E86 Bilstein Dampers

M

Mark-Z4

Senior member
 South West
Does anyone know if Bilstein sell a direct replacement damper for the E85/E86 which can be used with an Eibach Pro Kit spring?

B4 or B6??

Im thinking of refreshing some parts of the suspension over the next few months.

What other parts of the dampers are good to replace at the same time?

Thanks

Mark
 
The B8 not the B6 is the one you want. It's the same dampener as B6 but has a shorter rod as it's designed for use with lowering springs. Ideally with eibachs which bilstein sell as a combined kit know as B12. B4 are supposed to be a direct replacement for standard dampeners with the standard (none M Sport) suspension. Don't get me wrong some folks on the forum have combined these with the eibach springs and seem very happy with the results and I guess this is better than just fitting the springs to tired old dampeners.
 
Just to advise, that the Bilston b4 are actually a direct replacement for m sport dampers - b6/8 are actually upgrades on m sport.

I have the b4's fitted along with suplex springs to my coupe and I am very pleased with them.
 
Thanks guys, just the info i was looking for.

Will dampers cause a lower ride height or is this purely down to the springs? Im happy with the height as it is, i dont want it any lower.
 
highway1 said:
Just to advise, that the Bilston b4 are actually a direct replacement for m sport dampers - b6/8 are actually upgrades on m sport.

I have the b4's fitted along with suplex springs to my coupe and I am very pleased with them.
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Sorry but that's not correct although I think it works well. According to the Bilstein Catalogue the B4 and B6 dampeners are for standard suspension and the B8 for M Technology (as they call it)
http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default.aspx?34=0,100011,100121&240=0&32=16828&230=29&1271=48&1272=8ea3f35c-9c93-4d29-a3b5-528556cbfa7e&1273=1&10=53E915EF66B842F08D0D04CEA77EE3BC018004&14=4&12=130

For what its worth I dont think there's anything wrong using the B4 with eibachs for example. Plenty have and seem happy with it, it's certainly better than pairing eibachs with tired old dampeners (either SE or M Sport.)
 
From my research the B4s should be fine with M sport springs, at least in terms of shock minimum length - Bilstein sell a B4 pro kit with the (assumed same) B4. dampers and new springs that are claimed to lower an e85/E86 by 20-30mm from standard, whereas the M sport springs are only supposedly 15mm lower than standard suspension.

Chris
 
The b4 dampers are twin tube and b6/8 are mono tube.

On the sport models are'nt the original dampers twin tube?.
 
Mark-Z4 said:
I think the B4 would be ideal, Bilstien say they are fine to run with lowering springs. I may pay the extra for the B6 though.

Looking at this diagram, what other parts are important to replace at the same time?

Front

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DU52-EUR-12-2007-E86-BMW-Z4_30si&diagId=31_0648

Rear

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DU52-EUR-12-2007-E86-BMW-Z4_30si&diagId=33_1143

Thanks for all the replys.
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If your using eibachs b6 isn't what you want. B8 are, they are exactly the same shocker design/dampening etc, the only difference is the rod is shorter to accommodate the lowering spring so the shock isnt already using 30mm of its travel as would be the case with the B6. Ideally it would be nice if bilstein did a shortened b4 as well to specifically accomodate for lowering springs. The combined B4 and eibach kits you see for sale aren't an official bilstein kit, they're cobbled together by internet vendors. Like I've said members on here have reported good results with the B4 and eibachs so don't let it put
you off.
I think alot of members have the same dilemma. Is the B4 with eibachs a better compromise for ride and handling than the B12. Yes no doubt the B12 is the technically superior shocker, but I believe it's harder riding than the B4. So for a daily or a car were the owner priortises ride quality as much if not more than the absolute last word in handling is the B4 the better option? Shame you can't try all the potential combos before you buy.
 
B4 and Suplex springs here, made a massive difference over the worn out 100k mike factory parts, but can’t compare it to a B12 kit as I’ve never been in a car with that setup.
 
mjennings23 said:
B4 and Suplex springs here, made a massive difference over the worn out 100k mike factory parts, but can’t compare it to a B12 kit as I’ve never been in a car with that setup.
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Same here, except I replaced factory parts at 70K
 
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