[JJS]

G'day folks.

This might sound like a 'how-long-is-a-piece-of-string' question, but generally how long can I expect the adaptive shock absorbers to last under normal conditions (sealed and smooth roads, no racetrack work). I'm accustomed to Japanese shocks going off as early as 40,000km and I've invariably changed to Konis or Bilsteins aftermarkets. They seem far more durable. Are BMW shock absorbers made with longevity in mind? I can't imagine they will be cheap to replace …

Thanks in advance.

[M3AWD]

Whatever that number is, I'll take it and divide by two since I'm running H&R Sport Springs

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by JJS

G'day folks.

This might sound like a 'how-long-is-a-piece-of-string' question, but generally how long can I expect the adaptive shock absorbers to last under normal conditions (sealed and smooth roads, no racetrack work). I'm accustomed to Japanese shocks going off as early as 40,000km and I've invariably changed to Konis or Bilsteins aftermarkets. They seem far more durable. Are BMW shock absorbers made with longevity in mind? I can't imagine they will be cheap to replace …

Thanks in advance.

Does anyone want to think about the replacement cost of OEM adaptive suspension dampers? Who doesn't cringe?

[apexit]

Some audi info here. I have the Audi version of this, called ADS. Around 60-70k miles i noticed the suspension wasn't as taught as it used to be and went with coils. I was lowered on KW HAS springs for about 40-50k of those miles. I went with coils in part because the online pricing I saw was ~$2k for a set of new adaptive shocks.

[JJS]

Let's say I get 100,000km from them. Would changing to after-market fixed dampers such as Konis or Bilsteins then cause the computer to have a fit, or can that be recoded? I realise this won't happen for another four or five years, but I like to be prepared.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by JJS

Let's say I get 100,000km from them. Would changing to after-market fixed dampers such as Konis or Bilsteins then cause the computer to have a fit, or can that be recoded? I realise this won't happen for another four or five years, but I like to be prepared.

You probably meant "passive" because Koni Yellows is adjustable for rebound.

I would imagine you would need some sort of module as the KWs have to eliminate error messages for the DHP.

[apexit]

KW sells the same cancellation kit for my car. I ended up being able to code out the error light but scanning the car still shows a suspension error message. I'm content without the light. I don't plan on getting it again on my next car if that helps at all.

[stevehecht]

An extended BMW or non-BMW warranty would cover this of course if it's within the policy coverage limits.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by stevehecht

An extended BMW or non-BMW warranty would cover this of course if it's within the policy coverage limits.

Would those type of warranties cover "wear and tear" items such as dampers?

[JJS]

I imagine so. Rotors and pads are covered under the maintenance plan. It's just that I don't think I'll cover 100,000km in three years.

[avantix]

I can tell you this....I've already blown an adaptive shock within 2k miles of dropping my car with H&R Sport springs. The BMW tech told me the strut was decimated. Was it a factory sub-par strut or did the added load on it due to lowering cause the failure remains unclear. It was however promptly replaced under warranty.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by avantix

I can tell you this....I've already blown an adaptive shock within 2k miles of dropping my car with H&R Sport springs. The BMW tech told me the strut was decimated. Was it a factory sub-par strut or did the added load on it due to lowering cause the failure remains unclear. It was however promptly replaced under warranty.

Lucky you had it covered under warranty! It would have been an expensive out of pocket fix.

[M3AWD]

Originally Posted by avantix

I can tell you this....I've already blown an adaptive shock within 2k miles of dropping my car with H&R Sport springs. The BMW tech told me the strut was decimated. Was it a factory sub-par strut or did the added load on it due to lowering cause the failure remains unclear. It was however promptly replaced under warranty.

How many miles did you have on the car before dropping it?

Do you still have the H&R Sport Springs on? How many miles did you put on the car after having this issue?

[avantix]

Originally Posted by M-SP0RT

How many miles did you have on the car before dropping it?

Do you still have the H&R Sport Springs on? How many miles did you put on the car after having this issue?

I put the springs back on the car the same day. I really think I was unlucky. Tons of people run these springs without problems. The Sports unlinke their more agressive Super Sports are a pretty mild drop. I remember hitting a monster pot hole so the strut might very well have busted even with stock springs.

[MicrophoneMic]

What is the cost to replace an adaptive shock? Is it ridiculously high?

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Does anyone want to think about the replacement cost of OEM adaptive suspension dampers? Who doesn't cringe?

That's why I don't feel too bad that my msport xdrive doesn't have it.

[avantix]

Originally Posted by MicrophoneMic

What is the cost to replace an adaptive shock? Is it ridiculously high?

I think it's north of a grand.

[falar]

Originally Posted by avantix

I think it's north of a grand.

WOW, if it comes time to replace all 4 get ready get bent over.

[MicrophoneMic]

Originally Posted by falar

WOW, if it comes time to replace all 4 get ready get bent over.

If it's really that high and I'm out of warranty, I'd probably just replace with regular shocks and say to hell with adjustable suspension!

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by MicrophoneMic

If it's really that high and I'm out of warranty, I'd probably just replace with regular shocks and say to hell with adjustable suspension!

That's why if your planning on keeping the car for a while, DHP is probably a no-go. Hard to stomach the replacement cost of DHP when a set of good coilovers such as the Bilstein PSS10 or KW V2/V3 are almost half the cost.

[MicrophoneMic]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

That's why if your planning on keeping the car for a while, DHP is probably a no-go. Hard to stomach the replacement cost of DHP when a set of good coilovers such as the Bilstein PSS10 or KW V2/V3 are almost half the cost.

Yeah, but I probably realistically won't keep the car beyond the warranty. And by that time, there will be other cars out to consider. However, if your reason for passing on DHP is due to damper life, I would say think again.

DHP is something that I HAD to have. It makes a major difference in the way the car drives/feels. Drove both with & without VSS/adjustable dampers and could tell immediately. I wouldn't have bought an F30 without it.

But to each is own...

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by MicrophoneMic

Yeah, but I probably realistically won't keep the car beyond the warranty. And by that time, there will be other cars out to consider. However, if your reason for passing on DHP is due to damper life, I would say think again.

DHP is something that I HAD to have. It makes a major difference in the way the car drives/feels. Drove both with & without VSS/adjustable dampers and could tell immediately. I wouldn't have bought an F30 without it.

But to each is own...

Well, to be fair, maintenance costs are a balance of both damper life as well as damper cost. Now if someone were to be able to say DHP dampers last forever, then we wouldn't have to worry about cost since it's indefinite. But that's an unlikely scenario.

Out of curiosity, I've looked up the price.

http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/201...agramCallOut=1

strut 3 Series; 328i; w/Adaptive Chassis; Left

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$697.81 $0.00 $139.56 $558.25


Now it's not as bad as I thought, but still far more expensive than going with a static setup like a M Performance Suspension or potentially not as easy to work with on the track as adjustable coilovers.