100K 335d Suspension Refresh Advice

tate1615 · 05-24-2024, 01:54 PM

Hi all,

I recently purchased a 2011 335d with 104k miles from a friend. This is my first BMW so I'm still getting up to speed.
My understanding from that friend is that all major maintenance is completed for the time/miles except it could use a suspension refresh. He provided a comprehensive maintenance history.

He recommended that I order an OEM strut/shock kit from strutmonkey and install it myself but after some reading I'm wondering if I might as well have some other components replaced while it's at the shop. I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with my wrenching skills to take this on myself so I've located a highly rated independent BMW shop.

I don't want to lower the car if I can get away with it because I live in a rural area where road conditions are often challenging. I don't plan on tracking the car at all, it's my daily driver. I just want to improve the steering/handling a bit.

I'm torn between getting new tires and OEM shocks/struts/control arms/bushings installed or if it's worth it to at least upgrade the control arms to the M model or other. My friend's recommendation is to upgrade the control arms to M, get new bushings, and OEM shocks/struts.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

ppointer · 05-24-2024, 04:49 PM

I have kept my e9x models with stock suspensions, though I have refreshed with Bilstein shocks and struts. The Bilsteins feel better to my butt than the OEM Sachs units.

Note that I only have had m-sport suspensions rather than non-sport.

335dlci · 05-25-2024, 10:24 AM

Koni reds

lnxguy · 05-26-2024, 10:11 AM

Figure out what actually needs replacing. Tension struts/endlinks are probably due. I really enjoy my Koni yellows and stock sport springs.

Meyle HD for the tension struts or bust.

who is this noob · 05-27-2024, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tate1615

I live in a rural area where road conditions are often challenging. I don't plan on tracking the car at all, it's my daily driver. I just want to improve the steering/handling a bit.

Avoid Bilstein. They are too harsh.

A lot of 2nd, 3rd, 4th owners have never driven a FRESH stock E90 therefore they do not know how good it feels.

Get OEM replacements or Konis.

BB_cuda · 05-29-2024, 04:19 PM

Rear sub frame bushings. Not because your's are worn out but rather that going to aftermarket stiff ones eliminated butt wiggle. Front and rear M3 sway bars. You already mentioned the M3 control arms so mention sway bars to compliment the control arms. A really good thread to learn about E90 (guy's car is an E93 convertible) suspension mods is pasted in. I learned and did most of what OP speaks to.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661459

05-24-2024, 01:54 PM	#1
tate1615 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335d Join Date: May 2024 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335D [0.00]	100K 335d Suspension Refresh Advice Hi all, I recently purchased a 2011 335d with 104k miles from a friend. This is my first BMW so I'm still getting up to speed. My understanding from that friend is that all major maintenance is completed for the time/miles except it could use a suspension refresh. He provided a comprehensive maintenance history. He recommended that I order an OEM strut/shock kit from strutmonkey and install it myself but after some reading I'm wondering if I might as well have some other components replaced while it's at the shop. I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with my wrenching skills to take this on myself so I've located a highly rated independent BMW shop. I don't want to lower the car if I can get away with it because I live in a rural area where road conditions are often challenging. I don't plan on tracking the car at all, it's my daily driver. I just want to improve the steering/handling a bit. I'm torn between getting new tires and OEM shocks/struts/control arms/bushings installed or if it's worth it to at least upgrade the control arms to the M model or other. My friend's recommendation is to upgrade the control arms to M, get new bushings, and OEM shocks/struts. Any advice would be much appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-24-2024, 04:49 PM	#2
ppointer Major 860 Rep 1,179 Posts Drives: '01 Z3M, '12 335is, '22 540i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: FLL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i [5.25] 2012 BMW 335is [5.00] 2008 Infiniti QX56 [0.00] 1967 Chevrolet Corv ... [10.00] 2001 M Roadster [10.00] 2022 BMW 540i [0.75] 2009 528i [9.50]	I have kept my e9x models with stock suspensions, though I have refreshed with Bilstein shocks and struts. The Bilsteins feel better to my butt than the OEM Sachs units. Note that I only have had m-sport suspensions rather than non-sport.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2024, 10:24 AM	#3
335dlci Lieutenant Colonel 286 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Koni reds
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2024, 10:11 AM	#4
lnxguy Colonel 531 Rep 2,052 Posts Drives: 2018 540i xDrive. Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Barrie iTrader: (1)	Figure out what actually needs replacing. Tension struts/endlinks are probably due. I really enjoy my Koni yellows and stock sport springs. Meyle HD for the tension struts or bust. __________________ '09 335D '18 540i xDrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-29-2024, 04:19 PM	#6
BB_cuda Brigadier General 776 Rep 3,559 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	Rear sub frame bushings. Not because your's are worn out but rather that going to aftermarket stiff ones eliminated butt wiggle. Front and rear M3 sway bars. You already mentioned the M3 control arms so mention sway bars to compliment the control arms. A really good thread to learn about E90 (guy's car is an E93 convertible) suspension mods is pasted in. I learned and did most of what OP speaks to. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661459
	Appreciate 0 Quote