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/31312282460-MFG12.aspx?LineItemId=126c613f-9f39-4f86-a98c-690df59bb16b
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/31312282459-MFG12.aspx?LineItemId=c573b8bd-d705-4b7f-980e-28dd89d5447b

Are the above the same as these "touring" shocks from FCP Euro? Price is close
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-suspension-strut-assembly-22-139948

[slater]

yep, likely the B4 'Touring' units. they're twin-tube, FYI.

[Johnmadd]

I had bilstien hd's and they were a great stock replacement.

[Cadeez]

yep, likely the B4 'Touring' units. they're twin-tube, FYI.

What is twin tube? I feel like in this case, you get what you pay for... I'll probably keep looking

[fw_fw]

Look at it this way: the OE stock shocks on the ZHP is what gave it all the acclaim it got from critics and enthusiasts.....

Are there better ones out there? Sure, but BMW didn't get it wrong to start with...

[Sockethead]

Yep, nothing wrong with OEM. I probably would of bought new OEMs to replace my Bilstein Sports if I didn't already have a pair of Konis in the garage

[KevinC]

List price $332 for the Bilstein Touring model? Those guys are smoking some serious crack up there. Wait, it is Colorado after all.. probably smoking something legal.

When I bought my car at 52k miles, I immediately refreshed the suspension, and went with OE identical Sachs'Boge units. The fronts were definitely the same as stock, the rears were close but maybe not identical, from what I recall. Gave me the desired results - stock OEM comfort & handling, stock stance, fresh parts still going strong 4 years and 35k miles later.

[Cadeez]

The mafia has spoken, and survey says...go back to OEM! I have a hard time arguing with any of the points here, so I'll probably go for the OEM refresh. Thanks all

[SoCalZman]

The mafia has spoken, and survey says...go back to OEM! I have a hard time arguing with any of the points here, so I'll probably go for the OEM refresh. Thanks all

Are there specific shocks/struts we need to get for our ZHPs or do we just pick sport model 330i ones?

[BMWCurves]

I always thought we shared the same shocks/struts as ZSP-equipped E46s but I could be wrong.

Jeff, I don't know if you're set on OEM shocks or not, but I really like my Koni Sports (Yellows), which last a lot longer than the factory Sachs units and they have a good warranty. I think they're currently on 20% off sale depending on where you look.

[Cadeez]

Are there specific shocks/struts we need to get for our ZHPs or do we just pick sport model 330i ones?

I believe they are different. Part #'s for the ZHP OEM replacements below

Front Struts:
31312282460
31312282459

Rear Shocks:
33522282461



I always thought we shared the same shocks/struts as ZSP-equipped E46s but I could be wrong.

Jeff, I don't know if you're set on OEM shocks or not, but I really like my Koni Sports (Yellows), which last a lot longer than the factory Sachs units and they have a good warranty. I think they're currently on 20% off sale depending on where you look.

I'm definitely not set on OEM, I had my eye on some Koni yellows too, just need to wait for a good deal on either one. I'll look around for the discount you're talking about

[holyc0w]

I believe raceconsultingagency.com still has the best prices around for Koni yellows. $170 for each of the fronts and $106 for the rear. You can also negotiate with them.

[Vas]

Koni yellow or koni fsd.

[BMWCurves]

I believe they are different. Part #'s for the ZHP OEM replacements below

Front Struts:
31312282460
31312282459

Rear Shocks:
33522282461




I'm definitely not set on OEM, I had my eye on some Koni yellows too, just need to wait for a good deal on either one. I'll look around for the discount you're talking about

As holyc0w said, raceconsultingagency is a good place to go for Koni Yellows. It's where I got mine for $500 total last year. Currently:


Front left strut (8741-1390LSPORT) - $170.34 (link: http://raceconsultingagency.com/koni/koni-shock-sport-series/87411390lsport/i-101112.aspx)
Front right strut (8741-1390RSPORT) - $170.34 (link: http://raceconsultingagency.com/koni/koni-shock-sport-series/87411390rsport/i-101113.aspx)
Rear shocks (8040-1271SPORT) - $106.21 each (link: http://raceconsultingagency.com/koni/koni-shock-sport-series/80401271sport/i-101065.aspx)

Total: 553.10. That's about $50 more than when I bought mine, and I haven't seen them as cheap as when I bought them since.

