Bilstein HD6

[Roadway 5.0]

Compared to stock, this setup is way more predictable, but way less forgiving.

So true with a stiffer suspension. More talent and focus is required. Well said.

Will improve with more grip all the way around from wider wheels and tires (I have a 19x10/19x11 setup with wider PSS's that I'll get on the road next spring - right now I'm still running the stock staggered Pirelli PP set).

Yep, the big PSS tires will help you for sure. It was night and day when I chucked the OEM Pirellis and went the big PSS route.

Great thorough review, and glad you like your setup!

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[BmacIL]

Yes, well... just got back from a few days out in So Cal for work.

Was dying all week to get back and get some seat time. Figured the best way to evaluate was to do a 40 mile loop to the office and back, since I have butt tuning memory of that route. I mixed it up a little on the way home to get some twisties and different road surfaces in. Keep in mind this is as installed, haven't had it in for an alignment yet.

Impressions: Holy cow, this is the flattest setup I've had in a car yet. I will say this. Compared to stock, this setup is way more predictable, but way less forgiving. Will improve with more grip all the way around from wider wheels and tires (I have a 19x10/19x11 setup with wider PSS's that I'll get on the road next spring - right now I'm still running the stock staggered Pirelli PP set). Will take some butt/big toe calibration on throttle tip in around turns on the street, as throttle can be easily over applied, and you don't get the "wind up" feeling that the stock PP suspension had with the front end going up and the rear end going down when you hammer down. Just wheel spin, wheel spin and grip... it breaks away so effortlessly that it will require more practice to not end up like some youtube Cars and Coffee casualty

Bump steer is not drastically altered vs factory. It's still minor, but present, and something I can live with since I'm used to it and it's not what I would call bad by any means. On the highway at speed, the ride is well controlled, the feedback is enhanced. Road surface differences are communicated more so than stock, but not annoyingly so. Hopefully after some more 'spirited' driving after an alignment I'll have more feedback. But as of right now I'm excited to get used to the new dynamics and build confidence to push this setup more. One thing I can say is that I'm happy with my decision to stick with the PP bar in the back, for my driving style I can't imagine needing any more bar back there.

Very impressed and excited to see what I can squeeze out of these parts. Thanks again to the folks at Steeda, BMR, and BmacIL for inspiration and guidance. These cars CAN handle, no doubt!

Just wait until you try the front roll center correction...takes it to another level! You'll get used to it quicker than you'd think, and soon you'll be pushing it in ways you never thought it could do. Tires alone will be a massive improvement, and you'll be able to lean on it way harder with very progressive breakaway. The pirellis are junk.

 

[Emilbadal]

Two questions, Are these the same as the Bilstein B6 available through tirerack? If not can you post where you got them from?

 

[Tuxedomouse]

Should be. I actually got mine through a friend that works at Bilstein

 

[BmacIL]

Should be. I actually got mine through a friend that works at Bilstein

Can you ask your friend what the spring rates of their B16 coilovers are?

 

[SMJ8111D]

Yes, well... just got back from a few days out in So Cal for work.

Was dying all week to get back and get some seat time. Figured the best way to evaluate was to do a 40 mile loop to the office and back, since I have butt tuning memory of that route. I mixed it up a little on the way home to get some twisties and different road surfaces in. Keep in mind this is as installed, haven't had it in for an alignment yet.

Impressions: Holy cow, this is the flattest setup I've had in a car yet. I will say this. Compared to stock, this setup is way more predictable, but way less forgiving. Will improve with more grip all the way around from wider wheels and tires (I have a 19x10/19x11 setup with wider PSS's that I'll get on the road next spring - right now I'm still running the stock staggered Pirelli PP set). Will take some butt/big toe calibration on throttle tip in around turns on the street, as throttle can be easily over applied, and you don't get the "wind up" feeling that the stock PP suspension had with the front end going up and the rear end going down when you hammer down. Just wheel spin, wheel spin and grip... it breaks away so effortlessly that it will require more practice to not end up like some youtube Cars and Coffee casualty

Bump steer is not drastically altered vs factory. It's still minor, but present, and something I can live with since I'm used to it and it's not what I would call bad by any means. On the highway at speed, the ride is well controlled, the feedback is enhanced. Road surface differences are communicated more so than stock, but not annoyingly so. Hopefully after some more 'spirited' driving after an alignment I'll have more feedback. But as of right now I'm excited to get used to the new dynamics and build confidence to push this setup more. One thing I can say is that I'm happy with my decision to stick with the PP bar in the back, for my driving style I can't imagine needing any more bar back there.

Very impressed and excited to see what I can squeeze out of these parts. Thanks again to the folks at Steeda, BMR, and BmacIL for inspiration and guidance. These cars CAN handle, no doubt!

May I know did you change or trim your bumpstop? I paired my B6 with Vogtland Sport (-1") and original bumpstop. The rear felt very bouncy.

 

[BmacIL]

May I know did you change or trim your bumpstop? I paired my B6 with Vogtland Sport (-1") and original bumpstop. The rear felt very bouncy.

With the BMR rear shock mounts he has, you do not need to trim as they add 1.125" of shock travel.

 

[Tuxedomouse]

What Bmac said. Going with the BMR mounts, I just left the bumpstops alone, transferred them over to the new shocks

 

[Roadway 5.0]

@Tuxedomouse

Did you see a height variance from the Bilstein struts? I believe your springs should have lowered the front about 0.7-0.8 inches; how low did it end up going? Thanks,

- Mike

 

[BmacIL]

@Tuxedomouse

Did you see a height variance from the Bilstein struts? I believe your springs should have lowered the front about 0.7-0.8 inches; how low did it end up going? Thanks,

- Mike

Front drop is 0.65-0.7" for the R springs.

 

[Roadway 5.0]

What Bmac said. Going with the BMR mounts, I just left the bumpstops alone, transferred them over to the new shocks

One more Q bud, are the Bilstein shocks 10mm-1.5 diameter threading into the shock mount?

 

[BmacIL]

Based on this @Tuxedomouse, did you see the full .65-.7” drop or something less? Thanks,

Mike



One more Q bud, are the Bilstein shocks 10x1.5 threading into the shock mount?

Nearly certain they are 10x1.5. I don't think he had to get a different rod end (10x1.0) like for the Pedders or Steeda fixed shocks.

 

[Roadway 5.0]

Nearly certain they are 10x1.5. I don't think he had to get a different rod end (10x1.0) like for the Pedders or Steeda fixed shocks.

Awesome, thanks

 

[Tuxedomouse]

Awesome, thanks

Yep, 10mmx1.5 confirmed

 

[Gojr47]

What Bmac said. Going with the BMR mounts, I just left the bumpstops alone, transferred them over to the new shocks

Did you widen up the OEM bumpstops to resuse them on the shocks or just force them down? The Bilstein shaft is wider than the steeda shocks I have right now.

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