Sachs front shocks

[Peter1450]

Done the rear end and now looking for some Sachs front shocks to match the rears. Found two sellers on eBay who both tell me the ones they have are not compatible with my wife’s 3.0 .
Quick search on real OEM says the part numbers 313166753257/258 are fitted to the whole range from the 1.9 through to the 2.8/3.0 so who’s wrong and could someone advice where to buy?
Seems like every other make is in abundance except the ones I would like! Tia Peter

 

[t-tony]

Is it because it is a Sport model? TBH a lot of eBay sellers wouldn’t know if they were correct or not, all they do is check part numbers against your Vin. No. Try sourcing them from a local parts supplier instead of the internet

Tony.

 

[Peter1450]

No idea Tony, will have to dig out the V5 and check, funny things these Z3’s as it has Sports seats but standard dash trim and alloys.

 

[t-tony]

Thing to do is put your Vin into a Vin. Decoding site. It will tell you if the cat left the factory as a Sport model.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I have had the same problem buying on Ebay when they say the parts I want aren't compatible a number of times. I now buy just using the part numbers as my car is factory genuine and hasn't got any non OEM mods.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Thing to do is put your Vin into a Vin. Decoding site. It will tell you if the cat left the factory as a Sport model.

Tony.

I think the sport models have the same shocks but used different springs for ride height. I think this was mentioned in an old Zedshed refurb when the question was raised before. However, as a disclaimer, my memory may be playing tricks again

 

[Zephyr]

maybe this can help you

Question for the ‘Sport’ owners

Suspension - Am I right in my assumption that it’s only the springs that are shorter (-15mm ?) and the sport model uses standard size dampers? thanks 😁

zroadster.org

 

[t-tony]

I think the sport models have the same shocks but used different springs for ride height. I think this was mentioned in an old Zedshed refurb when the question was raised before. However, as a disclaimer, my memory may be playing tricks again

I seem to think you’re right Garry.

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

Actually they don't.

 

[t-tony]

Don't what?

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

Have the same shocks.
In this thread and in previous ones, I have posted the sachs chart that gives different numbers, I have posted the photos of the ones my car had, I have posted the realoem part numbers, I have verified with BMW, the sport suspension had different parts for front and rear springs, struts, shocks.
And as another member @Dakar Z3 has said
“The difference between shock absorbers from the sport suspension and the standard suspension is the pressure valve inside the shock absorber that controls the flow of oil between the inner and outer tube, other than this they are identical”

so, they don't have the same shocks.
no idea what difference it makes to the ride (better or worse) than the standard ones, or if the standard can be used instead without any issues, but they definitely are not the same.

 

[t-tony]

So then they are the same, physically just the internal oil flow is different. So then they will and do fit in place of standard shocks.

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

Yes they fit.
The same, they are not.

 

[t-tony]

Internally.

Tony.

 

[Peter1450]

The plot thickens……..still sport or non sport if I’m able to get some Sachs to match the rears it will ride better than the 130 K originals !

 

[t-tony]

Probably get 4 sets of Sachs to 1 OEM. Would they be 4 times as good, or good enough to know the difference of the valves inside them? I doubt it. Would an MOT Tester know the difference? Not a chance.

Tony.

 

[Dakar Z3]

To clear up matters,

The external dimensions of the shocks front or rear are identical, the internal tube size and piston length are identical, as mentioned.

The difference is the valve flow rate when the shock is compressed and extended, so are they different, 'YES'.

Meaning you can fit the standard or the sport version to any model 1.9 - 3.0 without problem, however the 'Z3M' is different.

One point to note the Sport version ceased production approx 8/10 years ago. In the unlikely event you come across any Sachs original versions they will probably be at least 10 years old before fitting, The original standard shockers as I understand are still available.

Unless you have a computer controlled road test, it is highly unlikely you can tell the difference, I would say you can't.

 

[Peter1450]

Probably get 4 sets of Sachs to 1 OEM. Would they be 4 times as good, or good enough to know the difference of the valves inside them? I doubt it. Would an MOT Tester know the difference? Not a chance.

Tony.

I’m doing what I normally do as these threads progress…….getting more confused! Thought Sachs were the supplier of the OEM shocks?

 

[t-tony]

They are Peter, but when they come in a BMW box the price only goes 1 way.

Tony.

 

[Rudyrov]

Has anybody seen preloaded Sachs front struts, in other words with the spring and top bearing already mounted for us do-it-yourselfers? I have gone this route several times now and it makes the DIY work easy and quick.