::.. Are these shocks stock?

[Qube]

Are these the original shocks for my car?

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[BigKriss]

Are these the original shocks for my car?

.

no, the boge shocks are stock.

[Qube]

no, the boge shocks are stock.

So if that holds true, I can assume that these shocks can't be that old and swapping in sport springs should be all right.

Does this look like a stock fender gap with a 3/4 tank of fuel?

On that note, how would I be able to discern stock springs from aftermarket?

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[genphreak]

Stock springs have a dab of red paint usually, perhaps blue or green (others may know better) and perhaps a BMW part number (I think)- which would tell all. Will have a look at a set I have here and tell you soon. Your gap looks stock to me, those shocks (F46-1221) are HDs, so they should be used with stock springs. To lower the car, get a $650 odd Sashs kit (www.bmaparts.com) or (for a cheaper solution) switch the front spring pads to 3mm (dropping the front of the car 6mm) for about $8 total (plus labour/time) . Your front shocks have internal bump stops and won't be the right setting for a lower spring.

To change the springs and stick with the same shocks, you could ask Bilstein to reset them to a Sport setting- they just take them apart and revalve them I think). NOt sure if the built-in bump-stops are changed/adjusted any.

[wingman]

Stock on the early cars are BOGE. They also have the BMW roundel and a BMW part number. Orange is one colour they came in.

[Qube]

Stock springs have a dab of red paint usually, perhaps blue or green (others may know better) and perhaps a BMW part number (I think)- which would tell all. Will have a look at a set I have here and tell you soon. Your gap looks stock to me, those shocks (F46-1221) are HDs, so they should be used with stock springs. To lower the car, get a $650 odd Sashs kit (www.bmaparts.com) or (for a cheaper solution) switch the front spring pads to 3mm (dropping the front of the car 6mm) for about $8 total (plus labour/time) . Your front shocks have internal bump stops and won't be the right setting for a lower spring.

To change the springs and stick with the same shocks, you could ask Bilstein to reset them to a Sport setting- they just take them apart and revalve them I think). NOt sure if the built-in bump-stops are changed/adjusted any.

Thanks everyone for the comprehensive info (esp genphreak ). I'll wait till spring and... 'spring' for the Sachs kit. No short way around it.

[632 Regal]

looks like your doing a wheelie.

So if that holds true, I can assume that these shocks can't be that old and swapping in sport springs should be all right.

Does this look like a stock fender gap with a 3/4 tank of fuel?

On that note, how would I be able to discern stock springs from aftermarket?

.

[genphreak]

Thanks everyone for the comprehensive info (esp genphreak ). I'll wait till spring and... 'spring' for the Sachs kit. No short way around it.

Just checked, I got red on a 540 front spring, pink on the 540 rear.