E46 B3 front dampers
E46 B3 front dampers
So, mine are leaking…..
BMW tell me replacement Alpina Sachs dampers are NLA. I emailed Alpina directly to confirm, but got no reply.
Therefore I think I have a couple of options:
1. Stick some boggo Sachs dampers on and hope OE replacements become available - M Sport II equivalent?
2. Just put some decent alternatives on Bilstein B8s or Koni FSDs maybe.
Thoughts?
Particularly interested in advice on part numbers for temporary Sachs replacements if anyone has gone that route.
BMW tell me replacement Alpina Sachs dampers are NLA. I emailed Alpina directly to confirm, but got no reply.
Therefore I think I have a couple of options:
1. Stick some boggo Sachs dampers on and hope OE replacements become available - M Sport II equivalent?
2. Just put some decent alternatives on Bilstein B8s or Koni FSDs maybe.
Thoughts?
Particularly interested in advice on part numbers for temporary Sachs replacements if anyone has gone that route.
Re: E46 B3 front dampers
Hi Hermes,
I wouldn't take BMW's word for it. Have you emailed classic@alpina.de? They usually take a couple of days to come back. You will need to supply your Alpina Vin, so they can match the right dampers for your car.
You should also aim to get a price from https://www.fmw-tuning.de and www.alloywheelsdirect.com.
Goodluck, it's bit of a process but not impossible.
I wouldn't take BMW's word for it. Have you emailed classic@alpina.de? They usually take a couple of days to come back. You will need to supply your Alpina Vin, so they can match the right dampers for your car.
You should also aim to get a price from https://www.fmw-tuning.de and www.alloywheelsdirect.com.
Goodluck, it's bit of a process but not impossible.
Current
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2011 BMW Mini Cooper (Great fun, Solid)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Rare fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2011 BMW Mini Cooper (Great fun, Solid)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Rare fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)
Re: E46 B3 front dampers
It wouldn't surprise me if they were NLA, this is the case for the e39 B10 V8.
Former BMW CC 7 register chairman
2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)
2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)
Re: E46 B3 front dampers
10 years ago when I was sorting out my B3 I had this dilemma, although the previous owner had fitted a brand new Sachs damper to get it through the MOT shortly before I bought it.
https://thealpinaregister.com/forums/vi ... 0&start=24
I chose to match up what was on the car and so ended up with 4 new Sachs dampers in SE spec but still the original Alpina/Eibach springs. That felt great to me and my conclusion was that new standard Sachs dampers were infinitely better than knackered Alpina ones so if you go this route you will note a significant positive difference.
In my opinion I don't think our roads nor the B3's vibe suit firm suspension; it's more cruiser than bruiser so I would personally avoid the M Sport dampers or aftermarket "sport" options. It's a shame that genuine Alpina ones are NLA but they were ferociously expensive when available (£1,400 for a full set IIRC) and I remain dubious that the price was worth paying for the marginal benefit.
https://thealpinaregister.com/forums/vi ... 0&start=24
I chose to match up what was on the car and so ended up with 4 new Sachs dampers in SE spec but still the original Alpina/Eibach springs. That felt great to me and my conclusion was that new standard Sachs dampers were infinitely better than knackered Alpina ones so if you go this route you will note a significant positive difference.
In my opinion I don't think our roads nor the B3's vibe suit firm suspension; it's more cruiser than bruiser so I would personally avoid the M Sport dampers or aftermarket "sport" options. It's a shame that genuine Alpina ones are NLA but they were ferociously expensive when available (£1,400 for a full set IIRC) and I remain dubious that the price was worth paying for the marginal benefit.
Currently:
1992 Alpina B2.5 #026, Lagoon Green with Parchment Cloth
Previously:
2013 BMW M135i 3dr, Mineral Grey with Red Leather
2001 Alpina B3 3.3 Coupe #170, Orient Blue with Grey Leather
2006 Z4MC, Silver Grey with Red Leather
2001 E46 330i Sport, Silver with Red Leather
1997 E36 323i SE Touring, Calypso Red with Grey Cloth
1992 Alpina B2.5 #026, Lagoon Green with Parchment Cloth
Previously:
2013 BMW M135i 3dr, Mineral Grey with Red Leather
2001 Alpina B3 3.3 Coupe #170, Orient Blue with Grey Leather
2006 Z4MC, Silver Grey with Red Leather
2001 E46 330i Sport, Silver with Red Leather
1997 E36 323i SE Touring, Calypso Red with Grey Cloth
Re: E46 B3 front dampers
I believe that they are still available. As James_G alludes to they are expensive. https://www.fmw-tuning.de/bmw/3er-e46/e ... 3-e46.html.
B3 E46 no.265
Re: E46 B3 front dampers
Thanks for the replies. I've not had a reply from Alpina, hence my original post.
Frank at FMW doesn't have any information on availability either.
In the meantime I'll try and use a Sachs MSport II equivalent, and if I get news I shall update the thread.
Frank at FMW doesn't have any information on availability either.
In the meantime I'll try and use a Sachs MSport II equivalent, and if I get news I shall update the thread.
Re: E46 B3 front dampers
Hi Hermes
I'd be interested in what you find out regarding availability. Earlier this year, I replaced my rear springs with OEM. If the shocks are available, you may need to be patient. It took around 3 months for my springs to arrive. Additionally, I've ordered a set of decals for my front bumper through my local BMW dealership. Been waiting around 3 months now and nothing. I phoned the dealership and they said they were on back order and they would chase it up. That was a month ago and still nothing. Not sure what's going on over in Germany but I really hope I don't need a genuine part in a hurry or I fear my car will be off the road for some considerable time.
I'd be interested in what you find out regarding availability. Earlier this year, I replaced my rear springs with OEM. If the shocks are available, you may need to be patient. It took around 3 months for my springs to arrive. Additionally, I've ordered a set of decals for my front bumper through my local BMW dealership. Been waiting around 3 months now and nothing. I phoned the dealership and they said they were on back order and they would chase it up. That was a month ago and still nothing. Not sure what's going on over in Germany but I really hope I don't need a genuine part in a hurry or I fear my car will be off the road for some considerable time.
Regards
Lee Agutter
2003 E46 B3S Vert. #088
1996 E36 328i (Sold)
1994 Mercedes W124 E280 (Sold)
1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16 (Sold)
1986 Ford Fiesta XR2 (Sold). Wished I'd kept it!!
1989 Mk1 Fiat Uno Turbo (Rusted away)
Lee Agutter
2003 E46 B3S Vert. #088
1996 E36 328i (Sold)
1994 Mercedes W124 E280 (Sold)
1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16 (Sold)
1986 Ford Fiesta XR2 (Sold). Wished I'd kept it!!
1989 Mk1 Fiat Uno Turbo (Rusted away)
Re: E46 B3 front dampers
I’m sure that Bilstein do a shock that comes as near as possible to Alpina spec without infringing patent rights.
Edit: Have you seen here? https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/colle ... 2?sort_by=
B3 E46 no.265
Re: E46 B3 front dampers
I had a reply from Alpina:
“ thank you for your mail.
We are in contact with some supplieres for those shock absorber, but till now we don´t have some positive news.
Please inquire the needed part numbers in 6 months again.”
“ thank you for your mail.
We are in contact with some supplieres for those shock absorber, but till now we don´t have some positive news.
Please inquire the needed part numbers in 6 months again.”