2008 e91 rear damper recommendation please

doggy · 10-29-2021, 07:55 AM

As title, had one rear damper seal fail completely whilst on a trailer behind my motorhome. Noticed the puddle of fluid as I backed it off the trailer, initially feared I'd snagged a brake pipe bit it turned out to be oil, confirmed by AA man next morning. I've got it home now and plan to change both rear dampers. Car is an SE with "S704 M Sports Suspension" option.
What make/type do most owners think are best for these cars?

jacbo · 10-29-2021, 08:20 AM

a very subjective topic...

I stuck with OEM Sachs dampers on my msport. Seem to be a nice balance of comfort and stiffness. Some people say they're a bit harsh but i don't have a bad back so doesn't bother me...

Can't say what the other brands are like but people seem to rate the bilstein offerings.

Also, if you're only changing the rears, wouldn't it be best to match what you have on the front?

doggy · 10-29-2021, 02:24 PM

Thank you for your advice.
Good point about matching the front dampers, I'll try to find out what they are.

Silver Streek · 10-30-2021, 07:08 AM

As above if you just change the rears use that same as is on the front so you have the same all round.

doggy · 10-30-2021, 08:26 AM

Many thanks. Haven't had a chance to check the fronts yet......

Karlos20945 · 11-07-2021, 07:20 AM

I replaced my E90's rear shocks with the standard Bilstein offerings. Vast improvement, but anything is over broken shocks. They generally get better reviews than the Sachs ones, but I don't think there's a lot in it.
I haven't replaced the fronts as they weren't broken.

NorcyUK · 11-08-2021, 12:13 PM

I changed my rear shocks for Bilstein B4’s last year as the originals were knackered. It was a toss up between Sachs and the B4’s. I’m now replacing the fronts with B4’s as one is leaking badly. Should have just taken the plunge to begin with and got the full Bilstein B12 set up!

10-29-2021, 07:55 AM	#1
doggy Enlisted Member 9 Rep 42 Posts Drives: e91 330i Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (0)	2008 e91 rear damper recommendation please As title, had one rear damper seal fail completely whilst on a trailer behind my motorhome. Noticed the puddle of fluid as I backed it off the trailer, initially feared I'd snagged a brake pipe bit it turned out to be oil, confirmed by AA man next morning. I've got it home now and plan to change both rear dampers. Car is an SE with "S704 M Sports Suspension" option. What make/type do most owners think are best for these cars?
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10-29-2021, 08:20 AM	#2
jacbo Second Lieutenant 80 Rep 270 Posts Drives: E90 330d LCI Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	a very subjective topic... I stuck with OEM Sachs dampers on my msport. Seem to be a nice balance of comfort and stiffness. Some people say they're a bit harsh but i don't have a bad back so doesn't bother me... Can't say what the other brands are like but people seem to rate the bilstein offerings. Also, if you're only changing the rears, wouldn't it be best to match what you have on the front?
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10-29-2021, 02:24 PM	#3
doggy Enlisted Member 9 Rep 42 Posts Drives: e91 330i Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (0)	Thank you for your advice. Good point about matching the front dampers, I'll try to find out what they are.
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10-30-2021, 07:08 AM	#4
Silver Streek Captain 151 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 325d E91 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: The Moon iTrader: (0)	As above if you just change the rears use that same as is on the front so you have the same all round.
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10-30-2021, 08:26 AM	#5
doggy Enlisted Member 9 Rep 42 Posts Drives: e91 330i Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (0)	Many thanks. Haven't had a chance to check the fronts yet......
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11-07-2021, 07:20 AM	#6
Karlos20945 Private First Class 205 Rep 192 Posts Drives: E90 LCI 320d SE Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Basingstoke iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 320d [0.00]	I replaced my E90's rear shocks with the standard Bilstein offerings. Vast improvement, but anything is over broken shocks. They generally get better reviews than the Sachs ones, but I don't think there's a lot in it. I haven't replaced the fronts as they weren't broken. __________________
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11-08-2021, 12:13 PM	#7
NorcyUK Enlisted Member 1 Rep 28 Posts Drives: BMW 325d M Sport E91 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	I changed my rear shocks for Bilstein B4’s last year as the originals were knackered. It was a toss up between Sachs and the B4’s. I’m now replacing the fronts with B4’s as one is leaking badly. Should have just taken the plunge to begin with and got the full Bilstein B12 set up!
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