EDIT: Ancillary part numbers can be found in my 50k mile refresh thread: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years

[Cadeez]

Wow that's not a bad deal at all! Right about now I'm wishing I hadn't spent so much $$ on fireworks at the reservations up north...I could have new set of Koni yellow fronts haha

[squashman702]

I just installed the Bilstein B4's all around, no complaints. I think my stock shocks and struts have been in sorry shape since I've owned the car, though, so my baseline for what feels better is a little skewed.

[cornercarver]

Gang - Looks like I need at least one rear shock replaced, hoping to do it myself...probably will replace both as it's recommended to do so in pairs.

Looking at bavauto.com because they're close to me and usually ship within a couple of days.

Questions;

1 - They list a Bilstein B4 "OE Replacement" shock for all 330i models, but nothing specific to 'sport suspension' or ZHP (they do list the front shock with a different P/N for sport suspension though.) Is this correct or is there a different rear shock for the ZHP? Their price for this shock is only $99. They also have a Sachs "OE replacement" shock for $60. The next step up, I think, is the Bilstein Sport shock for around $150. I'd like to stay under $100 per shock and maintain the OE level of performance. If the Bilstein Sport shock is the only way to achieve that, I'll bite the bullet and spend the money. I definitely don't want a lower-performance shock than OE.

2 - What other shock-related parts should be replaced at this time? Does the upper shock mount and gasket need to be replaced or can they be re-used?

3 - Anyone have a good tutorial link/ video for rear shock replacement? I've done it on other cars, but not this one... Would be helpful to see if there's anything specific to this car I should know about before digging into it.

TIA.

-Chris

[Vas]

Gang - Looks like I need at least one rear shock replaced, hoping to do it myself...probably will replace both as it's recommended to do so in pairs.

Looking at bavauto.com because they're close to me and usually ship within a couple of days.

Questions;

1 - They list a Bilstein B4 "OE Replacement" shock for all 330i models, but nothing specific to 'sport suspension' or ZHP (they do list the front shock with a different P/N for sport suspension though.) Is this correct or is there a different rear shock for the ZHP? Their price for this shock is only $99. They also have a Sachs "OE replacement" shock for $60. The next step up, I think, is the Bilstein Sport shock for around $150. I'd like to stay under $100 per shock and maintain the OE level of performance. If the Bilstein Sport shock is the only way to achieve that, I'll bite the bullet and spend the money. I definitely don't want a lower-performance shock than OE.

2 - What other shock-related parts should be replaced at this time? Does the upper shock mount and gasket need to be replaced or can they be re-used?

3 - Anyone have a good tutorial link/ video for rear shock replacement? I've done it on other cars, but not this one... Would be helpful to see if there's anything specific to this car I should know about before digging into it.

TIA.

-Chris

Personally I would upgrade from the OE Replacement shocks. Go with something like the Bilstein Sport if your car is lowered or with Bilstein HD if your car is stock.

Take a look at bimmerworld.com. They have good pricing for single shocks.

http://www.bimmerworld.com/ssearch.html?_ss-t=1483555471731#/?filter.finder_hierarchy=3%20Series~E46%20(99-05)~330i&_=1&filter.sitecategory_hierarchy=Suspension%20%26%20S teering&page=1&filter.manufacturer=Bilstein&filter.fitment=Rear

Also look into the rear shock mounts like the ones below:

http://www.bimmerworld.com/Rogue-Engineering-Rear-Shock-Mounts-E30-E36-E46.html

Only other thing to consider is the bump stop and dust boot. New shocks do not come with those.

[Cadeez]

2 - What other shock-related parts should be replaced at this time? Does the upper shock mount and gasket need to be replaced or can they be re-used?


While you're in there, I'd also replace the shock tower mounts. They're cheap and you have to remove the old ones to get the shock off anyhow. I have the below Lemforder mounts in the mail as we speak

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-strut-mount-front-31336760943



3 - Anyone have a good tutorial link/ video for rear shock replacement? I've done it on other cars, but not this one... Would be helpful to see if there's anything specific to this car I should know about before digging into it.

