Shocks that can handle nasty potholes

mg71 · 09-02-2022, 02:28 AM

I live in an area with a lot of potholes, some are really deep. The runflats keep my rims intact and survive even nasty hits, but the Bilstein shocks (M Sport suspension) I put on a couple years ago started leaking (front left) after hitting pothole #5...

So I wonder if anyone knows which shocks have good protection when bottoming out hard. I wanted to go with coilovers as an upgrade too, so Ohlins or Koni (maybe Bilstein)...

Thoughts?

fast1eddy · 09-03-2022, 04:43 PM

Koni Special active really help ride quality without giving up too much in handling. I can't speak to the longevity as I've only had them a year. They work best with stock springs.

ShocknAwe · 09-03-2022, 06:21 PM

Nothing tops Ohlins as far as readily available kits go. I put Koni SA on my X5D they're fine but will be getting swapped as soon as there's an appropriate R&T kit for the diesel.

Papa Popov · 09-06-2022, 05:59 PM

Wouldn't go with Bilsteins. The roads around here look like they were hit by a drone strike and I'm amazed I haven't lost a tooth yet because of it.

tracer bullet · 09-06-2022, 06:25 PM

Agree about coilovers, the stiffer springs can handle more.

There's a chance that better / thicker / newer bump stops would help if you otherwise like the current setup? So that if you bottom out it's a bit more cushioned.

Also, I've pulled a few shocks apart and I don't know that the bottoming out actually makes them leak. It ain't good of course, but doesn't cause leaks. I think of it more as a bad seal kind of thing (though, to be fair, that could be dirt getting mushed in during the bottoming-out process). Could your dust boots be letting stuff inside that area?

mg71 · 12-15-2022, 01:38 PM

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. Sorry for catching up late with this thread.

I think I'm going with the Ohlins coilovers.

NorthernDancer · 12-16-2022, 11:24 AM

If potholes are that bad, hopefully you are on only 16" or 17" wheels?

09-02-2022, 02:28 AM	#1
mg71 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 125i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Mexico iTrader: (0)	Shocks that can handle nasty potholes I live in an area with a lot of potholes, some are really deep. The runflats keep my rims intact and survive even nasty hits, but the Bilstein shocks (M Sport suspension) I put on a couple years ago started leaking (front left) after hitting pothole #5... So I wonder if anyone knows which shocks have good protection when bottoming out hard. I wanted to go with coilovers as an upgrade too, so Ohlins or Koni (maybe Bilstein)... Thoughts? Last edited by mg71; 09-02-2022 at 02:50 AM..
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09-03-2022, 04:43 PM	#2
fast1eddy First Lieutenant 285 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00] [0.00]	Koni Special active really help ride quality without giving up too much in handling. I can't speak to the longevity as I've only had them a year. They work best with stock springs.
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09-03-2022, 06:21 PM	#3
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3507 Rep 8,096 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Nothing tops Ohlins as far as readily available kits go. I put Koni SA on my X5D they're fine but will be getting swapped as soon as there's an appropriate R&T kit for the diesel. __________________ Daily: E82 Mutt Hauler: M57 Truck Looking for: 997/991
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09-06-2022, 05:59 PM	#4
Papa Popov Lieutenant 329 Rep 482 Posts Drives: 2009 128i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	Wouldn't go with Bilsteins. The roads around here look like they were hit by a drone strike and I'm amazed I haven't lost a tooth yet because of it.
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12-15-2022, 01:38 PM	#6
mg71 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 125i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Mexico iTrader: (0)	Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. Sorry for catching up late with this thread. I think I'm going with the Ohlins coilovers.
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09-06-2022, 06:25 PM	#5
tracer bullet Brigadier General 3667 Rep 4,209 Posts Drives: '25 Z4, '15 X3 35i (135i sold) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	Agree about coilovers, the stiffer springs can handle more. There's a chance that better / thicker / newer bump stops would help if you otherwise like the current setup? So that if you bottom out it's a bit more cushioned. Also, I've pulled a few shocks apart and I don't know that the bottoming out actually makes them leak. It ain't good of course, but doesn't cause leaks. I think of it more as a bad seal kind of thing (though, to be fair, that could be dirt getting mushed in during the bottoming-out process). Could your dust boots be letting stuff inside that area?
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12-16-2022, 11:24 AM	#7
NorthernDancer Colonel 889 Rep 2,313 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	If potholes are that bad, hopefully you are on only 16" or 17" wheels?
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