Sachs or Bilstein b4

[Redmex]

I've a leaky front strut and wondering whether to go for Bilsteins like I had in 1980 on my MK1 Mexico that was stiffer than a teenage boys dick but was great to drive back then. I think the b6 would be too much for my back now
Is it worth replacing the springs at the same time and would the rear shocks need changed to keep the balance of the car?
It's a 3.0i 04 plate if anyone has a set to flog

 

[rdm05z4]

I have Bilstein B4's on my 05. And while at my age I can no longer keep it as "stiff as a teenage boy" for the same time. Least I know my car can. I can't give advice on the B6's as have never had a car with them on. But if as stated are "stiffer" than the B4's I would go with B4's unless you are going to race the car. Plus the B4's give my body a work out so I cancelled my Chiropractor appt's. no need.

 

[enuff_zed]

Funnily enough I've just spent today fitting new Sachs front struts to a 2.5si, along with new top mounts, bump stops and knuckle joint bolts (don't re-use those!)
I've always used Sachs and have no issues with them at all. Basically taking the car back to new standard. I kept the springs as they were in excellent condition.
Having seen the state of the front shocks I will spend tomorrow doing the rears, again with new top mounts and bump stops, but not touching the springs.
This is an exercise I've done a fair few times now, with no issues at all.
The trouble with the fronts is that the spring tends to mask the problems, but once they're apart you can see how bad they are. One of mine pushed in easily and came back out in 5 or 6 small jumps over about a minute. The other one pushed in with one finger and there it has stayed!
I suspect the rears will be the same.
Lots of people use the Bilstein B4s and recommend them. I'm just giving you my opinion.

 

[WouterZZZZ]

I have just put 4 OEM Sachs shocks and all the belonging small iron and rubber parts on my 2006 E85 3.0si. Experiencing a big difference with the 16 year old factory mounted Sachs ones. A smoother ride, also in corners, more responsive on traffic hills and more quietness. I never thought about mounting B4’s.
Hope this helps! Wish you well from The Netherlands

 

[Rockhopper]

B4’s are OEM equivalent.

 

[kis]

B4 is supposed to be a OEM replacement. So should be similar to performance of Sachs?

I guess I’d be kind of interested to know the difference too. Has anyone taken a detailed look? Are they both gas?

 

[enuff_zed]

B4 is supposed to be a OEM replacement. So should be similar to performance of Sachs?

I guess I’d be kind of interested to know the difference too. Has anyone taken a detailed look? Are they both gas?

Sachs are. Suspect just two manufacturers building to the same spec.
The ones I removed yesterday were original BMWs dated 2006. The Sachs I fitted looked identical in every respect, but without the leaks and rust. :roll:

 

[Rockhopper]

Last time I looked Sachs were twice the price of Bilstein B4's so i went with the B4's and Suplex springs.

 

[sw4nny]

Last time I looked Sachs were twice the price of Bilstein B4's so i went with the B4's and Suplex springs.

This set up worked great for me on all 4 corners.

 

[True-Blue]

I don’t think you’d go wrong on either.

I’ve just rebuilt mine with Sachs, as I wanted to get the car back to close to original and the Sachs were actually cheaper than the B4’s on AutoDoc

 

[enuff_zed]

I don’t think you’d go wrong on either.

I’ve just rebuilt mine with Sachs, as I wanted to get the car back to close to original and the Sachs were actually cheaper than the B4’s on AutoDoc

Pair of front Sachs, £161.88. Pair of rear Sachs, £90.33. From Autodoc about 2 weeks ago. Best deal I could find. At that point the Billies were far more expensive. Guess you just have to shop around and look out for deals.

 

[SonnyA85]

How do you guys figure out what springs you need? Sports suspension or not? I am sure mine has sports suspension but want to make sure some places call it M technology.

It's an 03 model

 

[Southwestz4]

M tech is same as m sport I think . I have just ordered Sachs with suplex spings and two front and two rear top mounts , the 3.0 has m sport suspension even if its an se ...I am putting mine onto se setup to raise and soften it a bit as it just touches a ridge into my close ....and as with most areas the roads are being neglected !
Order is on its way from Autodoc in Germany

 

[Southwestz4]

M tech is same as m sport I think . I have just ordered Sachs with suplex spings and two front and two rear top mounts , the 3.0 has m sport suspension even if its an se ...I am putting mine onto se setup to raise and soften it a bit as it just touches a ridge into my close ....and as with most areas the roads are being neglected !
Order is on its way from Autodoc in Germany

if the rear springs are original the will have three dabs of paint for m sport setup

 

[SonnyA85]

M tech is same as m sport I think . I have just ordered Sachs with suplex spings and two front and two rear top mounts , the 3.0 has m sport suspension even if its an se ...I am putting mine onto se setup to raise and soften it a bit as it just touches a ridge into my close ....and as with most areas the roads are being neglected !
Order is on its way from Autodoc in Germany

Can you send me a link to the parts you ordered. I just want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff. my mechanic was using slightly incorrect terminology. Unless he really does want struts replaced which is great as they are only £7 vs £100+

i'll forward the links onto him so he can verify what parts i need. i know the front springs are gone for sure but not too sure what else is really needed.

 

[Southwestz4]

Okay, these numbers are Autodoc artical numbers...they should be correct but please check them before ordering...I haven't received my order yet so can't comment on how it all went together :?
317 552
317 551
312 468
Skss 0670110
21091
11-305804
21111
06252
06228

Autodoc also do an easy return system for a few £ extra ...well worth it if you need to return anything to Germany !
I hope this is useful

 

[SonnyA85]

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/632244

About to order these look well priced too from 3 other sites i have checked

 

[Rockhopper]

M Technology is for M cars. Early 3.0i had Msport which is basically just 15mm lower than standard suspension. If you are buying Suplex springs for a 3.0i then order the ones “for cars with sports suspension”.
If you go for the ones “for cars with M technology” then that’s for M cars only and I think might be even lower? Or stiffer? Not sure on that one. You don’t want them either way!
If you go for B4 struts and shocks then they will work fine with standard or M sports cars. Ride quality will be the same though.

 

[Redmex]

I'm now going to get new drop links but just wondering if you get what you pay for with these. Are the £30 for 1 much better than the 2 for £16/20 ?
So many speed bumps to negotiate where I live so they do get a fair bit of abuse