The rear shocks are very simple, just pull up the carpet carefully to get to the two nuts on top of the shock. I'd also replace the rear mounts as well, super cheap and probably worn out if stock.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-shock-mount-33521092362

if you're looking for a little extra beef back there, these reinforcement plates are great.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/heavy-duty-rear-shock-mount-reinforcement-plate-set/002478ecs01kt/

[KevinC]

I'll probably do bilstein B6's (HD) at some point. They easily last 100k miles and are hands-down the best non-coilover shock available. But one concern: they have a tendency to raise ride height. Has anyone put them on a ZHP and had any issues with ride height? I don't want to go with Sports (B8) unless that's the proper length shock to go with the ZHP's already somewhat lower-than-standard suspension.

[cornercarver]

Thanks for the info...

So just to clarify; when you say 'if your car is lowered, go with the Bilstein Sport' you mean if it's lowered more than a stock ZHP? I assume I should be looking at the Bilstein HD for a ZHP w/ OE springs. It seems Bimmerworld has a better price than Bavauto.

Those Rogue Engineering upper strut mounts look good. Only $100, and I'd have to buy two of the OE replacements at $50+ each anyway... Plus they come with all the necessary hardware.

Is there any truth to the comment about Bilstein HD's raising the car? I don't see why they would. After all - it's a shock, not a spring.

[fw_fw]

Is there any truth to the comment about Bilstein HD's raising the car? I don't see why they would. After all - it's a shock, not a spring.

When first installed: yes, Bilstein HDs are so tight they will raise the car a bit, but it comes back to normal with 500-1000 miles once they loosen up.....

[Vas]

Thanks for the info...

So just to clarify; when you say 'if your car is lowered, go with the Bilstein Sport' you mean if it's lowered more than a stock ZHP? I assume I should be looking at the Bilstein HD for a ZHP w/ OE springs. It seems Bimmerworld has a better price than Bavauto.

Those Rogue Engineering upper strut mounts look good. Only $100, and I'd have to buy two of the OE replacements at $50+ each anyway... Plus they come with all the necessary hardware.

Is there any truth to the comment about Bilstein HD's raising the car? I don't see why they would. After all - it's a shock, not a spring.

Correct.

Imo go with the bilstein HD shocks and Rouge shock mounts. They come with the hardware and gaskets too.

[Jon D]

FWIW I have installed Koni Sports on the ZHP and previously installed Bilstein Sport equivalent on our A4 Avant 3.0 Sport. My opinion is that the Bilsteins out of the box offer a stiffer ride and if I was pushing the car hard all the time would be my choice. The Koni's set at 3/4 turn harder from soft offer great road obstacles and bump compliance but still offer a very controlled feel when pushing hard. For a non coil over solution the Konis would be my choice. Especially as they are adjustable where the Bilsteins are not.

[ZHPizza]

How hard do you drive the car? I think that Koni FSD's are magical for a DD.

[cornercarver]

How hard do you drive the car? I think that Koni FSD's are magical for a DD.
It's my DD, and I'm a pretty hard-core enthusiast (I raced locally with COMSCC for 6 years) but the roads around here SUCK, so honestly I think I may end up going with the OE Sachs shock (I'm fine with this car's handling as-is...it's actually quite good for a non-race car) or the Bilstein B4. I'm on a budget and can't see spending $100+ per shock when I'm not really going to have much opportunity to drive the car that aggressively except on maybe a monthly occasion. There are a number of other things that need attention, like the shift linkage and some rust, so I need to be frugal.

[Sockethead]

If the roads suck, I'd go with an OEM equivalent or something like a Koni adjustable, trust me, I was from Jersey.
Besides, you said it yourself (and I agree) "I'm fine with this cars's handling as-is...it's actually quite good for a non-race car"

[John in VA]

It seems Bimmerworld has a better price than Bavauto.
BavAuto's prices can almost always be beaten - that catalog ain't free! Supposedly they will price-match, so if their location helps you, be sure to ask for the better pricing.

[cornercarver]

If the roads suck, I'd go with an OEM equivalent or something like a Koni adjustable, trust me, I was from Jersey.
Besides, you said it yourself (and I agree) "I'm fine with this cars's handling as-is...it's actually quite good for a non-race car"
LOL - oops - did I type that? (Fixed)

[cornercarver]

BavAuto's prices can almost always be beaten - that catalog ain't free! Supposedly they will price-match, so if their location helps you, be sure to ask for the better pricing.I'm willing to give Bimmerworld a shot. I honestly don't like the way the bavauto site works, and I don't think they have the Rogue Engineering mounts which, by the way, look very similar to the M3 mounts (if I'm not mistaken?)

