Strut recommendations '06 330i Sport

Scott1283 · 03-07-2018, 09:16 AM

Vehicle is new to me as of last summer. Have always thought the ride quality sucked, way to hard! Had it up in the air to do wheel bearings the other day and noticed the LF strut blown out (leaking oil). I have no idea what this car felt like new, so don't know if I'd want to do an OE replacement or look for something better in the aftermarket. Definitely don't want to lower it anymore than it already is. Car will most likely never see a track.

Looking for a comfortable, yet good handling strut and shock recommendation. Was thinking B4's but wanted opinions. Ride quality is first in this application. Thanks

boosthead · 03-07-2018, 11:23 AM

There's a well known forum sponsor that has a great sale on the Koni FSD and there's also a $50 rebate through Koni. I'm considering a set for my 328.

cpie168 · 03-07-2018, 01:02 PM

I vouch for the FSD's. Been riding on them for 2.5 years and am very satisfied. Handling is just as nice as the OEM sport struts/shocks but comfort is much improved. No more "pothole explosion"!

Scott1283 · 03-07-2018, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpie168

No more "pothole explosion"!

Perfectly described and exactly what I'm trying to get rid of. The sponsor I believe who is referenced in this post had suggested the Bilstein B4's or Koni STR's. Not familiar with those Koni's. Opinion on those vs the FSD's?

cpie168 · 03-07-2018, 02:03 PM

The B4 and STR are OE replacements. Probably not as stiff as the OE sport shocks (which came with my car when I bought it), but is probably less capable when it comes to handling because they’ll be softer compared to sport shocks.

FSD gives you the best of both worlds (comfort and handling).

I hope this helps.

Scott1283 · 03-07-2018, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpie168

The B4 and STR are OE replacements. Probably not as stiff as the OE sport shocks (which came with my car when I bought it), but is probably less capable when it comes to handling because they’ll be softer compared to sport shocks.

FSD gives you the best of both worlds (comfort and handling).

I hope this helps.

It does, thank you. Still not sure I want to part with the extra $$. Luckily as a wrench with my own shop, I don't have to pay labor.

cpie168 · 03-07-2018, 03:22 PM

You're welcome. Good luck and keep us posted on what you end up choosing!

martinm0 · 03-07-2018, 03:34 PM

I ordered the Koni Yellows due to the backorder on the Bilstein B12 kits for the AWDs. Glad I held out as I don't think I really would have enjoyed the lower car here in the VT winters. Plus the Konis are on sale and have a rebate, so I went that route for $650 (and hopefully a $50 rebate on top of that). Going to stick with OEM springs but will do UUC sway bars (front first, then see about dropping subframe for rear and bushings).

Yellows are also adjustable so I should be able to dial them in to my liking, and also re-adjust if I get different springs in the future.

Scott1283 · 03-07-2018, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinm0

I ordered the Koni Yellows due to the backorder on the Bilstein B12 kits for the AWDs. Glad I held out as I don't think I really would have enjoyed the lower car here in the VT winters. Plus the Konis are on sale and have a rebate, so I went that route for $650 (and hopefully a $50 rebate on top of that). Going to stick with OEM springs but will do UUC sway bars (front first, then see about dropping subframe for rear and bushings).

Yellows are also adjustable so I should be able to dial them in to my liking, and also re-adjust if I get different springs in the future.

From everything I read the Koni Yellow (FSD's) are not adjustable. Can someone clarify this?

martinm0 · 03-07-2018, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott1283

From everything I read the Koni Yellow (FSD's) are not adjustable. Can someone clarify this?

Yellows are the sports, and not the same as the FSDs. You are correct that the FSDs are not adjustable.

cpie168 · 03-07-2018, 04:07 PM

That's right, Yellow's and FSD's are different products of Koni. Just like B4 and B6 are different products from Bilstein.

And yes, FSD's are not adjustable. It's designed to be "frequency selective", so it offers different damping rates for different frequencies (e.g., potholes vs turn-in).

Scott1283 · 03-07-2018, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinm0

Yellows are the sports, and not the same as the FSDs. You are correct that the FSDs are not adjustable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpie168

That's right, Yellow's and FSD's are different products of Koni. Just like B4 and B6 are different products from Bilstein.

Thank you both for clarifying. Too many choices.

martinm0 · 03-07-2018, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott1283

Thank you both for clarifying. Too many choices.

Welcome, and I agree. That's why I'm feeling good about the Koni Yellows (sports) since they are adjustable, and can take stock and lowering springs, so you have a lot of configuration options with the Yellows. I believe the FSDs will take stock and lower springs, but don't have additional adjustability.

