E46 sportpack shocks- where to buy?

[hagu13]

My 2003 330d has just eaten a front shock.

So last weekend I bought new shocks and pulled the old ones out and discovered they are different. Turns out I have the sportpack. Also turns out I'm the only person in SA with a sportpack (yeah right), because Monroe say it will take 10 weeks to get replacements, and then realise 10 weeks takes us to the holiday so it will be mid January if I'm lucky.

So where can I get front shocks faster? I've looked on ebay and everything available is performance stuff or OEM with big price tags, plus major shipping cost on top.

I don't want megabucks racing suspension, I just want Mom's taxi to be safe. I'll even consider downgrading to non-sportpack but the car needs to ride level- maybe use the sport springs with a stock turret and get an upper spring retainer from a scrapyard?

On another note, somebody is stealing my wheel centre BMW badges one by one. Where can I get replacements?

 

[abmi0000]

Moranor from Axis (forum sponsor) can get any of the Koni offerings for your car. Don't waste your money on OEM which has a far more inferior lifespan. I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed in the least.

I just replaced my shocks with Koni FSD and I have never been happier with the ride quality. :thumbs:

 

[moranor@axis]

Koni STR.T are your best option they better than OEM and are very well priced for what you get

I have them for:
R 2900 front a Pair
R 1640 Rear a Pair

 

[abmi0000]

Koni STR.T are your best option they better than OEM and are very well priced for what you get

I have them for:
R 2900 front a Pair
R 1640 Rear a Pair

Talk of the devil.... :mmm:

 

[hagu13]

Hmmm...

That's only about R1000 more for the fronts than the Monroes which I can't get for 3 months anyway, and less than 1/2 the price of OEM.
The Monroes would have been good enough but currently I have zero damping on the left and I've got to do something quick.

Forgot to give part number- my front left is 3131 2 282 475- apparently the same as M3. Are your Konis the right replacement for this p/n?

 

[moranor@axis]

no way your front shock is the same as an M3 whoever told you that was trying to make some money off you :nonono:

the shocks i quoted on are the correct ones for your car dont worry about that

I sold the last front set in the country today though so there will be a 2-6 weeks wait on them...

 

[moranor@axis]

the correct part number is:
31312282459 Left
31312282460 Right

M3 numbers are:
31312283103 Left
31312283104 Right

 

[hagu13]

I got the M3 reference when I googled the part number. I was told its sportpack stuff by my local Midas, but now they say Monroe are confused by the part number.
Definitely not the same as the stock E46 shock- the necked down bit at the top of the inner is way longer and thicker on mine.

So what are mine then?

 

[moranor@axis]

the shocks i quoted you on are ideal for a lowered or sports pack e46

the koni Part numbers are:

Front
8750-1029L
8750-1029R

Rear
8050-1051

 

[Bayn46]

I've read through a few international forums on shock replacements for the E46. If you're not going Koni, Bilstein or OEM (for those with deep pockets), then you're going to have a bad time.

Spend the extra and buy something proper :thumbs:

When it comes time to replace mine, I'll be going with Koni.

 

[moranor@axis]

Bayn46 100% not one customer has come back to me and said he was not impressed with Koni :rollsmile:

 

[AdiS]

I've read through a few international forums on shock replacements for the E46. If you're not going Koni, Bilstein or OEM (for those with deep pockets), then you're going to have a bad time.

Spend the extra and buy something proper :thumbs:

When it comes time to replace mine, I'll be going with Koni.

+1 Definitely do not bother with gabriel and monroe.

 

[abmi0000]

Bayn46 100% not one customer has come back to me and said he was not impressed with Koni :rollsmile:

Even when the car shifted into 4x4 mode? :fencelook:

 

[moranor@axis]

Bayn46 100% not one customer has come back to me and said he was not impressed with Koni :rollsmile:

Even when the car shifted into 4x4 mode? :fencelook:

lol you the only one that has happened to :rollsmile:

 

[abmi0000]

Bayn46 100% not one customer has come back to me and said he was not impressed with Koni :rollsmile:

Even when the car shifted into 4x4 mode? :fencelook:

lol you the only one that has happened to :rollsmile:

Cos I use my shocks until they are DEAD. Get all my monies worth out of it. :rollsmile:

 

[moranor@axis]

i think you beat them a bit for good measure after they were dead also :rollsmile:

 

[abmi0000]

i think you beat them a bit for good measure after they were dead also :rollsmile:

Just ensuring that no one else gains from my loss :biglol:

 

[Legacy]

Another option is to go for Koni sport. I have these on my E46 sportspack and I ordered from Moranor. They are slightly cheaper than OEM and the quality is much better. Also they should last forever (according to Koni).

So buying "lifetime" shocks for about R5000 is kind of a bargain raise:

@Abmi: You should have gone sport as well, my car is 1-2 mm lower with the new shocks :fencelook:

 

[moranor@axis]

@Abmi: You should have gone sport as well, my car is 1-2 mm lower with the new shocks :fencelook:

I would watch that... this could mean the shocks are overpowering the springs because you have set them on full hard... you could end up riding your bump stops :roflol:

 

[abmi0000]

@Abmi: You should have gone sport as well, my car is 1-2 mm lower with the new shocks :fencelook:

The option was available at the time and it would have been cheaper but I wasn't keen on risking the drive quality, hence the option to go with the FSD.

There was just no telling what the OEM vs. Sport would feel like and I don't plan on ever slamming this car like I did to some of my previous rides. The FSD can still operate within its intended spec with a drop in the vicinity of 25-30mm so that option will always be available.

Btw, did you measure before and after cos I certainly won't be able to visually make out 1-2mm difference on a ride height