Bilstein shocks

[jagwit]

It seems that I am in the fortunate position to have someone locally who is able to make a set of Bilstein shocks to my requirements. He takes a standard catalog item and then modifies it as required and can also tune the damping characteristics.

Today I installed the front shocks and find them a major improvement over the Boge's that were in the car. Comfort is my primary requirement. I am having another set made for a friend of mine and when that happens I'll have that set of fronts made even softer than these for max comfort.

[brent07n]

I've heard that Bilsteins are known to be a bit stiff. Is this true?

[jagwit]

I've heard that Bilsteins are known to be a bit stiff. Is this true?

If you buy a set "off the shelf", it can possibly be true. Or can equally be possible that they will be too soft.

Off the shelf shocks are made for a particular application and in a different application, they may be too hard or too soft.

The shock is as hard or soft as the parameters of the valves its been fitted with.

The benefit of Bilstein is that the shocks are serviceable and customisable (in an accredited Bilstein workshop). Mine was built to a "soft" spec but I will have them re-valved even softer.

[jagwit]

Fitted the Bilstein rears today. Fitting was not as bad as I expected. Remove the front shocks (of the rear set) first, then the others. Removed the nut at the top of the "front" shocks through the brake pad replacement ports under the rear seat. Removing that front shock first made lots of room for the rear one.

The SNG supplied Boge shocks were interfering with the chassis which led to one of them breaking during a 3500km trip last year. This new set clears the chassis well.

These shocks were made to my requirements which were "magic carpet ride" please. Well, I don't believe one can get it any better than this!!

[Paul Buckley]

Hi Jagwit.

Can you tell me the model number of Bilstein shock that you used for your S3, and what spec was the valve that you ended up with?

Cheers

Paul B.

[jagwit]

Hi Jagwit.

Can you tell me the model number of Bilstein shock that you used for your S3, and what spec was the valve that you ended up with?

Cheers

Paul B.

Hi Paul

Sorry to disappoint on this question but I have no idea. All I know is that he takes a standard Bilstein shock that has more or less the correct form factor and then sets about modifying it with the correct mounting points and valve settings. I do know that he's had to MAKE appropriate spring landings for these shocks complete with circlips and collars to mount the springs to the shocks. Its even adjustable to some degree by re-positioning the circlip higher up or lower down the shock body - if needed. Very high quality work.

[brent07n]

How's the performance of your custom Bilstein shocks on rough roads? I really want to have bilsteins on my car also, so I might ask some local shops here that offer custom suspensions.

[jagwit]

How's the performance of your custom Bilstein shocks on rough roads?

Keeping in mind that I mine tuned for maximum comfort ie as soft as possible, I have found a few instances where there has been a bad dip in the road where I felt that firmer shocks would have handled those better. In once instance I was doing about 120mph. So for frequent speeds of that kind, they are too soft.

The nice things about Bilsteins are that:
1) they can be tuned to your liking;
2) they can be serviced if they should leak.