Need a little advice on shocks/springs combo...

[Zaks]

I recently purchased a used set of Eibach sportline springs with older Bilstein shocks/struts. Fast forward less than a year and 7-8,000 miles shocks are blow and leaked (I initially thought it was some undercoating leaking when I saw it a few months back but based on the bouncing and horrible ride it's definitely the shocks).

That said, I like the ride height and "comfort" of the springs, so I wanted to get some advice on which shocks and struts to purchase and pair up with the Eibach sportline springs.

From a bit of research I've done it sounds like the Bilstein B8 would be great for a lowered car like mine, but I'm also looking at the new Koni special active.

Just figured I'd ask for advice here as I don't have too much experience with matching springs to shocks and also have always had Bilsteins on my ZHP, old E36 M3 and a bunch of other E36 cars.

Thanks in advance.

[Vas]

Koni yellow.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[John in VA]

Much info here: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years

[ZHPizza]

Koni special active all day son

[Zaks]

Koni it is.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zaks]

This is the right kit for the ZHP correct?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-koni-parts/fsd-2100-shocks-struts-kit/8745-space-1022lkt/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5NnbBRDaARIsAJP-YR9vqHwWj9IRhKitmK2-deiaaHUN-dDqV60IJj2G9NWrqehk8yUmvMcaAiWQEALw_wcB

[ZHPizza]

This is the right kit for the ZHP correct?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-koni-parts/fsd-2100-shocks-struts-kit/8745-space-1022lkt/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5NnbBRDaARIsAJP-YR9vqHwWj9IRhKitmK2-deiaaHUN-dDqV60IJj2G9NWrqehk8yUmvMcaAiWQEALw_wcBYup

[holyc0w]

That site says that Koni advises not to use them with lowering springs. I would go with the Koni Sport (yellow) shocks.

[Zaks]

That site says that Koni advises not to use them with lowering springs. I would go with the Koni Sport (yellow) shocks.

That's what I read and the initial reason I was leaning toward the Bilstein B8 shortened shocks/struts.

[John in VA]

You have to pick the Koni product meant for the cars "With Sport suspension, M-Technik, excl. X-Models."

[Zaks]

You have to pick the Koni product meant for the cars "With Sport suspension, M-Technik, excl. X-Models."

Are you talking about the newer Special active konis John? I've decided I'll get the Konis, but definitely a bit confused about the part # for the yellows and if the special active should be used with lowering springs at all (Koni says now, but looks like others are using them and I'm sure they just won't last "as long").

[holyc0w]

Are you talking about the newer Special active konis John? I've decided I'll get the Konis, but definitely a bit confused about the part # for the yellows and if the special active should be used with lowering springs at all (Koni says now, but looks like others are using them and I'm sure they just won't last "as long").

Here's a post I found that may help with the decision: https://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=730941

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread on this topic. I personally have had cocktails with an engineer at KONI at SEMA and spoke with him at length about this. Fact is, the FSDs are *NOT* valved to run with a spring with a spring rate any more aggressive than that of an Eibach Pro-Kit Spring, hence the reason KONI offers a kit (the KONI FSD/Eibach Kit) that utilizes Pro-Kit, not Sportline, Springs. Will the Sportlines "work" with the FSDs? Sure, they'll "work" and your car won't explode or anything like that, but they're engineered (i.e. valved) to work with the spring rates and lowering levels of Eibach's more mildly rated spring (the Pro-Kit Springs) and when used with any other spring not approved by KONI, you might not get the same dampening characteristics and/or ride quality as you would otherwise.

An interesting note on the subject of the KONI FSDs is that when asked why KONI chose Eibach Springs to mate with FSDs over all the other springs out there to choose from (KONI has relationships with Vogtland, as KONI Coilovers use Vogtland Springs and with H&R, as H&R uses some KONI Dampers in some of their kits), I was told that out of all the spring manufacturers KONI tested, that Eibach was the most accurate out of all of them in their lowering estimations. Meaning, when Eibach states "a 1.6 inch drop", then it was darn near the centimeter to being a 1.6 inch drop. I know many of us have installed springs over the years and said "Man, that's not as low as I thought it would be!" or "Man, that's a little lower than they told me it would be!" Well, according to the engineers at KONI who tested many different springs, Eibach's numbers are typically right on the money.

Feel free to PM me with any questions about KONI or Eibach products. As a Warehouse Distributor for both here in Texas, we always have great deals on either line not seen on our site for E46Fanatic members, including both our Group Buy on Eibach Springs right now and our "Buy Back" program with KONI Shocks and Coilovers where we buy back your old worn and torn shocks (in any condition) with purchase of any KONI Suspension product.

In regards to the Koni Sport shocks/struts, for the sport suspension you will need: 8741-1390Lsport, 8741-1390Rsport and two 8040-1271sport for the rear.

Like on this site:
https://www.tunersports.com/koni-sport-series-yellow-shocks-8741-1390lsport-8741-1390rsport-8040-1271sport-x-2_p19723.html

In the past, raceconsultingagency.com's pricing has been very competitive. You can even call or email them to see if they'll go lower.
http://www.raceconsultingagency.com/koni/koni-shock-sport-series/g-52201.aspx

[Zaks]

Helps a lot, thanks. I'm pretty much set on the koni yellows now so should be ordering them asap. One more thing I can't figure out is the part # for the front struts... I see in realoem the "repair kit" 31352241445 but I'm not sure what is the actual part # for just the mount. I'm seeing the sachs and lemf on FCP euro and I'm planning on doing the sachs, but I think I read somewhere that stock suspension uses different mounts than the sport that's on zhp?

[holyc0w]

This may help:
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years

The part# for the front strut mounts is: 31336752735

Many people have used the Lemforders with no issues.

