OEM vs Bilstein Front Strut Replacement

bdogk · 04-17-2023, 10:29 PM

I have to replace both my front struts due to a stripped thread on one of the struts.

The OEM EDC struts have P/N's 31-31-8-008-627 Left and 31-31-8-008-628 Right are very expensive. But a few suppliers also list Bilstein B6 struts (also EDC) as exact OEM replacements, and they are considerably cheaper.

Anyone have experience with the Bilstein B6 replacements and can confirm that they're same replacement for F82 M4's as well?

I'm also looking for other Bilstein suppliers in US that may have stock. Please PM me if you can help me locate alternative suppliers.

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medphysdave · 04-17-2023, 10:43 PM

I don't know if I would mix and match the B6 front with stock rear. Not saying it will be bad, but not saying it won't mess with the cars balance.

bdogk · 04-17-2023, 10:58 PM

I agree with you re mix and match. Unfortunately, and at this time, I need to obtain the front strut replacement first. So any recommendation on Bilstein suppliers appreciated.

medphysdave · 04-17-2023, 11:03 PM

Litchfield and evolve both have a Bilstein kit geared towards the CS. Not sure if evolve is for the M2CS.

bdogk · 04-17-2023, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medphysdave

Litchfield and evolve both have a Bilstein kit geared towards the CS. Not sure if evolve is for the M2CS.

Thanks. I've reached out to them both.

Reddevils7 · 04-18-2023, 09:25 AM

I reached out to Litchfield myself but never heard back. Can you post what evolve says? I was thinking about getting their Bilstein custom dampers with the mss has kit

CSBM5 · 04-18-2023, 10:07 AM

Not too bad for the OE parts from bmwpartsworldwide site (Zeigler BMW) at $716 USD each.

https://www.bmwpartsworldwide.com/oe...ut-31318008628
https://www.bmwpartsworldwide.com/oe...ut-31318008627

medphysdave · 04-18-2023, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reddevils7

I reached out to Litchfield myself but never heard back. Can you post what evolve says? I was thinking about getting their Bilstein custom dampers with the mss has kit

The pathways in consideration for me when the time comes are the Evolve EDC solution with MSS springs or the OG Shark coilovers tuned for the M2 platform.

I'm starting rethink how far I want to take the CS. If I wanted to create a more focused track car I think starting with the C is a better option. With the CS I might eventually add front brakes and then call it a day. If I don't start doing more track days I'll leave it alone and just have fun with the stock system while running better tires and pads.

KevinC · 04-18-2023, 04:47 PM

Imran @ Evolve could probably answer this question. He lurks here occasionally too.

FaRKle! · 04-18-2023, 07:58 PM

I wouldn't mix/match either. Those B6 damptronic won't match the OE damper curves.

medphysdave · 04-18-2023, 10:48 PM

Hopefully Imran chimes in. I'm guessing they got their valving to match well with the stock dampers logic, and then paired a custom spring rate to the dampers.

I'd like to here the pros/cons of a matched EDC shock/springs to a set of coilovers. My brain is telling me that there should be a similar outcome, but I have no experience, but it all surrounds how heavy of a spring rate you want to use.

Reddevils7 · 04-19-2023, 08:03 AM

Imran@Evolve help a brother out please

Golden3ye · 04-19-2023, 08:37 AM

Imran imran imran

I thought if you said his name three times in a row it would summon him

bdogk · 04-19-2023, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reddevils7

I reached out to Litchfield myself but never heard back. Can you post what evolve says? I was thinking about getting their Bilstein custom dampers with the mss has kit

I reached out to Evolve and they've been most helpful. Unfortunately, their prices are considerably higher due to shipping. I guess I just have to wait patiently to have them in stock on this side of the pond.

BTW, Evolve also pointed me to some of Imran's YouTube videos on the B6 they put on their M4's. They also have their own revalved version, but again, at a much higher price.

Reddevils7 · 04-19-2023, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdogk

I reached out to Evolve and they've been most helpful. Unfortunately, their prices are considerably higher due to shipping. I guess I just have to wait patiently to have them in stock on this side of the pond.

BTW, Evolve also pointed me to some of Imran's YouTube videos on the B6 they put on their M4's. They also have their own revalved version, but again, at a much higher price.

How much?

bdogk · 04-19-2023, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reddevils7

How much?

https://www.evolvetuning.us/evolve-d...82-f83-m4.html

Reddevils7 · 04-19-2023, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdogk

https://www.evolvetuning.us/evolve-d...82-f83-m4.html

Yeah that is kinda pricey just for the dampers. Still cheaper than a full set of OEM edc dampers though that are on sale at $700 each lol. I remember I bought a full set of Bilstein b16 edc for my f82 for $3k shipped. I think that was from EAS if I remember correctly. It was a few years ago

medphysdave · 04-20-2023, 12:20 AM

It looks like the Litchfield solution is $3k and uses a B16 modified? with their custom M2 springs.

