Rear E91 shocks getting a bit tired

M-technik-3 · 10-01-2020, 11:03 AM

I have a sport and it came with Sach's vs next month getting Boge's.

I like the ride of the Sach's not too stiff not wallowing like my HS Olds Vista cruiser. What is the consensus on what is the better shock? I am not lowering the car as I can barely get in the driveway now.

I also live in NE, so we do have snow on occasion, not like what we used to have.

ppointer · 10-01-2020, 11:31 AM

On my e46 wagon, which I sold my brother last year, I had Bilstein B4's installed. Ride was more controlled than when the stock Sachs still worked, but still plenty smooth. Same story on our e60 (B4) and M Roadster (B6). My e91 will get B4's when the Sachs wear out. Stock springs on all, though the e46 got new stock rear springs with the B4's as one of the rears had broken.

M-technik-3 · 10-01-2020, 06:46 PM

Are they in tune with the factory springs? I did Bilstein sports in my E36 M3 and the were horrible so I went with some Koni's so they were not so rough. I have Bilstein and J-stock in my E30 M3 so I am accustomed to a car with stiff suspension.

tlow98 · 10-02-2020, 02:16 AM

The Sachs I removed on my e91 were pretty wallowy compared to Koni yellows. The stockers were not blown but were certainly tired at 100k+.

Hard to go wrong with Sachs, konis or b4s. I personally think the b6/8 are too rough around town. They work well in the highway however.

.02

darqknightuk · 10-02-2020, 02:18 AM

Is your model a Sport or SE? I installed bilstein b12 pro kit on my previous e46 saloon and although slightly stiffer than the tired Sachs suspension that came out, it was still fairly comfortable (on the firm side of the comfort spectrum) and so much better for sporting driving with a lot less lean when cornering, accelerating and braking.
How easy or how much work is it to install the rear shocks? it looks like a pain to dismantle all that trim. I ask because I want to install Bilstein B12 pro kit suspension on my e91 but the changing the rears (by myself or indy) puts me off as I don't want to break any of the trim.

M-technik-3 · 10-02-2020, 09:02 AM

I don't believe we got SE's here. It has S226A suspension along with all the other Sport options. I just don't want to make the back end twitchy from being over dampened.

hassmaschine · 10-02-2020, 10:21 AM

if you have the sport suspension, I'd just get new factory sport shocks. I keep meaning to do that myself before they go NLA.. If you have X-Drive, how about Konis?

marvinstockman · 10-02-2020, 12:14 PM

Mtech, depending on how the roads are where you live, you may not need rear shocks. Are they leaking? Have someone follow you on the highway, and have them check for bouncing tires.

I live in the Maryland suburbs of DC, and shocks are the last things I think about. Now, if I lived in NYC, yes, shocks and struts would be on my mind.

M-technik-3 · 10-02-2020, 01:37 PM

I live in Western Mass, roads in some parts of town are barely passable for a cow path. Patch job over a patch job is a fine use of taxpayer money. At the cost of OEM Sach's I should just order them.

Hoody007 · 10-02-2020, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

I live in Western Mass, roads in some parts of town are barely passable for a cow path. Patch job over a patch job is a fine use of taxpayer money. At the cost of OEM Sach's I should just order them.

I’d get Bilstein B6. These Sachs don’t last very long before loosing their dampening ability. The B4s are a great alternative because of their lifetime warranty, but a monotube design is far superior, especially on rough roads. I have the B6s matched with the sport springs and the ride isn’t harsh at all. Your ride height in the front will also increase slightly due to the greater pressure & new strut mount hardware.

tlow98 · 10-02-2020, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darqknightuk

Is your model a Sport or SE? I installed bilstein b12 pro kit on my previous e46 saloon and although slightly stiffer than the tired Sachs suspension that came out, it was still fairly comfortable (on the firm side of the comfort spectrum) and so much better for sporting driving with a lot less lean when cornering, accelerating and braking.
How easy or how much work is it to install the rear shocks? it looks like a pain to dismantle all that trim. I ask because I want to install Bilstein B12 pro kit suspension on my e91 but the changing the rears (by myself or indy) puts me off as I don't want to break any of the trim.

I have the non sport springs and installed yellows. Overall the dismantling of the back went better than I thought it would. The crux of the matter is the plastic cap on top of the seat belt are. Use a trim panel tool in there then just twist it sideways and it will pop right off. Pulled forever with my hands - waste of time. All the pieces are surprisingly robust back there.

