Z3M front struts

[Medskipper]

I know how knowledgeable you guys are out there so here goes!

I want to replace the front struts on my Z3M. It’s year 2000 with the S50 engine.
I have already replaced them on my Z3 1.9. Roadster so I know how to do the job!

I ordered Koni yellow struts from AUTODOC as the company informed me the struts were correct for my Z3M. However when they arrived they were incorrect. At this point I must say that AUTODOC were brilliant and immediately arranged for a refund of my money. They don’t have anything else that will fit my car! They say that the Bilstein struts will be correct but don’t have any in stock!

So can anyone tell me which struts they have used and where I can buy them It seems they are quite rare?

I don‘t really want the Koni cut and shut struts and would prefer to just exchange my struts with like for like struts.

Thanks for any information

 

[AthensGA]

I just replaced my struts and lower control arms this past weekend. Put in Bilstein B4 struts and Delphi control arms with new ball joints and rear mount. Also new Lemford top bearings. First long drive yesterday showed a marked improvement in both ride and handling. I’m in the U.S. and had a choice of multiple vendors for the parts which arrived via the post in 4 or 5 days. Altogether the parts cost me about US$500.

 

[Medskipper]

I just replaced my struts and lower control arms this past weekend. Put in Bilstein B4 struts and Delphi control arms with new ball joints and rear mount. Also new Lemford top bearings. First long drive yesterday showed a marked improvement in both ride and handling. I’m in the U.S. and had a choice of multiple vendors for the parts which arrived via the post in 4 or 5 days. Altogether the parts cost me about US$500.

Thanks,

I ordered the Koni Struts from Germany and the cost me £650.

 

[Howard Meredith]

Hi there,
I put Bilstein B6's all round on my M coupe in 2018. Not regretted it, firms up the ride (compared to worn BMW units).
Feels like a sports car now.
35-043935 35-043942 24-027182
These were the reference numbers if its any help, I think conv & coupe classed as the same for shocks.

 

[c_w]

You want to use either B8 or B6 struts. Both monotube dampers and high quality. The B8 is for lowering springs, but IMO they will be fine with stock springs too. They are bolt on ready to go replacements, sometimes the Konis are just "inserts" which means you have to dismantle your original dampers to fir the Koni cartridges.

 

[swamper]

B8s on mine all round... Straight fit....there very firm when you first start driving but do start to soften after a few miles.
Superb if you want to push it...not to good for pottering around

 

[Nodzed]

Bilstein's B8s all round on mine

Bilstein B8 - Sprint Damper 35-044048 | Bilstein Suspension

www.bilsteinsuspensionstore.co.uk

Bilstein B8 - 24-027304

www.bilsteinsuspensionstore.co.uk

 

[Nodzed]

You want to use either B8 or B6 struts. Both monotube dampers and high quality. The B8 is for lowering springs, but IMO they will be fine with stock springs too. They are bolt on ready to go replacements, sometimes the Konis are just "inserts" which means you have to dismantle your original dampers to fir the Koni cartridges.

Sorry don't agree, B8s are designed to work with lowered springs, the tube length is shorter for this reason, B6s should be used with OEM springs.

 

[c_w]

Sorry don't agree, B8s are designed to work with lowered springs, the tube length is shorter for this reason, B6s should be used with OEM springs.

Yes that's why I said they're for lowering springs, but judging by the amount of droop (ie tube length) they will likely work fine with standard springs which gives the option of lowering springs in the future.

 

[Nodzed]

Yes that's why I said they're for lowering springs, but judging by the amount of droop (ie tube length) they will likely work fine with standard springs which gives the option of lowering springs in the future.

Not really, if you use them with standard springs the throw will be incorrect, the shock will be over extended and compression and rebound will not be equal. That's why you don't use them with standard springs, because they are designed to work efficiently with the CORRECT sized springs. Yes they will be fine until the M is driven with any enthusiasm then the shocks will be banging on the top seals.

 

[c_w]

Like I say it was just a suggestion based on experience that the B8s are not short of stroke length, and you'd probably need to be airborne to test that full extension

 

[137699]

As someone who's had my M airborne on more than one occasion... that would be enough to put me off!

 

[c_w]

Short of jacking it up, that's the only way you get a strut to fully extend

 

[Lee]

Sorry don't agree, B8s are designed to work with lowered springs, the tube length is shorter for this reason, B6s should be used with OEM springs.

I was on the phone with Bilstein this week, the Z3M should be fitted with B8's as standard. Their datum point for ride height is a normal Z3 so the M being it's 15mm (I think) lower they class it as lowered already.

I think I managed to buy the last normal Z3M shocks in the country yesterday, Bilstein out of stock, BMW out of stock, Only coilover kits available.

 

[Nodzed]

I was on the phone with Bilstein this week, the Z3M should be fitted with B8's as standard. Their datum point for ride height is a normal Z3 so the M being it's 15mm (I think) lower they class it as lowered already.

I think I managed to buy the last normal Z3M shocks in the country yesterday, Bilstein out of stock, BMW out of stock, Only coilover kits available.

Yeh had this row with loads of people that don't realise or wont accept the datum is stock struts and -30mm advertised spring only lower Sport/M suspension by 15mm as already 15mm lower than stock, given up trying to convince people now Lee. And as said Bilstein B8 is the correct shock for sport / M cars. Bilstein used to advertise the B8s for the M as -15mm now its -30mm. Confuses the hell out of people.