Bilstein B6 Damptronic shocks - Initial review

[apollo]

I'm in UK so I pay vat so that must be the difference

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by apollo

Where did you manage to get these for £1400?

Lots of shopping around & phone calls mate. It wasn't easy.
I ended up getting a "special one off deal" at £1400 delivered, from Larkspeed.

[apollo]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

Lots of shopping around & phone calls mate. It wasn't easy.
I ended up getting a "special one off deal" at £1400 delivered, from Larkspeed.

Cheers mate

[domino_z]

caved and installed the eibachs

Immediate drop in height, and more than I thought

Front is 3-4mm higher than I had my tractives set at, but crucially 7-8mm higher in rear, so I got lucky in that it doesn't scrape over driveway vs tractives - front on my tractive was set to match rear drop as rear is fixed. So this uneven drops proves what you can see in pics, there is a slight forward lean on eibachs

As for ride, I'm impressed what a relatively cheap spring and shock combo can do. That initial firmness I had on oe comp springs is gone, the initial dampening is almost as comfortable as the tractives while still feeling like there's enough travel to soak up bigger undulating bumps

On a really bumpy road I've actually found sport to handle it better, feels like it gets the body movement over quicker - I need to explore this is a bit more

Overall I'm happy with outcome, I got the extra height I needed to clear a specify daily driveway while also retaining a good looking height and decent dampening - it's still not as resolved as the tractives but it's good enough for my remaining ownership this year

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by RoadRunner///M

Just installed the B6 Damptronic + Eibach Pro springs. Put on around 500km. Initially it was a bit too hard, but after 100km it definitely eases up. This is a sensational setup IMO. Car is firm, but far more compliant and planted than OE.

For me the noticeable improvements over OE are:
- comfort around city/daily
- huge improvement in damping
- more steering feel
- less body roll
- improved traction out of corners

Very happy with this setup. Should have felt like this from factory!

Hey mate, where did you source your setup from?

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by mfurse

Hey mate, where did you source your setup from?

Speak with Larkspeed in Leeds. They'll beat anyone's price I reckon, all with free delivery. I believe they'll be able to supply the job lot all in one go.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by domino_z

caved and installed the eibachs

Immediate drop in height, and more than I thought

Front is 3-4mm higher than I had my tractives set at, but crucially 7-8mm higher in rear, so I got lucky in that it doesn't scrape over driveway vs tractives - front on my tractive was set to match rear drop as rear is fixed. So this uneven drops proves what you can see in pics, there is a slight forward lean on eibachs

As for ride, I'm impressed what a relatively cheap spring and shock combo can do. That initial firmness I had on oe comp springs is gone, the initial dampening is almost as comfortable as the tractives while still feeling like there's enough travel to soak up bigger undulating bumps

On a really bumpy road I've actually found sport to handle it better, feels like it gets the body movement over quicker - I need to explore this is a bit more

Overall I'm happy with outcome, I got the extra height I needed to clear a specify daily driveway while also retaining a good looking height and decent dampening - it's still not as resolved as the tractives but it's good enough for my remaining ownership this year

So you feel it rides even more comfortable with the
eibachs springs? I bought the b6 kit for me to e90 m3 but was planning to use my zcp springs but perhaps if the ride quality is going to be as good or better with eibachs and look better I could "spring" for a set of those as well.

[Magic M4]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

Apologies for the delay domino_z.
Photos below now completely settled. My car's filthy atm, hate it, but with the weather atm it's impossible to keep black clean.
Mine's sitting on genuine 763M's, Eibach Pro springs & 12mm spacers all round...

That looks like it’s sitting pretty high for the lowering springs , I am
About to purchase this kit and pair it with the Mach schnell springs and I don’t want to be sitting that high

[mdlex389]

Which US distributor carries the B6?

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by mdlex389

Which US distributor carries the B6?

No idea why you would ask this on the UK section?

[mdlex389]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

No idea why you would ask this on the UK section?

My apologies. I did a search and did not realize I was in the UK forum.

[Jims M3]

Rock Auto has the best price on them, but they have been out of stock for 6-7 months. Rear only available right now.

[Smee]

Jon you had these on track yet?

im thinking of selling the clio track toy and using the f83. but im torn between matching the b6 with my eibach springs... or go b16 damptronics.

it will be a 90% weekend toy.. coastal drives etc. so needs to be compliant and comfortable on the road.

im worried the b16 will be to stiff for day to day

anyone else used b6 on track?

[t5pilot]

Hi mate.
No, not done a track day yet.
I'd share your worries with the B16's for road use, although @SteveChester has them doesn't he?
Mine's a daily. I'm absolutely smitten with how mine drives tbh.
Remember the Eibach spring is ever so slightly softer than stock CP spring.
It's such a great ride in comfort imo. Sports + for track I'm sure would be great. It's rock hard.

[SteveChester]

I've not used mine on track yet - fine for daily road use in Comfort mode. Sport+ on the road is a bit too stiff though.

[SteveChester]

A guy on cutters just sold a set of B16 damptronics for £900 - total bargain!

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by SteveChester

A guy on cutters just sold a set of B16 damptronics for £900 - total bargain!

I know, he got mixed up didn't he?
If I'd have seen them 10 minutes earlier I'd have bitten his hands off & just flipped them.

[t5pilot]

I don't think you can make the wrong choice here Lee. There isn't one really imo.
Budget was an issue for me, and given I was also already running the Eibachs, the appeal of spending more than £1k less was a considerable factor.

[SteveChester]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

I know, he got mixed up didn't he?
If I'd have seen them 10 minutes earlier I'd have bitten his hands off & just flipped them.

I think he forgot to put the 1 in front of the price.

They were low mileage so assume he bought them new - seemed really odd to sell them for so cheap.

Almost too cheap.................

[Smee]

No way. I'd of bought for 900 too lol

I almost need you too to meet and compare the two.

Terry has already told me which pads to use and fluid. Although f83 weight and rigidity might be against me.

Just feel the clio 182 is fun and through the corner I'm quick but down the straights I need more.

[noemon]

I'm currently on the fence regarding the Tractive and the B6's.

I was full-on Tractive until I read in this thread that ground clearance may be an issue.

I really do not want to have a very low car that's got issues clearing driveways and speedbumps.

And on the other hand I'm not sure if the family will be happy with the stiffness of the B6's.

The car is to be used primarily as a daily & for touring purposes.

domino_z

Can you please share some pics from when you were running the tractives?

[apollo]

For anyone interested Larkspeed on ebay are doing £60 per shock discount with code SHOP4LESS. You would need to order each item separately to get £60 of each. But comes in at £1358 for all 4. Code lasts to 14/06/21