Anyone tried bilstein shocks/dampers?

[Mossyboy1978]

I'm going to have to put some new bushes on my S8. Whilst I'm down there I may get some new shocks given the ones on there look like the original ones when the car was new.

Has anyone fitted Bilsteins on their 8? There seem to be a set for our cars on ther site. No idea if they end up offering a bone shaking ride or a Nice improvement on body roll and handling.

Thanks

Mossy

[moltuae]

I replaced my shocks for bilsteins a year or two ago. The difference in ride was marginal. If anything the ride felt slightly softer afterwards but that may have been my imagination or due to the condition of the old shocks. Handling did seem marginally better too though. So overall I'd say ride and handling was improved but the difference was so minor you'd really have to compare side by side to be sure.

[Mossyboy1978]

Thanks - were the Bilsteins more or less expensive than the ORM option if you can remember?

[MikkiJayne]

I have Bilstein B6s on mine and I love them. The ride is great, and handling superb - much better than before. The stock stuff on mine was pretty tired when I got it though. I have some aftermarket springs too - can't remember the brand, but they're Swedish and pretty good.

The B6s are about £120 a corner. Not sure how that compares to OE Sachs.

The only criticism I have of Bilstein is they suck at figuring out ride heights. Every time I've put them on something its ended up higher than it should be, so have required a bit of mix n match of spring platforms to sort them out. Having spoken to their customer services bods they seem to think that 'max axle weight' is the same as kerb weight. I'm sure my A6 would have been lowered with 700Kg extra cargo, but at kerb weight the B12 kit lifted it about 25mm!

Mark - did they change the ride height of yours?

[moltuae]

Originally Posted by Mossyboy1978

Thanks - were the Bilsteins more or less expensive than the ORM option if you can remember?

Been trying to remember when/where I got them. Managed to find the invoice! ...

(I never enquired about the price of OEM shocks so I don't know what they typically cost I'm afraid)



(Prices exclude VAT)

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

Mark - did they change the ride height of yours?

There was no noticeable difference. I only changed the shocks though, not the springs and the previous shocks were still fully functional as far as I could tell. I changed them more for cosmetic and preventative maintenance reasons than out of necessity.

[MikkiJayne]

Maybe its only the B8s / B12 kits then. The D2 is the first time I've used B6s.