[Grant.C]

I got some Eibach Motech springs to lower my Adaptive 140, which made me think perhaps it's worth getting some new dampers fitted at the same time.

Seems like passive B8s are a good option without breaking the bank - I feel like going passive is a bit of a backwards step, but the B6 Damptronics are pricey and I don't think I'd really miss adaptive that much.

Couple of questions you might be able to help me with:

1. Who can code out the adaptive dampers, and when in the process does this need to happen? (My mechanic's not a BMW specialist so will need to do that separately.)
2. What should we do with the wires, just tie them up somewhere? Can they be removed & replaced easily?
3. Are any other changes/parts needed, because it's an Adaptive car?
4. Do I need to change the bump stops at the same time?
5. My guy suggested changing the top mounts, is it worth it? (3 YO car, not sure what condition they're in.)
6. Are the Damptronics worth considering? (Mainly road use with the occasional track day. I'd have to save up a while if I wanted those though.)

 

[Jamesthesecond]

Joe Achilies of youtube fame had his m140i adaptive fitted with Blisten damptronics at motec. He never really went into detail though about if they really improved things. I get the feeling they didn't make a massive difference otherwise he would of been singing their praises more.

 

[1210]

I went through the same thought process with mine and had ordered the damptronic but after 6 months of my order being pushed back I cancelled and went to a passive set up. I had also heard from a few people that the sport mode on the B6 was too stiff for road use so I didn't see the point of getting them if I was only going to use one setting (I don't do track days)

When converting from adaptive to passive you will need to replace the front right drop link with one from a passive car as the existing drop link won't line up. Adaptive cars come with a left and a right drop link, passive cars come with 2 lefts. Not a major issue just something to remember as I drove all the way to Evolve to have mine installed only to be wrongly told that I had bought the wrong suspension.

Anyone that offers coding will be able to code out the adaptive. The cables from the dampers can be unplugged above the arch lining. This is reversible, I still have mine and will probably remove the Birds kit I currently have installed when selling the car.

 

[Jamesthesecond]

I went through the same thought process with mine and had ordered the damptronic but after 6 months of my order being pushed back I cancelled and went to a passive set up. I had also heard from a few people that the sport mode on the B6 was too stiff for road use so I didn't see the point of getting them if I was only going to use one setting (I don't do track days)

When converting from adaptive to passive you will need to replace the front right drop link with one from a passive car as the existing drop link won't line up. Adaptive cars come with a left and a right drop link, passive cars come with 2 lefts. Not a major issue just something to remember as I drove all the way to Evolve to have mine installed only to be wrongly told that I had bought the wrong suspension.

Anyone that offers coding will be able to code out the adaptive. The cables from the dampers can be unplugged above the arch lining. This is reversible, I still have mine and will probably remove the Birds kit I currently have installed when selling the car.

All in all though. Is it worth ditching adaptive and going with the birds kit? I think its around £1500 fitted

 

[LibTech]

[*]Are the Damptronics worth considering? (Mainly road use with the occasional track day. I'd have to save up a while if I wanted those though.)[/list]

I've also got Eibach springs. I just replaced the rear shocks for B6 damptronics (about £600, IIRC) and I'm quite happy with the results. Comfort/DSC is still comfy (a lot like stock but better damped). Sport/Sport+ is hunkered down and 'taut' - too bumpy for many B roads but great for A roads / roundabouts / track.

Not compared to a good passive setup, but I like it.

 

[Grant.C]

Joe Achilies of youtube fame had his m140i adaptive fitted with Blisten damptronics at motec. He never really went into detail though about if they really improved things. I get the feeling they didn't make a massive difference otherwise he would of been singing their praises more.

Yeah, he barely talks about them! The modified car's a lot faster round the track, but as he says it's got lots of other upgrades on top of the Bilsteins.

