shocking decision time

[WAKman]

The EDC shocks on my car, an 08, have never worked right since I've owned the car. The switch has had no effect at all on dampening, which I would describe as firm, but absolutely fine. My understanding is that the default failure mode for the factory dampers is full stiff, but these are not harsh at all. And I've never had any lights or EDC warning codes; the dampers just don't adjust. As a don't-fix-it-if-it-ain't-broke guy, I've left things alone, until now.

This past week I did a ton of maintenance and repairs to the car, and had a look at the shocks, expecting to see that they had been replaced. Nope--they are OE, dated March of 2008 all around. Frankly, I was . . . well, I won't say shocked, but sort of surprised that they were original--I figured they'd been replaced, but had never checked. They don't feel like worn out dampers, even with 113K miles on them. The car has been decently maintained and gently used, only being on track once during my ownership. Still, though, pretty good service from the OE units.

Of course, now that I know the shocks are original I'm starting to think that gosh, the car could ride better, and maybe the damping is a bit less controlled than it should be . . . you can see where this is going.
So now I'm thinking about what to do next. OEM are probably not happening-- the factory EDC dampers are, by consensus, expensive and not worth it. I like the looks and reviews of the Ohlins R&Ts, but they are spendy, and, since I don't track the car, I don't really need the adjustment.

Oh well, I guess it's time to look through the dozens of coilover threads.

[Wally1552]

Originally Posted by WAKman

The EDC shocks on my car, an 08, have never worked right since I've owned the car. The switch has had no effect at all on dampening, which I would describe as firm, but absolutely fine. My understanding is that the default failure mode for the factory dampers is full stiff, but these are not harsh at all. And I've never had any lights or EDC warning codes; the dampers just don't adjust. As a don't-fix-it-if-it-ain't-broke guy, I've left things alone, until now.

This past week I did a ton of maintenance and repairs to the car, and had a look at the shocks, expecting to see that they had been replaced. Nope--they are OE, dated March of 2008 all around. Frankly, I was . . . well, I won't say shocked, but sort of surprised that they were original--I figured they'd been replaced, but had never checked. They don't feel like worn out dampers, even with 113K miles on them. The car has been decently maintained and gently used, only being on track once during my ownership. Still, though, pretty good service from the OE units.

Of course, now that I know the shocks are original I'm starting to think that gosh, the car could ride better, and maybe the damping is a bit less controlled than it should be . . . you can see where this is going.
So now I'm thinking about what to do next. OEM are probably not happening-- the factory EDC dampers are, by consensus, expensive and not worth it. I like the looks and reviews of the Ohlins R&Ts, but they are spendy, and, since I don't track the car, I don't really need the adjustment.

Oh well, I guess it's time to look through the dozens of coilover threads.

KW V1 may fit your needs

[decimation1]

I did KW Clubsports and I am very happy with them.

[tdott]

Mine had around 90k when removed and the difference in sport vs comfort was still noticable.

Removed for a set of coilovers since I planned to track and autox

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by WAKman

OEM are probably not happening-- the factory EDC dampers are, by consensus, expensive and not worth it. I like the looks and reviews of the Ohlins R&Ts, but they are spendy, and, since I don't track the car, I don't really need the adjustment.
\

I would replace it with OEM ZCP EDC shocks and code ZCP to your car, or get it coded.

I've owned and still own lots of really expensive suspensions. My street M3 has... ZCP EDC suspension.

Generally I am surprised when I read about people's comments of the OEM EDC suspension and how they can detect rebound issues driving around on the street... sometimes I wonder how it's possible I've tracked OEM EDC suspensions pretty extensively without issues yet others feel that the suspension must be upgraded to go buy bread in the morning. Perhaps I should hire one of these people to set up my MCS 3W suspension.

For absolutely sure I would never put a coilover on something that doesn't go to the track. Rebuilds every 30k miles? You'd have to shoot me first.

