Bilstein B6 review

[menelaos]

Finally, was able to install the B6s on Monday and ride it since Tuesday. On Wednesday, I did a wheel alignment and the rear was a bit off as I was told.

Ordered on 8/7 on a silent 10% discount that ECS Tuning was running. Since online taxes are now withheld, got it at around $1075, which included 6% MI state tax.
After 5 or 6 postponement emails, they were delivered on 10/25. In last postponement email, I contacted sales and they told me they were on the boat to US, that's why I kept the order active -I know a couple of folks here backed off their order, that's why I mention it.

I have Eibachs installed, all around.


As to riding w/B6s on here's what I experienced thus far:

Wheel response: car responds much faster to wheel turning, no "lag".
Did some zig zagging after I got it and before I did wheel alignment, and there was some improvement. After wheel alignment, car pretty much stays within the same narrow lane on frequent, sharp, zig zagging.

Highway: it feels like that car is glued on the road. It is a little bumpy in bad road conditions with pronounced bumps, so instead of stock shock absorbing the bump, you feel a little jump. I drive with one arm at 12 o'clock most of the time, so I do feel some upward pressure.

Turns: I took some sharp turns to test, and it does indeed turn faster than prior setup. On sharp right and left turns you could feel the one rear wheel, which carries most of the weight, is able to "hold its own". There is still some body roll, though

Braking: feels a lot better, as if I switched to brand new pads.

Road dips: with prior set up, quite a bit of "boat" effect, especially when I was accelerating through it. A lot more pronounced in the rear, as I did seat once with wife driving. XLR enhanced that feeling. With B6s, it definitely improved, with most "upward" pressure.

Overall, B6s excel in acceleration. That's why they're dubbed "performance" shocks. Highway ride is a blast if you can accept some bumps. Car can handle road imperfections and "run over them", as opposed to being dictated by them.

Am also looking forward to load the trunk, as well as add a roof box for a long trip.

[yewlock]

Thanks for taking the time to write up a review.

[r33_RGSport]

About time that thing shows up.

[W37V]

Any difference in behavior at speed? Low vs high speed?

(On my e92, at low speed (<35mph) they are bumpy, but at hwy speeds (60+) ride is smooth as silk).

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by W37V

Any difference in behavior at speed? Low vs high speed?

(On my e92, at low speed (<35mph) they are bumpy, but at hwy speeds (60+) ride is smooth as silk).

About as you describe it. These are meant for horse race, not simple horse riding.
I bet the e92 springs are stiffer than my eibachs.

[1norseman]

Thank you for the review!!!

Sounds promising for my set up, but I have decided to hold off until spring, to try to order and give them a try.
Together with the H&R springs, it might make the X5 too sporty! (perfect for me, but no one else LOL)

Btw, I just drove about 1,400 miles with the OEM crossbars and 420 roof box on top.
Very little wind noise, and great to store a few extra things in it. Only issue is that even though I'm lowered, roof box is 7ft at highest point, and my current garage door has a 6' 11" clearance. So box has to come off before parking. (Need to get a new garage..)

[MizikeTSK]

Did you notice if you got another .5" or so drop with the Bilsteins since they were about that much shorter compared to stocks shocks according to them.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

Did you notice if you got another .5" or so drop with the Bilsteins since they were about that much shorter compared to stocks shocks according to them.

I actually got a "lift" of about 1/2'' comparing to Eibach drop!

[MizikeTSK]

Originally Posted by menelaos

I actually got a "lift" of about 1/2'' comparing to Eibach drop!

Bummer, maybe just needs a little more time to settle in.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

Bummer, maybe just needs a little more time to settle in.

Doubt it...it probably is what it is. I did not care much for more lowering due to snow anyway.
Regardless, it was a good buy.
Really improved ride....ironically, the more passengers, the better the experience. Great on acceleration, and higher speeds.
Body roll on turns still exists, but no "boating" effect.

[MizikeTSK]

Originally Posted by menelaos

Doubt it...it probably is what it is. I did not care much for more lowering due to snow anyway.
Regardless, it was a good buy.
Really improved ride....ironically, the more passengers, the better the experience. Great on acceleration, and higher speeds.
Body roll on turns still exists, but no "boating" effect.

Curious to know if you got that extra 1/2" drop back now that it's been about a month since install.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

Curious to know if you got that extra 1/2" drop back now that it's been about a month since install.

I am about 31.5'' R, just below 31.5'' F...so no real change.
I think I gained about 2/8'' all around.

