Shock absorbers and M Sorts suspension.

H

hsyben

Member
Im after some advice please. I have a 2003 E85 Roadster and the Vin Decoder says that it has M Sport suspension. I want to refurb the front shocks. Autodoc has a kit on sale for an E85 but do I need a special kit for the M Sport suspension or will any kit for the car work?
 
Can you give us details of the kit please?

The various suspension options and the bits you need have been been done to death on here.
 
Sorry if I've missed things. I've read the threads but I don't understand whether the m sport suspension affects the kit that I need or whether autodoc/eBay will automatically know the right kit?
 
The only thing that’s different is the strut and the spring. All the rest is the same. I’m not sure Ridex is the best option though, most people go Bilstein B4 or Sachs.
 
Ridex are cheap for a reason

I’ve had experience of top mounts failing after low use and 18 months

Don’t scrimp pay a little more for a better known brand it’s a false economy otherwise
 
amh said:
Do people generally recommend OEM springs with the B4s?
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Seems like it from what I have read. The genuine BMW shocks are about £900, the OE Sachs ones are difficult to get for the rear shocks. Which leaves the B4s as the only OE replacement that isn’t silly money.
 
It varies a lot. I haven't been able to find genuine shocks and struts part numbers for my car on any BMW parts website for ages now which suggests that they are no longer being stocked. Sachs made the OEM ones, presumably the springs as well. They are often out of stock in parts supplies so many people fit Bilstein instead, then it'll swap over and you cant get Bilstein but everyone has Sachs.
 
FWIW, I found Monroe front Sport shocks easily enough, but when I came to do the rear I plumped for the Monroe non-Sport ones. They're the same length, it's just a valving difference. Possibly it's a little more floaty at the back when I'm hammering it than I might like, but they're better than the ones that were on there and a lot cheaper than the Bilstein.

I didn't have any difficulty finding bump stops, mounts, etc.
 
I've decided just to change the front shocks and have bought Bilstein B4s and Sachs top mounts. Think I currently have 20 year old Shocks so I hope it makes a difference.
 
It might make a difference you won't be pleased with.

If all the shocks are 20 years old, they are all way past their best.

Sorting out the front while leaving the rear underdamped could be very interesting (in a bad way).

I would be thinking about changing them all, or changing none TBH. Maybe that's just me over worrying.

Let us know how you get on.
 
Unless you are driving on the limit everywhere it'll be fine. I'd be very surprised if they hadn't all been changed at least once before to be honest. 40-50k is about all they last for.
 
Thanks all. What I love about the Forum is that, when you ask ten Forum members what they think, you get at least twelve different opinions.
 
I changed mine after getting help here. Change the top mounts, drop links, and compress the spring back on the shock. It’s an easy job, and after 20 years, they’ll be useless.
 
matsmith749 said:
Sorting out the front while leaving the rear underdamped could be very interesting (in a bad way).
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I did my fronts when one of the seals let go and new ones only highlighted the vague sense I already had that the rears could do with doing. Sorting one end of a car doesn't make the other any worse than it already is.
 
Had the new front shocks replaced today. Mechanic said the old ones were very soft. Handling is better now so worth doing. Going to get the rears done next month. Thanks for all the advice peeps
 
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