Evolve uses a solution that is $3900 and uses a modified B6? with the MSS custom springs.

I have no clue how to tell what would be better.

04-17-2023, 10:29 PM	#1
bdogk First Lieutenant 300 Rep 357 Posts Drives: M2CS,M4GTS,'21-X3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	OEM vs Bilstein Front Strut Replacement I have to replace both my front struts due to a stripped thread on one of the struts. The OEM EDC struts have P/N's 31-31-8-008-627 Left and 31-31-8-008-628 Right are very expensive. But a few suppliers also list Bilstein B6 struts (also EDC) as exact OEM replacements, and they are considerably cheaper. Anyone have experience with the Bilstein B6 replacements and can confirm that they're same replacement for F82 M4's as well? I'm also looking for other Bilstein suppliers in US that may have stock. Please PM me if you can help me locate alternative suppliers. [ATTACH][/ATTACH] Attached Images
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04-17-2023, 10:43 PM	#2
medphysdave Brigadier General 4560 Rep 4,672 Posts Drives: M2 CS \| 85 of 592 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (3)	I don't know if I would mix and match the B6 front with stock rear. Not saying it will be bad, but not saying it won't mess with the cars balance.
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04-17-2023, 10:58 PM	#3
bdogk First Lieutenant 300 Rep 357 Posts Drives: M2CS,M4GTS,'21-X3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I agree with you re mix and match. Unfortunately, and at this time, I need to obtain the front strut replacement first. So any recommendation on Bilstein suppliers appreciated.
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04-17-2023, 11:03 PM	#4
medphysdave Brigadier General 4560 Rep 4,672 Posts Drives: M2 CS \| 85 of 592 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (3)	Litchfield and evolve both have a Bilstein kit geared towards the CS. Not sure if evolve is for the M2CS.
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04-18-2023, 09:25 AM	#6
Reddevils7 Captain 981 Rep 858 Posts Drives: F87 M2CS Join Date: May 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E92 M3 [7.83] 2020 F87 M2CS [7.13]	I reached out to Litchfield myself but never heard back. Can you post what evolve says? I was thinking about getting their Bilstein custom dampers with the mss has kit __________________ MY18 F82 M4 Austin Yellow / Black / DCT / MPE
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04-18-2023, 10:07 AM	#7
CSBM5 Brigadier General 2723 Rep 3,337 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Comp, 2011 M3, etc Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (2)	Not too bad for the OE parts from bmwpartsworldwide site (Zeigler BMW) at $716 USD each. https://www.bmwpartsworldwide.com/oe...ut-31318008628 https://www.bmwpartsworldwide.com/oe...ut-31318008627 __________________ Current Stable: 2024 G20 M340i Melbourne Red/Cognac 2019 F87 M2 Competition 6MT, LBB, slicktop, exec pkg 2007 E91 328i Silver, slushbox, Eibach fr/E93 M3 rear sway bars, ARC-8
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04-18-2023, 04:47 PM	#9
KevinC your average JAMF 3101 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Imran @ Evolve could probably answer this question. He lurks here occasionally too.
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04-18-2023, 07:58 PM	#10
FaRKle! Brigadier General 4016 Rep 3,540 Posts Drives: 328d Wagon, M2 Comp, i4 eD35 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 eDrive 35 [0.00] 2017 BMW 328dx Wagon [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	I wouldn't mix/match either. Those B6 damptronic won't match the OE damper curves. __________________ -328d Wagon Build Log (with helpful reference links) -My YouTube Channel for some of the best DIYs and in depth information Please don't PM me for suspension recommendations unless interested in paid private consultations.
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04-18-2023, 10:48 PM	#11
medphysdave Brigadier General 4560 Rep 4,672 Posts Drives: M2 CS \| 85 of 592 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (3)	Hopefully Imran chimes in. I'm guessing they got their valving to match well with the stock dampers logic, and then paired a custom spring rate to the dampers. I'd like to here the pros/cons of a matched EDC shock/springs to a set of coilovers. My brain is telling me that there should be a similar outcome, but I have no experience, but it all surrounds how heavy of a spring rate you want to use.
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04-19-2023, 08:03 AM	#12
Reddevils7 Captain 981 Rep 858 Posts Drives: F87 M2CS Join Date: May 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E92 M3 [7.83] 2020 F87 M2CS [7.13]	Imran@Evolve help a brother out please __________________ MY18 F82 M4 Austin Yellow / Black / DCT / MPE
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04-19-2023, 08:37 AM	#13
Golden3ye Lieutenant 499 Rep 569 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M2 CS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	Imran imran imran I thought if you said his name three times in a row it would summon him
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04-20-2023, 12:20 AM	#18
medphysdave Brigadier General 4560 Rep 4,672 Posts Drives: M2 CS \| 85 of 592 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (3)	It looks like the Litchfield solution is $3k and uses a B16 modified? with their custom M2 springs. Evolve uses a solution that is $3900 and uses a modified B6? with the MSS custom springs. I have no clue how to tell what would be better. __________________
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