[Murf]

At 75k the dampers on my e90 sport are starting to go. This is a daily driver and I would normally stick with OEM replacement parts but the the Sach oem replacement struts and shocks are freaking pricey.

Does anyone know anything about the Bilstein B4 line? They seem to be marketed as an oem replacement for the stock sports shocks and are very inexpensive at ~ 300 for 4 corners. I can't find much if any discussion on these here although there are some very positive comments in the E46 M3 forums.

No interest in HD's, Koni FSD/Sports or anything stiffer, I commute on some shitty stretches of I95.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by Murf

At 75k the dampers on my e90 sport are starting to go. This is a daily driver and I would normally stick with OEM replacement parts but the the Sach oem replacement struts and shocks are freaking pricey.

Does anyone know anything about the Bilstein B4 line? They seem to be marketed as an oem replacement for the stock sports shocks and are very inexpensive at ~ 300 for 4 corners. I can't find much if any discussion on these here although there are some very positive comments in the E46 M3 forums.

No interest in HD's, Koni FSD/Sports or anything stiffer, I commute on some shitty stretches of I95.

Yea, I thought the Bilstein B4 were original equipment actually. Since your roads are shit, can't go wrong with $300 IMO

[pinoye90]

Go with B4's, lifetime warranty and better price.

[cpie168]

Don't shit roads call for Koni FSD's?

[Murf]

Originally Posted by cpie168

Don't shit roads call for Koni FSD's?

I've read a bunch of KSD threads and I don't like the feedback that they are somewhat underdamped. Seems like they are very polarizing people either love them or hate them.

That and they are more than 2x the price.

Really curious as to how the B4's stack up against the OEM Sachs.

[Rollo`]

If you get them please post a review for the rest of us who are happy with the oem sport setup but will have to replace dampers soon. :-)

[chris@strutmonkey]

I just put the bilstein b4s on my 335i. Ride is about the same as stock. Fitment was oem quality. Fender space up front seems a bit higher, but that is probably because my front struts were totally shot and sagging. Nice shocks for the money, but not performance oriented. Very close to the same ride as Sachs/OEM.

[Murf]

Hey quick question- I am putting these on my car this weekend and when I opened the box I noticed that the rears have a white plastic cap or collar on one end (where the rod comes out). Seems like its not meant to be removed but I've not seen this in any of the vendor pics. Is this supposed to stay on?

[mweisdorfer]

From what I have read, guys who track their car, do not like Koni FSD's by in large. However, Koni FSD's are favored by daily drivers more often then not.

Track guys like a Koni sport or a Bilstein b8 or 12. They will often use lowering springs like Eibach or an H & R.

Just my take on reading inbetween the lines.

[PhaseP]

Originally Posted by Murf

Hey quick question- I am putting these on my car this weekend and when I opened the box I noticed that the rears have a white plastic cap or collar on one end (where the rod comes out). Seems like its not meant to be removed but I've not seen this in any of the vendor pics. Is this supposed to stay on?

Yes. OEM's have same but black caps.

[Murf]

Thanks dude.

[Rollo`]

Originally Posted by Murf

Hey quick question- I am putting these on my car this weekend and when I opened the box I noticed that the rears have a white plastic cap or collar on one end (where the rod comes out). Seems like its not meant to be removed but I've not seen this in any of the vendor pics. Is this supposed to stay on?

Hey Murf,

How are those b4's working out? I'm really needing to replace the stock sport shocks this year and would like to know your experience.

[Stream]

+1.
My rear koni sport also wants to be replaced with more reliable struts. I'm looking for b4.

[Murf]

I've put 10k on these with zero complaints. As other people have stated they are maybe 5-10% stiffer than stock but not bad at all. I have them paired with Bridgestone S-04's and the ride is pretty firm, I think I may actually go to a slightly softer tire like the Conti DW to balance things out.

I highly recommend them as an OEM-ish replacement.

[PhaseP]

I have them on my XI for about a year, and they significantly reduced the "pot hole explosions" XI's are infamous for with stock suspension.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Murf

At 75k the dampers on my e90 sport are starting to go. This is a daily driver and I would normally stick with OEM replacement parts but the the Sach oem replacement struts and shocks are freaking pricey.

Does anyone know anything about the Bilstein B4 line? They seem to be marketed as an oem replacement for the stock sports shocks and are very inexpensive at ~ 300 for 4 corners. I can't find much if any discussion on these here although there are some very positive comments in the E46 M3 forums.

No interest in HD's, Koni FSD/Sports or anything stiffer, I commute on some shitty stretches of I95.

It's my understanding that the B4 set made by Bilstein is made to replace a non-sport e90 set up and to restore the non-sport suspension to factory performance. It's basically an alternative vs buying oem Shock replacements for a non-sport setup. If your looking to to replace your sport shocks and want to use Bilstein, I would suggest Bilstein B8.

Koni sport shocks are also highly regarded on this forum as well.

http://www.bilsteinus.com

[Rollo`]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

It's my understanding that the B4 set made by Bilstein is made to replace a non-sport e90 set up and to restore the non-sport suspension to factory performance. It's basically an alternative vs buying oem Shock replacements for a non-sport setup. If your looking to to replace your sport shocks and want to use Bilstein, I would suggest Bilstein B8.

Koni sport shocks are also highly regarded on this forum as well.

http://www.bilsteinus.com

Actually the B4 comes in "for sport suspension" and "for non sport suspension" models...at least on the web sites I was looking at.

thanks for the reviews!

[brocklanders]

As far as I always understood it b4 is the oem replacement for sport or non. But I personally would foot the bill for b6, it's just such a better product.

[bin01123]

Originally Posted by brocklanders

As far as I always understood it b4 is the oem replacement for sport or non. But I personally would foot the bill for b6, it's just such a better product.

+1

I upgraded the wife's E90 to the B6 all around and the car is not as stiff as people claim. The car handles much better and you barely feel pot holes. Glad I went with the HDs

[jwong77]

Likewise, I recently went from FSD's to Bilstein B8's (which from my understanding is the same as the HD B6's except its shorter), and the car feels phenomenal. I lost that floaty feeling. With all that said, the car is less comfortable on the initial compression, but I like that it doesn't have much secondary oscillations. So the car essentially hits a bump, absorbs it, and then moves on without losing its composure. Also, I hear that it will get more comfortable over time too.

[david in germany]

In Europe they advertise the b4 for standard cars, b6 are for sport suspension and b8 are for performance suspension.

Jwong77, your setup is the perfect combo. I did the same on my e87 and love it!

[brocklanders]

I have read multiple times that the only difference between b6 and b8 is the length of the piston. B8 have shorter pistons to eliminate the possibility of unseating a lowering (shorter) spring at full extention. So if this is true and Koni sports are for any spring do they have short pistons? and if that is the case why not use b8's on all applications of the e8x and e9x since compared to most other cars these would be considered low in stock form.