Strut time. Recommendations? Sachs, Bilstein, Monroe?

[josiahg52]

2011 35d with standard suspension, no third row, and 179k miles.Thinking Sachs will be more than "good enough" but am considering Bilstein also. Thought I remembered reading about someone using a Monroe product on their 35d and loving it. Going to use new Lesjöfors springs and replace all the mounts, stops, and hardware. Love to hear any experiences.

[getty150]

Think it was Sachs I installed couple years ago.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/index.php?posts/13134155
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[robnitro]

Monroe OEspectrum worked great for me.
Feels like OEM but less harsh on rough pavement/potholes.

Shop around, Amazon, rock auto... Prices vary wildly.

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by robnitro

Monroe OEspectrum worked great for me.
Feels like OEM but less harsh on rough pavement/potholes.

Shop around, Amazon, rock auto... Prices vary wildly.

Those were the ones! I recognize your name from the post.

[robnitro]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

Those were the ones! I recognize your name from the post.

I forgot to mention that I think they're a poor man's koni special active/fsd, with a similar variable damping, but with a couple of differences.

These Monroe OEspectrum shocks have been used in Audi and some other cars that marketed smooth yet quick handling...

I haven't tried the konis so I can't say they're equal to them, but I did shy away from koni because the reds I had on my vw tdi rusted quickly... when I heard they still have crap paint, I decided to try something else.

[DeafM5]

I recommend Bilstein B4s if they offer this model for X5. I typically use that for most bmws I work on.

[Henn28]

Originally Posted by DeafM5

I recommend Bilstein B4s if they offer this model for X5. I typically use that for most bmws I work on.

I just did a full rear refresh with the B4s and like them. Feels just like OE, even with the small lift I have on my E53. I guess that is the point of the B4's - OE ride? I definitely didn't want a firmer ride. I need to do the struts, bushings, etc., the whole schmeer up front too and would love to have the yellow Bilstein color, but I think the B4s only come in black.

I've so far found that springs for the E53 are BMW only and pretty pricey unfortunately, if you dont want to go the ultra cheap chinese parts. Maybe I'm missing an OE mfr for the front springs tho.

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by Henn28

I just did a full rear refresh with the B4s and like them. Feels just like OE, even with the small lift I have on my E53. I guess that is the point of the B4's - OE ride? I definitely didn't want a firmer ride. I need to do the struts, bushings, etc., the whole schmeer up front too and would love to have the yellow Bilstein color, but I think the B4s only come in black.

I've so far found that springs for the E53 are BMW only and pretty pricey unfortunately, if you dont want to go the ultra cheap chinese parts. Maybe I'm missing an OE mfr for the front springs tho.

Lesjöfors may be the OEM. Bilstein may make some. Eibach or Koni may be able to make a recommendation.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Henn28

would love to have the yellow Bilstein color, but I think the B4s only come in black. .

Here ya go....

[Henn28]

Ha! nice. But I don't have an excavator.

And my spray paint skills are sorely lacking.