[ihbase]

e90 with factory Sport Package.
ECS recommends B8 but Turner recommends against B8.

Which one is correct?

-Michael

[Sgop335]

B6 didnt fit my sport suspension coupe, its too long. Went w b4 for sport suspension but i think b8 should.

[M-technik-3]

B8 from Bilstein's webpage.

Product Description

Bilstein B8 Performance Plus dampers are a performance upgrade to OE dampers designed to be paired with aftermarket lowering springs. These dampers offer application specific valve settings with a monotube design to bring out the best handling performance of a vehicle. Each damper is rigorously tested for quality that meets or exceeds OE standards. B8 Performance Plus dampers are the ideal solution for pairing with a lowering spring for improved handling and sportier look with the added benefit of world-famous Bilstein quality.

B6

Product Description

Bilstein B6 Performance dampers are a performance upgrade to OE dampers designed to be paired with the OE factory spring. These dampers offer application specific valve settings with a monotube design to bring out the best handling performance of a vehicle. Each damper is rigorously tested for quality that meets or exceeds OE standards. B6 Performance dampers will provide improved safety and handling performance with the added benefit of world-famous Bilstein quality.

[ihbase]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.

[Jaronbwall]

Dumb question. Can springs wear out? I'm at 122k miles with the stock sport suspension with aftermarket sway bars.
Why spend the money on B8 dampers when you could spend a little more and get new struts and springs with a B14 PSS kit?

[M-technik-3]

Springs due fatigue but they would have to be measured and I doubt they are, but heck I have been wrong before and finding someone with proper equipment to test them will not be simple one.

[crashoverride]

I'm stuck on this question also. I have a 2006 330i with Sport suspension and failing shocks. I always like to improve on what I have if replacing. But even Bilstein's web page parts finder doesn't mention B6 for my car.

B8 and above appear to be more than I want to spend. B4 seems to be a factory direct replacement and then B6 is..?? but then I also have Sport Suspension.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by crashoverride

I'm stuck on this question also. I have a 2006 330i with Sport suspension and failing shocks. I always like to improve on what I have if replacing. But even Bilstein's web page parts finder doesn't mention B6 for my car.

B8 and above appear to be more than I want to spend. B4 seems to be a factory direct replacement and then B6 is..?? but then I also have Sport Suspension.

None of the replies to the original post above explicitly answered the question or address the question about ECS vs Turner's recommendation. However if you punch your car into Bilstein's own website, they recommend the B6 for non-sport suspension and B8 for Sport suspension.

I have a 06 330i with factory sport suspension and Bilstein lists the B8 for this. If you don't want monotubes, there is also a B4 for factory sport suspension. This is what I have on my 330 and I'm extremely pleased. Its firm and sporty but not too harsh. I can see them not being ideal for someone who does autocross regularly but that's not me so these are perfect.

When I replaced my E93 335i sport suspension, Bilstein lists the same exact B4 Sport struts and shocks for the E93 as the E90. Unfortunately they don't take into account that the E93 335i Auto has firmer springs up front therefore the struts are under-dampened for this application.

The B4 sport struts suck on the 335 E93 but they're excellent on the 330 E90.

[vester86]

b6 for standard ride height, b8 for lowering springs included the Msport OEM lowering.

Bilstein B4 come in 2 variants , 1 for original ride height and 1 for lowered ride height (oem lowering included)

[Jaronbwall]

Thank you guys for the replies!! I could nickel and dime it, replace a worn out strut, but then other parts are going to fail. I can DIY it and I don't like doing things twice. I'm leaning towards a full kit and replacing everything.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Jaronbwall

Thank you guys for the replies!! I could nickel and dime it, replace a worn out strut, but then other parts are going to fail. I can DIY it and I don't like doing things twice. I'm leaning towards a full kit and replacing everything.

If you want OEM/OEM+ then go for the B4 sport stuff. Sachs for sport suspension is perfectly adequate too. These cars were designed to be sporty so the OEM stuff is sporty enough for spirited driving.

If you want to upgrade, go with the B8 stuff, or even the B12 kit which includes springs.

Personally I'm happy with the factory springs and factory ride height, so I'm not really interested in changing springs, especially when it's a bit tricky to find the correct springs in some cases (like mine - E93 335 Auto - which shares springs with the E90 335D). At some point within the next few months I'm going to install Koni Sport (yellow) struts and shocks on the 335, keeping the factory D8 springs.

[crashoverride]

Is their much difference between B4 and Sachs..??

I have e90 330i with factory Sport suspension. Trying to watch budget but I try to improve when replacing things.

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by crashoverride

Is their much difference between B4 and Sachs..??

I have e90 330i with factory Sport suspension. Trying to watch budget but I try to improve when replacing things.

I have not seen any proof but vendors claim that B4s are 10% stiffer than stock (Sachs).

[oVeRdOsE.]

I have B4 on my 328 (sport pack) and had kw V1 on my 335 and the drivability of the B4 was better. I feel like bmw OEM is like audi aftermarket, bmw got it right on the oem sport setup.

did not feel any difference between stock sport shocks and B4, mainly because I dont recall how the car drive new and oem shock were pretty leaky.

Decided to go B4 on my 335 single turbo too. personal choice, and also way easier to source part when it's due.

[aphael]

If you do get the b8, don't get the b12 kit with eibach springs. The spring rate isn't matched well to the lowering and you'll get bottoming out/ride on bumpstops. Swift Spec R springs are the way to go.

[strutmonkey1]

1. B8 for msport springs on e90
2. B4 and Sachs are very similar - doubt you could tell the difference. Bilstein warranty is lifetime; Sachs is 2 yrs. I prefer Bilstein.
3. B8 with Eibach is great combo.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by strutmonkey1

3. B8 with Eibach is great combo.

Yes. Nice drop, nice ride.

[steifan]

And regarding B12-kits it's just springs and shocks in a bigger box, nothing special about the parts in any way (I was disappointed in that when getting the kit for my E46 10 years ago normal B8s with normal Eibach Pro-kit springs). It's fully possible to make your own "B12"-kit pairing B8s with whatever springs you prefer.