Bilstein B16 Damptronic for F80 M3: My Review

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

I thought you were getting the new exhaust prototyped on your car? Still selling the car? =(

I am! Top Gear is currently working on the car, and I should get it back next week

I just wanted to follow through with the exhaust project before wrapping up my time with the M3. I'd hate to be the guy who built up all the momentum just to kill it haha. It's also the middle of winter in Chicago, so locals aren't exactly dying to buy an M3 right now.

For the record, I'm not selling the car due to the exhaust tone (which is fixed now) or the suspension. I just don't have the time to maintain 2 garage queens anymore, and would rather the M3 go to a new home.

Sorry for derailing my own thread, back on topic.

[stevehifi]

bimmerworld shows the full B6D kit available by Spring 2020. fingers crossed.

[TR930]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

bimmerworld shows the full B6D kit available by Spring 2020. fingers crossed.

So, same dampers as B16 but with custom springs?

[stevehifi]

these are the 4 B6D shocks only. (front/rear)

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by TR930

So, same dampers as B16 but with custom springs?

They're different part numbers. Both are the B6 product line, but B16D version are matched to the springs. Generic B6D are more compliant.

[BS_CS]

Originally Posted by TR930

So, same dampers as B16 but with custom springs?

No, dampers are technically not the same. They look similar but the tuning/valving is different since the B16's are made to accommodate a higher spring rate as compared to the B6's which are tuned to work with the OE spring rate.

[FreeDarko]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

I contacted DSC awhile back for this solution and they said if they got enough traction with our platform, they may support it. Maybe I need to look into their controller again.

Jetbill used OEM EDC shocks from m3 with the DSC controller on his m2.

[stevehifi]

I think most lowering spring rates would be fine with the B6s since the deviation from stock is minimal.
Only question is if the B6 shock body/shaft length has enough travel/response to accommodate the reduced suspension travel.

[BS_CS]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

I think most lowering spring rates would be fine with the B6s since the deviation from stock is minimal.
Only question is if the B6 shock body/shaft length has enough travel/response to accommodate the reduced suspension travel.

True, spring rate on an aftermarket spring kit would likely only be between 10-15% and wouldn't warrant or require a tuning change to the shock, I agree with that. Since Bilstein obviously is a large enough company to change out tuning of their shock with their B16 kit, might as well give it specific tuning to work with the spring rate of that B16 rear spring they provide with the kit.

No need to change the body, the shaft or the travel length to accommodate any reduced suspension travel on an already low car to start with, that wouldn't be necessary with a shock already accommodating of how low the M3 is traditionally from factory. If we were talking about a non-M height versus a lowered height, sure that would likely warrant the necessity of what Bilstein calls a B8 shock which is intended for lowered applications for that segment. With the M3, no B8 would exist since the B6 is already accommodating of how low the vehicle is to start with if that makes sense. No change necessary so no worries there.

[stevehifi]

An additional review:

I got to drive my friend's car this time (instead of being a passenger) and here are my thoughts. BTW I currently run Swift springs+CS EDC+GTS steering+GTS diff on my F80 for comparison.

-It's a very different perspective as a driver than a passenger (my opinion has changed a lot)
-the car is very composed, doesn't get too upset by even big bumps able to recover quickly
-Steering is nice but actually on par with my car (not much difference)
-A lot less body roll (my car is actually same ride height and perhaps even lower and still rolls like a boat)
-No more residual oscillating motions when the car is turning/moving (stock shocks simply can't settle properly in transitions)
-Biggest difference is the REAR. My car with the stock shocks/swift springs will skip, wiggle, bob and have a hard time putting power down essentially out of a corner. TCS light on. On the bilstein system, the rear is PLANTED and reacts instantly (uniformly) as the car rotates. There are no strange motions, no delay, and good response. It inspires confidence and allows the driver to plan his approach in a corner much better.
-Comfort mode is equivalent to Sport, Sport is equivalent to Sport+ and Sport ++ is beyond that
-This is not for a system for someone that wants to cruise around (its definitely firm)
-This system is surprisingly a good value (superior to KWs or any twin tube shock)
-I've had KW 3 Ways and ripped them off because they absolutely sucked on the street (overly stiff) and also inconsistent in their response. For $3k its an awesome system for someone that wants to raise the bar in the handling dept and not fiddle with shock adjustments under the car.

-Final point (although swift springs+stock shocks is a decent combo), I don't think stock shocks can handle lowering very well and I have to keep EDC in sport+ at the minimum for the shocks to keep the springs damped well enough. I don't think any HAS system or lowering spring is suitable without a better damper.

- I just wish other manufacturers (Ohlins/MCS/Moton/etc..) would jump on the EDC bandwagon and offer similar systems. I know tractive exists but there is limited support.

Steve

[TR930]

Going to get the B6. Think that is the ticket for street driven car.

