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Thread: Recommendations for new front struts?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    State College, PA
    Posts
    72
    My Cars
    2001 330Xi

    Question Recommendations for new front struts?

    I have a 2001 E46 330ix with 136,000 miles. I have never replaced the front struts and am looking for recommendations. There are some on EBay that are providing struts with the springs already included for only $220 at a warehouse in NJ. That is certainly cheaper than OEM ones and I was wondering if anyone has experience with these inexpensive complete struts with springs? I know you normally get what you pay for so are there any good options out there? I have purchased rear springs and shocks from ECS about 5 years ago and they are working fine. The car seems to be driving and responding suspension wise just fine. Thanks for any input. It's been a long time since I was on the forum.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    Oregon, USA
    Posts
    20
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330i ZHP
    I am looking for the same answer. I recently had my bushings replaced and during alignment the dealer told me they could not get the left front wheel to go into spec because the left front strut was bent. My service advisor was really busy at the time so he didn't print me off a sheet of what part they were going to replace it with but just showed me on their screen what the quote would have been, and the front struts alone were very expensive. Much more expensive than what Le Schwab quoted me for a "334945 EXCEL STRUT" and a "334946 EXCEL STRUT".

    I am not sure if Le Schwab quoted the correct part, especially considered there are two different strut part numbers there when I only need the front struts replaced on my rear wheel drive car. I would think the 2 front struts would be of the same part number. Also why are the Le Schwab struts so much cheaper then the Kuni BMW struts? Does the ZHP package use different struts then the non-ZHP?

    additionally, I think I was able to find the same strut Le Schwab quoted me for $220.99 each here https://www.amazon.com/KYB-334945-Ex.../dp/B000C40S10 for only $64.97 on Amazon. Am I getting ripped off? It is interesting to note that the Amazon page specifically mentions the 3-Series BMW.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    Oregon, USA
    Posts
    20
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330i ZHP
    I found this.

    https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/.../post-18238864

    It seems to recommend:
    - Bilstein B8 35-115069 (front left)
    - Bilstein B8 35-115076 (front right)
    - Bilstein B8 24-026987 (rear, both)

    but it also says there may be an issue if you ever swapped out the springs with 'APEX' springs. This may or may not apply to the ZHP as the ZHP is lowered from the factory.

    Called Le Schwab about this and they said they would get me a quote for Bilsteins this Monday; Let's see if they come up with the same part numbers. Le Schwab told me that KYB is a 'midrange' part and that Billstein was 'high end'.

    Le Schwab also said they don't know why the KYBs from them are so much more expensive then Amazon, but their the corporate HQ sets the prices.
    Last edited by snowfox; 02-18-2023 at 08:23 PM. Reason: spelling mistake + elaborate on KYB vs Bilstein.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    La Habra, CA
    Posts
    1,117
    My Cars
    2002 525i
    Parts at shops are always a fair bit more expensive than Amazon because the shop has to guarantee their work. Something goes wrong in a year, or two, or whatever the length of their warranty, they have to eat the labor.

    IIRC, Sachs are OEM on the E46. They are OEM on the E39. I used to always use KYB for my project cars. I put them on my E46 'vert and I think the ride is a bit harsh. I put Sachs on my E39 and really like the ride.

    One gets what one pays for. Changing the struts is a PITA due to having to have a spring compressor. I could find no decent brands that offered springs pre-installed and I wasn't going to risk doing the job twice by using cheap Chinese-sourced parts.
    Current stable:
    2002 525i (Daily Driver)
    1994 SN95 Mustang 'Vert (The Bumblebee)
    2001 325i Convertible (Beach cruiser project)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    Oregon, USA
    Posts
    20
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330i ZHP
    Have you ever tried the Bilstein B8s on your cars? How does the ride compare to the Sachs?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Mill Valley, CA
    Posts
    346
    My Cars
    2003 330cic
    Do not buy parts on Amazon. If the part is any good, it will be cheaper elsewhere (the fees to sell on Amazon are insane.)

    If it is cheap on Amazon it is garbage.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    2,665
    My Cars
    750IL/540iT/R53/E46Vert
    I’m leaning toward Sachs from FCPEuro. I’ve done yellow Bilsteins ( never again ), Koni SRT in the mini ( ok ).

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    Oregon, USA
    Posts
    20
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330i ZHP
    Why won't you do yellow Bilsteins ever again?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    leeds, england
    Posts
    67
    My Cars
    87 Baur, 2004 325 cab se
    I have just had Bilstein B4`s put on all around and they are superb, very close to OEM.

    Mart.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    2,665
    My Cars
    750IL/540iT/R53/E46Vert
    Yellow Bilsteins - they raise the ride height, I had multiple failures - I know of the warranty - I used it many times. I had one fail, 2 miles into ownership, I had one fail when the threads rhat connected the strut to the Bilstein housing failed on the highway. It was a never ending saga. I persisted on Audi and Volvos for about 15 years, and 4 different cars. Also, I am in the Northeast, and the winter road issues just amplified the ride issues. B4 are not yellows (B6, I think )

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    26
    My Cars
    Z3 323 328
    I too bought and installed Bilstein B4 because they were from a real company, warantee, and cheap. less than $200 for both fronts. Off course, I had to re-use the old front springs which were fine. Happy. My 2 cents. Good luck.

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