Market for EDC Shocks and Struts?

[JPO805]

Hello all,

Was wondering if there was a market for the EDC Struts, and EDC and SLS Shocks.

Replaced them on my 1998 750il with coilovers, and was wondering if people were buying them and what the going rate was.

Not sure if they worked as I never felt a difference in the ride by pressing the S-EDC button, but the button functioned properly. Have about 150k miles on them. Do people buy them to send for rebuild at all?

Anyone swapped them out please chime in on what you did with the old ones.

Thanks,
Jacob

[xboss]

I pulled mine out. They are pretty much all in terrible shape if they are over ten years old. They can be rebuilt for about $1200 a set which is not bad considering new ones are over 3K so they do have a core value for people looking to swap into rebuilds while rolling on their old ones.

[BMW M7]

I pulled mine out. They are pretty much all in terrible shape if they are over ten years old. They can be rebuilt for about $1200 a set which is not bad considering new ones are over 3K so they do have a core value for people looking to swap into rebuilds while rolling on their old ones.

I did not know that you could rebuilt them, who is doing this ?

[rgao007]

http://www.nagengast.pl/regeneration-en.html

[BMW M7]

http://www.nagengast.pl/regeneration-en.html

Thanks has anybody used them, and what was their thoughts ?

[nmlss2006]

I have mentioned them several times. The cost when you add everything up becomes quite high.

I still don't understand why there isn't an equivalent stateside. There is a well-defined market, albeit small.

[exeed]

I have mentioned them several times. The cost when you add everything up becomes quite high.

I still don't understand why there isn't an equivalent stateside. There is a well-defined market, albeit small.

Probably shipping is the biggest part of expenses for you guys in US. I have made enquiry to them in regards of rear EDC+SLS shocks repair and quote is pretty reasonable in comparison of getting new shocks - 250 euros per unit, which is 500 euros for both rear shocks fully refurbished. Also plus shipping which isn't too bad here 'locally' in Europe.

[nmlss2006]

It's not only shipping: the quote for shipping back was high, plus they wanted an extra... 150 EUR IIRC for customs stuff, etc. It came out, effectively, pretty close to a wash relative to new parts.

BTW, 250 EUR per shock is extortion plain and simple. In a country with significantly higher salaries, four BMW shocks from the best in the business cost less than 300 for four.

[exeed]

It's not only shipping: the quote for shipping back was high, plus they wanted an extra... 150 EUR IIRC for customs stuff, etc. It came out, effectively, pretty close to a wash relative to new parts.


BTW, 250 EUR per shock is extortion plain and simple. In a country with significantly higher salaries, four BMW shocks from the best in the business cost less than 300 for four.

EDC or EDC+SLS shocks are worth refurbishing, prices at my local BMW dealership:


REAR LEFT SPRING STRUT 1439,26 €
REAR RIGHT SPRING STRUT 1361,44 €


LEFT FRONT SPRING STRUT 772,46 €
FRONT RIGHT SPRING STRUT 772,46 €

[nmlss2006]

You can get a set of four for approximately $2,500 here, or < EUR 2,000 at the present exchange rate.

When you factor in shipping etc, the numbers are surprisingly close to even...

I might also suggest, when in Europe, to avoid the local dealership: there are several places online where you can order parts - OE ones included - at significantly better prices. bmw.de included, BTW.

[Thresher]

Was wondering if there was a market for the EDC Struts, and EDC and SLS Shocks.

The market seems to be getting smaller. I came across this thread while searching for EDC strut info... For my 2001 740iL, the left rear strut with both EDC and SLS support (37-12-1-091-571) is still available, but the right rear strut (37-12-1-091-572) is NLA. For the rear struts, the choice seems to be between BMW and Sachs. Depending on where you shop, the Sachs struts are about 1/3 the cost of BMW struts. For those on a budget and are interested in keeping EDC with SLS, it is probably not a bad deal to replace the rear struts with the Sachs version (about $600 each).

For the front struts with EDC, I am only seeing BMW struts available. A few places online have them for close-to/around $900 each. Yikes!

