Shock absorbers other than Bilstein

[Gary Knox]

There has been a fair bit of discussion regarding available shocks for our e31's over the past few years. Essentially, it appears only Bilsteins are available from US suppliers.

I have confirmed that TRW and Gabriel shocks are available from at least one supplier in England/Germany who will ship to the USA. Cost for a set of F and R TRW shocks is about $450 US including shipping at today's exchange rate. They also supply Gabriel shocks for the e31 and they are a bit cheaper. Both are shown to be 'in stock' on their web site as of this morning (5/13/2019) Shipping is about $110 of that, so if you (or a friend) are going to Europe sometime soon, you might be able to bring them home in checked luggage for a cost reduction!

Web site is: autodoc.co.uk
email communication is via: info@autodoc.couk

Hope this might be helpful for someone wanting a shock that is closer to the OE Boge than the Bilsteins are.

Gary Knox

[Pneill316]

Front
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Genuine...wAAOSwkwdbpYq3
Rear
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Genuine-TRW-Shock-Absorber-Damper-JGT300T-Top-German-Quality/192898155523?epid=248951936&hash=item2ce9a04403:g: ~2AAAOSwMhVcHPbE
this should save you a few bucks

[Gary Knox]

Pneill316,

Unfortunately those same shocks that are listed on eBay are not a saving, but more costly.

When a pair of fronts and a pair of rears are in the 'Cart', the total for the four shocks is $493, and the shipping charges to a US address are $130, for a total of $623 US.

The Autodoc.co.uk site totals 275 Pounds ($357.50) and the shipping is 90 Pounds ($117). Total in US dollars at 1.30 dollars per pound is $464.50. The eBay listing is $158.50 more expensive shipped to the US.

Note that KMS (eBay listing) shows two shocks, but the prose states 'damper', not plural (dampers). So, the listing is for one shock each on front and rear. The same exists on the Autodoc.co.uk web site - a picture of two shocks, but priced per shock. My stated prices in the original and this post are for 2 front and 2 rear.

[Pneill316]

My bad if it’s only for 1 single shock, but I assumed they were only sold in pairs. Plus I just did all 4 on my one e31 and the fronts on the other and paid slightly less then these so I assumed it was for a pair, I ordered from a different seller but he seems to be sold out at the moment. Maybe send a question as I couldn’t find it specifically listed as either.

[Pneill316]

Plus they come in a box of 2, doubt they would be breaking that up either.

[m6bigdog]

Unfortunately not all shocks are created equal and non-sport shocks are only good for those E31's still with the stock springs.

For those that converter to a sport suspension (low slung) I would suggest the Koni Sport front cartridge and an M-Sport or CSi rear shock (depending on your suspension) as the option that is in tune for the sport suspension.
The Koni and CSi rear shocks are available in the US. The M-Sport rear shock may require sourcing from a European supplier and therefore slightly more difficult to purchase.
Details are in the Hyper Post:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ght=Hyper+Koni

[mbarrett635]

My bad if it’s only for 1 single shock, but I assumed they were only sold in pairs. Plus I just did all 4 on my one e31 and the fronts on the other and paid slightly less then these so I assumed it was for a pair, I ordered from a different seller but he seems to be sold out at the moment. Maybe send a question as I couldn’t find it specifically listed as either.

I contacted the eBay seller, and the price is for a pair.


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[840ways]

I am replacing the rear shocks on my 1994 840ci with Bilstein shocks! Who has replaced without reinforcing the Shock Tower with metal plate? I am doing a straight swap!

Thanks!

[mbarrett635]

I am replacing the rear shocks on my 1994 840ci with Bilstein shocks! Who has replaced without reinforcing the Shock Tower with metal plate? I am doing a straight swap!

Thanks!

I have the stock shocks on both my cars (EDC on the 850Ci, and CSi shocks on the CSi), although I have stiffer springs and beefier sway bars on my 850Ci. I have the reinforcement plates on both cars; it’s cheap insurance compared to the alternative, and a relatively quick and easy installation.


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[Pneill316]

Mike who is still selling the plate? I would like to get a couple sets but can’t seem to find the connect anymore. My first e31 suffered the blowout once and I never want to have that happen again. Both my new ones don’t have the plates and I fear driving them everyday after that experience.

- - - Updated - - -

I contacted the eBay seller, and the price is for a pair.


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I thought that would be the case, Thanks for the affirmation. Gary you seem to be local to me and if you ever want to get together for some wrenching let me know. Specially since I just did 4 front struts in the last few months. The gland nut is a pain, but with proper patients and pressure and a really large wrench it comes off.

[JDP530]

I bought the rear upper shock tower reinforcement plates from Gerry at: http://www.phoenixmotorsport.co.uk/index.php

IMG_20180126_143230193.jpg

[masbury]

This is the information I found way back when which I used to reinforce my 850 rear shock towers. The toughest part about them is drilling the friggin' holes to plug weld it in. The material is thick and tough. Oh, and the pics are upside down.

"The BMW 8 -Series
Rear Shock Tower Repair
The chassis is weak around the area where the rear upper shock is
attached. It is a common failure and does require welding to repair or
replace the reinforcement plate from BMW. BMW has an upgraded part
that is thicker. There has been a lot of discussion on this so, check the
Roadfly archives. Some people do remove the old reinforcement plate
before attaching the new one so technically I guess it could be said the
tower has been replaced.
BNW Part numbers for the rear shock tower repair parts are as follows:
41 14 8 152 997 (Left)
41 14 8 152 998 (Right)
Stiffer suspensions systems will definitely increase the likelihood of this
happening."

It looks like this...

att149.pdf

[Pneill316]

This is the information I found way back when which I used to reinforce my 850 rear shock towers. The toughest part about them is drilling the friggin' holes to plug weld it in. The material is thick and tough. Oh, and the pics are upside down.

"The BMW 8 -Series
Rear Shock Tower Repair
The chassis is weak around the area where the rear upper shock is
attached. It is a common failure and does require welding to repair or
replace the reinforcement plate from BMW. BMW has an upgraded part
that is thicker. There has been a lot of discussion on this so, check the
Roadfly archives. Some people do remove the old reinforcement plate
before attaching the new one so technically I guess it could be said the
tower has been replaced.
BNW Part numbers for the rear shock tower repair parts are as follows:
41 14 8 152 997 (Left)
41 14 8 152 998 (Right)
Stiffer suspensions systems will definitely increase the likelihood of this
happening."

It looks like this...

att149.pdf

Those are the plates you will certainly need if your tower fails. I had to do one side on my first e31 with those plates from the dealer, not fun. The Phoenix Motorsport plates should prevent the towers from needing the extra weld on plate, though they it certainly will help stop the failure as well.

[Sanman71]

I have a 2003 330ci convertible with sports suspension where can I get front strut assembly other than the stealership?

[acheson850i]

ok I get it...have my brother-in-law pick up 4 non sport shocks in the uk and bring them over the pond when he comes to NM later in the year..not sure i can go over the pond right now. never imagined i would be trapped in the states! Have read more than i ever wanted to read about spring rates frequency...you guys are experts i am just a shade tree or perhaps shady mechanic;-). If any one has a some used air collectors...e.g. one of those crazy engine swap fellas...I need a new one..thanks!

[rick8637]

I found a complete set of E31 STAGG shocks and struts for 300.00 and after exploring other options decided to give them a try. After a couple years of service they are still performing well altho a bit stiffer than stock. I seem to notice the little bumps more with these. I also notice an increase in stiffness in colder temperatures. They are not too bad for the price and the construction and fitment was very good.