Who knew ordering suspension would be so difficult?

[ben g]

One/both of my front shock absorbers failed about a month ago now, possibly even longer. Since then, i've tried to buy replacement shocks to no avail.

Firstly, I ordered a set of Bilstein B12's as demon tweeks had a 10% off voucher if you ordered through ebay... After 2 weeks they never turned up. I received no explanation whatsoever, so I asked for a refund and got just that.

I then decided to purchase a set of B4's instead as they were much cheaper and would be a smoother ride. In conjunction with my eibach springs, they should be fine right? Tried to order those from a motorsport company yesterday, only to refund me a few hours later stating the front n/s shock is on back-order until July... No good there then.

Asked another company and they confirmed the lack of UK stock and back-order status.

I then emailed yet another motor parts company on ebay, only to be told the B4's aren't compatible with my sports suspension equipped Z4. They wouldn't comment on whether they had any actual stock ready to ship (strange, considering their ebay advert states 'fast and free delivery').

So now I really don't know what to do next.

On one hand, i'm worried the B12's will be too harsh for daily commuting, but I also don't want to fit B4's or eurocarparts Sachs shocks if they're going to turn my Z4 into some kind of wallowy boat

Any idea's?

I know Bilstein B6's are the Sport equivalent shocks, but the cost of the shocks alone adds up to about the same as the B12 kit which includes eibach springs.

No doubt if I ordered from BMW themselves, it would be an absolute fortune for replacement sport shocks!

 

[MACK]

I was told that bilstein were struggling to keep up with their Oem commitments when I ordered mine back in December. I had to get 3 shocks from 1 supplier and 1 from another. This is why the aftermarket b4 etc is on back order. Back in December it was a delay till Feb so it sounds like it's got worse. There's no point fitting b6 shocks to yours as your pairing them with eibachs. You could but you might as well use the correct b8 as they are identical to the b6 except for the fact the rod is slightly shorter to accommodate lowering springs . But like you already know it's cheaper to buy the b12 kit (b8 and eibachs) anyway. But I suspect the reason demon tweeks didn't get the kit to you is it's also on back order as well.
As an alternative to the billys I would consider the konis. They are generally supposed to be a bit softer riding than their equivalent billys but they're quite a few reports of failures/leaks etc on various forums after only a few years.
That's why in the end I stuck with the b4 billys but if they aren't an option the konis would probably have been my fall back option.

 

[aquarianone]

I think I ordered my b12 kit from here about a year ago, cost around £675 at that time, no problems with delivery, turned up in under a week and it's been fine, used as a daily driver and its firm, but not crashy and brilliant when pushing on.

https://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap/58865/BMW/bilstein-b12-suspension-kits/46-181251.html

 

[Ed Doe]

I'm sure my experience will be echoed by some -

The vast majority of the time you don't realise how shagged your oem stuff is so when you upgrade it instantly feels amazing because of the direct comparison to shagged dampers. But I genuinely think the B4 kit is significantly better suited to a greater range of normal road driving than the b6/b8 kits.

I've FOLLOWED a friend down many backroads in his car on oem dampers and lowering springs in mine with the B12 kit, and consistently his car looks more settled so he can get on the brakes harder than me, apex quicker and get on the power earlier. There's not much in it but I don't see its worth getting B12s if you're only using the car on the road - they're undoubtedly better on smooth roads but 95% of the time I'd say you'll be quicker and have more enjoyment with b4s or equivalent!

 

[MACK]

I'm sure my experience will be echoed by some -

The vast majority of the time you don't realise how shagged your oem stuff is so when you upgrade it instantly feels amazing because of the direct comparison to shagged dampers. But I genuinely think the B4 kit is significantly better suited to a greater range of normal road driving than the b6/b8 kits.

I've FOLLOWED a friend down many backroads in his car on oem dampers and lowering springs in mine with the B12 kit, and consistently his car looks more settled so he can get on the brakes harder than me, apex quicker and get on the power earlier. There's not much in it but I don't see its worth getting B12s if you're only using the car on the road - they're undoubtedly better on smooth roads but 95% of the time I'd say you'll be quicker and have more enjoyment with b4s or equivalent!

+1 what Ed has said.
It was precisely this sort of feedback that made me rethink the b12 kit I'd bought but not fitted and go down the B4 with eibach route. I'm happy enough with the outcome.

