Sports Struts and Stock Non-Sport Springs

MD64 · 10-13-2015, 10:08 PM

I have a stock 2007 323i 6MT that has a blown front passenger-side strut. I was looking at buying two new front struts, and I think I've settled on Bilstein B4's. I'm looking for a mostly stock ride, but since I'm replacing the struts, I wouldn't mind replacing them with something a bit sportier.
Will B4's for "Sport Suspension" (22135032 and 22135049) fit and work well with my stock non-sport coil springs?

elh0102 · 10-14-2015, 06:19 AM

Check with the maker or distributor, but I think the answer is no, if they are specifically designated for the OE sport suspension. Dampers are designed so that they spend most of their time in the mid-range of their travel, and pairing them with a spring that is too long or too short takes them out of that range, which can affect performance and longevity.

cdgatti · 10-17-2015, 06:48 AM

i think the b4 sport shocks are too short for the non-sport springs, in fact members here have reported that they are barely long enough for the sport springs. i good upgrade for the non-sport springs, are the bilstein B6.

lichtgelb · 10-20-2015, 12:20 PM

Sport B4's are about an inch shorter than non-sport struts. You won't even be able to compress the spring enough to start the top bolt on a non-sport spring. I know this from experience. My E90 has sport suspension. When I changed out the struts with B4's I learned someone before me put a non-sport strut/spring on the passenger side. (don't ask me how this happened because I have no idea). I figured this out when I was unable to compress the larger spring enough.

feuer · 10-20-2015, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lichtgelb

I figured this out when I was unable to compress the larger spring enough.

No disrespect, but what did you use to compress the spring?

lichtgelb · 10-21-2015, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

No disrespect, but what did you use to compress the spring?

I have a set just like these.

I'm sure a better compressor would have done the job but in my case it would have been the wrong spring for the strut anyway.

feuer · 10-21-2015, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lichtgelb

I have a set just like these.I'm sure a better compressor would have done the job but in my case it would have been the wrong spring for the strut anyway.

Very true!

chris@strutmonkey · 11-05-2015, 08:35 PM

I had nonsport suspension. I bought the Bilstein b4 for sport suspension and some used sports springs. They ride like OEM sports and fit perfectly.

10-13-2015, 10:08 PM	#1
MD64 New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2007 323i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Sports Struts and Stock Non-Sport Springs I have a stock 2007 323i 6MT that has a blown front passenger-side strut. I was looking at buying two new front struts, and I think I've settled on Bilstein B4's. I'm looking for a mostly stock ride, but since I'm replacing the struts, I wouldn't mind replacing them with something a bit sportier. Will B4's for "Sport Suspension" (22135032 and 22135049) fit and work well with my stock non-sport coil springs?
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10-14-2015, 06:19 AM	#2
elh0102 Captain 15 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 2009 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Check with the maker or distributor, but I think the answer is no, if they are specifically designated for the OE sport suspension. Dampers are designed so that they spend most of their time in the mid-range of their travel, and pairing them with a spring that is too long or too short takes them out of that range, which can affect performance and longevity.
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10-17-2015, 06:48 AM	#3
cdgatti Colonel 255 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: KY iTrader: (4)	i think the b4 sport shocks are too short for the non-sport springs, in fact members here have reported that they are barely long enough for the sport springs. i good upgrade for the non-sport springs, are the bilstein B6. __________________ OEM Black grill and Blackline tails - LCI halogens with Lux V2 coded as DRL - 3M Crystalline - BMS PBX - OEM Euro Airbox with K&N - Hardwired CTEK - Bilstein B6 w/OEM springs and SP perches - Conti DWS06 - HiFi-Helix DSP - JLAudio HD/XD-Morel - CD changer trim - AE optical out
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10-20-2015, 12:20 PM	#4
lichtgelb Lieutenant 107 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Flyover Country iTrader: (0)	Sport B4's are about an inch shorter than non-sport struts. You won't even be able to compress the spring enough to start the top bolt on a non-sport spring. I know this from experience. My E90 has sport suspension. When I changed out the struts with B4's I learned someone before me put a non-sport strut/spring on the passenger side. (don't ask me how this happened because I have no idea). I figured this out when I was unable to compress the larger spring enough.
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11-05-2015, 08:35 PM	#8
chris@strutmonkey Banned 127 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	I had nonsport suspension. I bought the Bilstein b4 for sport suspension and some used sports springs. They ride like OEM sports and fit perfectly.
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