Is your car RWD or AWD? RWD have lots more options.

Scott1283 · 03-07-2018, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinm0

Welcome, and I agree. That's why I'm feeling good about the Koni Yellows (sports) since they are adjustable, and can take stock and lowering springs, so you have a lot of configuration options with the Yellows. I believe the FSDs will take stock and lower springs, but don't have additional adjustability.

Is your car RWD or AWD? RWD have lots more options.

Mine is RWD. I can't afford to go any lower, as my fenders are barely sitting an inch above my front tires now. Besides, like you I'm in the Northeast (MA/NH area) and our roads are crap. I laughed earlier when "pothole explosion" was mentioned, cause that's the best way to describe what I have now. I have no idea what this felt like when new, but right now it's garbage!

chris@strutmonkey · 03-08-2018, 05:26 PM

What you want is a fully-assembled, 100% complete OEM refresh kit that lets you open the box and install without spring compressors or special tools. Saves you money, time, and frustration. Here is what it looks like:

Name: b4 OEM e90.JPG
Views: 255
Size: 470.3 KB

Name: b4 OEM e90.JPG
Views: 255
Size: 470.3 KB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott1283

Vehicle is new to me as of last summer. Have always thought the ride quality sucked, way to hard! Had it up in the air to do wheel bearings the other day and noticed the LF strut blown out (leaking oil). I have no idea what this car felt like new, so don't know if I'd want to do an OE replacement or look for something better in the aftermarket. Definitely don't want to lower it anymore than it already is. Car will most likely never see a track.

Looking for a comfortable, yet good handling strut and shock recommendation. Was thinking B4's but wanted opinions. Ride quality is first in this application. Thanks

03-07-2018, 09:16 AM	#1
Scott1283 E1 Private 10 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Strut recommendations '06 330i Sport Vehicle is new to me as of last summer. Have always thought the ride quality sucked, way to hard! Had it up in the air to do wheel bearings the other day and noticed the LF strut blown out (leaking oil). I have no idea what this car felt like new, so don't know if I'd want to do an OE replacement or look for something better in the aftermarket. Definitely don't want to lower it anymore than it already is. Car will most likely never see a track. Looking for a comfortable, yet good handling strut and shock recommendation. Was thinking B4's but wanted opinions. Ride quality is first in this application. Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-07-2018, 11:23 AM	#2
boosthead Private First Class 40 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 2009 328ix Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	There's a well known forum sponsor that has a great sale on the Koni FSD and there's also a $50 rebate through Koni. I'm considering a set for my 328.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2018, 01:02 PM	#3
cpie168 Major 173 Rep 1,117 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 328i 6MT ZSP BSM Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: K/W and GTA, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	I vouch for the FSD's. Been riding on them for 2.5 years and am very satisfied. Handling is just as nice as the OEM sport struts/shocks but comfort is much improved. No more "pothole explosion"!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2018, 02:03 PM	#5
cpie168 Major 173 Rep 1,117 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 328i 6MT ZSP BSM Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: K/W and GTA, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	The B4 and STR are OE replacements. Probably not as stiff as the OE sport shocks (which came with my car when I bought it), but is probably less capable when it comes to handling because they’ll be softer compared to sport shocks. FSD gives you the best of both worlds (comfort and handling). I hope this helps.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2018, 03:22 PM	#7
cpie168 Major 173 Rep 1,117 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 328i 6MT ZSP BSM Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: K/W and GTA, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	You're welcome. Good luck and keep us posted on what you end up choosing!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2018, 03:34 PM	#8
martinm0 Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 2018 M5 Base Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: VT iTrader: (1)	I ordered the Koni Yellows due to the backorder on the Bilstein B12 kits for the AWDs. Glad I held out as I don't think I really would have enjoyed the lower car here in the VT winters. Plus the Konis are on sale and have a rebate, so I went that route for $650 (and hopefully a $50 rebate on top of that). Going to stick with OEM springs but will do UUC sway bars (front first, then see about dropping subframe for rear and bushings). Yellows are also adjustable so I should be able to dial them in to my liking, and also re-adjust if I get different springs in the future.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2018, 04:07 PM	#11
cpie168 Major 173 Rep 1,117 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 328i 6MT ZSP BSM Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: K/W and GTA, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	That's right, Yellow's and FSD's are different products of Koni. Just like B4 and B6 are different products from Bilstein. And yes, FSD's are not adjustable. It's designed to be "frequency selective", so it offers different damping rates for different frequencies (e.g., potholes vs turn-in).
	Appreciate 0 Quote