Another suspension thread

[ryansbmw]

I hate to make another suspension thread but it seems like in many of the other threads, people start mixing in different configurations from the factory and it gets tough to follow. Also seems like some people are confusing and conflating different setups as well so I want to start something fresh and very pointed to hopefully keep it on track.

I have a 2013 X5 with the factory M-Sport package- sport suspension (S226A), no 3rd row, no self leveling, no air bags, no adaptive drive.

I want to replace the shocks/struts and reuse the factory lowering springs.

From my research I have found the following options will fit. Does anyone have any experience using the below shocks with the OE Sport springs?

Sachs OE replacements- These look to be general OE replacements for sport and non-sport suspension setups. Based on previous experience with E39 suspension setups, I question how the same shocks can be used on normal and lowered cars without constantly bottoming out or greatly reducing life.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...17#description
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-sachs-315-316
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...chs-3526781921


Bilstein B4 Tourings- Claims similar ride to factory but with longer life.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...5-x6-19-184098

The rear setup confuses me a bit. There seems to be 2 different rear setups.
Set 1: FCP designates these shocks to be used with self-leveling, 3rd and sport suspension. ECS doesnt specify at all
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...in-33526781925
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...tein-19-249087

Set 2: These are the rear shocks that are paired with the Bilsein B4 kit, which according to part numbers, includes the front B4 strut meant for cars with the sport suspension. I can only assume the rears are meant for sport suspension as well but nothing indicates it.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...19-184081~bil/
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...19-184074~bil/


Koni Active- I know Koni has great reputation and have used Koni Yellow in the past on my E39 which I really enjoyed. I have confirmed with Koni that these will work with the factory sport suspension spring ( contrary to what ECS Tuning says)
https://www.bimmerworld.com/KONI-Act...X5-E71-X6.html

Bilstein B8- Bilsteins sport tuned shock for lowered cars. These finally seem to be in stock. I ran Bilstein Sports on my E39 (with aftermarket lowering springs) and the ride got pretty rough on the crap roads around here. Wonder if this setup will be any different? Again, the rear setup confuses me a bit. These are the same shocks sold in the B12 kit with lowering springs (lots of favorable reviews), but there has been a post or two here saying that these shocks did not work with the H&R lowering springs because they couldnt be preloaded? Im not sure how that translates to using the factory sport springs. I would assume the different lowering springs would be somewhat similar so I dont understand how you can preload one set but not another.
https://www.bimmerworld.com/Bilstein...24-143967.html
https://www.bimmerworld.com/Bilstein...24-143981.html
https://www.bimmerworld.com/Bilstein...24-143974.html

Any experience using these setups would be greatly appreciated. The rear suspension information seems to be lacking on this board.

[mitch808]

Basically you want either the Koni's, B4's (for stock like ride) or B6 for sport tuned ride. B8's are for lowered vehicles, of which the factory springs don't qualify. Valved like a B6, but with a shorter shaft.(I noticed you don't have B6 listed, and I don't know if there is an application for the E70, but that would be ideal from the bilstein lineup)

Both the B6 or the Koni's would be pretty equivalent. Koni has a better warranty program. In the past you could prepay a core charge to get a replacement part while you shipped your bad one to them. Less down time. Bilstein is like hell naw, send me your broken part and we'll think about it. And with their nationwide shortages of stuff for the last couple of years, what if what you need isn't in stock?

<-- Has B8's in another car at the moment and worries about the warranty process....

[ryansbmw]

Gotcha.

I assumed the sport suspension from the factory would be similar to the 1.2" drop that springs like H&R or Eibach provide.

B6 applications are available for the E70. I had originally dismissed them as dampers to tighten up suspensions using the standard springs.

[mitch808]

Also don't discount B12's and B14's if available.

B12's being a factory matched lowering setup. B14 being a coilover based B8 setup.

[Spyro235]

Personally, if you're going for a stock ride, I'd suggest B4's or B6's. I'm going to go for B4's up front and B6/8's depending on what my research about ride heights turns up. I personally have normal spring and strut rear, but I do tow so want a bit beefier of a strut out back to handle the heavy loads that I occasionally throw in the back/ the tongue weight.

I'm unsure of if the B6's match the factory sport dampers of if they're closer to the B4.

[Thecastle]

I've not modified my X5's suspension.

However, I did a ton of suspension mods to my 335D e90. I did go with Koni FSD now active and was very happy with the results. They live up to their rep of both a better ride and better handling, highly recommended. All of the other dampers are more of a compromise as they only have one damping level so they either ride well or handle well but not both.

I've also found that replacing bushings makes a difference too.

I find my X5M to be fine so I've not modified it.

[ryansbmw]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

I've not modified my X5's suspension.

However, I did a ton of suspension mods to my 335D e90. I did go with Koni FSD now active and was very happy with the results. They live up to their rep of both a better ride and better handling, highly recommended. All of the other dampers are more of a compromise as they only have one damping level so they either ride well or handle well but not both.

I've also found that replacing bushings makes a difference too.

I find my X5M to be fine so I've not modified it.

Yea I did a bunch on my E39. Went with Bilstein sports and lowering springs (along with replacing all the other arms and bushings). Great on good roads, a bit unpleasant on not-so-great roads. The other major problem was the "clunk" the front shocks would develop. I had to replace the front multiple times before I switched to Koni sports all around and never looked back. Wasnt sure if the problems Bilstein had in the E39 version of the struts translated across multiple platforms or not.