If the OEM EDC is too expensive I'd drop it down a notch and then option B would be to lose EDC and go to Bilstein B12 suspension. Eibach springs, B8 dampers... a very oem-like solution. Besides using them on my E46M3 for 100k miles and two 330Cis (one of which I still own 14 years later) and my X5, two friends have mounted them on their E9X M3s to the same predictable results: all out excellence. I've driven their cars on the street and on the track and the suspension handles great

To sum up:
OEM ZCP
Bilstein damptronic (EDC compatible)
Bilstein B12 (code out the EDC)

[akkando]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

For absolutely sure I would never put a coilover on something that doesn't go to the track. Rebuilds every 30k miles? You'd have to shoot me first.

This is why I don't have ohlins on my cars.

[PTRAN]

How much is the average full OEM ZCP suspension refresh (parts and labor)?

[SYT_Shadow]

Labor will be similar for any suspension setup

The ZCP shocks seem to be 385 each for the fronts and 478 each rear. Plus whatever the springs cost or you pair them with Eibachs or something.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/M3...t=6&b=9&d=1033

So, $1700 for the shocks.

[jvictormp]

What about non-EDC OEM?

[tdott]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

What about non-EDC OEM?

At that point you might as well go with Bilstein B12s.

[M_Chronos]

Originally Posted by akkando

This is why I don't have ohlins on my cars.

To be clear, Ohlins are not going to stop working more or less than any other shock if not rebuilt at these intervals. This is the suggested interval based on refreshing valves and seals to keep the shocks working as new. Any shock degrades over time, Ohlins is giving you their recommended refresh interval. I know plenty of people with many tens of thousands of miles beyond the rebuild interval that are just fine. Has the performance degraded? Sure, quite likely. Is the car bouncing around like a low rider and/or wheels falling off? No. I think anyone avoiding Ohlins because of the maintenance interval are missing out on some great shocks and ignoring the fact that other brands face the same decrease and performance and may be much more difficult to rebuild if at all. So to keep as new performance as they age you'd be facing a scrap and buy new scenario. Just food for thought.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

What about non-EDC OEM?

I had OEM non-EDC on my E90 before it went to MCS 3 way. They work great, they're tuned at a goldilocks setting similar to the B12 kit.

[Hoosier_M3]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I would replace it with OEM ZCP EDC shocks and code ZCP to your car, or get it coded.

I've owned and still own lots of really expensive suspensions. My street M3 has... ZCP EDC suspension.

Generally I am surprised when I read about people's comments of the OEM EDC suspension and how they can detect rebound issues driving around on the street... sometimes I wonder how it's possible I've tracked OEM EDC suspensions pretty extensively without issues yet others feel that the suspension must be upgraded to go buy bread in the morning. Perhaps I should hire one of these people to set up my MCS 3W suspension.

For absolutely sure I would never put a coilover on something that doesn't go to the track. Rebuilds every 30k miles? You'd have to shoot me first.

If the OEM EDC is too expensive I'd drop it down a notch and then option B would be to lose EDC and go to Bilstein B12 suspension. Eibach springs, B8 dampers... a very oem-like solution. Besides using them on my E46M3 for 100k miles and two 330Cis (one of which I still own 14 years later) and my X5, two friends have mounted them on their E9X M3s to the same predictable results: all out excellence. I've driven their cars on the street and on the track and the suspension handles great

To sum up:
OEM ZCP
Bilstein damptronic (EDC compatible)
Bilstein B12 (code out the EDC)

This is excellent advice from someone that knows a lot more than I do. If I was setting up another M3 for the road I would go with OEM ZCP + Eibach springs to take out some of the wheel gap (personal preference for me, not sure if you're wanting to go any lower). I ran this setup for almost 2 years.... handling great, ride great, drop great, ground clearance tolerable and "rebound issues" nonexistent.

[WAKman]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Labor will be similar for any suspension setup

The ZCP shocks seem to be 385 each for the fronts and 478 each rear. Plus whatever the springs cost or you pair them with Eibachs or something.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/M3...t=6&b=9&d=1033

So, $1700 for the shocks.

