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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Suspension | Chassis | Brakes Knew my Adaptive Struts were Shot -

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      01-18-2023, 12:11 PM   #1
123Britt
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Knew my Adaptive Struts were Shot -

When I would put the the vehicle in Sport / Sport + all I could tell was that the throttle response was changed but I could not tell any difference in the firmness of the suspension. Comfort vs Sport +. there was absolutely no handling change.


Now that I have changed out the OE Adaptive Front Struts -- WOW! big difference in the firmness and steering wheel firmness.

I installed them myself with all new mounts, perches, Bumps and bolts. (Swapped out LCA and Thrust Arm about 3 months prior) no coil spring change.
The rebound on the old struts were very slow as compared to new ones.
.
I have just received the Rear Adaptive Struts and Mounts -- should have them installed this weekend. all from getbmwparts.com

I know most here move away from OEM adaptive -- but after a long struggle just stayed with OEM.
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      01-19-2023, 12:36 AM   #2
jv92red
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About how many miles were on the car by the time when you couldn't notice a difference between Comfort and Sport+?
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      01-19-2023, 04:05 PM   #3
123Britt
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Slowly Degrade

It happens so slowly that I can't say how many mile other than at 80K there was absolutely ZERO change in the ride quality or firmness as I toggled from sport to S+ Or Comfort.

Now with just the New Fronts --- a very noticeable difference.
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      01-19-2023, 10:16 PM   #4
Rich.Wolfson
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 123Britt View Post
...I know most here move away from OEM adaptive -- but after a long struggle just stayed with OEM.
I have been waiting for a Bilstein B6 set for my M235i for over a year now. Backordered everywhere.

Any recommendations on where to get a set? Or even an OEM full set.

Not sure the problem is, but there are none available anywhere as best as I can tell.

///Rich
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      01-19-2023, 11:25 PM   #5
aerobod
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich.Wolfson View Post
I have been waiting for a Bilstein B6 set for my M235i for over a year now. Backordered everywhere.

Any recommendations on where to get a set? Or even an OEM full set.

Not sure the problem is, but there are none available anywhere as best as I can tell.

///Rich
They seem to be in stock at Bilsteins UK: https://www.bilsteinsuspensionstore....%7C2015%7C2022, if they will ship to the US.
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      01-20-2023, 02:20 PM   #6
123Britt
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Wanted B6 but went OEM

B6/ B4 would have been nice but availability and felt like the ride height would have been changed due to B6 Perches and would need to change out springs -- so I just got a great price on OE at getbmwparts.com
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      01-22-2023, 06:14 PM   #7
jv92red
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When the day comes I'll probably go with the Koni Special Active set:
https://www.bimmerworld.com/KONI-Act...F32-sport.html

These get great reviews for sport/street dampers. There are more reviews on these over on the F30/31 pages. I had Bilstein B8's on a previous car and those were a little too stiff for street for my preference. (B6 and B8 are vavled the same)
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      01-24-2023, 07:08 PM   #8
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My Bilstein b6s just came last week from bimmerworld, theyre probably in stock again.
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      01-24-2023, 09:00 PM   #9
Rich.Wolfson
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jb-slow View Post
My Bilstein b6s just came last week from bimmerworld, theyre probably in stock again.
I will call them tomorrow. It seems that B4s are available from other vendors. I am just concerned now that the B6 will be stiff.

Nothing is easy but I know I need one or the other.

Can you put yours in tonight and let me know what you think?

///Rich
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      01-27-2023, 02:44 PM   #10
123Britt
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SA Koni Passive Dampners

Would have gone in this direction if I did not have Adjustable Suspension.
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      01-28-2023, 05:08 AM   #11
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As someone who has B4 BT's on my M235i you definately did the right thing going OE. The B4's intruduce quite a bit of NVH over harsh road imperfections, but do make the car handle a lot better. Not experienced B6 DT's. Koni FSD / SA 's on my E92 335i are fantastic - recommended.
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      01-28-2023, 01:20 PM   #12
123Britt
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Out with the OLD

Check out how bad of shape the Bumpstop on the drives side.

Must have just been riding on the Bumpstop.

.
Simple Job to R&R just the Struts -- don't pay BMW to do this!
.
.
I found the OE Struts way cheaper than B4.
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      01-29-2023, 12:13 AM   #13
Rich.Wolfson
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 123Britt View Post
...Simple Job to R&R just the Struts -- don't pay BMW to do this!.
While I am in there, any other parts to replace?

I just pulled the trigger on a set of B4s. Looking forward to this!

///Rich
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      02-09-2023, 01:12 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jb-slow View Post
My Bilstein b6s just came last week from bimmerworld, theyre probably in stock again.
I'll be curious to how you like the B6s. I had B6s up front for about 1 month. They clunked, were quite harsh, and worse, they increase front ride height by about 3/8" because of the perch design. I reinstalled the struts 3 times to make sure I didn't do something wrong plus swapped on Dinan springs in the front to drop the front end to reduce the gain in ride height. I ran those struts for 1 month and 500 miles and nothing changed. FCP took the struts back no question asked as the B6s have a history of clunking. The increase in ride height is another known issue that I wasn't aware of until I installed them.

The weird thing is the B6s in the rear have been superb and my biggest issue with the car was the lack of rear damping control. I ran the setup with the OEM springs and with the Dinan springs with a 10mm lift spacer. The B6s are far happier with the OEM springs.

My M235 currently has the OEM struts in the fronts with Dinan springs and B6 shocks with OEM springs in the rear. The wheel gaps front and rear are nearly level with the fronts almost a 1/4" lower than the rear. The ride is superb and exactly what I was going for.
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