[Sockethead]

LOL - oops - did I type that? (Fixed)

Haha... I didn't even notice.

You can get Rogue Engineering mounts directly from them.

[slater]

check shockwarehouse.com for the bilstein B4's - and note that they have a shorter front strut available for our cars. i think the set is $290 shipped!

[holyc0w]

Great find!

That would be ~$300 for the sport strut/shock combo.

Front left
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm/id/1861415/name/Bilstein-B4-OE-Replacement-Suspension-Strut-Assembly-BMW-323Ci-Front-Left-22-139931

Front right
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm/id/1861416/name/Bilstein-B4-OE-Replacement-Suspension-Strut-Assembly-BMW-323Ci-Front-Right-22-139948

2x rear
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm/id/296891/name/Bilstein-B4-OE-Replacement-Shock-Absorber-BMW-3-Series-E36-&-E46-325i-330i-318i-328i-Rear-19-103150

[fredo]

The above links don't work for me. They take me to their home page. :dunno

[John in VA]

The above links don't work for me. They take me to their home page. :dunno

Work for me - took me to their Bilstein B4 OE Replacement/Bilstein Touring Class Units pages.

[slater]

Great find!

That would be ~$300 for the sport strut/shock combo.


yep - i am very curious to see how they perform with the stock springs! they get a lot of love from the M3 guys.

[cornercarver]

Good info!

Anyone buy from this place before?
http://shop.bimmerbum.com/t/chassis/suspension-e46-330

They have a Lemforder M3 RSM kit that looks like a steal at $60... Includes the RSM, gasket, reinforcing plate and nuts;
http://shop.bimmerbum.com/products/oem-lemforder-rear-shock-mount-upgrade-kit
Almost seems too good to be true.

edit; BTW - that includes two of everything.

[Sockethead]

My Wife bought something from them a year or two ago... I can't remember what exactly it was... no issues with them though.

I would encourage you to go with the Rogue Engineering RSMs though... The extra money is worth it IMO. I blew out two sets of the OEM style. The design is flawed and the Rogue Engineering addresses that issue without compromising ride quality.

Here's a discussion on them: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?17577-RSM-fail-X2

[slater]

My Wife bought something from them a year or two ago... I can't remember what exactly it was... no issues with them though.

I would encourage you to go with the Rogue Engineering RSMs though... The extra money is worth it IMO. I blew out two sets of the OEM style. The design is flawed and the Rogue Engineering addresses that issue without compromising ride quality.

Here's a discussion on them: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?17577-RSM-fail-X2

+1, the rogue's are quality units. i have them too.

[cornercarver]

My Wife bought something from them a year or two ago... I can't remember what exactly it was... no issues with them though.

I would encourage you to go with the Rogue Engineering RSMs though... The extra money is worth it IMO. I blew out two sets of the OEM style. The design is flawed and the Rogue Engineering addresses that issue without compromising ride quality.

Here's a discussion on them: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?17577-RSM-fail-X2
Thanks. I googled them and found a fair amount of bad press on Ed, the owner, back in '07-'08, but his eBay history is 100% positive for the last 12 months. (He also has an eBay store.) -Figured it was worth asking in this forum too.

I did consider the RE mounts, and I haven't ruled them out yet... It's just that they're nearly double the cost, and my local BMW specialist swears by the M3 mounts. I'm not planning to do any competitive driving with this car, so I don't want to spend money unnecessarily on a part which may actually outlast the car. Again - I'm on a budget - and still need to buy shocks and a few other things in the near future.

Thanks again - I do respect and appreciate your collective experience.

[BMWCurves]

Thanks. I googled them and found a fair amount of bad press on Ed, the owner, back in '07-'08, but his eBay history is 100% positive for the last 12 months. (He also has an eBay store.) -Figured it was worth asking in this forum too.

I did consider the RE mounts, and I haven't ruled them out yet... It's just that they're nearly double the cost, and my local BMW specialist swears by the M3 mounts. I'm not planning to do any competitive driving with this car, so I don't want to spend money unnecessarily on a part which may actually outlast the car. Again - I'm on a budget - and still need to buy shocks and a few other things in the near future.

Thanks again - I do respect and appreciate your collective experience.