Can you tell me where you are seeing those prices? FCP Euro currently shows the fronts at $865 each and the rears at $478 each, which would bring the total for the shocks to $2686. Fortunately, I can do the installation myself.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by WAKman

Can you tell me where you are seeing those prices? FCP Euro currently shows the fronts at $865 each and the rears at $478 each, which would bring the total for the shocks to $2686. Fortunately, I can do the installation myself.

This is the front shock, I think:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ut-31312284011
$384

This is the rear, I think:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...m3-33522284311

ECS has similar prices:
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3...ension/Shocks/



Then there are other really cheap options like the B4 OE replacement that's $446
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...t/19-214320kt/

Here is the B6 for $704
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...t/24-143349kt/
which you'd pair with Eibach springs to create the B12 kit

Or just get the B12 kit for 889
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...wE#description

[Shrike360]

Will also point out the Bilstein B6 EDC shocks are FINALLY back in stock in a lot of places. They are about the same price as a set of fresh OE EDC dampers if the price is reasonable to you. I will probably combine those with some swift (or maybe Eibach) springs and Dinan camber plates when I get a little more mileage on my car.

[ghassanm3]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I would replace it with OEM ZCP EDC shocks and code ZCP to your car, or get it coded.

I've owned and still own lots of really expensive suspensions. My street M3 has... ZCP EDC suspension.

Generally I am surprised when I read about people's comments of the OEM EDC suspension and how they can detect rebound issues driving around on the street... sometimes I wonder how it's possible I've tracked OEM EDC suspensions pretty extensively without issues yet others feel that the suspension must be upgraded to go buy bread in the morning. Perhaps I should hire one of these people to set up my MCS 3W suspension.

For absolutely sure I would never put a coilover on something that doesn't go to the track. Rebuilds every 30k miles? You'd have to shoot me first.

If the OEM EDC is too expensive I'd drop it down a notch and then option B would be to lose EDC and go to Bilstein B12 suspension. Eibach springs, B8 dampers... a very oem-like solution. Besides using them on my E46M3 for 100k miles and two 330Cis (one of which I still own 14 years later) and my X5, two friends have mounted them on their E9X M3s to the same predictable results: all out excellence. I've driven their cars on the street and on the track and the suspension handles great

To sum up:
OEM ZCP
Bilstein damptronic (EDC compatible)
Bilstein B12 (code out the EDC)

I also am looking to refresh my suspension. I dont ever plan on taking the car to the track. So I think I might just go with Bilstein Damptronic, B6 or B8 (still not sure what the difference is yet) or, as you noted, the ZCP EDC. Will the ZCP work on my 08 M3?

[JackieChiles]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Labor will be similar for any suspension setup

The ZCP shocks seem to be 385 each for the fronts and 478 each rear. Plus whatever the springs cost or you pair them with Eibachs or something.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/M3...t=6&b=9&d=1033

So, $1700 for the shocks.

I like this advice for the most part, but having had both eibach and oem zcp springs on a zcp retrofit with Zcp shocks, is definitely go with the oem zcp springs.

Usually with enough time you can find someone reselling them on the forums.

Personally I thought the eibach affected the ride noticeably and rode notably worse than zcp springs while not handling any better.

I’d go oem or bilstein shocks with comp pack springs.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

I also am looking to refresh my suspension. I dont ever plan on taking the car to the track. So I think I might just go with Bilstein Damptronic, B6 or B8 (still not sure what the difference is yet) or, as you noted, the ZCP EDC. Will the ZCP work on my 08 M3?

If your car has edc it can be coded to zcp edc

[ghassanm3]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

If your car has edc it can be coded to zcp edc

Great! Thanks for the advice. What springs would you go with along with the ZCP EDC?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by ghassanm3

Great! Thanks for the advice. What springs would you go with along with the ZCP EDC?

I would do a full ZCP conversion, so I'd use ZCP springs.


The front isn't that low but it's probably the best handling combination.

[W12x]

ZCP EDC here
The two options I have been considering are:
1. OEM non-EDC
2. Ohlins RT

Sure you hear Ohlins need rebuild, but there are also stories about KW leaking, etc. Just my opinion tho.