EDC Shock life?

midlifecrisis · 03-26-2013, 04:53 AM

My '08 E90 has 55,000 miles on it and I'm thinking of doing a suspension, but has anyone replaced the EDC shocks with new stock EDC units? How many miles did the car have on it and did you notice a difference?

It seems like my suspension has picked up some impact harshness that it didn't have when new. I'd like to keep EDC but I'm wondering whether it's worth replacing the shocks at this point. I hear they're very expensive.

j2m · 03-26-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

My '08 E90 has 55,000 miles on it and I'm thinking of doing a suspension, but has anyone replaced the EDC shocks with new stock EDC units? How many miles did the car have on it and did you notice a difference?

It seems like my suspension has picked up some impact harshness that it didn't have when new. I'd like to keep EDC but I'm wondering whether it's worth replacing the shocks at this point. I hear they're very expensive.

I think you are far better off upgrading to a coilover. If you are going to spend the cash you may as well upgrade your suspension.
KW has the ECU/DDC (V3 spec'd) coilovers that are adjustable with the push of a button from the cabin. Apparently the "comfort mode" is just as comfortable as the EDC comfort mode setting.
I just bought a set and can let you know after the install.
If you are set on OEM, I'd find a used set and save some $$$. I may be selling my OEM ZCP suspension after the install, I have 7,500 miles on my car.

midlifecrisis · 03-26-2013, 11:15 AM

I know that's an option, thanks. I'm specifically looking for someone who has replaced the EDC shocks with new stock units, whether they noticed a difference, how many miles the car had on it, and what the cost was.

mlhj83 · 03-26-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2m

I think you are far better off upgrading to a coilover. If you are going to spend the cash you may as well upgrade your suspension.
KW has the ECU/DDC (V3 spec'd) coilovers that are adjustable with the push of a button from the cabin. Apparently the "comfort mode" is just as comfortable as the EDC comfort mode setting.
I just bought a set and can let you know after the install.
If you are set on OEM, I'd find a used set and save some $$$. I may be selling my OEM ZCP suspension after the install, I have 7,500 miles on my car.

The KW DDC system is less sophisticated than M3's EDC. DDC is a passive system whilst EDC is active i.e. DDC's selected damper setting remains constant regardless of driving condition, while EDC is continuously variable (based on 3 accelerometers and steering angle).

The only benefit DDC gives over EDC is the ability to adjust ride height for aesthetics, corner balancing, and to lower the centre of gravity. I personally prefer EDC's more sophisticated damping system.

If one were to truly upgrade the suspension to something with more sophisticated damping, KW Clubsport 3-way would be a good starting point.

OP, I'm fairly certain, given the age of the car and the mileage, the dampers, bushes and mounts would have deteriorated noticeably. Choice is yours as to whether you want OEM or aftermarket. See www.realoem.com for prices.

thekurgan · 03-26-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

I know that's an option, thanks. I'm specifically looking for someone who has replaced the EDC shocks with new stock units, whether they noticed a difference, how many miles the car had on it, and what the cost was.

I haven't replaced mine, but my local indy shop has replaced some units that failed around 80k miles, but it was a Bay area car, where the roads are worse than where I live. realoem.com shows the prices for the units, the rest is labor I would expect, unless you have to replace the RSMs at the same time (probably recommended), or any bushings.

mlhj83 · 03-26-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lute

Rule of thumb is to replace dampers anywhere from 50K-75K miles, depending on their condition

This

mlhj83 · 03-26-2013, 02:24 PM

Here's a thread I started a while ago. Should help you.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=678077

M3PO · 03-26-2013, 03:10 PM

Hmmm, mine seem fine and I have 59K on them (18K miles all the way down on KW SO kit). If I replace them in the time that I own the car, it will be with KW Clubsports.

gatorfast · 03-26-2013, 03:21 PM

60k+ on mine and it still rides great.

marksae · 03-26-2013, 03:28 PM

My front driver side EDC shock was leaking at ~30k miles, when I installed my sleeve over kit. The suspension never felt right w/ the leaky strut, so I ended up upgrading to V3 coilovers.

radorotrex · 03-26-2013, 04:17 PM

I have a 2008 with approx. 54,000miles and also looking to replace my suspension setup while keeping my EDC. I looked into the ZCP suspension and cost for parts along for springs and struts was about $2200. That didn't include labour and the ZCP flash. I want to stay OEM but want a little more aggressiveness which I find the ZCP would fit this bill. I don't track but still like to push it at times so I think it would be a good balance.

I bought this car used 2 years ago with 36,000miles and can't really do a comparison of how it felt when it was new but it still feels the same as when I first got it. I got it for a great price so I plan on keeping it for a while. I want to start replacing wear items on it and suspension and brakes are first on my list. I just did the clutch a month ago.

Richbot · 03-26-2013, 04:19 PM

More impact harshness is as likely to be bushings as dampers

e92M3C · 03-26-2013, 05:19 PM

I have a set of fairly mint 10K miles E90 full ZCP EDC suspension for sale if anyone's interested.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753166

sensi09 · 03-26-2013, 05:42 PM

Can the shocks be rebuilt? Any info on who the supplier is for the EDC shocks.

Per other threads, other users have ~80K miles and have been lowered for a large portion of those miles and their shocks still seem to be fine.

Switching to coilovers seems like the obvious route, but many aren't interested in a harsher or lower ride.

