WANTED Bilstein B4 kit

[Gregory_tolson]

Definitely replace the springs on the car. Those rear coils are known for cracking where mine cracked in the pictures. Its not worth moving the springs over, plus those Lesjofor springs were veryyyyy inexpensive. I got the M sport ones since i wanted it just a tad lower.

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z4-2.jpg (284.37 KiB) Viewed 186 times

[Dr. Zed]

Well this is what's on my shock and matches no part numbers so I have no idea!

I'm replacing top mounts, shocks, knuckle bolt, and plastic cover and bump stop.
Should freshen it up nicely.

[Dr. Zed]

Gregory_tolson, Well my contact can get B4's for me by the end of the week. Just the headache of figuring out what the hell is going on with my suspension!

Those B6's do look good though mate

I was nervous they would be too stiff, but my original suspension was so shot (since it was original) that they feel soooo good over bumps. I honestly would hit a pot hole on the original suspension and the car would rattle violently.

I always thought my car felt that bad over British roads because it was so low but I'm starting to realise it was likely the shocks being knackered for some time.

[enuff_zed]

Definitely replace the springs on the car. Those rear coils are known for cracking where mine cracked in the pictures. Its not worth moving the springs over, plus those Lesjofor springs were veryyyyy inexpensive. I got the M sport ones since i wanted it just a tad lower.z4-1.jpgz4-2.jpg

I would agree about the rears, but never hear much about front spring issues?
The rears are dead easy to change on their own, so if they look ok you could still leave them and see?

[enuff_zed]

Well this is what's on my shock and matches no part numbers so I have no idea!

I'm replacing top mounts, shocks, knuckle bolt, and plastic cover and bump stop.
Should freshen it up nicely.

Yes, the 761895 number matches the MSport number on realoem if you check the link I sent.
Also the strut says Sport on the label.
So you do have MSport shocks.

[Dr. Zed]

Definitely replace the springs on the car. Those rear coils are known for cracking where mine cracked in the pictures. Its not worth moving the springs over, plus those Lesjofor springs were veryyyyy inexpensive. I got the M sport ones since i wanted it just a tad lower.z4-1.jpgz4-2.jpg

So could I mix the M sport coils with B4's regardless whether my car had m suspension to begin with?

[Dr. Zed]

Definitely replace the springs on the car. Those rear coils are known for cracking where mine cracked in the pictures. Its not worth moving the springs over, plus those Lesjofor springs were veryyyyy inexpensive. I got the M sport ones since i wanted it just a tad lower.

My springs aren't gone. The reason i originally removed the suspension was due to the top mount being cracked when I looked under the hood. But since then the shocks are clearly worn out too.

[Dr. Zed]

I would agree about the rears, but never hear much about front spring issues?
The rears are dead easy to change on their own, so if they look ok you could still leave them and see?

I'll be honest, I haven't looked at the rears.. Not ordered any parts for them either

As for the parts number. The 'sport' I can see so thanks for that. Missed that, however the part number I can't match. What am I missing? You said the 761895 matched but I don't see that at all mate, sorry!

[Gregory_tolson]

yeah, that pic you posted is the M-sport suspension strut. My parts website claims the B6's are an OE replacement solely from a firmness standpoint. They told me B4 struts work with the M-sport coils but you lose that sporty firmness the M-sport struts provided from factory. The part number from factory is that 31316761895 number. The piston housing dimensions on the B6's and B4's is the same.

[enuff_zed]

Definitely replace the springs on the car. Those rear coils are known for cracking where mine cracked in the pictures. Its not worth moving the springs over, plus those Lesjofor springs were veryyyyy inexpensive. I got the M sport ones since i wanted it just a tad lower.

My springs aren't gone. The reason i originally removed the suspension was due to the top mount being cracked when I looked under the hood. But since then the shocks are clearly worn out too.

Slowly getting closer
You now know you DO have MSport suspension. so you have the lower springs. If they ain't broke.......................
Can swap rears out later if they do break, but my logic would say with new dampers the spring will be under less stress as it's finally getting a little assistance.
So you either get the expensive B6 option, or consider going standard shock. In that case the B4 looks a little longer than the Sachs?
Add to that my experience with fitting standard Sachs on MSport springs with no detriment.
It's starting to come down to price and availability.

[enuff_zed]

however the part number I can't match. What am I missing? You said the 761895 matched but I don't see that at all mate, sorry!

Look at the table below the illustration.
Fourth '01' down. LH strut MSport Suspension.

[Dr. Zed]

yeah, that pic you posted is the M-sport suspension strut. My parts website claims the B6's are an OE replacement solely from a firmness standpoint. They told me B4 struts work with the M-sport coils but you lose that sporty firmness the M-sport struts provided from factory. The part number from factory is that 31316761895 number.

I like your idea of mixing B4's with M springs though. So enuff zed said that about the part number but according to realoem the front shocks are 31316785987 for non M and 31316785989 for M. So they're not matching what you're both saying which is odd...

[Dr. Zed]

Slowly getting closer
You now know you DO have MSport suspension. so you have the lower springs. If they ain't broke.......................
Can swap rears out later if they do break, but my logic would say with new dampers the spring will be under less stress as it's finally getting a little assistance.
So you either get the expensive B6 option, or consider going standard shock. In that case the B4 looks a little longer than the Sachs?
Add to that my experience with fitting standard Sachs on MSport springs with no detriment.
It's starting to come down to price and availability.

Yes, thank you for everyone's help in this!
Well my guy can get the B4's in this week and they're 170 odd for both (though autodoc are now having another sale, ffs. Typical).

So you're suggesting, if I opt for B4's is use the current springs and then the B4's with M sport bump stops?

If so my question is (more questions!)
Why is this dust cover a smooth cylinder as opposed to the ribbed one that came out of my car?

https://www.apd.co.uk/car-parts/suspens ... ber-103828

[enuff_zed]

yeah, that pic you posted is the M-sport suspension strut. My parts website claims the B6's are an OE replacement solely from a firmness standpoint. They told me B4 struts work with the M-sport coils but you lose that sporty firmness the M-sport struts provided from factory. The part number from factory is that 31316761895 number.

I like your idea of mixing B4's with M springs though. So enuff zed said that about the part number but according to realoem the front shocks are 31316785987 for non M and 31316785989 for M. So they're not matching what you're both saying which is odd...

Here you go

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[Gregory_tolson]

Here are screen shots from RealOEM

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