Various people have mentioned Nagengast in Poland for refurbishing struts. I have yet to see anyone state the price breakdown for shipping from USA to Poland (with insurance); and then the cost to ship them back. If anyone reading this has done this, I would love to understand the shipping and/or other costs involved. Also wondering what shipping options exist; can struts be shipped on aircraft, or is it ground transportation & boat-mail to Europe and back? Does the US govt charge taxes on re-importing refurbished car parts? Lots of questions running through my mind on this... right now I'm guessing that if I have to replace the rear struts, I would buy the parts here in the USA. For the front struts, Nagengast might be a good option.

[jdlbmw]

Thresher,
What'd you end up doing? Did you ever find a source in the US to rebuild the EDC struts?

[Thresher]

Thresher,
What'd you end up doing? Did you ever find a source in the US to rebuild the EDC struts?

Hello! I have not found a place in the US to rebuild; but I also have not been looking. Would be nice.

My current complaint about my car's suspension is that there is a clunking sound often heard going slow over things like speed bumps or driveway entrances. Oddly, I can pretty much eliminate that clunking by pressing the S-EDC button so the light goes green. My issue might be temperature related -- after running for a while (10+ minutes,) I disable the S-EDC mode and car is pretty much fine. Car does not need an alignment -- it drives nice and straight; whether at slower speeds in my neighborhood, or even when I get on I-15 and go faster. Braking is also nice and smooth.

I have a Foxwell NT510 scanner and it has reported a couple of EDC fault codes:

50 - EDC Valve coils
53 - EDC Valve coils

I do not understand how to interpret what that means; are those codes the result of the real problem with my suspension, or are those possibly being reported because my failing controls arms are causing some sort of havoc for the EDC system? I have been monitoring my car over the last 6 months. The #53 code showed up only once, the #50 has been there every other month when I scan the car. Hmmm...

I am planning on sending my car to my mechanic this week for replacement of 8 control arms and optionally the tie rods and center steering link; plus 4-wheel alignment. I want to see if that work fixes the things I have noticed with my car.

On Amazon, there is a company selling a pair of front EDC struts, #31-31-1-091-557 and #31-31-1-091-558 for $678.99. That is only ~ $339.50 each. Free shipping too. The brand is AIRSUSFAT and the seller does appear be in China. I have no experience with the brand/seller. FWIW, my local dealer's current online price is ~ $905 each.

I will be very curious to see how my upcoming repair work goes; and whether or not I still have issues afterward. If I do then it will be the EDC struts that I have to look at next. I have to admit, for $678 for a pair of EDC struts, I might bite and see how they are. I could always send my current struts to Poland for refurbishment as a back up plan.

For rear EDC+SLS, the right rear (#37-12-1-091-572), is NLA from BMW. The left rear (#37-12-1-091-571) is still available. A few months ago, FCP Euro, ECS Tuning and even AutoZone all had decent pricing on those (~ $586 to $696 each). I haven't looked at current pricing/availability. On Ebay, there is a US seller offering the left rear (new) for $707 and the right rear (new) is listed at $714.

Hope this helps...

9/30/2020 update... the 8 control arms were installed and car was aligned. That obviously helps, but has not solved the mysterious #50 EDC Valve Coil condition.

[acspecialists]

I have EDC/SLS on H&R springs. The ride has always been good and when I press the button it gets stiff. If you don't see oil on the strut it should still be good. I found a couple used ones local and have to replace the right side. I would hope that if anyone on the fourm is ditching their system they would offer up spares here. I'm just trying to keep my care as it was delivered.

If you are getting codes for coils there may be a bad one in a strut. The car should get stiffer but not harsh.

[exeed]

Hello! I have not found a place in the US to rebuild; but I also have not been looking. Would be nice.

My current complaint about my car's suspension is that there is a clunking sound often heard going slow over things like speed bumps or driveway entrances. Oddly, I can pretty much eliminate that clunking by pressing the S-EDC button so the light goes green. My issue might be temperature related -- after running for a while (10+ minutes,) I disable the S-EDC mode and car is pretty much fine. Car does not need an alignment -- it drives nice and straight; whether at slower speeds in my neighborhood, or even when I get on I-15 and go faster. Braking is also nice and smooth.

I have a Foxwell NT520 scanner and it has reported a couple of EDC fault codes:

50 - EDC Valve coils
53 - EDC Valve coils

I do not understand how to interpret what that means; are those codes the result of the real problem with my suspension, or are those possibly being reported because my failing controls arms are causing some sort of havoc for the EDC system? I have been monitoring my car over the last 6 months. The #53 code showed up only once, the #50 has been there every other month when I scan the car. Hmmm...

