Looking for GOOD stock valved front inserts.

[OLD MAN]

I am looking for your input - what would you use?

I bought and put Bilstein HD front inserts in my run-about baja build. They are just TOO Stiff for the offroad drive. The HD are basically long SPORTS - same valving for road handling. Not sure why I thought they would wok in my car? Unless I was thinking I would have Bilstein re valve them for me?

So I am looking at swapping them out for stock inserts to get some more movement out of the front end.

Anyway Thinking about sachs or ?? Can not find Bilstein stock replacement ones on line. Most likely be running 10" long 175lb or 200lb front springs.

offroad 1.jpg

[mxl556]

There are not that many options nowadays, even Bilstein HD's are hard to find now. I'd say try oil filled Sachs Touring, in my opinion they are very good for stock stiffness and performance. They should be available and are not expensive. I have been using them with great success on my stock e21 and wife's e36. The other option I could think of are twin tube gas filled bilstein B4's, but they seem to have disappeared, I have not seen them for sale anywhere for a while. I have not used them, so I can't comment on their performance.

[OLD MAN]

Hi Max - good to hear from you!

Thanks for the input, I was thinking that Sachs would be my best option at this point. My only concern is wearing them out really quickly running down desert roads at speed.

[320iAman]

What are looking for stock shocks ? I had oil filled shocks dumped them and got gas filled ones, oil filled did not last very long regular street driving--the top seal pops off way too easy, yet easy to reseal. KYB makes stock shocks with lifetime warranty,,I got Gabriel Ultra made in here with lifetime warranty-Gas internal Valved,, Shocks=dampners

KYB

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-4-SHOCK...AAAOSwYXBbR8l5


Randy

[OLD MAN]

What are looking for stock shocks ? I had oil filled shocks dumped them and got gas filled ones, oil filled did not last very long regular street driving--the top seal pops off way too easy, yet easy to reseal. KYB makes stock shocks with lifetime warranty,,I got Gabriel Ultra made in here with lifetime warranty-Gas internal Valved,, Shocks=dampners

KYB

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-4-SHOCK...AAAOSwYXBbR8l5


Randy

I need "soft" shocks. Basically I need off road shocks - rears are easy to fit in but front inserts not so much.

KYB gas shocks are really too stiff I have had them in the past.

[mxl556]

SACHS should last you some time Daryl. Since they are low pressure they don't blow up easily, the only concern I'd have is them overheating as they can't handle constant beating as well as Bilstein. I have had a few sets in the past on other cars and currently have them on my 320i. Maybe 20K miles on the current set and they are as good as new. Many dirt roads here, i take it easy but still, they get to work on those corrugations...

[OLD MAN]

Thanks Max - I will try a set out!

[320iAman]

I'm running Gabriel Ultras all around .The only off road shocks I see BMW e21 1977-83 are Intrax Suspension Technology from the Netherlands very expensive complete coil over and Bilstein B6's-24-006125-rear only 1977-83-$118.


Randy

[82Kashmir]

I put on KYB GR-2 front and KYB gas adjust on rear. Drives and handles great with the stock wheels and suspension.

[OLD MAN]

I put on KYB GR-2 front and KYB gas adjust on rear. Drives and handles great with the stock wheels and suspension.

Yes thanks you, have used them on tuned street drivers in the past.

[buccatini]

I got a set of Bilstein B4's front and rear out of Great Britain. They lasted about 13 months. The seals blew on 3 out of 4. This was daily driving, and avoiding poor streets. I was bummed to say the least. Swapped over to Sachs and it's been great. I could help but think those Bilsteins had sat on a shelf for a time and the seals had dried out. When you buy parts for a car, seldom are you able to ascertain the date of manufacture for said parts; and on some things, I think that makes a big difference in the parts' performance and longevity.

[OLD MAN]

Thanks to everyone for the info.

I have order some Sachs front inserts, will try them out.

Now to work on the rears?