[jawivana]

Hi All,

I own a 2010 320d Efficient dynamics which as far as I know is similar to the SE version however it is 15mm lower to reduce drag.

I searched around for the partnumbers and realoem and bmwfans.info showed the same.

FRONT:
LEFT FRONT SPRING STRUT SACHS 1 31316796159
Required for repair
01 FRONT RIGHT SPRING STRUT SACHS 1 31316796160
Required for repair


EXCHANGEABLE IN PAIRS ONLY
01 Shock absorber, rear SACHS 2 03/2010 33526796157
Required for repair




The guys from my local Bilstein Agent told me that the front are listed for the sport version and the rear are listed for the normal version.


I looked up the part numbers for the normal 3 series and he was right , the front are listed as sport and the rear are listed under the standard version.


What would you guy make out of it ?
I told the bilstein agent to quote me on all sport version, should that be good enough or will I have problems come installation ?


Thanks
Jan

[feuer]

You will not have any issues with installation although I would recommend Koni over Bilstein.

[jawivana]

Are there specific reasons for Koni over Bilstein ?

The bilstein s are quoted at €392 which I think are quite good when I compared to the BOGE shocks.

So if I go all sport suspension it should work out ok.

Thanks
Jan

[feuer]

Because mine impression is that the roads quality in Malta is not the best and Koni FSD would offer the best comfort.

Boge/Sachs are not the best, they don't last long and yes, Bilstein would be better. Is 320D so my choice would be a smooth ride.

[jawivana]

You are right the roads in Malta are the worst in Europe.

I ll check out the Koni and compare prices.


Thanks

[jawivana]

I am still getting conflicting information, does anyone know whether the 320d Efficient dynamics edition comes with front sport shocks or standard ?

According the online catalogs the front is sport while rear is standard, while a local supplier said it s not usually the case and that when checking up with the VIN number he is finding standard shocks all round.


Can anyone help out ?

[feuer]

31316796159 and 31316796160 are M-Sport for car 3/2007 and up.

[jawivana]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=31_0694

Exactly but realoem shows those part numbers for my car which is not an Msport.

[feuer]

This is not set in stone:

M-Sport and M-Tech was the name for the "appearance" package I think. The bumpers were different and the side rocker panels. Suspension was the same as "regular" sport.

[jawivana]

hmm but as far as I am aware the 320d Efficient dynamics is really a 320d SE so it should run on standard suspension even though its 15mm lower?

[jawivana]

Im getting very confused, I checked on the bmw ETK and again the same partnumbers come up.

For Sport Shock absorbers , when this is a bmw320D ED in SE SPec.


Can anyone who has ever done a shock swap confirm??
Thanks

[feuer]

May I ask you why are you getting "obsessed" with this? If you are replacing the existing the struts/shocks with OEM just get the same part numbers. If you are replacing them with aftermarket get either Koni FSD or Biltein B8. Don't over think it.

[jawivana]

I m getting obsessed with this because I am confused.

I want to replace my old shocks with bilstein b4 however they come in two variants, one which is for M sport version and one for SE.

My car is not an M sport. However part numbers are those for M sport shocks front and Standard rear which makes it very strange and confusing..

To me that does not make sense since either all 4 are sport or all 4 are standard or am I wrong here ?

The local bilstein agent made a comparision with my chassis number and said it should be standard not sport in front however I am not finding anything on those lines.



My primary worry is that they wont fit correctly since the size of the shocks are different , primarily sport shocks are around 2 cm shorter.


I want to be 100% sure that what I order will fit correctly to the car without any issues because I dont want to be stuck with shocks that dont fit my car.


Sorry if I am being a pain but I hope you understand that conflicting information does not help out.

[feuer]

The strut model installed will depend on two things:
-spring length and rate
-vehicle weight

True that sport struts have shafts that are shorter. However, once installed with non sport springs (not impossible, one just need the correct tools) is not detrimental to to strut itself. The oposite however is, installation of non sport short strut with short sport springs.

Are you the first owners?
Have the car ever had any suspension related work done?
Have you actually look at the part number labels on the strut and shocks?
Do you have any photos from your car?

Additionally, BMW just like most car makers mix and match parts especially in transition year, like from pre LCI to LCI

M-sport and M-Tech are the same and share the same suspension with regular sport. Only difference was the body kit.

Here are some photos. Compare them with your car.

[jawivana]

Thanks for clarifying things.
No I am the 2nd owner and not that I am aware of other changing the tie rods myself.

My next thing is to lift the car up and see if I can get a look at the part numbers.



My car is exactly like the one at the bottom.



I will go for all 4 sport struts since the car is lowered from factory for "efficiency" it might make sense that they used shorter sport struts.



Thanks for clarifying the installment worries I had.

[feuer]

Those two car have identical suspension.
The difference is:
-bumpers and rockers
-wheels 18" vs 16" on yours
-yours has less HP about 15HP less I think.

The one from the top photo is UK 320d M-Tech/M-Sport and the bottom photo is Polish e90 320d ED

So just replace the struts with aftermatket that are compatible with sport and you will be all set.
Additionally, If this is me I would install sport all around.