E70 vs F15 Front struts

[rbryantaz]

Does anyone happen to have an E70 and F15 strut to compare side by side?

I started to look at some picutres of them and because they share the same bottom suspension piece on the bottom side they have to match there but the F15 seems longer with a different spring hat.

E70 EDC struts are very expensive as we know and the valve looks essentially the same on the F15.... The satellite control module is different but it seems like it could be mounted in the same place on the F15 strut with an adapter plate.

So that leaves me with the question of just how different the lengths, springs, and top mounts really are...

It is tempting to buy an F15 strut to compare but it would be better if someone has both laying around..,

Thanks,

Rich

[rbryantaz]

From what I can see the F15 struts have a much higher spring perch and much shorter springs. If anyone knows the overall length that would be useful.

I purchased a cheap F15 strut mount to see if that would fit on my e70 (or if it is similar enough to where the e70 version could be used in its place with the F15 spring setup).

The rear shocks on the F15 also seem similar to the e70 but have less threads on the top so it is a similar situation to see if the top mounts can be exchanged or not.

-Rich

[danno142000]

along for the ride..... it would be interesting if they work out to be "interchangeable", but not likely

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by danno142000

along for the ride..... it would be interesting if they work out to be "interchangeable", but not likely

I agree, F15 struts definitely aren't interchangeable with E70 struts.

My question is "Are they adaptable." (adaptive drive pun intended)

At a minimum a bracket will be needed to attach the e70 satellite module. It seems like some functionality in it might have been moved off from the strut on the F15 because it uses a clearly different module (unless it turns out that that module is compatible (which I doubt).

-Rich

[binbin93]

I'm interesting to see this post.
My attempt is to replace BMW X5 E70 front strut with EDC by F15 strut. I'm not worried about length but I'm concerned about compatible of EDC function, it means to use F15 strut satellite module (sensor) for E70.
please advise is it possible/compatible? is there any coding for this?
thank you very much for you advice.

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by binbin93

I'm interesting to see this post.
My attempt is to replace BMW X5 E70 front strut with EDC by F15 strut. I'm not worried about length but I'm concerned about compatible of EDC function, it means to use F15 strut satellite module (sensor) for E70.
please advise is it possible/compatible? is there any coding for this?
thank you very much for you advice.

I expect that the valve is likely the same. Is the connector even the same?

I have a custom pwm controller on my e90 M3 edc shocks, in general the control valve is a PWM driven solenoid so unless the ranges are different it should work....

Can you check the resistance across each with an ohm meter? I expect it to be about 2.5 ohms. It may read 4 or so on a meter (to check touch the probes directly and subtract that reading from what you get on the shock).

My idea is that a custom bracket would be needed for the e70 satellite module. It will probably need to be mounted pretty accurately. From this document the VDC does have "vertical position sensors" in the satellite modules:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...DVrxwmPT39YqmZ



The top mounts and springs will all need to be f15 or e70 because the springs and mounts are different. So we need to figure out how close the overall length is.

A small spacer may be needed on the f15 top strut mount because of the extra lip on it.

Screw it, I just bought a pair of F15 struts and springs so I have them in hand to compare against.... Worst case I will re-sell them if they don't work.

-Rich

[binbin93]

Thanks rbryantaz for your clarification.
I'm a amateur on automation, I bought these struts and attend to ask mechanic to replace (let's say plug and play if possible).
I'm waiting for your DYI then take lesson learnt/your comment to go my case.

[Sergei.dm]

Originally Posted by rbryantaz

I expect that the valve is likely the same. Is the connector even the same?

I have a custom pwm controller on my e90 M3 edc shocks, in general the control valve is a PWM driven solenoid so unless the ranges are different it should work....

Can you check the resistance across each with an ohm meter? I expect it to be about 2.5 ohms. It may read 4 or so on a meter (to check touch the probes directly and subtract that reading from what you get on the shock).

My idea is that a custom bracket would be needed for the e70 satellite module. It will probably need to be mounted pretty accurately. From this document the VDC does have "vertical position sensors" in the satellite modules:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...DVrxwmPT39YqmZ

Attachment 3214871

The top mounts and springs will all need to be f15 or e70 because the springs and mounts are different. So we need to figure out how close the overall length is.

A small spacer may be needed on the f15 top strut mount because of the extra lip on it.

Screw it, I just bought a pair of F15 struts and springs so I have them in hand to compare against.... Worst case I will re-sell them if they don't work.

-Rich

Hi! What is conclusion about overall length f15vsE70?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by Sergei.dm

Hi! What is conclusion about overall length f15vsE70?

They are very close.

If the F15 top hat is used it will need a 3-4mm spacer over the lip on the hat to work correctly against the e70 shock tower.

My e70 is dynamic drive so it needs extra work to mount the shock satellites that I haven't gotten to yet. Once I finish some upgrrades on my e90 I will get to work on this project.

-Rich