#1: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: daykes1, Location: Ledbury, HerefordshirePosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:32 am ---- Hi Guys, looking for a little advice regarding dampers. The car has been lowered front & rear but still on standard oil oem shocks. Im sure it won't surprise anyone that they just don't provide anywhere near enough damping. . .and now they're leaking so time for replacements!
However, Im not looking to race or rally my car. .ever (1.6 16v Quicksilver) just wont it to feel sportier than that standard.
Wondered if anyone knew the difference between or had first had experience of these dampers?
#2: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: Barking, Location: sarcasm-in-shedloadsPosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:38 am ---- B4 replaces the standard set-up, B6 is more sporty/harsher than standard shocks (they are shorter to reduce the ride height) [as far as I can remember]
Mine were on my '02 GTi - eventually had Spax for ride comfort
#3: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: shell-vt, Location: durhamPosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:41 am ---- yer b4 buddy unles you intend to do some track days ect
#4: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: daykes1, Location: Ledbury, HerefordshirePosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:51 am ---- Brilliant thanks guys! Are the b4's suitable for lowering springs? Are the b6 rear shocks shorter than the OEM or am I being a pleb & reading to literally? Or do b6's have less 'travel'?
#5: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: Goldin, Location: Pula , CroatiaPosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 5:51 am ---- B4 - Standard gas pressure shock absorbers.
B6 - Sports settings gas shock absorbers for use with standard springs.
B8 - Shortened gas shock absorbers for use with shortened springs.
#6: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: daykes1, Location: Ledbury, HerefordshirePosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:44 am ---- Brilliant! Thanks for the help - much appreciated!
#7: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: Harry, Location: StaffordPosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:19 am ---- B4s are OEM spec but 10% stiffer so suitable for up to 40/45mm springs but don't expect huge amounts of improved handling over standard just from the shocks.
Rears aren't shortened, just stiffer.
#8: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: daykes1, Location: Ledbury, HerefordshirePosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:45 am ---- Harry, when you talk about the rears. . .is that the general rule with all the rear dampers? Their physical length are all the same? Just varying rates of stiffness?
#9: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: Harry, Location: StaffordPosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:26 pm ---- I've never come across any with shortened pistons - they may exists but may have to be a custom spec.
It's probably because the ride height isn't an identical reduction like the front - for every 10mm lowered it reduces the shock mounting point distance by around 2.5 so at 40mm it's only going to be 10mm less unlike the front would be 40mm shorter. That's my theory anyway.
#10: Re: Bilstein B4's or B6's Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 12:05 pm ---- No one has asked neither have you told us what spring rates you have fitted. The most important thing with dampers is that they are matched to the spring rate. If your dampers are too stiff they will do what the spring should and the ride will be horrible as well as risking "jack up" or suspension bottoming from "jack down."
Alterantively, if the dampers are not stiff enough then they will not control rebound or bounce and your car will be behave like a pogo stick.
There is almost nothing worse than a mismatched set of dampers and springs - it is definitely NOT just about ride height.
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