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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Wheels / Tires / Suspension / Brakes OE/Sachs -> Koni FSD -> Bilstein B6?
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      03-30-2017, 03:42 PM   #1
Apples12
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OE/Sachs -> Koni FSD -> Bilstein B6?

Hi All,

In a quest to try to resolve road vibrations and improve comfort in my f10 SE, I'm looking to change the shocks as mileage is racking up (~75k miles - 1000miles/week)

My main goal is to improve comfort more than anything else, if i could get a 'tighter' road feel that would be a bonus

1) OE/Sachs shock absorbers
2) Koni FSD
3) Bilstein B6

which of the above would folks reccomend?


thanks
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      03-31-2017, 02:08 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Apples12 View Post
Hi All,

In a quest to try to resolve road vibrations and improve comfort in my f10 SE, I'm looking to change the shocks as mileage is racking up (~75k miles - 1000miles/week)

My main goal is to improve comfort more than anything else, if i could get a 'tighter' road feel that would be a bonus

1) OE/Sachs shock absorbers
2) Koni FSD
3) Bilstein B6

which of the above would folks reccomend?

thanks
Koni FSD - provides controlled dampening.

But if you have runflats, get rid of them or you won't get needed relief.
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      04-02-2017, 05:30 PM   #3
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any input on bilstein sport?
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      04-04-2017, 08:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STR8-6IX View Post
any input on bilstein sport?
You said you wanted to improve riding comfort.
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      04-04-2017, 10:36 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesmondF10 View Post
You said you wanted to improve riding comfort.
lol

the f10 already rides comfortable, and would ride amazing with low profile rims (tried one with 20 inch rims, rides amazingly nice)

but the suspension is way too soft for my liking. it really lets the chassis down which has great potential despite its hefty weight.
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      04-05-2017, 08:50 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STR8-6IX View Post
lol

the f10 already rides comfortable, and would ride amazing with low profile rims (tried one with 20 inch rims, rides amazingly nice)

but the suspension is way too soft for my liking. it really lets the chassis down which has great potential despite its hefty weight.
Mixed you up with the OP - sorry. Have a 2014 535i and agree it was soft and floating until ACS/Koni. It is still on the soft side but planted and you can drive with confidence. When I drove a demo 2016 535i, I noticed they had firmed up the suspension - they tweaked.

When I was researching suspension, I concluded that Bilsteins would have less dampening and firm it up.
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      04-05-2017, 09:18 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesmondF10 View Post
Mixed you up with the OP - sorry. Have a 2014 535i and agree it was soft and floating until ACS/Koni. It is still on the soft side but planted and you can drive with confidence. When I drove a demo 2016 535i, I noticed they had firmed up the suspension - they tweaked.

When I was researching suspension, I concluded that Bilsteins would have less dampening and firm it up.
Perhaps the 2016 model you drove had the M sport suspension?

Koni and ACS are a really good choice. I believe ACS is eibach or something like this, and they are both really good springs. personally I would go bilstein and eibach, but was thinking of getting koni because I need some compliance in the suspension. I will be holding off on coilovers for now - I just had the ball joint tightened on one side and control arm fixed with the other, I suspect the previous owner went over some nasty speed bumps too fast or something. anyways, the suspension feels tightened up and good enough for now. I would get coilovers without hesitating if it wasnt for the awful toronto roads which already crash the whole chassis with 55 sidewall 17 inch rims.

I really want coilovers, but its not a good idea. I was honestly really surprised at how big of a difference low profile 20 inch rims made with ride quality. the way it wafted down the road felt amazing compared to my current 17 inchers and I thought my car already rode nice.. I will settle for 19 inch rims this summer and I think ill be happy enough for the time being..
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      04-05-2017, 10:25 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STR8-6IX View Post
Perhaps the 2016 model you drove had the M sport suspension?

Koni and ACS are a really good choice. I believe ACS is eibach or something like this, and they are both really good springs. personally I would go bilstein and eibach, but was thinking of getting koni because I need some compliance in the suspension. I will be holding off on coilovers for now - I just had the ball joint tightened on one side and control arm fixed with the other, I suspect the previous owner went over some nasty speed bumps too fast or something. anyways, the suspension feels tightened up and good enough for now. I would get coilovers without hesitating if it wasnt for the awful toronto roads which already crash the whole chassis with 55 sidewall 17 inch rims.

I really want coilovers, but its not a good idea. I was honestly really surprised at how big of a difference low profile 20 inch rims made with ride quality. the way it wafted down the road felt amazing compared to my current 17 inchers and I thought my car already rode nice.. I will settle for 19 inch rims this summer and I think ill be happy enough for the time being..
The 2016 loaner was not an M - it was a luxury line, like my 2014. I remember going to the glove box and looking at options. No electronic adjustments. I think BMW tweaks from year to year, especially on this car when the suspension was soooo soft.

ACS designs it springs and Eibach manufactures them to ACS specs. Different products.

You might look at the 650 rear sway bar that people are using - it made a big difference, too, put it all together.
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      04-05-2017, 12:58 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesmondF10 View Post
The 2016 loaner was not an M - it was a luxury line, like my 2014. I remember going to the glove box and looking at options. No electronic adjustments. I think BMW tweaks from year to year, especially on this car when the suspension was soooo soft.

ACS designs it springs and Eibach manufactures them to ACS specs. Different products.

You might look at the 650 rear sway bar that people are using - it made a big difference, too, put it all together.
so what is the difference between ACS and eibach, arent they the same spec?

any use in 650i sways on OEM suspension?
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      04-05-2017, 01:39 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STR8-6IX View Post
so what is the difference between ACS and eibach, arent they the same spec?

any use in 650i sways on OEM suspension?
Not the same spec - ACS designs its own springs; Eibach just makes it for them.

Just the rear swaybar fits -- do a search and you will find it as to front and rears or go to ESC Tuning Website and they will have both bars in a package or separately; and look at my signature. It does help with lean and you can feel the rear suspension more in terms of grip.
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      04-05-2017, 01:50 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesmondF10 View Post
Not the same spec - ACS designs its own springs; Eibach just makes it for them.

Just the rear swaybar fits -- do a search and you will find it as to front and rears or go to ESC Tuning Website and they will have both bars in a package or separately; and look at my signature. It does help with lean and you can feel the rear suspension more in terms of grip.
hmm so which one is better? I know eibach is meant to be a better mixture of comfort and sport VS H&R, is ACS similar like this?
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      04-05-2017, 03:47 PM   #12
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Apologies

I'm the OP, and yup, I'm looking for more damping but less floaty If such a thing is possible..

At the moment i can feel every single ripple and roughness of the road surface, tyres are 17" non run flats, this has helped a little but car is getting in a bit with mileage so wanting to do a refresh anyway...
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      04-05-2017, 06:09 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STR8-6IX View Post
hmm so which one is better? I know eibach is meant to be a better mixture of comfort and sport VS H&R, is ACS similar like this?

Looking at all the threads I could find last December, it seems like most prefer ACS, and Eibach is next.

Yes, ACS goes for comfort and sport - instead of sport, let's say control.
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Last edited by Desmond79; 04-06-2017 at 08:14 AM..
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      04-05-2017, 07:35 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Apples12 View Post
Apologies

I'm the OP, and yup, I'm looking for more damping but less floaty If such a thing is possible..

At the moment i can feel every single ripple and roughness of the road surface, tyres are 17" non run flats, this has helped a little but car is getting in a bit with mileage so wanting to do a refresh anyway...
try going for koni/bilstein with ACS/eibach springs.
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