I am planning on sending my car to my mechanic this week for replacement of 8 control arms and optionally the tie rods and center steering link; plus 4-wheel alignment. I want to see if that work fixes the things I have noticed with my car.

On Amazon, there is a company selling a pair of front EDC struts, #31-31-1-091-557 and #31-31-1-091-558 for $678.99. That is only ~ $339.50 each. Free shipping too. The brand is AIRSUSFAT and the seller does appear be in China. I have no experience with the brand/seller. FWIW, my local dealer's current online price is ~ $905 each.

I will be very curious to see how my upcoming repair work goes; and whether or not I still have issues afterward. If I do then it will be the EDC struts that I have to look at next. I have to admit, for $678 for a pair of EDC struts, I might bite and see how they are. I could always send my current struts to Poland for refurbishment as a back up plan.

For rear EDC+SLS, the right rear (#37-12-1-091-572), is NLA from BMW. The left rear (#37-12-1-091-571) is still available. A few months ago, FCP Euro, ECS Tuning and even AutoZone all had decent pricing on those (~ $586 to $696 each). I haven't looked at current pricing/availability. On Ebay, there is a US seller offering the left rear (new) for $707 and the right rear (new) is listed at $714.

Hope this helps...

Have you ever fixed the issue and got rid of "50 EDC: Valve coils" error? If so, what you've done to eliminate it? I have scanned mine and getting the same error. After deleting it comes up again.

[CPHES]

No to the cheap shocks. Nagengast in Poland is the only method I see for a better price. See e31 and e34 owner reviews.

[Thresher]

Have you ever fixed the issue and got rid of "50 EDC: Valve coils" error? If so, what you've done to eliminate it? I have scanned mine and getting the same error. After deleting it comes up again.

Still have that one. I've scanned my E38 twice this year. The #50 EDC valve coil appeared in January and July. I have not seen the #53 EDC valve coil message since February 2019. No warnings on the instrument cluster, so this is a condition that is lurking. I would like to better understand what it means. No one has been able to interpret the code for me. My mechanic has a different scanner and retrieved the same number and his scanner reported the same generic description.

[Thresher]

No to the cheap shocks. Nagengast in Poland is the only method I see for a better price. See e31 and e34 owner reviews.

I agree Nagengast appears to be a great option. They can sell you existing refurbished struts provided you send your existing ones in (deposit required and refunded when they get yours). Or you can send yours in and get your struts refurbished.

I am still hoping someone tries the cheap shocks and reports back on how the experience went. :-)

[Thresher]

If you are getting codes for coils there may be a bad one in a strut. The car should get stiffer but not harsh.

I just know that with S-EDC off, the car handles a bit sluggish. Not quite an understeer issue, but this is just my perception. Maybe it is that way to deal with the rough roads around where I live. Typically I engage S-EDC before leaving my home and I am fairly happy with ride to work. On longer trips where I am on the highway, I will turn S-EDC off. On the smoother highways I feel like the car is floating effortlessly on the road and I like that.

I would love to be able to compare how my E38 handles compared to a ride in someone else's E38. Right now my only frame of reference is to my E36 that has Bilstein struts and shocks.

[absolutezero273]

No to the cheap shocks. Nagengast in Poland is the only method I see for a better price. See e31 and e34 owner reviews.

I agree. I only want to do this once. And the only way I have found to replace these with a quality product is either buying new from BMW or having them rebuilt from Nagengast. BMW parts, of course, will be too costly. Nagengast, when I spoke to them before all this CD19 crap, told me it would be approx. $933 to rebuild the 4 I have and then shipping to and from would be just short of $250. And I seem to recall I could expect my car to be up in the air for about a month waiting for them to be rebuilt and sent back. I can only imagine what the return shipping time would be now. That is IF you can even get them shipped back. So many places I have talked to in Europe cannot ship items to the US until further notice. But a lot of those have been smaller items like head units and headlights. Last I spoke to someone in Deutschland packages 2 kilo and smaller were indefinitely on hold. I had to pay for 2 kilo shipping in order to receive my package.

