Just wondering if anyone here was using the aftermarket spring w/bilsteins and then found they were not enough and switched to coilovers.

I'm about to buy a set of coilovers and though I only do maybe a dozen track days a year, I still want my car to ride decent.

I have the NM engr'ing springs and love them. EXCELLENT springs... but I'm thinking a set of Bilsteins would be a happy medium.

Anyone go this route only to find out later than they ended up with coilovers?

Thanks,

Mark

 

The longer I run the HD's with the stock springs, the more I realize it was a very good move. Sure it sits at stock height, but it WORKS on the road. That was my goal. I am reconsidering several other mods. I may only de-camber the front and leave it be. (H&R springs, TSW rear track rods, H-sport rear bar was the plan) The HD's give such better control and feedback that I find I naturally drive it much quicker and get a nice little "chirp" out of the front with consistent and non-dramatic ease. No surprises. Driving it well , not driving at a maximum velocity is more my thing. Heck, it goes stupidly fast to start with.

That is why I do the broken record player thing asking the OP's what they want to achieve with their car when they ask blind questions about a part or mod. We all have different goals. I would select different parts for a weekend track or autocross car. ( Pss10's right off the bat, different brake pads etc). Not that the HDs would not be fun to take to school. I plan to.

 

I have been running the NM springs and Bilsteins HD's for almost a month now. They are a great combination. The Bilsteins really help control the suspension with the NM's giving me the drop, handling and ride I was wanting. No comparison between the stock Sport suspension and the NM's/Bilsteins. I agree with TVR that the Bilsteins alone with the stock springs would be a major improvement.

 

Well I was thinking of keeping my NM springs and buying a set of HD 8's instead of going with the coilovers. Like I said, I only do about a dozen track days a year but trying to find a happy medium.

Thanks,

Mark

 

I'm in the same boat as you. Had on the springs for about two months now but I fell better shocks are needed. Bilstein sport B8 are my choice just hopping price will drop. Also NM sometimes works in conjunction with Bilstein to get valving specific to their springs, I wonder if they will go that path.
Anyway i'll wait until they offer it on their site ( just a though ) and good luck.

 

Not sure if you saw it but I had on another post the B8's out the door for 750.00 bucks including shipping.

Let me know if you need the link.


Mark

 

Thanks Mark, I saw your post with the rebate.

I can still wait a bit longer, as I am now on the process of buying the JCW kit.

But thanks for looking out.

Paul.

 

If you guys want Bilstein HDs, here is where I got mine for $460 shipped.

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

their site is a little goofy so I would just call them and order them.

 

Those are the B6's, not B8's.

Mark

 

orangecrush

So you want Bilstein Sports not HD's, my bad. I have the HD's with Eibach springs and couldn't be happier for a daily driver and couple time a year track car.

 

No, that's cool... I wasn't belittling the HD's at all, I was just making the point that price was for the HD's, not sports.

It's kind of stupid if you think about it. Shorter shocks, less material, more money.

Mark

 

I was thinking of doing the sports too till I talked with the techs at Bilstein and they said that the HDs would work just fine for a 1-1.5" lowering spring. I have to say that the car never bottoms out now and that I don't think I would want anymore dampning than the HDs. It just rides so perfect now.

 

"Bottoming out" is deceptive. The car is essentially on the bumpstops STOCK. When you hit them, it's not a sharp feeling, but it progressively ramps up the spring rate quickly. The "crashing" noise/feeling means you've really bottomed out the shock and even the bumpstop isn't compressing any more. It'll happen with the right bump, which we have a lot of here in MD. Even on stock springs, much more on lowering springs.

The Bilsteins probably have a little more travel since they use an inverted design with an internal bumpstop. Gas pressure also reduces the "crashing" feeling.

- drew

 

Hi Mark..i'am intrested with this B8 dampers,can u give me the link so i can order it..thanx in advanced mate..

 

Can u give me the link Mark..thanx

 

Gas pressure works to reduce the foaming of the fluid. It does not provide any shock or spring effect. It was revolutionary when introduced, not as important now we have more advanced fluids.

I paid barely over 500 from Turner Motorsports for my HD's.

 

I would have thought that the gas pressure would have added an additional "spring" effect, wouldn't it? obviously it's mainly for oil foaming/cavitation

 

Replying to a 9-year old post. But, I just put Bilstein B6/HD's on my 2009 MCS with OE 'S' springs with 140K miles, based on above post. And, I totally agree, it WORKS on the road for a DD. I'm glad I kept OE springs. Ride quality is excellent and handling/performance is excellent!

 

installed B8's on my sons car, huge difference, way better than stock, ride handling everything.