[sonny12]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

An additional review:

I got to drive my friend's car this time (instead of being a passenger) and here are my thoughts. BTW I currently run Swift springs+CS EDC+GTS steering+GTS diff on my F80 for comparison.

-It's a very different perspective as a driver than a passenger (my opinion has changed a lot)
-the car is very composed, doesn't get too upset by even big bumps able to recover quickly
-Steering is nice but actually on par with my car (not much difference)
-A lot less body roll (my car is actually same ride height and perhaps even lower and still rolls like a boat)
-No more residual oscillating motions when the car is turning/moving (stock shocks simply can't settle properly in transitions)
-Biggest difference is the REAR. My car with the stock shocks/swift springs will skip, wiggle, bob and have a hard time putting power down essentially out of a corner. TCS light on. On the bilstein system, the rear is PLANTED and reacts instantly (uniformly) as the car rotates. There are no strange motions, no delay, and good response. It inspires confidence and allows the driver to plan his approach in a corner much better.
-Comfort mode is equivalent to Sport, Sport is equivalent to Sport+ and Sport ++ is beyond that
-This is not for a system for someone that wants to cruise around (its definitely firm)
-This system is surprisingly a good value (superior to KWs or any twin tube shock)
-I've had KW 3 Ways and ripped them off because they absolutely sucked on the street (overly stiff) and also inconsistent in their response. For $3k its an awesome system for someone that wants to raise the bar in the handling dept and not fiddle with shock adjustments under the car.

-Final point (although swift springs+stock shocks is a decent combo), I don't think stock shocks can handle lowering very well and I have to keep EDC in sport+ at the minimum for the shocks to keep the springs damped well enough. I don't think any HAS system or lowering spring is suitable without a better damper.

- I just wish other manufacturers (Ohlins/MCS/Moton/etc..) would jump on the EDC bandwagon and offer similar systems. I know tractive exists but there is limited support.

Steve

It seems like you give a to B16D？

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by sonny12

It seems like you give a to B16D？

Seems like it, as long as you're not cruising around in their words. Which is the entire point of a street car?

But that review is pretty much 90% in common with mine. I think my opinion is just more dramatic. Looking back on my posts, I think they came off more negative than they probably should have. I just didn't want to mislead anyone who might think they'd be comfortable on the street, because they're not.

It is a fantastic kit if it is what you're looking for. It just wasn't what I was looking for based on the limited number of reviews stating how comfortable it was. Just want people to know what they're buying.

[cryptz]

i keep going back and forth on these or the kw ddc. i saw one post that stated he had the b16 and swapped them for kw ddc and felt the kw was better. other than that one review i feel like its just a bunch of people comparing them to stock.

[stevehifi]

ive spent alot more time with the kit. its very capable. I actually switched back to ZCP coding for the shocks, I feel it works better for the bilsteins. CS coding felt too overdamped in rebound and it lacked compression for road feel. also I feel the settings are more noticeable between comfort, sport and sport+ using ZCP.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

ive spent alot more time with the kit. its very capable. I actually switched back to ZCP coding for the shocks, I feel it works better for the bilsteins. CS coding felt too overdamped in rebound and it lacked compression for road feel. also I feel the settings are more noticeable between comfort, sport and sport+ using ZCP.

What are you using to switch back and forth? Bimmercode?

[MNR]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

ive spent alot more time with the kit. its very capable. I actually switched back to ZCP coding for the shocks, I feel it works better for the bilsteins. CS coding felt too overdamped in rebound and it lacked compression for road feel. also I feel the settings are more noticeable between comfort, sport and sport+ using ZCP.

Have you ever run base EDC coding with the B16s? Curious how it feels versus ZCP and CS.

[stevehifi]

Alex at Alpine changed my coding.

ive never tried base coding (non ZCP, non CS) not sure if I plan to. the car is pretty well sorted out at this point.

[MNR]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

Alex at Alpine changed my coding.

ive never tried base coding (non ZCP, non CS) not sure if I plan to. the car is pretty well sorted out at this point.

Nice. I'm running standard ZCP EDC with my B16s and was just curious what the difference was between Base/ZCP/CS. You hear about guys on springs changing to CS and raving about it. Wasn't sure if changing to another had a profound effect on coilovers too.

[aswy6]

How would these perform on track versus other non EDC coilovers like AST or entry level MCS?

[GT_Juls]

Sweet! No wonder during our convo haha. Great review

[stevehifi]

CS dampening works fine on stock shocks plus springs but they are on edge of valving performance. the bilsteins on the other hand are serious pieces of hardware and dont need much to handle some high spring rates. problem is the CS dampening is too much I feel for the included springs.

I think this is a good dual purpose street/ occasional track kit but for the track only enthusiast there are better options.

I ran kw 3 ways before this and they were superior at high speeds 70mph+ but miserable on the street.