640d needs new Shock Absorber, please help!

[Audia5audia5]

Took my 65 plate 640d for MOT and it failed due to a serious front drivers side shock absorber leak.

Where can I get a new one from? Needs to be an electronic one I believe, as my car has variable damper control as an extra on its spec list.

There is one on a website called aerosus, is it a legit place?

Tried calling BMW parts but they are closed over the weekend.

[E-bmw]

Visit realoem.com with your full vehicle details & you will at least get a better idea of what you need & the price.

[stevieturbo]

Audia5audia5 said:

Tried calling BMW parts but they are closed over the weekend.

As are most places

I can imagine it will be expensive either way.

[Audia5audia5]

Trying to contact Bilstein, heard they are a reputable company for aftermarket electronic shock absorbers.

I contacted BMW and they quoted a price of £883 for a new shock absorber.

Any other recommendations for getting an aftermarket one? My car has VDC so needs to be an electronic one

[normalbloke]

Audia5audia5 said:

Trying to contact Bilstein, heard they are a reputable company for aftermarket electronic shock absorbers.

I contacted BMW and they quoted a price of £883 for a new shock absorber.

Any other recommendations for getting an aftermarket one? My car has VDC so needs to be an electronic one

That is far less than I feared. Does anyone even do an aftermarket one? I’d have thought genuine only perhaps.

[Audia5audia5]

I only bought the 640d 4 months ago and only looked at ones with VDC… now because of this VDC, the shock absorber is proving to be very expensive!

I got the producer number for the part after speaking to euro car parts, and a quick google gave this. Nearly half the price of bmw, but is it sensible? If not I will go with bmw of course.

https://aerosus.co.uk/bmw/6-series/f06-f06-lci/bmw...

37116863118 - product code

[stevieturbo]

I wouldn't be surprised if this needs coded to the car after installation, and aftermarket parts can be hit or miss in that regard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10sgTkWjtRk

[Audia5audia5]

Will need to be coded after installation yep.

I called this company called aerosus, and gave them my VIN and they confirmed the part will be compatible. Their product number matches with the product number BMW gave me.

But perhaps it still will be risky and I should proceed with BMW?

Tricky

[Audia5audia5]

Anyone had any experience with an aftermarket VDC shock absorber? Specifically with aerosus.

Car is 9 years old, how bad would it be to replace only the front right shock absorber? Considering the part is £874 for one…

[E-bmw]

I can't tell you anything about them, but will tell you that suspension components should never be replaced one corner at a time.

You should really at least replace both at that end as a minimum.

[wyson]

Audia5audia5 said:

Anyone had any experience with an aftermarket VDC shock absorber? Specifically with aerosus.

Car is 9 years old, how bad would it be to replace only the front right shock absorber? Considering the part is £874 for one…

I replaced just one. The other failed 3 months later. If they are the age and / or mileage where wear and tear will be an issue, and it sounds like yours are at 9 years old, replace both and save yourself some time.

If you are baulking at the cost, maybe replace the car with something cheaper. Lots of stuff will start failing on a car that age, it will be getting to the end of the design life of a lot of different components.

Edited by wyson on Wednesday 5th March 19:30

[stevieturbo]

E-bmw said:

I can't tell you anything about them, but will tell you that suspension components should never be replaced one corner at a time.

You should really at least replace both at that end as a minimum.

Normally I'd agree, but at over £800 a pop....I'd probably be doing one.

[stevemcs]

I thought those cheap ones were the budget ones Autodoc usually try and push, i did look into them for mine (Skoda) but ruled them out based on reviews.

I'd go genuine or Billstien, occasionally Monreo make the OE ones.

[reisskhan]

Hi mate

Just buy a used original one off ebay from a breaking car

6863118

Type that part number on ebay and there’s 3 on there right now around £120 with best offer and you can even try them at £80 and you’ll probably get it for £100

They all look like and advertised as in good condition and don’t look like they are leaking so I can’t see there being any issue there

Any competent garage can fit the complete leg for you and bobs you uncle

(I’ll be very very surprised if it needs coding but even if it does they’ll be someone who can do it surely)

All the best