New front shock absorber for 23i MSport

[Guitarman]

Hi guys, any recommendations please for new shock absorber for front of my 23i MSport?

 

[B21]

Pair of Bilstein B8s…

 

[Guitarman]

Thanks man, just to clarify the right side front one has a slight leak. Is it OK to just replace the one? Sorry for noob question

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

You can just replace one, sure.

Ideally you replace in pairs. This is because your replacement will be brand new and the other will have several thousand miles of wear and tear. This could lead to some strange handling characteristics.

If you want to enjoy the car properly, best to replace the pair.

Either that, or source an older shock which still works, but then it could break after a couple of months!

 

[Guitarman]

Thanks, makes sense. I assume Ii need a replacement that still works with the adaptive suspension? The only one I've found that does that costs over £400

 

[B21]

Thanks, makes sense. I assume Ii need a replacement that still works with the adaptive suspension? The only one I've found that does that costs over £400

I doubt very very much that you have adaptive suspension...tip your VIN into a VIN decoder and see..


https://www.mdecoder.com/

Bilstein B8 is for 'normal' MSport suspension which is NOT adaptive

Adaptive was usually only found on 35is and a few 35i and the odd 28i..

 

[Guitarman]

Thanks, makes sense. I assume Ii need a replacement that still works with the adaptive suspension? The only one I've found that does that costs over £400

I doubt very very much that you have adaptive suspension...tip your VIN into a VIN decoder and see..


https://www.mdecoder.com/

Bilstein B8 is for 'normal' MSport suspension which is NOT adaptive

Adaptive was usually only found on 35is and a few 35i and the odd 28i..

Ahhh great! Thanks man!

 

[enuff_zed]

Definitely change as a pair unless the other side is almost new.

 

[B21]

Definitely change as a pair unless the other side is almost new.

If the OP goes for Bilstein B8s then with 20% more damping it needs to be a pair.... :tumbleweed:

 

[enuff_zed]

Definitely change as a pair unless the other side is almost new.

If the OP goes for Bilstein B8s then with 20% more damping it needs to be a pair.... :tumbleweed:

Very true!
I suspect with our slightly similar backgrounds we would both think the same: always change suspension and braking components as a pair across the axle (possibly excepting droplinks, or in the case of a failure of something almost new, asuming a like for like replacement)

 

[flybobbie]

Bilstein B4 are good enough for 23i.
I had B6 but don't notice much difference to the B4 i have now, B6 slightly harder. Either better than stock.
I went to B4, sick of the bumpy roads i travel daily rocking car, unstable, although replacing track rod helped a lot.
Thought B8 was for lowered springs.

My rear std. shocks were shot at 50k miles.

 

[B21]

Bilstein B4 are good enough for 23i.
I had B6 but don't notice much difference to the B4 i have now, B6 slightly harder. Either better than stock.
I went to B4, sick of the bumpy roads i travel daily rocking car, unstable, although replacing track rod helped a lot.
Thought B8 was for lowered springs.

My rear std. shocks were shot at 50k miles.

He has a MSport with lowered springs hence the B8 recommendation