[Zaks]

This may help:
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16182-Help-with-Suspension-Refresh-at-50k-miles-10-years

The part# for the front strut mounts is: 31336752735

Many people have used the Lemforders with no issues.

I really appreciate all the help. Going to read through William's thread a bit more to piece together some other stuff, but all good now on the shocks/struts and mounts. I have JTD mounts in the rear with reinf plates that are only 8-10k miles so I'll just reuse all those.

Where are you from in Chicagoland? Own a zhp too? Just noticed it says Chicago for your info. Thanks again

[holyc0w]

I really appreciate all the help. Going to read through William's thread a bit more to piece together some other stuff, but all good now on the shocks/struts and mounts. I have JTD mounts in the rear with reinf plates that are only 8-10k miles so I'll just reuse all those.

Where are you from in Chicagoland? Own a zhp too? Just noticed it says Chicago for your info. Thanks again

Titanium Silver ZHP

I'm in Norridge.

Raceconsultingagency is also nearby. I've actually went there for an alignment.

[FCP Euro]

Hey Guys,

Here's a link to the strut mounts.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/330i/Strut-Mounts/?year=2004&m=20&e=180

We also have a reinforcement plate kit.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/330i/Strut-Mount-Kits/?year=2004&m=20&e=180

Let me know if there's anything I can help with.

-Dave

[Zaks]

Titanium Silver ZHP

I'm in Norridge.

Raceconsultingagency is also nearby. I've actually went there for an alignment.

Oh nice, didn't know they were that close! I'll probably just go pick it up if they have it in stock. Still need to wait on the front mounts etc but I can at least do my rears easily and quickly. Thanks again for all the info.

I may have seen you around, I'm near O'Hare.

[Zaks]

Hey Guys,

Here's a link to the strut mounts.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/330i/Strut-Mounts/?year=2004&m=20&e=180

We also have a reinforcement plate kit.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/330i/Strut-Mount-Kits/?year=2004&m=20&e=180

Let me know if there's anything I can help with.

-Dave

Hi Dave,

What brand mount comes in this kit... https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-repair-kit-support-bearing-value-line-31352241445#desc

I'm wondering as the Genuine BMW mount on your site is ~$90 so this kit shouldn't be lower, but then again the sachs and Lemf mounts are $23-35, so a few bolts and washers can't cost $40+.

[holyc0w]

Oh nice, didn't know they were that close! I'll probably just go pick it up if they have it in stock. Still need to wait on the front mounts etc but I can at least do my rears easily and quickly. Thanks again for all the info.

I may have seen you around, I'm near O'Hare.

I think they ship their parts from a warehouse out somewhere else. They just have their garage/shop here.

Oh cool, let me know if you need any help, but my diy skills are extremely novice.

[Zaks]

I think they ship their parts from a warehouse out somewhere else. They just have their garage/shop here.

Oh cool, let me know if you need any help, but my diy skills are extremely novice.

Sounds good. It should all be pretty easy and straightforward as all the parts are pretty new (replaced about 10k miles ago and mid-last year.

[FCP Euro]

Hi Dave,

What brand mount comes in this kit... https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-repair-kit-support-bearing-value-line-31352241445#desc

I'm wondering as the Genuine BMW mount on your site is ~$90 so this kit shouldn't be lower, but then again the sachs and Lemf mounts are $23-35, so a few bolts and washers can't cost $40+.

The Value Line products are pre-packaged from BMW and are actually cheaper compared to the individual part. I believe OE manufacturer on the mount is Sachs.

[Zaks]

Well I'm in the middle of doing the rear shocks and realized I can't figure out which part of the lower shock bushing goes toward the car/attaching point. One sticks out longer than the other and my common sense tells me the short side goes to the car so that it's less force/torque on the bolt, but I could be way off. Can't find any info online figured I'd post here.

[Zaks]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/9c33cf3f00c314dd651bf87d2ee51cf8.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zaks]

This is my guess, but would like to hear from someone with more than a guess :)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/e110dadb6c2ac6786c48d61b71abe96b.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[d-rod]

This is my guess, but would like to hear from someone with more than a guess :)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/e110dadb6c2ac6786c48d61b71abe96b.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yea that looks about right. This is how I put in my Koni special active shocks https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180827/3e5ce95a524240c6b4c9732deb760ffb.png


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[holyc0w]

Mine also has the sticker facing out...although not the most reliable way to confirm

[Zaks]

Yeah I'm trying to confirm with Koni and should have an answer soon, thanks guys.

[Zaks]

Based on what Koni told me, I'm missing a washer that looks just like the one in d-rod's photo (by the bolt head), so I will just put the provided silver one there. D-rod do you have another washer between the shock and axle mating surface or just the big red washer by the bolt head?

[d-rod]

Based on what Koni told me, I'm missing a washer that looks just like the one in d-rod's photo (by the bolt head), so I will just put the provided silver one there. D-rod do you have another washer between the shock and axle mating surface or just the big red washer by the bolt head?

From what I remember the big red washer you’re referring to was part of the assembly. I didn’t think to pry on it to see if it comes off. They did provide a silver metal washer which I used.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zaks]

From what I remember the big red washer you’re referring to was part of the assembly. I didn’t think to pry on it to see if it comes off. They did provide a silver metal washer which I used.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Did you use that silver washer on the bolt head side (along with the assembled, red washer) or between shock and axle?

[d-rod]

Yes on the bolt head side.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zaks]

Well it's definitely 10x better than the blown old bilsteins. I'm really looking forward to completing the fronts as well so I can directly compare, but I'm sure ride will be much smoother as I can feel the back absorb bumps so well. I went with 3/4 turn in the rears.