Monroe or OEM for a street only 530i?

[heather]

Hello. It's starting to feel like it's time for fresh shocks. I only drive Street, and would really like to get the original smooth feeling back. Is there a difference between Monroe and OEM?

thanks a lot!

[ross1]

Yes, Monroe are regarded as low end for these cars. Sachs, Bilstein are good and still far less than OE from the dealer.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Monroe is regarded as low end for all cars. Like Roscoe above says, stick with Sachs for the original ride, I have Bilsteins on my silver bullit wagon, it rides like a race car, way too stiff, awesome at speeds over a hundred, rough as crap in the city of its potholes. If you want good sporty ride, get the Koni sports.

[heather]

thanks so much for the reply. when i had my 325i, i made the mistake of buying springs & shocks that were too stiff (bilstien & koni in the rear, i think). I've just found some sachs that are described as, "BMW E39 525i 530i 2001-2003 528i 97-00 w/Sport Susp". does sport suspension mean a stiffer ride? how do i know if i do have sport suspension? is it in the VIN someplace?

thank you for the knowledge.
heather

[edjack]

Yes, sport suspension is stiffer, and the car sets lower.

Decode the VIN.

My decoder doesn't work. Perhaps someone has a good one.

[waters17]

It looks like you've got 3 different options for suspension on your car. You should definitely clarify what you have before you order parts.

Look for one of these option codes:
S704A - M sport suspension


S705A - M Sport II Suspension



Front
https://bimmercat.com/bmw/EN/search/...0i/USA/31_0255

Rear
https://bimmercat.com/bmw/EN/search/...0i/USA/33_0448

VIN Decoder
https://bimmercat.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/online

[mattmar1]

bilsteins do tend to ride stiffer than stock, konis depending on which ones.

google BMW VIN decoder for choices to run your VIN and see what your car has. it will tell you if its a sport model or not.

go with SACHS if you want to keep the original ride.

[crazy4trains]

You can't put sport shocks/struts on a car without the sport suspension unless you change springs (and maybe some other stuff too). Make sure you know what you have and replace with the same.

[Aubergine]

thanks so much for the reply. when i had my 325i, i made the mistake of buying springs & shocks that were too stiff (bilstien & koni in the rear, i think). I've just found some sachs that are described as, "BMW E39 525i 530i 2001-2003 528i 97-00 w/Sport Susp". does sport suspension mean a stiffer ride? how do i know if i do have sport suspension? is it in the VIN someplace?

thank you for the knowledge.
heather

Hi,

I have been round the ringer with suspensions on these cars. Unless your springs are not broken or saggy, I would hold out on replacing those. It sounds like you like the ride height you have now.

In regard to shocks, Bilstein B4s are offered by a variety of outlets like FCP Euro as a direct replacement for OEM shocks on non-sport package cars. These will freshen your suspension without giving you the harsh ride you've had before. The Sachs offerings will give you the same 'fresh' feeling as the B4s (sometimes call 'Touring'). I would advise against Bilstein B6 (HD's) and B8 (Sports) for you as they will be on the firmer side.

As for Konis... They are NLA for the front on BMW E39 6 cyl models (V8 cars have different front struts). I picked up a set recently and will be installing with stock sport package springs. My experience with an E36 on Konis was phenomenal, so we shall see. Unless you want to put time into tracking down a set of fronts (rears are available), then I was steering clear. Mixing shocks can give you odd handling too.

I use mdecoder.com these days. if your car comes up as have M-Sport Suspension then you have the 6 Cyl US Sport package.

Happy Hunting!

[Fred0417]

Do NOT buy Monroes for a BMW! My son found a previous owner had cheaped out, and not only were they bad--they had no discernable damping.
Stick with Sachs or Bilstein for the best results. (I do like the Konis on my 540, but it appears you may not have a sport package.)

[F1Jim64]

You guys got any recommendations for a 2000 M5? I assume all M suspensions were the same...? I have the window sticker if that helps. 150K on the car. Just bought it. Suspect everything is original... Thx

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[waters17]

You guys got any recommendations for a 2000 M5? I assume all M suspensions were the same...? I have the window sticker if that helps. 150K on the car. Just bought it. Suspect everything is original... Thx

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

There were 2 versions of the M suspension.
You should have the M-Tech II setup. Due to cost, I suggest going with an aftermarket setup. You should be able to use any aftermarket dampers with your existing springs.

M5 Suspension
Front
-Springs - 31332229071 - unique M5 Spring ($217.00 ea)
-Struts - 31312229612 - Same as M-Tech II ($506.21 ea)
Rear
-Springs - 33532229176 - same as M-Tech II ($210.56 ea)
-Shocks - 33522229126 - Same as M-Tech II ($312.52 ea)

[jp5Touring]

I used OEM Sachs front struts for my winter beater and their a good,cheap strut, car rides great.
Been on car over a year, no regrets.

[jicaino]

I found a set of cheap Bilsteins (the black ones) and feared the car would turn harsher. I no longer want sachs in my other car anymore now, and I'd go with the stiffer bilsteins if I need to replace them again. IMHO stock prings with better struts rides great. My regular non sport suspension cars are about 30mm lower than I'd like as they are so I don't want to lower them.

[demetk]

Just installed Monroe OE Spectrum shocks on the front of the touring because the Sachs shocks were blown. They were only $45 a piece with a lifetime warranty. It's a nice comfortable ride again. I'd say the ride is very similar to the Bilstein touring shocks I have on the e34 and much softer than the Bilstein sports I have on the e28.

[JimLev]

About the only time I ever put Monroe on a car I own is a few weeks before I sell it. They are just a little bit better that the 100K ones I took off.
Seriously, how can a $45 shock/strut compare and last as long as a Koni or Bilstien? You'll find out.

[demetk]

About the only time I ever put Monroe on a car I own is a few weeks before I sell it. They are just a little bit better that the 100K ones I took off.
Seriously, how can a $45 shock/strut compare and last as long as a Koni or Bilstien? You'll find out.

I did. I had Sensatracs on my both e23's for about 10 years and they were just fine. On the M5, I have KYB AGX adjustable shocks on the front and they work just fine with the 450lb spring rates. There's no reason why you need to spend big bucks on the big name brands.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Don’t know what drugs you are on, but Monroe’s and KYB’s are total junk, but hey..... they are your cars at the end of the day, never heard of them lasting more than a couple of years, you’ve had good luck with them, good for you, I don’t mind paying more money for better handling.

[demetk]

Don’t know what drugs you are on...

I'm on a couple but I appreciate the predictable response. I'm offering my experiences because I'm sure not everyone wants to burn money on a 20 year old car.

[JimLev]

If your ride is in really good condition it may just be worth spending the extra $$ on good parts.
Speaking of KYB shocks, I used them on my Z years ago, one of them seized and was replaced under warranty. The other one failed and I switched to some other brand, don't remember what it was.
So Monroe and KYB are on my sheet list.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I'm on a couple but I appreciate the predictable response. I'm offering my experiences because I'm sure not everyone wants to burn money on a 20 year old car.

Hey! Let’s all sniff some glue.... Yabba dabba do

[AusE39er]

That's weird, I always thought KYB was okay from what I heard. Well if I hadn't gone Sachs it'd would of been Bilstein or Koni.