I have the RE rear shock mounts as well and it has the added benefit of not only being more robust and a better design, but it also means that once it's installed, you don't have to tear up the trunk to remove the shock absorber (like you would in the OEM part). It makes life a lot easier if you ever have to replace the shock or adjust it if you have adjustable shocks.

[cornercarver]

I Have two views on this; 1) with the OE mounts you don't have to jack up the car and remove the wheels, but you have to remove the trunk carpet; 2) with the RE mounts you don't have to remove the trunk liner but need to jack up the car and remove both wheels. It doesn't seem like there's enough suspension droop to access the RSM from the wheel well without removing the wheel. Furthermore; unless you secure the bracket on top of the shock tower, it could pop off when you go to reinsert the struck from the wheel well...at which point you start cursing furiously and have to remove the trunk carpet anyway. 😆

One other thing I find concerning; with the nuts in the wheel well they're exposed to water (and salt here in the NE) and are likely to corrode over time / become difficult to remove.

I thought I read somewhere that the RE mount could be flipped and installed in the OE configuration… Is this true?

[Sockethead]

yes it can be installed the traditional way too.

[Johnmadd]

The M3 mounts are an upgrade from stock but the Re is soooooo much better. I have the e46 m3 mounts in my lowered e30 for a few years now with no issues. I think you will be fine either way.

I have Re mounts on the zhp and will never look back. Also, iirc the vert mounts are even more rigid than m3 mounts.

[cornercarver]

I ended up going with the Lemforder M3 RSM's with reinforcing plates, and Bilstein B4 shocks. Got the RSM's from bimmerbum.com and the shocks from Bimmerworld... Total with shipping was $123 for shocks and $69 for the RSM's with nuts, reinforcing plate and gasket.

Hope to get them installed this weekend and see how they feel.
28693
28694

[cornercarver]

Got the new shocks installed over the weekend... Simple install, but one hiccup; the PS bump stop and plastic sleeve won't stay at the top. They just slide down, which is probably why the top of the PS shock shaft is rusted (left shock in below photo.). What's the solution for this? New bump stop? I don't see any way to keep the bump stop and sleeve at the top. Presumably friction alone keeps the bump stop in place.

[cornercarver]

BTW - I saw virtually no difference between the standard E46 mounts I removed and the M3 mounts. What makes the M3 mounts better?

[anandoc]

BTW - I saw virtually no difference between the standard E46 mounts I removed and the M3 mounts. What makes the M3 mounts better?

The M3 RSMs are metal reinforced. Compare your picture of the new M3 mount with the stock E46 RSM picture below. Note the stock RSM does not have the shiny metal part

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/33288_x800.jpg

[SoCalZman]

you didn't give your feedback after the install!

[slater]

Got the new shocks installed over the weekend... Simple install, but one hiccup; the PS bump stop and plastic sleeve won't stay at the top. They just slide down, which is probably why the top of the PS shock shaft is rusted (left shock in below photo.). What's the solution for this? New bump stop? I don't see any way to keep the bump stop and sleeve at the top. Presumably friction alone keeps the bump stop in place.

exactly, friction keeps them in place. new bumpstops would be a good idea as it keeps the sleeve in place too. :)



The M3 RSMs are metal reinforced. Compare your picture of the new M3 mount with the stock E46 RSM picture below. Note the stock RSM does not have the shiny metal part

that's actually a separate piece - a reinforcement plate, purchased separately. i think the M3 RSMs likely have a slightly stiffer durometer rubber... but i'd still get the REs. :) (the Ground Control ones look really good too).

speaking of which... with the Touring, being able to remove the shocks from below makes the REs even more appealing, as getting to the top of the shock mounts in the Touring is a bit of a PITA.

[Sockethead]

Just make sure you use some kind of adhesive on the top piece of the RE mounts or it will push through... You'll see what I mean when you install them...

[Johnmadd]

Just make sure you use some kind of adhesive on the top piece of the RE mounts or it will push through... You'll see what I mean when you install them...

Does this apply with coilovers? I have no idea what you mean, I just installed and been driving it this way since summer.

[cornercarver]

you didn't give your feedback after the install!
Install was a piece of cake - surprising actually, that every bolt came off easily (not rusted at all.)