FogCityM3 · 03-26-2013, 06:35 PM

The EDC shocks are not that robust...had mine replaced under warranty at 13k miles. San Francisco roads were likely the culprit, with all the construction going on.

MaxL · 03-28-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhabs

The EDC shocks are not that robust...had mine replaced under warranty at 13k miles. San Francisco roads were likely the culprit, with all the construction going on.

How did you know they were done?

FogCityM3 · 03-28-2013, 12:00 PM

I didn't actually; the dealer noticed a noise coming from the suspension link when I turned the wheel (I complained about power steering motor noise, which actually was unrelated to the struts), and told me the struts had to be replaced. It was only after replacement that the car felt more solid/less "springy"/bouncy. The deterioration must have not been sudden, because I don't think I would have noticed on regular roads if they hadn't said anything (I had not tracked the car up to that point yet). My suggestion would be to get them inspected.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxL

How did you know they were done?

midlifecrisis · 03-28-2013, 05:43 PM

I pulled the trigger on Dinan Stage 3 this afternoon. I'll leave the original shocks for now. The EDC shocks are ridiculously expensive at $800+ each ($632 at realoem.com), so I'm leaving the originals on for now. It should be installed in a couple of weeks. I'll update - thanks for the input.

03-26-2013, 04:53 AM	#1
midlifecrisis Major 804 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 35d, 2019 230i X Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	EDC Shock life? My '08 E90 has 55,000 miles on it and I'm thinking of doing a suspension, but has anyone replaced the EDC shocks with new stock EDC units? How many miles did the car have on it and did you notice a difference? It seems like my suspension has picked up some impact harshness that it didn't have when new. I'd like to keep EDC but I'm wondering whether it's worth replacing the shocks at this point. I hear they're very expensive. __________________ 2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017) 2019 230i X-drive 2022 M3 base 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
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03-26-2013, 11:15 AM	#3
midlifecrisis Major 804 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 35d, 2019 230i X Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I know that's an option, thanks. I'm specifically looking for someone who has replaced the EDC shocks with new stock units, whether they noticed a difference, how many miles the car had on it, and what the cost was. __________________ 2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017) 2019 230i X-drive 2022 M3 base 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
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03-26-2013, 02:24 PM	#7
mlhj83 Scythe-Meister 90 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 ZCP \| F80 M3 CS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Here's a thread I started a while ago. Should help you. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=678077
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03-26-2013, 03:10 PM	#8
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	Hmmm, mine seem fine and I have 59K on them (18K miles all the way down on KW SO kit). If I replace them in the time that I own the car, it will be with KW Clubsports. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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03-26-2013, 03:21 PM	#9
gatorfast Major General 4992 Rep 6,860 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	60k+ on mine and it still rides great.
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03-26-2013, 03:28 PM	#10
marksae First Lieutenant 36 Rep 368 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (6)	My front driver side EDC shock was leaking at ~30k miles, when I installed my sleeve over kit. The suspension never felt right w/ the leaky strut, so I ended up upgrading to V3 coilovers. __________________ 04 E46 M3 6MT - AW / Cinn 93 FD RX-7 Base Manual - BB / Blk IG: @gearheadtwins
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03-26-2013, 04:17 PM	#11
radorotrex Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 09 135i Cabrio / 08 M3 Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (1)	I have a 2008 with approx. 54,000miles and also looking to replace my suspension setup while keeping my EDC. I looked into the ZCP suspension and cost for parts along for springs and struts was about $2200. That didn't include labour and the ZCP flash. I want to stay OEM but want a little more aggressiveness which I find the ZCP would fit this bill. I don't track but still like to push it at times so I think it would be a good balance. I bought this car used 2 years ago with 36,000miles and can't really do a comparison of how it felt when it was new but it still feels the same as when I first got it. I got it for a great price so I plan on keeping it for a while. I want to start replacing wear items on it and suspension and brakes are first on my list. I just did the clutch a month ago.
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03-26-2013, 04:19 PM	#12
Richbot Major General 2759 Rep 5,484 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	More impact harshness is as likely to be bushings as dampers __________________
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03-26-2013, 05:19 PM	#13
e92M3C First Lieutenant 31 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Taipei City iTrader: (15)	I have a set of fairly mint 10K miles E90 full ZCP EDC suspension for sale if anyone's interested. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753166
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03-26-2013, 05:42 PM	#14
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	Can the shocks be rebuilt? Any info on who the supplier is for the EDC shocks. Per other threads, other users have ~80K miles and have been lowered for a large portion of those miles and their shocks still seem to be fine. Switching to coilovers seems like the obvious route, but many aren't interested in a harsher or lower ride. Last edited by sensi09; 03-26-2013 at 06:58 PM..
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03-26-2013, 06:35 PM	#15
FogCityM3 Colonel 499 Rep 2,400 Posts Drives: M3 (E90) & Porsche GT3 RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	The EDC shocks are not that robust...had mine replaced under warranty at 13k miles. San Francisco roads were likely the culprit, with all the construction going on.
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03-28-2013, 05:43 PM	#18
midlifecrisis Major 804 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 35d, 2019 230i X Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I pulled the trigger on Dinan Stage 3 this afternoon. I'll leave the original shocks for now. The EDC shocks are ridiculously expensive at $800+ each ($632 at realoem.com), so I'm leaving the originals on for now. It should be installed in a couple of weeks. I'll update - thanks for the input. __________________ 2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017) 2019 230i X-drive 2022 M3 base 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
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