[TheAngryBear]

So I went to Nagengast to get a quote:

$310- front left
$310- front right
$310- rear left
$310- rear right
$150- customs fees
$220- return shipping
$1610- total from Nagengast
$175- shipping to Nagengast through Polonez Parcel Service
______________
$1785 for a rebuild of the 4 corners

Plus hardware (locknuts, bump stops, etc)
The Nagengast quote also is if they refurb. It is possible that when they check it, it is still good. Might still have it done though, at the age and with potential failure likely (if not already).

5-8 days shipping there
10-14 days refurb
5-8 days shipping back

So potentially a month down and say $2k...

This had better be worth it.


2001 750iL DD74441
E65 fan & clutch, E65 headrests, Front First Aid Kit, Ultimate Cup holder

2005 X5 4.8is LE82680
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[Thresher]

So I went to Nagengast to get a quote:

$310- front left
$310- front right
$310- rear left
$310- rear right
$150- customs fees
$220- return shipping
$1610- total from Nagengast
$175- shipping to Nagengast through Polonez Parcel Service
______________
$1785 for a rebuild of the 4 corners

Shipping through Polonez Parcel Service looks very interesting and I was not even aware of that option (and I doubt many here are). Their web site advertises numerous locations across the US (even found one very close to where I live here in San Diego). If those are the total shipping costs (and not meant as per corner), then that seems like an outstanding deal as getting Nagengast to do the refurb seems to be a preferred option.

The shipping times, and repair times all seem very reasonable, especially given impacts from COVID-19 on the parts industry. Taking my car out of service for a month on this type of repair service is something I could easily live with. A few years ago before I got my E38 I had my E36 up on jack stands for about month while I was waiting for parts from BMW in Germany. I just dealt with it being out of service for that long and had my wife drive me around.

Thank you for sharing this information, definitely good to know! If you proceed with this, please post an update on how the experience went (how did you safely pack them, how did tracking work, how were they packaged for return to USA, etc...).

[TheAngryBear]

Will do!
Going through the process of signing up for the shipping now.


2001 750iL DD74441
E65 fan & clutch, E65 headrests, Front First Aid Kit, Ultimate Cup holder

2005 X5 4.8is LE82680
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[TheAngryBear]

Alright, so update and first “failure” in taking adequate pics...

I do have some initial packaging

The final result just had each strut wrapped in additional bubble wrap to comply with shipping standards for struts.

I used an old BC BR coilover box (yes the irony gets me laughing). Final dimensions were:
L: 39” W: 19” H: 9”
Weight: 42.2 lbs (shipping weight is 43, always round up)

The Polonez Parcel Shipping (PPS) actually was pretty easy. Sign up for an account, enter the shipping info, select options, print, and drop off at a local UPS store.

Total damage was $173.55 which includes a PayPal fee of $6.16 and a UPS shipment fee to NJ consolidation point of $12.79. Not bad to get it to Poland in 5-8 days. Especially as the UPS quote was $900+.

The one catch is that it is only valued at $40 with $100 insurance. Declaring more value or insurance may trigger customs fees as Poland considers the cost of goods and insurance in determining duty. Shouldn’t be an issue but you never know.

I also have the front end parts for a refresh, so at some point I will be doing that as well. Will be taking pics just because...

The one thing I am wondering is using a wax on the suspension components to assist in keeping them clean. Likely using Renaissance Wax as it lasts and is “approved” for automotive metal applications. Anyone done anything like that?


2001 750iL DD74441
E65 fan & clutch, E65 headrests, Front First Aid Kit, Ultimate Cup holder

2005 X5 4.8is LE82680
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[Thresher]

The Polonez Parcel Shipping (PPS) actually was pretty easy. Sign up for an account, enter the shipping info, select options, print, and drop off at a local UPS store.

Total damage was $173.55 which includes a PayPal fee of $6.16 and a UPS shipment fee to NJ consolidation point of $12.79. Not bad to get it to Poland in 5-8 days. Especially as the UPS quote was $900+.

The one catch is that it is only valued at $40 with $100 insurance. Declaring more value or insurance may trigger customs fees as Poland considers the cost of goods and insurance in determining duty. Shouldn’t be an issue but you never know.

Funny how UPS was $900+. I don't understand the shipping world... I can understand the $40 value + $100 insurance. How does it work coming back? Similar situation?