2.2i Sport shock replacement

[DivideBYZero]

My, I can only assume, original shocks appear to be failing on compression. Fine on rebound, but I want to replace all. Car is at 105k and it deserves some new ones.

My question is, what do people use for replacements on the “sport” equipped cars?

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Put Spax on mine, not at all cool or sexy, but a vast improvement over the original ones (and I do mean original). A lot of it depends on your budget and the kind of driving you do.

 

[NZ00Z3]

The "Sports" suspension has a 15mm drop from the standard suspension. The correct "Sport" shocks and struts are eye wateringly expensive. I fit the standard shocks and struts whenever updating "Sports" suspension Z3's. Don't have any problems. KYB, Meyle, Monroe are all good.

 

[DivideBYZero]

The "Sports" suspension has a 15mm drop from the standard suspension. The correct "Sport" shocks and struts are eye wateringly expensive. I fit the standard shocks and struts whenever updating "Sports" suspension Z3's. Don't have any problems. KYB, Meyle, Monroe are all good.

Got part numbers for the OEM units? I can at least try to get some prices.

If they’re over the price of high quality 3rd party units I’ll go 3rd.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Plus I would imaging the sport 15mm drop is in the springs, anyway. Right?

 

[NZ00Z3]

Yes the 15mm drop is in the springs.

For part numbers, go to www.RealOEM.com and enter the last 7 digits of your VIN number into the search tool. You can then browse for part numbers for your Z3. It also pays to have a VIN Decode of your car to get the build spec. In it you'll see the sports suspension build code. When you see the suspension part numbers list, there will be different part numbers for the various build codes.

This VIN Decoder worked for free a few months ago when I needed to use one. Most are now chargeable services. https://bimmer.work/

 

[DivideBYZero]

Thanks, yeah I’ve used RealOEM a lot in the past.

 

[mrscalex]

The Sport shock is no longer made by the OEM Sachs. I believe they were the ‘Advanced’ range versus regular ‘Touring’. BMW obviously take standard parts and rebadge them.

If you buy a Sport shock from BMW you will get a non-Sport/standard Sachs shock (ie Touring) with the Sport part number. So my advice is don’t do it unless you want to pay a load of extra money for no reason. @Lee was told this by a dealer 2-3 years ago. And I subsequently found the Sachs own Advanced fitment stopped (bizarrely difficult to verify) and correlated the 2 things.

Furthermore if you wanted to replace the springs you can only do so with BMW springs as no one else does -15mm.

Conclusion for me. I use Monroe Reflex shocks. Bilstein B4 also popular. And get the springs blasted and coated. No loss not having Sport shock.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Thanks, looks like B4 is the route.

 

[Lee]

The Sport shock is no longer made by the OEM Sachs. I believe they were the ‘Advanced’ range versus regular ‘Touring’. BMW obviously take standard parts and rebadge them.

If you buy a Sport shock from BMW you will get a non-Sport/standard Sachs shock (ie Touring) with the Sport part number. So my advice is don’t do it unless you want to pay a load of extra money for no reason. @Lee was told this by a dealer 2-3 years ago. And I subsequently found the Sachs own Advanced fitment stopped (bizarrely difficult to verify) and correlated the 2 things.

Furthermore if you wanted to replace the springs you can only do so with BMW springs as no one else does -15mm.

Conclusion for me. I use Monroe Reflex shocks. Bilstein B4 also popular. And get the springs blasted and coated. No loss not having Sport shock.

This would be worth making a sticky now. Very useful info.

 

[Andyboy]

I had a lot of trouble with Spax and won't use them again. Monroe aren't bad and KYB are absolute garbage. Proper Boge Sachs are what BMW fitted and are the best. Euro Car Parts Anschler are about the best budget units and do last along time.

I would cough up the extra for Boge Sachs and do the job right first time.

 

[Dakar Z3]

For reference the only difference between the Sachs Z3 ‘Sport’ shockers and the Sachs Z3 standard shock is the oil pressure flow valve inside the shock absorber, the body, piston, seals etc are all identical for both front and rear.
As mrscalex quite rightly pointed out Sachs stopped production of the sport version of the shocks several years ago. If you were to locate any new ones they would be new old stock.
The standard version of the Sachs shocks are still available off the shelf, good quality alternatives would be Monroe and also MEYLE, there is very little difference between all 3 brands if any. I would suggest, let the cost dictate purchase.

Unless your car was under a computer controlled test you would not be able to tell the difference between Sachs Sport or Sachs standard shocks.
Monroe or MEYLE standard aftermarket shocks are more than adequate as a replacement unless you wish to switch to a ‘Performance uprated shock such as Bilstein etc’

I would also suggest changing the strut top mounts and also the rear shocker top mounts if you decide to change your shocks.

Hope this helps.