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Which shocks

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 8:37 pm
by Panta Rhei
Hello. I strongly need to buy new front shocks to my Z4. The thing is, I have the 704 option (M Sport Suspension) and one new OEM shock costs me 278 EUR. I thought about maybe buying Bilstein B4 shocks for 147 EUR both. What do you think? My car would not be much softer on such shocks? I want their work to be as OEM M Sport Suspension as they could.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:12 pm
by ben g
You need the yellow bilstein shocks, rather than the black ones, so i've been told. B6.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:35 pm
by csl1973
ben g wrote:You need the yellow bilstein shocks, rather than the black ones, so i've been told. B6.
B8's as the b6 is for standard ride height, but you can use them with the sport springs. I had an email from bilsten when I asked a similar question. Their answer was to use the b8's as these are designed for use with lowered springs like the sport ones fitted to the z with sport suspension.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 10:53 pm
by ben g
Oh ok. I thought B8's were the kit comprising springs and shocks.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 11:10 pm
by Midhurstman
As has been said the B8's are correct for the M-sport suspension. They are the only ones recommended as such on the Bilstein website. I have them on mine and they are as close a ride to the original Sachs as possible, whilst being maybe fractionally harder. B12's are the kits.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 12:40 pm
by Panta Rhei
Thank you very much.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 2:09 pm
by Scooba_Steve
Might as well get a B12 set with non snapping eibachs, 700 eur on the bay and you'll not need to worry for a long time.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 10:20 pm
by Panta Rhei
700 EUR are you kidding? BMW OEM M Sport Suspension ones cost 525 EUR for both.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 11:14 am
by Scooba_Steve
Set of 4 with springs.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 5:57 pm
by hopz121
B4's will be similar to OEM and are fine with the lower m sport springs.

B6 & 8's are an upgraded shock

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:41 pm
by Panta Rhei
Scooba_Steve wrote:Set of 4 with springs.
Oh, got you, mate. Thanks. :D

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:50 pm
by Panta Rhei
hopz121 wrote:B4's will be similar to OEM and are fine with the lower m sport springs.

B6 & 8's are an upgraded shock
Are you 100% sure I can install B4s to M Sport Suspension?

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 9:54 pm
by Midhurstman
I telephoned Bilstein Technical Department and discussed B4's, B6'6 and B8's for Z4 E85 and was told categorically that B4's and B6's are designed with a slightly longer stroke and are not suitable for M-sport lowered suspension(which I believe is 15mm). This may be a complete load of guff but I wasn't willing to take a chance on fitting 4's or 6's and spoiling handling and/or early shock failure, bearing in mind that Bilsteins have built in bump stops making the stroke length critical.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 10:38 pm
by ben g
The sport suspension has the same shock absorbers as se suspension as far as i'm aware. It's just the springs that are different.

So yes the standard ones will fit, but may not last or give as better ride as the better shock absorbers designed specifically with sport springs/eibachs etc in mind.

For the being ride/handling/longevity I would personally go with whatever Bilstein recommends for sport suspension equipped Z4's, which appears to be the B8's.

Re: Which shocks

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:41 am
by hopz121
B4's are equivalent to OEM Shocks and are slightly better than the current OEM ones on your Zed and are also suitable for a small drop

B6's are uprated Sports shocks and suibale for a small drop

B8's are uprated sports lowering shocks for lowering cars more than 30mm+

The B12 kit includes B8 Shocks with eibach springs.