Between this shock and this shock?

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to go with a set of Bilstein B8 shocks. Unfortunately, they are about triple the price of the same Bilstein B6 shock.... however, they may suit my needs better for the track and street.

Both of the above shocks say sport B8's but other than the 10 price difference, I don't know what I'm looking at that is different.

Anyone? I've looked at so many shock choices over the last week, it's shocking! (OH COME ON, you know someone was going to say it.... )


Thanks,

Mark

 

Have you tried calling Bilstein? They list two numbers: East 1-704-663-7563, West 1-858-386-5900... I'd be curious to know too as I'm thinking NM / Bilstein at this point, and was interested in Sports even though the last thread I saw no one had actually seen them available for purchase.

 

Yea, Turner listed sports but only had HD's. Love them.

 

I got off the phone with Bilstein....this is what I was told.

The B6's are the OEM replacement for a stock height car. If you lower the car any other than a JCW spring for instance (read....1/4" drop) you need the B8's.

The B8's are the sport version of the B6's. The valving and shaft sizes are all the same except for the length.

Obviously many people are running the B6's with lowered springs but according to Bilstein, though it may work, it's not designed for that use.

Now, I can't tell how much of that is true for a car with a reasonable drop (say 1") because obviously many of you are doing just that. My understanding is that though it will work, you will not utilize the full workings of the shock correctly...blah, blah, blah...

I don't know if that's true or their way of getting an add'l 300+ each for the B8's.

I know for the amount I track my car, I'm going with the B8's... there must be a reason why they make them.

Also, the part numbers for the B8's that have an H1 on the end is just a superceded model number from the ones ending in H0.

Hope that helps....


Mark

 

Great info Mark! Thanks for finding out the difference.
So can you actually purchase them through Bilstein or do you have an alternate source?

If I ever trash the B6's I will move on to the B8's. Too bad they were not available when I was ready to purchase.....

 

B8's should be cheaper - being shorter, there's less material required to manufacture them.

 

Yeaahhh, that's kinda what I was thinking...lol.

I've found the B6's for under 110.00 each.

The cheapest I have found the B8's is about 400 each.

Go figure...

Mark

 

Found this... and even found a 20 promo code.


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Mark

 

Did ya order them? Did ya did ya?

 

Yup, sure did.... I looked at a member here online that has a set of Koni coilovers for sale and I've got a buddy that is selling a set of coilovers off his mini.

As much as I want coilovers, I'm just trying to find a happy medium on the ride so I passed on the Koni's.

My buddy has a set that he may be selling in a few weeks. I figure the worst thing that happens is if I don't like the Bilsteins, I can still go with the coilover route...

Mark

 

Things such as:

Diet food-They remove the fat and calories=cost more

Porsche - they remove the radio,sound deadening,thinner glass, & much more and then charge more for the car. Audi does it too with the R8.

It seems to me that every time a company removes material from anything they produce they will up the price.

I guess shocks are no different.

 

Good point....


Mark

 

Please take a ton of pictures of them when you get them....preferably side-by-side with the stock stuff so we can see exactly how they are shortened.

Pleeeease.

- Andrew

 

Thanks for doing all my homework Mark. Should I send you anything? Pizza, beer, bandaids?

 

LOL, no problem... you should probably send bandaids since I'll probably need them taking the springs out...lol.


Mark

 

Don't hold your breath for any pics any time soon... I got this email this week.

All good things are worth waiting for...


Mark

 

Are there any measuremnts posted for b6 and b8s? Because if they are the same physical dimensions how could they be that much different?

 

They're not the same physical dimensions.

According to Bilstein themselves, the B8's are the sport B6's. I was told they have the same thickness shafts, same valving, they're just shorter. They are no longer making the B6 sports for the R56.

Mark

 

So so what made you choose your set up? Becuase it looks good and I am thinking of getting the same set up.

 

I went with this setup because I rode in several cars with coilovers. While their ride was very respectable, it still wasn't as good as just my springs. I really don't need all the adjustments and a good set of shocks (Hadn't heard anything bad about bilsteins ever) would almost get me the same performance I want/need.

Now, I'm sure my setup isn't as good as a set of coilovers but it's a happy medium. Performance and ride...

Mark