2011 E91 320D Sport Plus - replacement dampers help

[nebpor]

I have one of the last of the E91s from 2012 - SportPlus in lovely Alpine White.

The dampers now need replaced at 75K miles - I'm struggling to figure out what the correct OEM-spec replacement is, for example ECP list two different Bilsteins and Sachs, but nothing about the actual spec of them other than "standard chassis" or "with sports suspension". Is the SportPlus just what was called "sport chassis" on the previous M-sport cars?

Any help appreciated - I assume the OEM is Sachs, so in this case, fitment detail for the more expensive one says "With sports suspension" - so can I assume that is the right damper for this car?



Thanks. Had this car 5.5 years and it's been a great family workhorse, I want to keep it in good order!

Secondly, am I silly putting OEM Sachs back on - should I be looking at an upgraded Bilstein B6 or something? Happy to talk tech - just on the family car I rarely bother upgrading things as comfort more important, but I can keep comfort but get a better controlled damper for not much more money then I will - my other car is a 996 turbo!

Edited by nebpor on Monday 4th October 14:53

[JakeT]

If you want the ultimate in ride comfort and performance a Bilstein B8 damper and Eibach spring will get you there (for not silly monies).

The OE is Sachs though, and your 320d needs a ‘sport’ damper. The sport suspension option is the same on sport or sport plus.

Top mounts and rear lower damper mounts are good to change too as they’ll be past their best.

[dubster2007]

Also might be a good idea to go on https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select and check out what's the part number is for your dampers and then cross reference when you do a internet search.

[helix402]

E91 with sport suspension needs B8s not B6s.

[nebpor]

Cheers everyone - I’ll read up further!

[nebpor]

dubster2007 said:

Also might be a good idea to go on https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select and check out what's the part number is for your dampers and then cross reference when you do a internet search.

How could I forget realoem? I spent my life on there back when I had my e34 M5!!

[Jimny]

I put Koni ASD shocks on my E91 and preferred them to B8s. More refined but still sporty.

[tenmantaylor]

I went for the full B12 Bilstein Eibach kit on my e91 2009 and it transformed the car. Almost handled as well as e92 M3 (lighter 4 cylinder engine prob helped too). And with non run flats on 18s it was compliant and super chuckable without being too harsh. Really miss that car (in a less responsive but better all rounder and faster S6 avant now).

Edited by tenmantaylor on Wednesday 6th October 16:31

[tenmantaylor]

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/collections/3-to...

Think it was this one. Well worth the money when BMW were trying to charge 2k for replacing dampers alone with OEM.

Saved 1000 quid fitted and got pretty the best suspension available for the car.

[nebpor]

Ok, finally got round to looking properly at this - going to fit a set of Bilstein B8s

Last question - will I get away with just fitting new dampers (£570 all in, from Demon Tweeks), or should I buy the B12 Pro Kit including springs from Bilstein, for £706 all in?

Sorry, been ages since I looked at suspension. My assumption was changing a damper is easy and that changing the spring as well means more labour - my guy is reasonable, just trying to make it a simpler job - I've got to add new mounts to that, plus the price of any suspension components that are obviously due to replace once we get in there!

[d_a_n1979]

Personally I'd go for the B12 kit and replace the top mounts too. May as well whilst it's all out and they can be built on the bench then, meaning it's just a case of old suspension out, new stuff in...

Meyle or Lemforder top mounts are fine, no need for OEM BMW unless that's what you want

[nebpor]

Good advice Dan - thanks

[d_a_n1979]

nebpor said:

Good advice Dan - thanks

No worries. Get the drop links checked too, they're cheap to replace and again, probably worth relaxing whilst it's all off...

Don't forget to get full tracking and alignment done too and if you can, a fast road set up

[nebpor]

Yes, already planned a proper alignment - I’ve a nearby place with the good hunter kit

[d_a_n1979]

nebpor said:

Yes, already planned a proper alignment - I’ve a nearby place with the good hunter kit

Perfect; the car will handle superbly on that kit and with a decent set up

[JakeT]

Agree with Dan. Get new top mounts, and Boyd them up. I’d also get the pro kit. I’m not sure how well the OE springs would handle B8s.

[helix402]

Standard springs work well with B8s.

[nebpor]

Too late, bought the B12 kit - seemed silly to spend that money on dampers and not replace the springs!

I’ll report in once I get it fitted and properly aligned