The main benefit of the Damptronic to my mind is that you can have the comfort and usability for daily driving and B roads, with the ability to firm it up for the track or maybe good, fast roads. The video didn't cover road use at all, or how it compared to the stock adaptive setup.

 

[Grant.C]

Anyone that offers coding will be able to code out the adaptive. The cables from the dampers can be unplugged above the arch lining. This is reversible, I still have mine and will probably remove the Birds kit I currently have installed when selling the car.

Thanks. Do you know when in the process you need to code them out? I read a post about disconnecting a related connection in the boot, before swapping out the dampers, then coding out the adaptive. Is that what you did?

 

[Jamesthesecond]

Yeah I don't want to track it either. Just fast road would be nice. I personally think it made very little difference which is why he wasn't singing its high praises.

 

[1210]

All in all though. Is it worth ditching adaptive and going with the birds kit? I think its around £1500 fitted

It's much better than adaptive in almost all situations I just think it's overpriced. Total price if you have it fitted by them is around £2200.

 

[1210]

Anyone that offers coding will be able to code out the adaptive. The cables from the dampers can be unplugged above the arch lining. This is reversible, I still have mine and will probably remove the Birds kit I currently have installed when selling the car.

Thanks. Do you know when in the process you need to code them out? I read a post about disconnecting a related connection in the boot, before swapping out the dampers, then coding out the adaptive. Is that what you did?

I didn't carry out the work myself but I have read that the process is to remove the wiring from the dampers and disconnect the module in the boot and then carry out the coding.

 

[Franc]

The B6 Damptronic units are a massive improvement over stock.

I was in exactly the same position when trying to deciding on the Bilsteins. Very little information out there and suspiciously little said by Joe.

C8UER ran them on his previous m140i and if you search this forum you can read his comments. You can also see the review of his car when the suspension was discussed on Tim William’s YouTube channel.

Having bought Chris’s B6 units I echo his thoughts. It’s a very good totally usable improvement over stock which allows you to continue using the adaptive function.

 

[Jonnyw2k]

Reading this thread has got me looking into it 🤣
But now I have more questions than answers, what are the correct part numbers for a F22 M240i. If I search for my car on the Bilstein website it only gives me rears (Left and right with different partnumbers 26-246970 & 26-245591 ) yet changing my search slightly (removing the year from the URL) a different part number (Same damper for both rear left and right 20-250744) is available.

Also there seems to be 2 different part numbers for the fronts: 23-250734 & 23-250727 (£370) or 23-266490 & 23-266483 (£490)

Do we need new/different bumpstomps with the B6s?

Did Joe just drive his car harder? I was surprised at how much more he seemed to be "losing" the back end with the LSD.

 

[Franc]

Your right the fronts are two different numbers. On my car front is 23-250734 / 23-250727 and rears 20-250744. My car is an m135i but these also fit the m140i which is where they came from.

I would give a forum sponsor a call somebody like ML. The B6 damptronic do come up on deals from time to time.

I am still on stock bump stops with Eibach pro springs on the Bilstein with no problems.

I have seen Joe’s video but not sure if it was his driving style provoking the rear? All I can say with the Bilsteins and lsd on my car it really helps putting more power down on the road more of the time.

 

[MrHappy]

Fronts will be handed, that's why they'll have different part numbers.

B6 Damptronics are my "if an adaptive goes pop in the future" solution, glad to read that they're a definite improvement over stock!

 

[Simon Site Manager]

Fronts will be handed, that's why they'll have different part numbers.

B6 Damptronics are my "if an adaptive goes pop in the future" solution, glad to read that they're a definite improvement over stock!

Had an adaptive go 'Pop' last year, was whizzed back to Munich for autopsy. £750 part and fitting, fortunately, I have extended warranty.

 

[LibTech]

The B6 Damptronic units are a massive improvement over stock.

Agree. I only did the rears on mine (I think the front end is ok) but I already had Eibach springs. Do yourself a favour and fix the subframe bushes while you're at it - the yellow ones work fine for me.