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Koni or Bilstein HD for OEM Replacement

22K views 68 replies 24 participants last post by  Bostonaudi 
#1 ·
What is the consensus on the best OEM replacement shock for the M5? I have read in some forum posts that the Bilstein B6 HD shock is far too stiff and has bad ride quality while others say it is great. I am looking for the most economical OEM replacement and do not care about performance just want OEM ride quality. The Bilsteins are significantly cheaper than the Konis. Looking for some real world experience with either of these brands. I do not want the car "to ride on rails" and will be keeping the OEM springs.

What is the best setting on the Koni Adjustable for the M5?
 
#5 · (Edited)
Konis can be a tad more firm, but it really depends on the settings.

I run a bit more than 3/4 turn from full soft, (which is kind of on the firm side in terms of ride). Most people find 1/2 turn from full soft to be the "OEM like" equivalent, which I have noted in friends cars.
 
#6 ·
Based on all my searching, the Koni's were the more forgiving ride and was closer to stock depending on the settings. Bilsteins were stiffer and harsher.

I personally opted for the Koni's and I like the ride so far. Anything stiffer would be rather brutal in my area where the roads are really terrible.
 
#10 · (Edited)
At least on other chassis (e36/e46/e9x), the only difference between sport and HD is the amount of droop they allow-- no increase in compression travel or spring perch location.

At least on those chassis, the purpose of the "sport" shock is to decrease droop so "sport" springs (aftermarket lowering springs) stay seated when the suspension is in full droop. No change in valving, no shortened shock body/increased travel.
 
#12 ·
being the stock struts will cost twice what a set of bilsteins do i doubt many people would go back to stock, plus you absolutely cannot kill a bilstein strut under normal use.

per bilstein the sports should be used with the stock springs but having test fit a set of springs on them i would go with the hd's. there supposedly is no difference in valving just the travel of the strut. as for the perch setting just clip a coil off the top the stock spring.
 
#13 · (Edited)
I went back to stock with new struts and uppers, I was on GC set up before and found it too harsh. I would consider Dinan set up or possibly new air system.
 
#14 · (Edited)
If you're looking for OE ride quality then search for best price on OE shocks. I recently rebuilt my suspension all the way 'round and went with Bilstein PSS coilovers. I'm not a track driver but am very happy with the ride/drive of my car. Pictures shown are LR and LF finished. Note ride height is adjustable, but not the ride setting. For this feature you'd need the PSS9 set - much more expensive.
 

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#15 ·
i had the konis on stock springs car handled nyc driving very comfortably how ever i love my kws
 
#16 ·
I had the Dinan setup on another E39 M5 before. The Dinan springs definitely stiffened the suspension compared to stock. The lowering was a little brutal on the bad roads I have here. I greatly prefer my current setup with Koni Sports and stock springs for road driving.

I've also driven an E39 with Bilstein Sports and sport springs. It was very stiff and harsh. I could see it being better on the track, but for road driving, it was uncomfortable and car would bottom out on really rough patches.
 
#18 ·
If you want OEM ride, get the oEM shocks. I have billy b8s, in one word, they're "Harsh", but you forget all about it at the first corner!
 
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#20 ·
You buy my almost new OEM and Ill buy Dinan.
 
#21 · (Edited)
I have konis with stock springs, and it's quite comfortable-- perhaps more comfortable than stock/stock.

My M5 is 90% highway, 9% boring roads, 1% fun roads (when I accidentally stumble upon one), and 0% track, so comfort and reliability were top priorities for me (M3 handles the the fun roads and track). The bilsteins are probably the most reliable shock made, full stop, but the Konis still last a lot longer than stock (and have a lifetime warranty). IF there was a proper Bilstein application for this car, I'd be more tempted. I've been talking with FatCat motorsports about having them develop a set for the chassis. I would like it to consist of adding a spring perch at the stock height, increasing bump travel (shortening and stiffening the bump stop), and revalving to properly match the cars weight/springs.

But, with what's currently on the market, it's hard to beat koni yellows with stock springs for a DD (IMO). Rides well, handles well for a 4000 lb car that rides well.
 
#22 ·
I'm at 63k miles and plan to do a refresh in the spring. I was all ready to go with Bilsteins on stock springs, till reading about the issues with the spring perch heights and ride height being affected. I'll go Koni instead, when their next annual sale rolls around.

I'd gladly go OE but the OE parts are hideously expensive, and Sachs (or whomever the OEM was) doesn't seem to sell them cheaper with non-BMW part number, as is the case with many other OE-equivalent parts.
 
#29 ·
+1

I used to see KONI advertised lower and basically on sale almost every month. I was able to get mine from Bavauto for just a hair over $700 (but this was 2 years ago). At the time that was a pretty typical price, if not a bit on the lower side, but the same as what Tirerack offered.
 
#32 ·
The sport and hd are the same stiffness and max bump travel, just different amounts of allowable droop.

The spring perch on the bilstein is too high for the M5, and the bump travel is... insufficient, imo. Not being specced for it is not an automatic deal breaker, but not having the spring mount in the correct location or having enough bump travel for M5 ride heights is.
 
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