01-18-2021, 10:51 AM | #1 |
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Bilstein B6, rear air, lowered vehicles, and Bilstein Customer Support
So I have been reading old threads about the Bilstein B6 shocks, could not find a definite answer to the questions about rear air, and also if suitable for lowered vehicles or not.
I have in the past read that Bilstein won't make a B8 shock for the F15, because the B6 also works for lowered vehicles, but figured it wouldn't hurt to double check. Also, their website claims the rear shocks will only work on vehicles with rear coil springs, but I'm guessing it's just for the EDC versions it won't work. So I emailed Bilsteins Customer Service, told them I had a rear air, non EDC F15 50i and got the below reply. Please read it and tell me what you think of the reply... I have the EXACT same year/make/model vehicle with the rear air suspension so this should make it quite easy to respond to as I’ve already done the research for my own vehicle. If you have air on the rear, there is no option to select. We do not make an air strut replacement for the rear of this vehicle, nor a rear airbag replacement. Yes, we do offer that on some vehicles, not this one. The front struts can indeed be replaced (NOT FOR LOWERED APPLICATIONS), but the rears are not an option that can be purchased from us because we simply do not manufacture it. Apologies for the inconvenience but seems like the best course of action is to pick another brand who can better accommodate. If you wish to have the same brand on all four corners, I would reach out to ECS Tuning, FCP Euro or a similar European car retailer for assistance. Have a great day. Kind Regards, (I removed his name) Technical & Warranty Support Expert thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, Inc I will post my reply to the guy, once I see if any of you look at the reply the same way as I do?!?! |
02-12-2022, 10:20 PM | #2 |
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The interesting part is if you look on FCP they list the B6 shocks as compatible for Standard suspension & 3rd seat row (S4UBA). I'm wanting to get the B6's on all 4 corners but I just don't know if the shocks FCP has listed as compatible will work.
My car: 2015 X5 35d with 3rd row (rear air) |
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02-12-2022, 10:39 PM | #3 |
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Can't tell if I am reading and understood either your post or the customer service agent incorrectly, but I am pretty sure they do have rear airbags that work on our car... Attached below are pics of one of the boxes for the bags on mine right now. I don't know about shocks for the rear itself, but bags wise I haven't had any issue since installation, and I am lowered on VTF. If what was suggested in that reply isn't 100% accurate, I would ask FCP or ECS instead.
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02-12-2022, 11:46 PM | #4 | |
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When placing my order on FCP part number wise on realoem its for non active steering but it shows here w/ active steering https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ng-31126851692 |
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02-13-2022, 07:16 PM | #6 |
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My concern is if they would be compatible, I understand its not designed for models with 3rd row (air bags) but I'm just not sure what to expect if I put them on. Would they be too soft or too stiff?
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02-13-2022, 07:18 PM | #7 | |
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02-13-2022, 11:15 PM | #8 | |
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They’d be an odd comparison to the adjustable suspension bc who knows how that would work out. In short, it’s prolly be fine. But now one can tell you unless they’ve done it. |
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02-13-2022, 11:21 PM | #9 |
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Okay so I've found out the answer to this question after some further digging. I managed to find a Bilstein Product Sheet from March 2018 off of google.
The following shocks are interchangeable with the F15 X5 w/ 3rd row seating. So now we know that the B6 rear shocks will work even though bilstein's website says it won't. Stock shock 33 52 6 867 875 --> Bilstein 24-241670 Stock shock 33 52 6 867 876 --> Bilstein 24-241687 |
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02-13-2022, 11:23 PM | #10 | |
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02-14-2022, 06:27 PM | #11 | |
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02-14-2022, 08:55 PM | #12 | |
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*Disclaimer: Everything I'm saying after this is more or less conjecture, lol.* As B6s work on lowered cars with rear springs, I don't see how it wouldn't work on the ones with rear bags. The thing here is going to be comfort/overall ride quality since these are stiffer than stock shocks... You can install it, just doesn't mean it will ride great... If it's my time to replace shocks, I might actually just pull the trigger even if it's a used set since I'm feeling like the stock shocks are too soft with my maxed-out VTFs. I'm happy to be a lab rat lol, but I need to get some power mods first haha. |
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01-02-2024, 04:16 PM | #13 |
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