Front Strut preference?

[cn90]

I am wondering what you guys' preference for Front struts.

- Sachs $250/each
- Bilstein Touring $200/each
- Bilstein HD $325/each

The above prices are from:
BMW Parts - Discount BMW Parts - BMW Auto Parts - Online Catalog - Free Shipping - RM European Auto Parts

[Ricky Bobby]

cn90, first let me tell you that thanks to many of your E39 posts I am able to tackle many of my suspension issues with ease!

Secondly, did you know we have a registry for MT owners of the E53? Please post up some pictures of your ride, an '06 6-speed E53 is VERY RARE!

3rd, I have 2-axle air suspension on mine so I only have rear shocks. Do you have rear airbags/sport suspension?

I have heard that the bilstein HD's will stiffen the ride and make your E53 sit slightly higher, however the Bilstein Touring I would recommend as an OEM replacement. To be honest I never complained about Sachs quality when I had my Volkswagens.

I'm having trouble finding quality replacements for my rear shocks on my 2-axle air suspension model, I found a Sachs and Bilstein Touring part number but not sure 100% if they would work on my car. The OE shocks are $260 apiece, way too high above my budget.

[cn90]

I have standard suspension. My E53 (Man Trans) came as a surprise for me...
Wife's 2007 Honda Odyssey totaled from an accident (wife, kids OK, no injury).
I was at a Honda dealer shopping for another van, then saw the Black BMW in the corner of my eyes, didn't pay attention to it until the 2nd trip back to the Honda dealer.
Once I peeked into the cockpit, I saw the stick shift!!!
Then the rest is history lol...Now I own this SUV thingy.

First gear of the Man Trans is a pig, it is slow, the trick is to start in 2nd gear, I discovered this trick by chance!

The E39 (98 528i) I still have it, with new suspension, it rides like a dream!

[Ricky Bobby]

I would just use Bilstein Touring Struts/Shocks then if you have standard suspension.

Btw, if you delete the CDV on the clutch it will make the vehicle engage much smoother, its well documented here if you need to search. Yes 1st gear is a pig but just be lucky you have 6th gear OD, I have an '03 with 5 speed so I'm lacking a gear on the highway, 80 mph is at almost 4k rpm's!

It does help with acceleration of the 3 ton SAV though to have lighter gearing, but you could swap differentials with a pre-facelift 4.4 and have a 3.64 final drive, our factory drive is 4.10 on the 3.0.

[cn90]

The CDV, I wrote a DIY for the E39, so I am familiar with it. This includes trick to bleed the clutch system, see the updated post from today...

1998 528i CDV removed!!!! - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[stackz]

I just ordered Sensen brand struts/shocks for my 01 non-air sav today. I've run them on several other vehicles the past couple years. They are the OEM supplier for Volvo and a couple others. On eBay a pair of struts is going for $140 ish I think?

Anyway, I've put 40~50k on the ones in my mustang with occasional racing and such and no issues.

As always I will probably get yelled at for buying non-name or OEM but meh, whatever

[knucklebuster]

check out bavauto for shocks

[Ricky Bobby]

I don't mind non oem as long as it's decent quality. When the oem shocks are 240 apiece I look elsewhere. Looks like Sachs or Bilstein touring for me when the time comes

[admranger]

I put on Bilstein sports (the yeller ones) on my '05 X5 4.4i sport.

I know Omaha roads. I wouldn't want to drive mine on west Dodge around Creighton or the Med Center. You'd need dental work and possibly a kidney transplant and back surgery. However, on the smooth-ish stuff you'll love them.

Get the tourings. I got my shocks from Shox.com

[Kristophe]

I replaced both rears and fronts with Sachs touring on my standard suspension and am quite pleased with both the ride and handling.