The parts were high-quality, well made. The M3 RSMs look virtually identical to the standard E46 pieces. The Bilsteins could also pass for an OEM shock if not for the sticker. The reinforcing plate is stout, and obviously will help distribute the load better.

With the Bilsteins the ride feels about the same, obviously a little better than before because the PS shock was clearly shot and the DS RSM had already begun to separate. The rear feels solid now.

Need to get a new set of bump stops though, so the top of the shock rod isn't unprotected like the old one was. So I guess I'll be doing a R&R again soon. Good thing I didn't reinstall the carpeting yet. 😁 I also think the fronts might need replacing soon too...hearing a very slight clunk from the front under certain conditions.😕 But that's a project for another day.

[cornercarver]

Does this apply with coilovers? I have no idea what you mean, I just installed and been driving it this way since summer.
The RE flange can be mounted so the studs extend down into the wheelwell from the top of the strut tower (see below) so access from the trunk isn't necessary when you R&R the shock. This is obviously an advantage, but the top flange needs to be adhered somehow on top of the strut tower in the first place so whenever you insert the shock from the wheelwell it doesn't pop the flange off inside the trunk.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28729&stc=1

[Johnmadd]

The RE flange can be mounted so the studs extend down into the wheelwell from the top of the strut tower (see below) so access from the trunk isn't necessary when you R&R the shock. This is obviously an advantage, but the top flange needs to be adhered somehow on top of the strut tower in the first place so whenever you insert the shock from the wheelwell it doesn't pop the flange off inside the trunk.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28729&stc=1

Ahh, thanks for the clarification, that makes sense. I will let grime do the work :)

[cornercarver]

As holyc0w said, raceconsultingagency is a good place to go for Koni Yellows. It's where I got mine for $500 total last year. Currently:


Front left strut (8741-1390LSPORT) - $170.34 (link: http://raceconsultingagency.com/koni/koni-shock-sport-series/87411390lsport/i-101112.aspx)
Front right strut (8741-1390RSPORT) - $170.34 (link: http://raceconsultingagency.com/koni/koni-shock-sport-series/87411390rsport/i-101113.aspx)
Rear shocks (8040-1271SPORT) - $106.21 each (link: http://raceconsultingagency.com/koni/koni-shock-sport-series/80401271sport/i-101065.aspx)

Total: 553.10. That's about $50 more than when I bought mine, and I haven't seen them as cheap as when I bought them since.

EDIT: Ancillary part numbers can be found in my 50k mile refresh thread: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years
So my front struts (or maybe the sway bar end links) are starting to make a slight clunk under certain conditions, and after looking at the struts I'm guessing they either have never been replaced or haven't been replaced for at least 50k miles.

I decided to replace the struts with Koni Sports which, by the way, are listing at $189.95 as of today on raceconcultingagency.com... Not $170 any more, but still cheaper than anywhere else. ECS Tuning has the pair for $407 and Turner lists them at $238 EACH! :blink

A couple of other questions:

1. Are the Lemforder upper strut mounts a good long-term choice? They're less than half the cost of OEM BMW mounts so I'm concerned about the quality. I don't want to be replacing them again in 10k miles.

2. What's the latest recommendation on sway bar end links? Are the Lemforders ok? Is it worth upgrading to adjustable end links? I hope to do a H&R bar upgrade later this year so maybe it's worth considering. I'm going to replace them when I do the struts and upper strut mounts because I want to eliminate all possibilities for the clunk I'm hearing.

3. Lastly - how important is it to do the front strut reinforcement plate, and is a strut tower bar a better alternative (usually has a reinforcing ring and ties the two struts together.) My understanding is you can't do both. This ECS bar seems like a pretty affordable piece; https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/ecs-carbon-fiber-strut-bar-kit-black/ecscf03bw03aceb/

[Vas]

So my front struts (or maybe the sway bar end links) are starting to make a slight clunk under certain conditions, and after looking at the struts I'm guessing they either have never been replaced or haven't been replaced for at least 50k miles.

I decided to replace the struts with Koni Sports which, by the way, are listing at $189.95 as of today on raceconcultingagency.com... Not $170 any more, but still cheaper than anywhere else. ECS Tuning has the pair for $407 and Turner lists them at $238 EACH! :blink

A couple of other questions:

1. Are the Lemforder upper strut mounts a good long-term choice? They're less than half the cost of OEM BMW mounts so I'm concerned about the quality. I don't want to be replacing them again in 10k miles.

