F31 adaptive damper replacement - where to get spares?

[NDT]

Car is a 2014 335d m sport.
Needs new front dampers, which are the adaptive ones.
BMW dealer wants 1800 to replace them!
Anyone know what the OE brand of the damper is?
I'm struggling to find out using google!

thanks!

[mmm-five]

I believe OE VDC are supplied by Monroe. If it's anything like the story with the EDC on the e34 M5, then BMW will just keep renewing their licence with Monroe which will state that they can't provide them to the after-market.

Is that £1800 fitted, and is it just the 2 dampers or does it include springs and ancillaries?

You can get the Genuine (BMW-stamped) dampers for about £500 each (from Germany) or £700 (UK), or the Bilstein B6 DTC (compatible with the BMW VDC) for about £400 each (hhttps://performancem.co.uk/choose-your-car/bmw/3-series/f30-f31-f34-f35-2011-to-present/bistein-b6-dtc-front-left-damper-each-bmw-3-touring-f31/) - of course you'd have to fit them.

Alternatively, you could probably replace the whole 4-wheel system with Bilstein B6/B12 Damptronic for less than the price BMW are quoting for the fronts.

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 18th July 15:42

[NDT]

mmm-five said:

I believe OE VDC are supplied by Monroe.

Is that £1800 fitted, and is it just the 2 dampers or does it include springs and ancillaries?

You can get the Genuine (BMW-stamped) dampers for about £500 each (from Germany) or £700 (UK), or the Bilstein B4 Damptronic (compatible with the BMW VDC) for about £400 each - of course you'd have to fit them.

Alternatively, you could probably replace the whole 4-wheel system with Bilstein B6/B12 Damptronic for less than the price BMW are quoting for the fronts.

thanks, that's helpful.
1800 fully fitted. Just the dampers.
A local BMW specialist reckoned it wasn't a bad price - he thought it was mainly driven by the component cost.

[MattyD803]

And to think BMW want to fit these to all vehicles as standard and simply 'disable' their function unless you pay for a subscription service.......incredible.

Edited by MattyD803 on Monday 18th July 15:48

[mmm-five]

MattyD803 said:

And to think BMW want to fit these to [B}all[/B] vehicles as standard and simply 'disable' their function unless you pay for a subscription service.......incredible.

That's why my Z4MC and F31 have standard suspension (well, the Z4MC now has B16s, but they're not under BMW's control).

[mmm-five]

MattyD803 said:

And to think BMW want to fit these to [B}all[/B] vehicles as standard and simply 'disable' their function unless you pay for a subscription service.......incredible.

I'm also waiting for all cars to have the same twin-turbo 3.0 from the M3/M4, but you just have to pay if you want the full power, adaptive suspension, better braking, etc.

Would mean I could trundle around in a frugal 310D for 95% of the time, and when I get to a track simply pay the £100 upgrade for my full M3 GTS experience

[NDT]

NDT said:

thanks, that's helpful.
1800 fully fitted. Just the dampers.
A local BMW specialist reckoned it wasn't a bad price - he thought it was mainly driven by the component cost.

Pushed them on price and they came down £200.

[mmm-five]

NDT said:

Pushed them on price and they came down £200.

It's still a lot of money for a component that is made in much higher quantity than my e34 EDC struts were...although the price of mine crept up over 10 years from £300/corner to £1100 per corner (being replaced every 12-18 months)...and I eventually replaced them with custom-valved Bilsteins as I was eating the EDCs doing a decent amount of track days on track rubber.

Hate to think what they'd be now...assuming they're still licensing them!

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 18th July 16:42

[NDT]

mmm-five said:

It's still a lot of money for a component that is made in much higher quantity than my e34 EDC struts were...although the price of mine crept up over 10 years from £300/corner to £1100 per corner (being replaced every 12-18 months)...and I eventually replaced them with custom-valved Bilsteins as I was eating the EDCs doing a decent amount of track days on track rubber.

Hate to think what they'd be now...assuming they're still licensing them!

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 18th July 16:42

I knew when I specced them that one day there'd be an expensive bill...

[Pistonheader101]

My mates selling full set of 4 for £400

[NDT]

Two years on and we've got an MOT fail on a leaking front damper.
And the new BMW parts are about 8 days outside their 2 year warranty.
I am f&&king furious.

[danb79]

NDT said:

Two years on and we've got an MOT fail on a leaking front damper.
And the new BMW parts are about 8 days outside their 2 year warranty.
I am f&&king furious.

I'd go back to BMW and see what good will they can offer

[NDT]

danb79 said:

I'd go back to BMW and see what good will they can offer

yes, that's on my jobs list for this afternoon.

[twokcc]

NDT said:

Two years on and we've got an MOT fail on a leaking front damper.
And the new BMW parts are about 8 days outside their 2 year warranty.
I am f&&king furious.

Has car been serviced by BMW? , how many miles have they done.
Good chance if serviced by BMW(if not mega miles) but you will have to push hard to get it as a good will gesture par. Even better change if they supplied them when done 2 years ago

[NDT]

Yes, local BMW garage fitted the dampers.
I’ve just had the car on my ramp and can see why the damper has failed - the rubber boot on the top is completely shagged.
I assume this has allowed dirt to kill the seal.