[JamesInSJ]

FYI, Bilstein B6 in the E46 M3 application are known for having a high internal pressure causing the extra ride height. Probably no different with the X5. Some specialty suspension shops modify that pressure, but it's not a DIY thing. Because of the slightly shorter length, and long internal bump stop, it's also common to open them up and cut 1" of the softer part of the bump stop away to maintain a more useful length of travel on the shock. Youtube Fat Cat Motorsports and they have a video of doing it. That being said, if you like everything about the shock and don't feel like the bump stops are causing any issues with ride quality and handling, leave well enough alone.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by JamesInSJ

FYI, Bilstein B6 in the E46 M3 application are known for having a high internal pressure causing the extra ride height. Probably no different with the X5. Some specialty suspension shops modify that pressure, but it's not a DIY thing. Because of the slightly shorter length, and long internal bump stop, it's also common to open them up and cut 1" of the softer part of the bump stop away to maintain a more useful length of travel on the shock. Youtube Fat Cat Motorsports and they have a video of doing it. That being said, if you like everything about the shock and don't feel like the bump stops are causing any issues with ride quality and handling, leave well enough alone.

Your info is very much appreciated sir!
Who knows, I may go for it in the future..

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by menelaos

Your info is very much appreciated sir!
Who knows, I may go for it in the future..

Did you install your rear B6 shocks with the stock dust boot and bump stop? I put a pair of B6 on the rear of my X5 with H&R springs and its pretty harsh. Feels like the shock is so tight that the spring barely even compresses over bumps. I'm wondering if I need to trim the bump stop or something?

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

Did you install your rear B6 shocks with the stock dust boot and bump stop? I put a pair of B6 on the rear of my X5 with H&R springs and its pretty harsh. Feels like the shock is so tight that the spring barely even compresses over bumps. I'm wondering if I need to trim the bump stop or something?

Yeah, everything else is stock.
Was debating whether to go H&R to regain some of the lowering I lost w/the eibach ls but was advised that B6s are for stock springs.
Am glad someone tried, although not glad it was so bad as per your review.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by menelaos

Yeah, everything else is stock.
Was debating whether to go H&R to regain some of the lowering I lost w/the eibach ls but was advised that B6s are for stock springs.
Am glad someone tried, although not glad it was so bad as per your review.

I just ordered the B4 to try those out too. At this point, I've pretty much tried every combo out there besides anything with Eibach springs.

After thinking about it, these B6 probably do need the softer stock springs to help compress the stiffer shock. I didn't do any scientific measurements but it probably took me:

*80-90lbs of force to push the B6 shocks in.
*40-50lbs of force to push my Silver shock in
*20-30lbs of force to push the stock shock in

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

I just ordered the B4 to try those out too. At this point, I've pretty much tried every combo out there besides anything with Eibach springs.

After thinking about it, these B6 probably do need the softer stock springs to help compress the stiffer shock. I didn't do any scientific measurements but it probably took me:

*80-90lbs of force to push the B6 shocks in.
*40-50lbs of force to push my Silver shock in
*20-30lbs of force to push the stock shock in

Very interesting findings.
Keep us posted!

[W37V]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

I just ordered the B4 to try those out too. At this point, I've pretty much tried every combo out there besides anything with Eibach springs.

After thinking about it, these B6 probably do need the softer stock springs to help compress the stiffer shock. I didn't do any scientific measurements but it probably took me:

*80-90lbs of force to push the B6 shocks in.
*40-50lbs of force to push my Silver shock in
*20-30lbs of force to push the stock shock in

What are these Silver shocks you are referring to?

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by W37V

What are these Silver shocks you are referring to?

The shocks that came with my Silvers coil overs.... I’m going to get a scale out and test/weight the pressures. Just been lazy.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by menelaos

Very interesting findings.
Keep us posted!

Originally Posted by mikew2069

I just ordered the B4 to try those out too. At this point, I've pretty much tried every combo out there besides anything with Eibach springs.

After thinking about it, these B6 probably do need the softer stock springs to help compress the stiffer shock. I didn't do any scientific measurements but it probably took me:

*80-90lbs of force to push the B6 shocks in.
*40-50lbs of force to push my Silver shock in
*20-30lbs of force to push the stock shock in

I just did some informal testing. I basically put each shock on a scale, zeroed it out and then applied just enough pressure to get the shock moving. Here are the results. Each of these should probably be posted with a +/- 7lbs because it was hard to keep the pressure constant so that the shocks would barely compress.

Stock - 25lbs
Silver - 70lbs
B4 - 32lbs
B6 - 95lbs

As soon as I get the B4 in, which should be Monday or Tuesday, I'll test those and add to this list. I'm hoping they are in the 60-80lb range which I think will pair nicely with my H&R springs. We'll see!

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

I just did some informal testing. I basically put each shock on a scale, zeroed it out and then applied just enough pressure to get the shock moving. Here are the results. Each of these should probably be posted with a +/- 7lbs because it was hard to keep the pressure constant so that the shocks would barely compress.

Stock - 25lbs
Silver - 70lbs
B6 - 95lbs

As soon as I get the B4 in, which should be Monday or Tuesday, I'll test those and add to this list. I'm hoping they are in the 60-80lb range which I think will pair nicely with my H&R springs. We'll see!

Wow, B6s are really a beast by the numbers above. Ride is really good, however there is still some body roll on turns, which I was entertaining to reduce by HRs, but I guess it will kill the ride altogether. B4 could do the trick.