Front Struts with Rear Shocks from Different Manufacturer ?

[Truckeeskibum]

1997 Z3 with the 1.9L and 5 speed manual.

I replaced the rear shocks with KYB Excel G a couple of years ago. Still original struts on the front.

I have been looking for the front KYB struts for about a year and a half. A few vendors have the left side available. The right side is unobtanium. Can't find them anywhere.


Any thoughts/concerns if I put Bilstein B4s on the front, or should I just try to wait it out for the KYBs.

[TexaZ3]

No issues as long as they are same on the axle.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I'm not a real expert but logic would tell me that you want to go with a strut of similar damping properties as your KYBs. I'm not familiar with KYBs. My understanding is that they are close to OE, if so, something like Bilstien B4s should work well together.

[White Z]

I feel your pain. I replaced my rear shocks from OEM to KYB Excel G's in the late fall of 2020. At the time KYB did have the front struts in stock but I waited to January 2021 to purchase and was thrown for a loop when they told me they were unavailable. I waited and waited and waited. I called the corporate office every month trying to get an update and the last straw was in February of this year when they told me that it might not be available till September! I believe the part number is #334604.
After some choice words, I finally gave up on them and ordered Bilstein B4 struts for the front. They came in two days and I installed them with NO problems.
I am currently running Bilstein on the front and KYB on the rear and absolutely no issues.. They both are almost the same as OEM ride quality. So to answer your question which I circumvented, sorry, yes you can.

[CoconutPete]

It's like having different tires on the front vs. on the rear....

Purists won't have anything to do with it, but it won't make your Zed spontaneously combust either...