Z4 twin turbo adaptive suspension replacement options

[eng622]

My car was factory fitted with the adaptive suspension with 10 mm lower ride height. Some years ago the NS front shock absorber started to leak
(very low mileage) and was replaced at great expense. Now the OS is leaking at only 42 K miles. Even more expensive now. A rip-off by BMW for what must be 'crap' parts. Is there a better less expensive solution.

 

[B21]

Bilstein B8 shocks with supplex 35i MSport springs

 

[eng622]

Looking to keep it standard. NSF shock replaced some years ago so now the OSF and will have to live with the expense. Anyone fitted the cheap aftermarket ones or is it best to play safe with the expense of what I assume are OEM.

 

[B21]

Looking to keep it standard. NSF shock replaced some years ago so now the OSF and will have to live with the expense. Anyone fitted the cheap aftermarket ones or is it best to play safe with the expense of what I assume are OEM.

Either replace the worn part with a bmw OE part or use a pair of ‘refurbished’ ones or the Chinese copies..

I know folks who have had the refurb and the Chinese copies..both seemed happy enough

 

[javis20]

Is there a difference in ride height between the BMW adaptives and Bilstein B4 or B8's. Basically, I want to keep the exact same ride height. Do to my driveway, even 10mm lower would cause me to scrape bottom.

 

[B21]

Is there a difference in ride height between the BMW adaptives and Bilstein B4 or B8's. Basically, I want to keep the exact same ride height. Do to my driveway, even 10mm lower would cause me to scrape bottom.

The ride height is driven mostly by the spring…the MSport Spring and the adaptive spring are pretty close..some argue 5mm variation..if you fit B8 dampers then you need MSport springs ..for standard MSport ride height you need a bmw MSport spring or preferably a supplex spring of the correct rating in MSport format…a B4 damper is designed for OE non MSport ride height …some 15mm higher than MSport

Hope that’s clear ?

So a B8 damper with supplex MSport spring of correct poundage will result in stock MSport ride height..some 10-15mm lower than non MSport ride height

 

[javis20]

Thanks B21. That's exactly what I needed to know.

 

[eng622]

Assume they are all made in China and the cheap ones maybe are surplus or rejects.
Cannot find refurbished ones in the UK, have the part as 37116792836.

 

[javis20]

I planned on getting the Chinese VDC struts, but after very thorough research decided not to get them. Dig deep into the ebay reviews of these companies and you find they are cheap re-manufactured units. And not everyone is satisfied.

 

[B21]

Assume they are all made in China and the cheap ones maybe are surplus or rejects.
Cannot find refurbished ones in the UK, have the part as 37116792836.

There’s a Polish company that refurbs the struts ..

 

[eng622]

Polish refurb over 300 euros plus delivery/return, found an oem one with 2 year warranty for £625 best I can find so far.

 

[eng622]

Looks like stock may be a problem. Anyone know who I could try in the UK or Europe

 

[B21]

A quick google shows 4 Uk/European suppliers with stock and a company selling their own version …

 

[eng622]

Some say in stock but feedback indicates they lie, they don't supply keep you waiting and hold your money . Now some of the China ones on ebay are said in stock (in the UK) for as little as £125.
Said to fit the 28i, 30i and 35i(mine) but think I read somewhere that the 35i is different due to the car weight. If they are all the same thinking of taking a chance

 

[javis20]

eng622, I looked over a lot of ebay reviews from several of these Chinese sellers and found the results troubling. And the 3.5 strut is definitely different than the 3.o and so on.

Did you check FCPEuro and ECS tuning. It seems they are pretty available here in the states.

 

[B21]

Some say in stock but feedback indicates they lie, they don't supply keep you waiting and hold your money . Now some of the China ones on ebay are said in stock (in the UK) for as little as £125.
Said to fit the 28i, 30i and 35i(mine) but think I read somewhere that the 35i is different due to the car weight. If they are all the same thinking of taking a chance

Many suppliers have to order from central warehouses so it’s not unusual not to hold stock..LLL parts and Hubauer always deliver ..eventually ..as suggested US suppliers seem good to go..lots of E89 specfic parts are now more challenging to source,,