2. What's the latest recommendation on sway bar end links? Are the Lemforders ok? Is it worth upgrading to adjustable end links? I hope to do a H&R bar upgrade later this year so maybe it's worth considering. I'm going to replace them when I do the struts and upper strut mounts because I want to eliminate all possibilities for the clunk I'm hearing.

3. Lastly - how important is it to do the front strut reinforcement plate, and is a strut tower bar a better alternative (usually has a reinforcing ring and ties the two struts together.) My understanding is you can't do both. This ECS bar seems like a pretty affordable piece; https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/ecs-carbon-fiber-strut-bar-kit-black/ecscf03bw03aceb/

Give them a call and majority of the time they come down on the price.

As far as the Lemforder mounts, they are the same thing as the OE bmw mounts. You will be fine with them.

Same thing goes for the Lemforder end-links. Stick with OE unless your car is lowered significantly. That is when adjustable end-links matter. FYI the Turner Motorsports sway bars are the same thing as H&R sway bars.

As far as the plates, purchase them especially with how cheap they are. They mount on the inside of the strut tower and provide better load distribution.

[BMWCurves]

To add to Vas' last point: get the plates. They're supposedly better at preventing strut tower mushrooming/deformation than a strut tower brace. A few members have shown strut tower deformation despite having a strut tower brace. If you want a strut tower brace, you can use them in conjunction with the reinforcement plates but you will most likely have to get larger/longer nuts to compensate for the added thickness. Longer strut tower nuts come standard with the OEM E46 M3 strut brace (BMW part no. 51717895241).

[cornercarver]

Give them a call and majority of the time they come down on the price.
Already ordered online. :facepalm


To add to Vas' last point: get the plates. They're supposedly better at preventing strut tower mushrooming/deformation than a strut tower brace. A few members have shown strut tower deformation despite having a strut tower brace. If you want a strut tower brace, you can use them in conjunction with the reinforcement plates but you will most likely have to get larger/longer nuts to compensate for the added thickness. Longer strut tower nuts come standard with the OEM E46 M3 strut brace (BMW part no. 51717895241).
Aren't the bolts integral with the strut mount? You'd have to press them out and insert longer studs, no? Maybe I'm missing something...
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=29469&stc=1

[John in VA]

Aren't the bolts integral with the strut mount? You'd have to press them out and insert longer studs, no? Maybe I'm missing something...
Sometimes the bolts are loose. Otherwise they're relatively easy to extract.

[BMWCurves]

Depending on the strut mount the bolts are integral to the strut mount. I'm saying that because of the added thickness of the strut tower reinforcement plate and the strut tower brace means that less of that bolt is available for the factory nuts to screw down onto, so depending on the thickness of the strut tower brace's mounting plates, you'll need nuts that basically extend downwards so it can thread onto more of the bolt than what is sticking out above the strut tower brace bracket.

Factory strut tower nuts. Notice how they are flat on the bottom. With the added thickness of the strut tower reenforcement plate and a strut tower brace, the factory strut tower nuts won't have much threading from the strut mount bolts to actually screw onto

http://i.imgur.com/lS7oN2f.jpg

Bolt 51717895241 has an extension so it will go down and attach further on the strut mount bolt/threading.

http://i.imgur.com/HXimW8v.jpg

[Cadeez]

I need a few of those for my car, with the M3 strut bar the threads don't even come out the top of the nuts. But at $10.50 a pop, yikes man, $63 for some nuts?!

[John in VA]

But at $10.50 a pop, yikes man, $63 for some nuts?!
It's nuts, right?! I found some very nice barely-used ones for half the price from a guy parting cars over at E46Fans.

[BMWCurves]

I need a few of those for my car, with the M3 strut bar the threads don't even come out the top of the nuts. But at $10.50 a pop, yikes man, $63 for some nuts?!

Yeah, it's not a great price. See if you can get them used off a part out M3 as John in VA said. Lucky for me my M3 strut bar came with them.

[cornercarver]

Bolt 51717895241 has an extension so it will go down and attach further on the strut mount bolt/threading.

http://i.imgur.com/HXimW8v.jpg
Ah - ok, I get it now...Thanks.:thumbsup

[Sockethead]

The price is steep but it's better than the price of a strut popping out of it's mount. :)