I know the subject category is "Wheels, Tires and Brakes". However maybe someone can answer....
I am in the market for tires and struts for my '04 R53.
I been looking online but decided to drop by a local tire store just to see what they had. I noticed a Mini R53 parked in their back lot.
I asked about front strut/shocks for my MIni. I was directed to the Mini "expert" / employee (who owned the R53 in the lot).
He had a pair of brand new - in box, Bilstein B6 that he never put on his Mini. I was excited. When I checked the compression and rebound rate. Both very stiff compressing. However the rebound rate was completely different between the two.
The Right passenger side shot up / rebounded in 2 seconds, while the Left driver side took 12 slow seconds to rebound.

Is this normal for brand new struts/shocks???

 

Wow - 200+ views.
I guess no one compares their struts' rebound.
I suppose it's not a big deal

 

You might take a look at this-

If the B6 are new it shouldn't have different rebound rates on inspection. Just go to another source and check rebound in person.

 

Thanks. Although, I already watched that video I decided to post here for NAM users feedback.
I agree. I have already moved on and will be ordering Koni adjustable Yellows.
Your response is truly appreciated @minihune !

 

OK, seems reasonable.
Just a consideration, with more expensive suspensions you can rely on quality and consistency and adjustments that are reliable from unit to unit and calibrated in a predictable manner.

However with some budget minded products it's difficult to get settings that are reliable when being independently tested. Therefore most times you get what you pay for even with brand names.

Suspension is a complex thing with many variables. Note that although you can have many approaches you also have the driver who is the most important factor in getting the most out of any setup when it comes to performance.

 

Strange. A few months ago I put Bilstein B8 shocks/struts on my wife's car with H&R springs.

At the time of the installation, I remember compressing one of the B8 shocks (very difficult) and watching the rebound (about a second or so). I did the same test on one of the old shocks I was replacing (easy to compress, slow to rebound) but I did not compare all 4 new shocks/struts to each other. Oh well. Her car rides nice, firm and very well controlled with the new springs and dampers.