[I335]

Does anyone know for sure if the 2010/2011 335 sport suspension is more compliant than the earlier suspension? Does it still crash through potholes just as badly or did they finally resolve this problem? I'm wondering if it's worthwhile installing newer OEM suspension on my car to resolve the issue. Anyone try this yet?

[I335]

[I335]

[e90pilot]

I'll go test drive one today and get back to you. I did hear that the settings were adjusted.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by I335

Does anyone know for sure if the 2010/2011 335 sport suspension is more compliant than the earlier suspension? Does it still crash through potholes just as badly or did they finally resolve this problem? I'm wondering if it's worthwhile installing newer OEM suspension on my car to resolve the issue. Anyone try this yet?

I drove a 2011 335is and my 2007 335i with sport suspension back to back over the same roads. The 2011 definitely was better over poor road surfaces.

Shortly after the test drive I installed Koni FSD shocks. I had already replaced the RFTs. At this point "Pothole Explosions" are an unpleasant memory and the handling on smooth surfaces has not been compromised and if anything has improved.

CA

[e90pilot]

Ok the suspension is the same but the tires are different. The 2011 ZSP now comes with Michilin PS2s. Not sure if they're runflats or not though. If they aren't, that would make a huge difference.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by e90pilot

Ok the suspension is the same but the tires are different. The 2011 ZSP now comes with Michilin PS2s. Not sure if they're runflats or not though. If they aren't, that would make a huge difference.

I do not believe that the suspension is the same. After our test drive both my wife and I felt that the 2011 335is with 19" RFTs had a better ride quality over road imperfections than my 2007 with 18" non-RFTs.

CA

[e90pilot]

The 335is has different suspension and the some of the M3 suspension bits. I'm just talking about regular ZSP.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by e90pilot

The 335is has different suspension and the some of the M3 suspension bits. I'm just talking about regular ZSP.

AFAIK the 335is suspension is the same as the standard sport suspension.

CA

[henry418]

Originally Posted by e90pilot

Ok the suspension is the same but the tires are different. The 2011 ZSP now comes with Michilin PS2s. Not sure if they're runflats or not though. If they aren't, that would make a huge difference.

Apparently the 2011s have new dampers called Sachs which are more compliant.

Also, 335is and 335i with sport package have the same suspension system.

[I335]

Looking at realoem the part numbers are different. Now the question is can the 2011 setup be bolted on a 2008?

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by I335

Looking at realoem the part numbers are different. Now the question is can the 2011 setup be bolted on a 2008?

Which part numbers? The 20011 vs. the earlier models or the 335is vs. the latest 335i?

CA

[I335]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

Which part numbers? The 20011 vs. the earlier models or the 335is vs. the latest 335i?

CA

Just comparing 335i with 335i and in looking on realoem, I'm not even 100% positive I'm looking at the right thing - it's not crystal clear, at least not to me. I'm just trying to find out if I can replace my 2008 stock shocks/springs with the latest OEM shocks/springs to get a softer, more compliant ride and also in hopes that I can eliminate (or at least significantly reduce) the crashing over pot holes. I'm actually running KW street comfort coilovers right now at the softest setting and while they are quite a bit more compliant than stock at this setting, I'm actually looking for something even softer. If I can swap back to 2011 OEM suspension I may just do that and sell the KWs. At this point I'm just researching whether or not it's even doable and if it will give me what I'm looking for. If the results are positive, I probably wouldn't do it until at least spring time anyhow.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by I335

Just comparing 335i with 335i and in looking on realoem, I'm not even 100% positive I'm looking at the right thing - it's not crystal clear, at least not to me. I'm just trying to find out if I can replace my 2008 stock shocks/springs with the latest OEM shocks/springs to get a softer, more compliant ride and also in hopes that I can eliminate (or at least significantly reduce) the crashing over pot holes. I'm actually running KW street comfort coilovers right now at the softest setting and while they are quite a bit more compliant than stock at this setting, I'm actually looking for something even softer. If I can swap back to 2011 OEM suspension I may just do that and sell the KWs. At this point I'm just researching whether or not it's even doable and if it will give me what I'm looking for. If the results are positive, I probably wouldn't do it until at least spring time anyhow.