Im leaning towards Konis at the moment but someone on Xoutpost claimed they lasted a 1 year before having to be replaced. Not looking to track this thing but return it to OEM level sport or maybe a tad better.

[RL18]

I'm still on stock suspension, but from all the research I've done I'm gonna eventually go with the B12 kit, which is b8 shocks with eibach lowering springs.

They should be a little bit stiffer than stock, help with handling, and their axle load is higher than stock for our x5s w/o air suspension in the rear. Oh and the looks with be a whole lot better.

But if you're looking for factory ride quality or you think it's too stiff already, then it's probably not what you would want to go for. I'm more about handling than ride quality though. I feel that my x5 needs to be just a little stiffer. It's to bouncy for me.

[sunny_j]

I running B8 shocks wit Eibach springs and the ride is definitely more stiff. So much so that I might replace the B8's up front with B4 to match the rear

[ryansbmw]

Originally Posted by sunny_j

I running B8 shocks wit Eibach springs and the ride is definitely more stiff. So much so that I might replace the B8's up front with B4 to match the rear

So you currently have B8 up front and B4 in the rear?

Stance looks nice

[sunny_j]

Originally Posted by ryansbmw

So you currently have B8 up front and B4 in the rear?

Stance looks nice

yes because I have self level suspension

[mitch808]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

Personally, if you're going for a stock ride, I'd suggest B4's or B6's. I'm going to go for B4's up front and B6/8's depending on what my research about ride heights turns up. I personally have normal spring and strut rear, but I do tow so want a bit beefier of a strut out back to handle the heavy loads that I occasionally throw in the back/ the tongue weight.

I'm unsure of if the B6's match the factory sport dampers of if they're closer to the B4.

B6/B8 are stiffer, with more rebound. But B8 is meant for lowered vehicles with a shorter shaft. you ONLY by the B8 if you're lowered.

If you run a B8 on a stock spring, being a progressive spring in most cases, your ride will be stiffer, and you also risk at full compression some coil bind on a longer stock spring.

[JokerElite]

Does anyone know why Sachs struts/shocks are listed for both sport and non-sport suspensions?

BMW has different part numbers for sport and non-sport parts. So I’m assuming they differ in length or rate.

Looking to replace my factory sport suspension (same config as OPs) but not sure if Sachs will be a correct replacement.

[nodemgr]

Most likely they are just using 1 part to cover both. There isn't enough demand for the sport shocks for manufacturers to have 2 different parts. I have the factory sport shocks S226A and mine are still in good condition. When I change I'll go with Koni Special Active. I had H&R sport springs with the stock sport shocks and the ride was just too harsh. Stock height is the way to go unless you like pain. Maybe the KW V3 can solve the issue, but somehow I doubt it.

[JokerElite]

Originally Posted by nodemgr

Most likely they are just using 1 part to cover both. There isn't enough demand for the sport shocks for manufacturers to have 2 different parts. I have the factory sport shocks S226A and mine are still in good condition. When I change I'll go with Koni Special Active. I had H&R sport springs with the stock sport shocks and the ride was just too harsh. Stock height is the way to go unless you like pain. Maybe the KW V3 can solve the issue, but somehow I doubt it.

That’s what I’m thinking. I thought the sport ones were pretty common. They come on the M sport + SAV package X5s potentially?

Anyway I ordered Sachs and wonder if I’ll notice a softer ride. I also wonder how they’ll pair up with the factory sport springs.

Update: The Sachs struts and shocks are perfect on my ‘12 X5 w/ M package. They appeared to be the same dimensions as the factory suspension and the standard size bump stops matched up too. The ride is much more pleasant.

[hennessy_r24]

Rear sport shocks for coil springs s226a

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-sachs-315-316

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...chs-3526781921

[NewerE70Owner]

Originally Posted by sunny_j

I running B8 shocks wit Eibach springs and the ride is definitely more stiff. So much so that I might replace the B8's up front with B4 to match the rear

I'm running into issues with my 13 M Sport as well... Wanting to lower the front with H&R 1.2 springs and replace all the shocks at the same time, but I have self-level in the rear which is making things difficult. Only thing I can find for the rear is the B4s and the fronts all say "Not for EDC or self-level"... I don't understand how REAR self-level affects the fronts at all. I was going to go B8s and the springs up front, but the "official" narrative is that you can't. Care to elaborate on your setup or provide any guidance you discovered?

[SJTrance]

I don’t know if the sports suspension is really a thing with the E70. As I understand, there is the adaptive suspension and all other suspension. I think the rest is all the Sachs struts/shocks. I also don’t think that the springs are different either. Talk to strutmonkey. They know everything about this platform. As you know, I went with the Sachs and Eibachs. The ride is actually stiffer due to the springs and a notable but subtle drop. Apparently, the B8’s will make the car significantly stiffer. If you get the stock Sachs suspension and the stock springs, the ride will be butter smooth like brand new from the factory. That will likely be the cheapest option but maybe the Koni’s will be smoother. I’m not sure. Strutmonkey will know for sure.

[NewerE70Owner]

Originally Posted by SJTrance

I’m not sure. Strutmonkey will know for sure.

Huge 2nd for Strutmonkey! I had never heard of them, but glad I found Chris... He has been phenomenal to work with and is a wealth of knowledge. Haven't gotten the parts physically in my hand yet, but so far can't recommend them/him enough.