Strut and shock replacement on 2003 540 M-Sport.

[Santaclaus4]

I badly need to replace the shocks and struts on my project car and I'd like to keep it as stock as I can to keep it simple.
It has the 705 M-Sport suspension package.
FCPEuro shows Sachs 556-838 for the 2003 sport (704 suspension) for $172.
They show BMW 31312229612 for the 2003 M-tec II (705 suspension) for $506.

What's the difference besides price?
I know there are alternatives but I'm less certain about them. I know people have mixed results with aftermarket.

[crazy4trains]

There should be no difference. Sachs is the OE supplier. You're paying for the BMW emblem if you buy the BMW branded parts.

[MotorMouth93]

S704A and S705A shocks are different, especially in the rear where the spring perches are off by about 1/2”. You can’t get 705 shocks in the US except for BMW branded parts. The only reasonably priced source I was able to find was from Schmeidmann overseas.

[shwy]

I badly need to replace the shocks and struts on my project car and I'd like to keep it as stock as I can to keep it simple.
It has the 705 M-Sport suspension package.
FCPEuro shows Sachs 556-838 for the 2003 sport (704 suspension) for $172.
They show BMW 31312229612 for the 2003 M-tec II (705 suspension) for $506.

What's the difference besides price?
I know there are alternatives but I'm less certain about them. I know people have mixed results with aftermarket.

There IS a difference. The 704 is the regular "M-sport suspension" used on the 2002 and older "sport" models. The 705 is the "M-sport suspension II" used on the M5 and 2003 540i M-sport. Its a bit lower and stiffer than the regular sport package suspension. If you fit 704 shocks to a 2003 M-sport you will have a slightly under damped set up relative to the springs.

I would expect one of the reasons the 705 comes from BMW only and doesnt have a sachs OEM option is due to the lower volume of production what with 2003 M-sports and M5s being a lot less common that the 5 or so model years of regular M-sport 540is...

Just throwing this in from personal experience. Bilstein B4s are for NON SPORT only. really got bitten by that one, sorry.

[Santaclaus4]

I saw the Schmeidmann and they have the correct BMW part number for the M-Tec II suspension, but their cross reference number 556-836 is what FCPEuro refers to as the non sport suspension.

Has anyone in the U.S. ordered struts and shocks from Schmeidmann? How does it work with their VAT and overseas shipping?

[MotorMouth93]

I believe you are correct. Good catch, it would suck to order from overseas and get the wrong part. When it comes time to do mine I might just have to pony up the $1600 or so from FCP for new shocks. :/

[shwy]

I saw the Schmeidmann and they have the correct BMW part number for the M-Tec II suspension, but their cross reference number 556-836 is what FCPEuro refers to as the non sport suspension.

Has anyone in the U.S. ordered struts and shocks from Schmeidmann? How does it work with their VAT and overseas shipping?

It would be best to contact them and provide them with the part numbers you want and what they can do for you! I am sure they could sort you out with the right part.

[Santaclaus4]

It would be best to contact them and provide them with the part numbers you want and what they can do for you! I am sure they could sort you out with the right part.

That's a good idea.
I've also heard a little about Koni but not much that's positive and you've steered me away from Bilstein.