[K9Leader]

I'm new to BMWs. I have an E91 (wagon) - 2010 328xi with 120k miles. Rear shocks are toast so need replacing right now. Info I was seeing on the Koni FSDs sounded good until i found they are a no-go for the wagon. Although the rears are the immediate concern, I would like to do all four corners. What are my options for some upgrade to stock? E91 brethren, help me out with your wisdom and experience!

K9Leader

[chris@strutmonkey]

Best options are Bilstein B4 for an OEM style shock. Get B6/B8 for high-performance; or get Koni Yellows for the ability to adjust the firmness. Whichever you choose, we recommend a complete, assembled kit. At 120k miles, you need to replace your strut mounts, bumpstops, spring pads, etc. Do it once, and do it right.

Here is pic of what a B4 kit would look like:

Originally Posted by K9Leader

I'm new to BMWs. I have an E91 (wagon) - 2010 328xi with 120k miles. Rear shocks are toast so need replacing right now. Info I was seeing on the Koni FSDs sounded good until i found they are a no-go for the wagon. Although the rears are the immediate concern, I would like to do all four corners. What are my options for some upgrade to stock? E91 brethren, help me out with your wisdom and experience!

K9Leader

[ppointer]

B4’s kick butt. You won’t be disappointed.

[cdgatti]

yea B4 with that mileage, if you were at 80 or so I would recommend B6 - but B4 should be good for the life of the car.

[K9Leader]

Yes, I went with B4s. As tempting as it would be to get this car to ride like my C5 Corvette, it does have to serve daily driver duty and haul my dogs around, so I don't want to lower it and don't want to spend track-car type money on shocks.

Thanks for the advice!

[Dan Bilzerian]

FSD's are available for the wagon.... NiNeTyOne

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by Dan Bilzerian

FSD's are available for the wagon.... NiNeTyOne

Everyone I've checked with says No, even if their online site says Yes or is not clear (ECS, Turner, Pelican, Tire Rack). If you've got a part number or other information, please share.

[NiNeTyOne]

2100-4123 is Koni's part number for the FSD kit for the xDrive e91. You need to check Europe as well, many kits like the Eibach Pro spring set, don't come to the US. You need to go beyond the usual suspects like ECS & Tire Rack and look to European suppliers to confirm fitment. I called Koni in the Netherlands directly for the fitment information when I did this job, and consulted them on spring pairing as well.

I have had the 2100-4123 kit on my car for over a year, with the correct Eibach Pro kit sold in Europe for the e91 xDrive (PN: E10-20-014-10-22). My car corner balances perfectly with 170# in the driver's seat and the struts show no signs of abnormal wear. Tetsuo and Dan have both driven it (and Dan liked it so much he had the same FSD's put on his car). This is my daily driver and after 20k+ miles this setup has been brilliant, and remains so.

As for choosing FSD's over other similarly priced options, I would not go back and change a thing, unless Ohlins suddenly started shipping DFV dampers for the front of the xDrive cars. The FSD's are far superior to the B4's, and I'd take them over the B6's any day.

Point of reference, I ran Ohlins TTX dampers in the Porsche (that kit is over $9000), so I know good shocks.

[8081M]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

I would not go back and change a thing unless Ohlins suddenly started shipping DFV dampers for the front of the xDrive cars. They are far superior to the B4's, and I'd take them over the B6's.

Sorry to thread-jack...but does Ohlins make a R&T kit for LCI RWD E91's?

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by 8081M

Sorry to thread-jack...but does Ohlins make a R&T kit for LCI RWD E91's?

I've been working with Ohlins on this xDrive issue for a while, the rear are not the issue, the strut body on the DFV/R&T fronts is the issue. They are about 3/4" too long for the xDrive cars because of the front axle.

If the adjusters are removed from the bottom of the damper they may just fit, but I have not had time to check this, though Jake has a damper for me to check when I get the time. Once this is solved we should be able to spec a kit, and PSI would be able to supply them, complete with Eibach ERS springs for <$1800.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by 8081M

Sorry to thread-jack...but does Ohlins make a R&T kit for LCI RWD E91's?

yes. same as e90/92/93 RWD models