 

[ben g]

Thanks for your input. That's why I want B4's, but no one seems able to supply me them :headbang:

 

[thecremeegg]

Tried German ebay?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/4x-BILSTEIN-B4-STOsDAMPFER-VORNE-HINTEN-BMW-Z4-E85-Z4-COUPE-E86/232434075819?fits=Platform%3AE85&hash=item361e2688ab:g:xdQAAOSwhWFaUzMp

 

[ben g]

Tried German ebay?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/4x-BILSTEIN-B4-STOsDAMPFER-VORNE-HINTEN-BMW-Z4-E85-Z4-COUPE-E86/232434075819?fits=Platform%3AE85&hash=item361e2688ab:g:xdQAAOSwhWFaUzMp

I have, but hadn't seen that listing.

I have emailed them (in english), hopefully they can understand it and have stock.

If not, well i'm at a complete loss :headbang: :lol:

I had been looking at AP coilovers last night, but they have fixed damping and i'm not sure how firm they would be. I'd also be worried about road salt corroding them. My car is driven in all weathers (including the -8c and snow last week), so they need to be able to withstand all conditions.

 

[thecremeegg]

I need to get new ones for mine tbh as they've done 126k!
Let me know if you have success with that seller as I'm going to order a set if so!

I had coilovers on my old MX5, some Meister Rs and they were firm but also very compliant so not as bone-shaking as you might expect.

 

[Tyreman]

Tried German ebay?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/4x-BILSTEIN-B4-STOsDAMPFER-VORNE-HINTEN-BMW-Z4-E85-Z4-COUPE-E86/232434075819?fits=Platform%3AE85&hash=item361e2688ab:g:xdQAAOSwhWFaUzMp

I've just ordered a set of these which seem very cheap to me, had confirmation about an hour later to say that they had been dispatched so fingers crossed but thanks for the link !

 

[ben g]

They just emailed back in perfect English saying they have stock, so i've gone ahead and purchased them. Thanks for the heads up!

Even with the terrible exchange rate, they still work out cheaper than most UK companies, even with delivery.

 

[ben g]

Tried German ebay?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/4x-BILSTEIN-B4-STOsDAMPFER-VORNE-HINTEN-BMW-Z4-E85-Z4-COUPE-E86/232434075819?fits=Platform%3AE85&hash=item361e2688ab:g:xdQAAOSwhWFaUzMp

I've just ordered a set of these which seem very cheap to me, had confirmation about an hour later to say that they had been dispatched so fingers crossed but thanks for the link !

Nice Friday afternoons work for them :lol:

Hopefully they will be here within a couple of weeks. My shocks are on their last legs!

 

[thecremeegg]

I should get commission!

I've ordered mine too now that you guys have gone ahead - just need someone to fit them!

 

[patriot66]

I've had my eye on some of these for a while now so just ordered a set. Only 1 set left now !

 

[Tyreman]

I should get commission!

I've ordered mine too now that you guys have gone ahead - just need someone to fit them!

You've sold over a grands worth of stuff for them this afternoon then !

Should definitely be on commission

So my next question is who is ordering bump stops, dust covers and top mounts and where from ? :fuelfire:

 

[ben g]

Christ, he'll be the happiest German in the beerhouse this weekend :lol: i'm happy for the company as they were very helpful and welcoming over email.

Other companies (English ones) were terrible and point blank denied to sell me them because ''BMW says they aren't compatible with your vehicle''.

I purchased Lemforder topmounts from GSF a few weeks ago. Theres a local store, so it was easiest to pick them up, also cheaper than other places.

I think i'll be getting bump stops and dust covers from a BMW dealer, they can't be too expensive. I have seen febi bilstein ones advertised on ebay, but unsure how good a fit they are.

 

[ben g]

Just had a quick look on realoem and it lists 2 separate bump stops. 1 for non M sport and 1 for M sport.

I assume I need the ones for non M sport, considering the shock absorbers are for non M sport suspension?

Not sure what benefits the M sport ones would have. Maybe they're made of harder material or not as lengthy?

 

[MACK]

Just had a quick look on realoem and it lists 2 separate bump stops. 1 for non M sport and 1 for M sport.

I assume I need the ones for non M sport, considering the shock absorbers are for non M sport suspension?

Not sure what benefits the M sport ones would have. Maybe they're made of harder material or not as lengthy?

Id use the m sport ones as your using eibachs. That said I just reused my existing bump stop (m sport ones) and covers etc and only replaced the top mounts with new which in reality were actually fine to reuse as well

 

[patriot66]

I should get commission!

I've ordered mine too now that you guys have gone ahead - just need someone to fit them!

You've sold over a grands worth of stuff for them this afternoon then !

Should definitely be on commission

So my next question is who is ordering bump stops, dust covers and top mounts and where from ? :fuelfire:

Me ! Febi Bilstein, Genuine BMW, Meyle front top mounts and Lemforder rear top mounts all on Ebay.