Ok hindsight I’d rather do the rear than the fronts. I don’t love laying on the ground wrestling dirty fasteners. Once that top piece is off in the rear it’s very easy. Much easier and less involved than the front from a mechanical standpoint.

I noticed the same improvement with the yellows. Brake ans acceleration dive completely gone. Corner lean improved, but not a lot. Ride is great on full soft yet still handles pretty well.

10-01-2020, 11:03 AM	#1
M-technik-3 Lieutenant Colonel 2117 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: western Ma iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 M3 [9.00] 2007 E91 [7.25] 1988 M3 [9.50]	Rear E91 shocks getting a bit tired I have a sport and it came with Sach's vs next month getting Boge's. I like the ride of the Sach's not too stiff not wallowing like my HS Olds Vista cruiser. What is the consensus on what is the better shock? I am not lowering the car as I can barely get in the driveway now. I also live in NE, so we do have snow on occasion, not like what we used to have.
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10-01-2020, 11:31 AM	#2
ppointer Major 750 Rep 1,105 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]	On my e46 wagon, which I sold my brother last year, I had Bilstein B4's installed. Ride was more controlled than when the stock Sachs still worked, but still plenty smooth. Same story on our e60 (B4) and M Roadster (B6). My e91 will get B4's when the Sachs wear out. Stock springs on all, though the e46 got new stock rear springs with the B4's as one of the rears had broken.
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10-01-2020, 06:46 PM	#3
M-technik-3 Lieutenant Colonel 2117 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: western Ma iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 M3 [9.00] 2007 E91 [7.25] 1988 M3 [9.50]	Are they in tune with the factory springs? I did Bilstein sports in my E36 M3 and the were horrible so I went with some Koni's so they were not so rough. I have Bilstein and J-stock in my E30 M3 so I am accustomed to a car with stiff suspension.
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10-02-2020, 02:16 AM	#4
tlow98 Major General 2193 Rep 5,016 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	The Sachs I removed on my e91 were pretty wallowy compared to Koni yellows. The stockers were not blown but were certainly tired at 100k+. Hard to go wrong with Sachs, konis or b4s. I personally think the b6/8 are too rough around town. They work well in the highway however. .02
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10-02-2020, 02:18 AM	#5
darqknightuk Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW e91 335d Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: West Sussex iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335d [0.00]	Is your model a Sport or SE? I installed bilstein b12 pro kit on my previous e46 saloon and although slightly stiffer than the tired Sachs suspension that came out, it was still fairly comfortable (on the firm side of the comfort spectrum) and so much better for sporting driving with a lot less lean when cornering, accelerating and braking. How easy or how much work is it to install the rear shocks? it looks like a pain to dismantle all that trim. I ask because I want to install Bilstein B12 pro kit suspension on my e91 but the changing the rears (by myself or indy) puts me off as I don't want to break any of the trim.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2020, 09:02 AM	#6
M-technik-3 Lieutenant Colonel 2117 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: western Ma iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 M3 [9.00] 2007 E91 [7.25] 1988 M3 [9.50]	I don't believe we got SE's here. It has S226A suspension along with all the other Sport options. I just don't want to make the back end twitchy from being over dampened.
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10-02-2020, 10:21 AM	#7
hassmaschine Major General 3975 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	if you have the sport suspension, I'd just get new factory sport shocks. I keep meaning to do that myself before they go NLA.. If you have X-Drive, how about Konis?
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10-02-2020, 12:14 PM	#8
marvinstockman Major 400 Rep 1,080 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0)	Mtech, depending on how the roads are where you live, you may not need rear shocks. Are they leaking? Have someone follow you on the highway, and have them check for bouncing tires. I live in the Maryland suburbs of DC, and shocks are the last things I think about. Now, if I lived in NYC, yes, shocks and struts would be on my mind.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2020, 01:37 PM	#9
M-technik-3 Lieutenant Colonel 2117 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: western Ma iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 M3 [9.00] 2007 E91 [7.25] 1988 M3 [9.50]	I live in Western Mass, roads in some parts of town are barely passable for a cow path. Patch job over a patch job is a fine use of taxpayer money. At the cost of OEM Sach's I should just order them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote