Steve84N Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 I'm having a bit of a nightmare replacing the dampers on my F11 with M Sport suspension. Firstly, I ordered and fitted some Bilstein B4 dampers and replacement bump stops. I checked and it's basically sitting on the bump stops with no real damper travel. I then ordered some Sachs dampers which look like the ones that came off, thinking the M Sport must have a shorter damper body to allow more travel when the ride height sits lower than SE. However, measuring the Sachs they are also 36cm from the top of the body to the middle of the eyelet. It would help me immensely if someone with an M Sport F11 could measure their damper body to see if it's less than 36cm. I think I have the correct bump stops but I cannot be sure on those either so if you're able to measure them/take a picture that would help too. In short, I've looked at all the part numbers but something isn't right. Ride height is around 630mm from the arch to the bottom of the wheel as it should be for 19". Before I start spending even more on other parts it would be good to understand if someone without the problem can confirm whether the damper and/or bump stop is too long. Here's some pictures to explain. (I know the boot is on upside down) Hoping @Andrewmight have some insight? 🤞🏻 This last picture is what came off versus the Bilstein B4. I know the old one looks shorter but I don't think the piston was fully extended so it's not directly comparable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefitz Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) I can confirm the body length of a M sport F11 is 36 cm. Its original fit with part code matching realoem. Most aftermarket parts do not distinguish between M sports and SE. I replaced the bump stops and they were similar to the new items in your picture. From the condition of the originals, mine looked as bad as yours, I suspect the they act as an auxiliary spring as well as a bump stop. Mike Edited December 4, 2022 by mikefitz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve84N Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 @mikefitzyou are a legend, thank you so much for confirming. I'd be chasing my tail forever or giving in to paying BMW £285 each without this information. The part is described as an 'Auxiliary shock absorber' so maybe they are meant to be part of the springing. It would explain why they get so wrecked... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 Sorry, can’t help you with wagon versions but I spent a long time scouring the aftermarket for info on all the available shocks. I went for TRW as they were the only ones I could satisfy myself that met the bmw spec of MSport, twin tube and gas pressurised. The info on Sachs wasn’t as clear if they were generic ones that fit both MSport and SE. I couldn’t justify Bilsteins as I was replacing the whole strut and not just the shocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve84N Posted December 24, 2022 Author Share Posted December 24, 2022 The saga has ended with me buying Sachs as that's what looks like the ones I took off. Compared to the Bilsteins the damper body is the same and it looked like they had a shorter piston. However, after fitting the Sachs extended quite a way so they're probably the same. Fronts are clearly a different design for M Sport. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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