Final Strut Solution: Bilstein vs. Stock (Sach) vs. Monroe?

[Delmarco]

I'm at 161,000 miles on my odo. My front ride is really horrible over rough roads and they are A LOT of them in NYC so I'm reminded every minute I'm driving that I need to replace the front suspension.

I'm looking to replace the OEM struts on my car during my Control Arm/Tie Rods replacement.

BavAuto sells these three brands with Bilstein Heavy Duty being both the cheapest and most popular replacement part. The Boge/Sachs OEM cost more so I'm confused as to what to get. And nothing much is said about Monroe anywhere so I'm assuming the are going to be shitty quality.

What I want; Regular ride comfort with secure handling like you get with any new BMW that will be durable and last the rest of the car's lifespan. I DON'T WANT SPORTS or LOWERED thank you very much.

What should I get here? Bilstein Heavy Duty or Sachs/Boge/OEM?

Also a mechanic says it will be $500 for the labor just for the Control arms alone. Says the BMW realignment needs some "special" computer software.

Does that sound about right?

[Nick_318is]

Go with the Bilstein HD, I don't remember right off hand what I paid for my recent suspension overhaul, I will check when i get home tonight (tierods-control arms-shocks). I know the shop I went to charged about $120 for an alignment and they would goto specs I wanted.

[dannyb]

Go Bilstein, 500$ for control arms labor WOW!! That seems outrageous, I never heard of a our cars needing special software. My mecanic aligned my car for 60$ and no special software. Can't you do the work yourself and just get it aligned?

[Dilly Ray]

personally if you want the same ride and comfort that it came with from factory, than i would go with the Boge

[Nick_318is]

As promised my pricing on labor:

$255 for Struts all around
$85 for Tierods
$170 for control arms and bushings
$120 Alignment
$630 in labor Total.

I supplied all the parts with the exception of new shocks/stuts since they weren't on the game plan. If your guy will do it all for $500 sounds like a good deal.

[gotKRAUT]

Originally Posted by Nick_318is

As promised my pricing on labor:

$255 for Struts all around
$85 for Tierods
$170 for control arms and bushings
$120 Alignment
$630 in labor Total.

I supplied all the parts with the exception of new shocks/stuts since they weren't on the game plan. If your guy will do it all for $500 sounds like a good deal.

err which control arms did you use?

i hope you opted for the OE Lemfoerders and not the Meyle ones as the Meyle ones tend to be crap...

Del get the Bilsteins as they ride amazingly smooth yet still offer that awesome precision handling...be sure to get OE lemfoerder control arms though...they are worth the extra money

[Montizzle]

Bilsteins are great for everyday driving. Ive got em, and I drive my car everyday...hard. DO NOT get monroe's. You will be replacing them fast, and they ride like shit

[thekid]

iF you want comfort get the Bilstien Touring struts. They are only about 15% stiffer than stock where as the HD are more stiff than that.

[kqalhamad]

is it possible to retorfit the new (2008) rear light indicators-my car is E60 -2005. Also interested in installing TV & DVD player, Hamann edition race wide body kit, where should i find cheap offers on the internet? i will be in Munich at the end of this month-can you somthing there

[Nick_318is]

Originally Posted by gotKRAUT

err which control arms did you use?

i hope you opted for the OE Lemfoerders and not the Meyle ones as the Meyle ones tend to be crap...

Del get the Bilsteins as they ride amazingly smooth yet still offer that awesome precision handling...be sure to get OE lemfoerder control arms though...they are worth the extra money

I believe they were the oem arms, I bought them brand new for a nice price from someone who was going to do a complete suspension overhaul but then sold the car. I got some M3 offset bushings to go with them for a little more camber/caster.