Billstein b4 vs Sachs
- Thread starter Ilogik
- Start date
Sachs make the oem shocks, so everyone will have tried them at some point.
The ecp Sachs shocks aren't the sport versions, as far as I'm aware, so aren't a direct replacement for sport shocks.
I went for Bilstein B4's for this reason. They ended up being cheaper and do a good enough job for me.
The ecp Sachs shocks aren't the sport versions, as far as I'm aware, so aren't a direct replacement for sport shocks.
I went for Bilstein B4's for this reason. They ended up being cheaper and do a good enough job for me.
Will stick with the original idea of B4'sB4's are roughly 15% firmer than the OEM damper, however, not sure if they mean SE or Sport oem damper.
I know a few places have stopped doing B4's, many were starting to knock after a very short period. Lots of unhappy customers on M3Cutters who went B4 and had issues, some in under 1000 miles.
Makes me think they are an SE damper and not enough pressure for the car.
I know a few places have stopped doing B4's, many were starting to knock after a very short period. Lots of unhappy customers on M3Cutters who went B4 and had issues, some in under 1000 miles.
Makes me think they are an SE damper and not enough pressure for the car.
The B4s replaced the original Sachs that were on the car and had done 73k miles. When I removed them both rears and one front had no resistance at all, more air in them than oil. The other front was weeping and I'd estimate was about 30% what it should've been. They were well past their bestgIzzE said:
After fitting the B4s the car felt and still does feel much more planted and secure on the road (SE springs).No bottoming out on high speed compression bumps and reasonably comfortable also. Fitting them and rebuilding the Vanos are the two best jobs I've done on the car and the biggest improvements in terms of overall drivability
How much was your Vanos rebuild, thinking of getting my gaskets done on my coupe.
patriot66 said:The B4s replaced the original Sachs that were on the car and had done 73k miles. When I removed them both rears and one front had no resistance at all, more air in them than oil. The other front was weeping and I'd estimate was about 30% what it should've been. They were well past their bestgIzzE said:
After fitting the B4s the car felt and still does feel much more planted and secure on the road (SE springs).No bottoming out on high speed compression bumps and reasonably comfortable also. Fitting them and rebuilding the Vanos are the two best jobs I've done on the car and the biggest improvements in terms of overall drivability
I did the Vanos rebuild myself with the full rebuild kit for £140 from X8R on Ebay. I do all the repairs and servicing on my cars.Ilogik said:How much was your Vanos rebuild, thinking of getting my gaskets done on my coupe.
patriot66 said:The B4s replaced the original Sachs that were on the car and had done 73k miles. When I removed them both rears and one front had no resistance at all, more air in them than oil. The other front was weeping and I'd estimate was about 30% what it should've been. They were well past their bestgIzzE said:
After fitting the B4s the car felt and still does feel much more planted and secure on the road (SE springs).No bottoming out on high speed compression bumps and reasonably comfortable also. Fitting them and rebuilding the Vanos are the two best jobs I've done on the car and the biggest improvements in terms of overall drivability
I believe Mike at The Zed Shed charges about £300 for a Vanos rebuild including seals, washers and bearings
B4s are the equivalent of SE spec shocks. Bilstein confirmed this to me via email. I've had mine on for a good two and half years now coupled to Eibach springs with no issues. I did try them with SE springs for a short period but didn't think the car looked great and it certainly rolled alot more in the corners. The cars much more sports car like with eibachs on and Bilstein do say they are suitable for lowering of upto 40mm.