Bilstein B4 or B6 all round - prices

A

ajguk

Member
Hi

I've been considering upgrading my suspension for a while now and have been looking at the B4s - more or less OEM ride I assume vs the B6 which will be stiffer. Any ideas on what a garage would quote me for the 4 struts plus fitting? And should I get top mounts and bushes done at the same time?

If it was just the rears I'd do it myself but I don't fancy playing with spring compressors.

Thanks
 
I bought this set today, company emailed to get VIN number and axle weights and posted it this afternoon.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131853384648

Went B4 as consensus was for better ride quality and also no need to tell insurance (although lower springs may still require a call) can prob just get the shocks though
 
Fronts
Bilstein b4x2 £121
Suplex sport springsx2£146
Top mounts£20x2
Supplied by me
£200 to fit plus they fitted 2 outer track tie rods
Rear
Bilstein b4x2 £200
Suplex springsx2 £100
Spring cap£20x2
Getting fitted tomorrow so should be around same price possibly cheaper to fit.
I may have got prices for front and rear wrong way round.but it was defo £200 to fit fronts.
 
I run B8 on MSport springs..on 17” or 18” rims..ride is great with modest ‘stippling’ over 30mph road ripples but much much better control on bends and high speed bumps..

Rides much better than any E85 according to my E85 pals.. :driving:

FWIW :thumbsup:
 
I fitted B6 to replace standard, feel about the same, not harsh at all. Rides a lot better.
Been on about 6 years now.
 
Go to the eibach website they do balanced kits for the car.
I bought their upgraded-lowered springs and the difference was amazing.
I always upgrade suspension one piece at a time till its right, no point shelling out a fortune and finding out you have a car that handles bends but is bloody awful at everything else.
https://www.eibachshop.co.uk/eibach-b12-prokit-suspension-kit-e90200190222_p31224678.htm
The dampers are bilstein
 
flybobbie said:
I fitted B6 to replace standard, feel about the same, not harsh at all. Rides a lot better.
Been on about 6 years now.
Click to expand...

Did you get the lowering springs to go with the B6 or did you stock springs?
 
Silverstar said:
flybobbie said:
I fitted B6 to replace standard, feel about the same, not harsh at all. Rides a lot better.
Been on about 6 years now.
Click to expand...


Did you get the lowering springs to go with the B6 or did you stock springs?
Click to expand...

B6 is for stock springs

B8 is for MSport or Eibach shorter springs..
 
Thanks all. I think I'll stick to B4 or B6 as I have a couple of new springs on there already from last year and I'd like to keep stock height. Worth phoning my local indy to see if they'll fit customer supplied parts?
 
ajguk said:
Thanks all. I think I'll stick to B4 or B6 as I have a couple of new springs on there already from last year and I'd like to keep stock height. Worth phoning my local indy to see if they'll fit customer supplied parts?
Click to expand...

B6 does offer a worthwile increase in damping over the B4s :thumbsup:
 
From what I can gather from the bilstein site (not very clear tbh) but b4 are replacement for se shocks, b6 and b8 are for the m-sport shocks (b8 allowing for a further lowering with eibach springs).

B6 will be good if you keep the same springs and don't lower it.
 
dhobbs said:
From what I can gather from the bilstein site (not very clear tbh) but b4 are replacement for se shocks, b6 and b8 are for the m-sport shocks (b8 allowing for a further lowering with eibach springs).

B6 will be good if you keep the same springs and don't lower it.
Click to expand...

On the E89 my reading (which may be incorrect) is..

B4 for standard sprung E89s (ie non MSport)
B6 for standard sprung E89s but better damping
B8 is for Msport or other lowered springs with same damping rates as B6
 
This is all very confusing as the reg number checkers on Bilsteins own site plus others say that the B4 is the right one for my car with MSport suspension.
 
Rockhopper said:
This is all very confusing as the reg number checkers on Bilsteins own site plus others say that the B4 is the right one for my car with MSport suspension.
Click to expand...

You are correct..however BMW does list different shocks for MSport vs non MSport..

That's not necessarily unusual with after market parts.

The flip argument is that the B8 is custom tweaked only for MSport /lowered E89s as they want the damper to work optimally over a shorter travel..

Interesting a a by the way is that BMW uses the same damper on all versions from 18i through 35i ..no wonder it bounces around on the heavier cars..
 
Ah right, sounds okay then as I've just ordered a pair with the right lower suplex springs for my car. I'm not after cutting edge handling, comfort is my priority now :-)
 
Well just spoken to the garage and they'll fit them if I supply them. Just got to decide between B4 or B6 I guess, and I assume it's worth changing top mounts at the same time??
 
ajguk said:
Well just spoken to the garage and they'll fit them if I supply them. Just got to decide between B4 or B6 I guess, and I assume it's worth changing top mounts at the same time??
Click to expand...

B6..you know it makes sense! :driving: :thumbsup:
 
Pbondar said:
dhobbs said:
From what I can gather from the bilstein site (not very clear tbh) but b4 are replacement for se shocks, b6 and b8 are for the m-sport shocks (b8 allowing for a further lowering with eibach springs).

B6 will be good if you keep the same springs and don't lower it.
Click to expand...

On the E89 my reading (which may be incorrect) is..

B4 for standard sprung E89s (ie non MSport)
B6 for standard sprung E89s but better damping
B8 is for Msport or other lowered springs with same damping rates as B6
Click to expand...

I think you are right :thumbsup:,very confusing though
 
I replaced my suspension at 100k and whilst it was apart I replaced those parts I had removed such as top mounts, rubber pads etc.
Even the pinch bolts and top mount bolts.
It does push the cost up a little but whilst it's apart it's a good opportunity.
 
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