I have been one of the most vocal critics of the harshness of the BMW Sport Suspension on this forum and on others.
As I have posted getting rid of the RFTs and installin Koni FSD shocks eliminated most (perhaps all) of the problem.

CA

[I335]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

I have been one of the most vocal critics of the harshness of the BMW Sport Suspension on this forum and on others.
As I have posted getting rid of the RFTs and installin Koni FSD shocks eliminated most (perhaps all) of the problem.

CA

Thanks - sounds like another viable option...

[raceyBMW]

I also looked on RealOEM, and it does indeed appear that the part numbers on the shocks/struts have been changed as of 06/10 (basically when the N55 came out).

Here (2011): http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...66&hg=31&fg=10
vs.
Here (2007): http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...66&hg=31&fg=10

and

Here (2011): http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...53&hg=33&fg=45
vs.
Here (2007): http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...53&hg=33&fg=45

[swifty]

Hey,
I previously had a 2008 e92 335i and currently drive a 2011 e92. Yes, the dampers have been changed to a new sachs model. No, it does not crash over potholes or dance around on curves when you go over bumps like my 2008 e92 used to. The difference is night and day (much more noticeable on my winters without runflats).

Also the revision to the dampers are strictly for the e92 only, from everything I have read.

[330maybe]

Originally Posted by swifty

Also the revision to the dampers are strictly for the e92 only, from everything I have read.

IF I'm reading realoem correctly the part numbers are the same for 2011 M-sport E90s and E92s. Compared to the E92 links above. Thanks!

2011 E90:

For vehicles with
M Sports suspension
S704A=Yes
01 LEFT FRONT SPRING STRUT SACHS 1 04/2010 31316796159
01 FRONT RIGHT SPRING STRUT SACHS 1 04/2010 31316796160

For vehicles with
M Sports suspension
S704A=Yes
01 Shock absorber, rear SACHS 2 04/2010 33526796161

[swifty]

^ that's good to know for all the 2011 e90 owners. I just went with what I read in edmunds last year and the sales guy said.

[hazkirby]

Originally Posted by I335

Looking at realoem the part numbers are different. Now the question is can the 2011 setup be bolted on a 2008?

Bringing up a thread from the dead but I'm looking an answer to this question?

I want to bolt on LCI struts, shocks and springs onto a PRE-LCI, any ideas anyone?

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by hazkirby

Bringing up a thread from the dead but I'm looking an answer to this question?

I want to bolt on LCI struts, shocks and springs onto a PRE-LCI, any ideas anyone?

All of the suspension parts between E90 non x-drive models are interchange able.
You can use the latest springs and shocks on your prelci car.

Got Sport suspension?
Be aware that BMW also ended up installing the non sport guide supports/upper strut mount on sport models in the later years. This pertains to the front suspension. In the beginning, the sport suspension model used a sport specific mount that was heavier and stronger and looked to have a firmer bushing in it. These mounts are easily recognizable by the bronze/blue/orange/gold color of the metal. This coloring comes from the heat treating that helped make the actual mount stronger, in addition to its more solid bushing.

I don't know if this was done to cut production costs or to improve ride quality. I can tell you body control was diminished on my 330i sport, when I mistakenly installed non sport front mounts. There was more vertical motion in the front suspension over bumps and irregularities. I installed the proper sport mounts and shock control was enhanced with no increase in road noise or harshness.

If you don't have sport package or are not concerned with a slight loss of shock control, this is a moot issue.

If you are taking the rear apart, do yourself a favor and install Dinan rear upper strut mounts ( or something similar, Monroe makes a cheaper alternative). The dinans cost $99 and increased ride quality at the rear on their own. The Monroe rear mounts are about $30 and are said to do the same thing. The Dinans made my rear very solid and stable. No more bounce, pogo, or hop at the rear as the car went over bumps, dips, or bad pavement. They increase rear suspension travel a bit and so offer a smoother ride back there. Money well spent.

[Gohan335i7]

hmmm...