Bilstein DDC B16 Coilover Review by HelloKitty

[biofluke]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

Definitely transforms the car... it is seriously 11/10 good.

I'm curious, can you post some pics of how low you set your car to with the B16?

My shop put them a little lower than I would have preferred on mine, the rear wheel is tucked a bit. Since these are progressive springs, I think the spring rate would technically slightly increase if it's set to lower ride height. I really like the setup but at times think it feels oversprung, which I think might be because of the ride height.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by biofluke

I feel like in comfort mode, I can feel a slight oscillation of the suspension over bumps while driving more slowly. Like its oversprung for the amount of damping it provides. Not sure if that makes any sense, its possible im being over-analytical. But it goes away when driving faster.

The important thing is, I can actually feel the differences between the modes now, unlike with the stock suspension.

I am very tempted to try the CS EDC, was hoping Thor would add it, but that doesn't seem to be happening. Maybe ill try to do the coding myself.

@kubax86 can hook you up

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by biofluke

I'm curious, can you post some pics of how low you set your car to with the B16?

My shop put them a little lower than I would have preferred on mine, the rear wheel is tucked a bit. Since these are progressive springs, I think the spring rate would technically slightly increase if it's set to lower ride height. I really like the setup but at times think it feels oversprung, which I think might be because of the ride height.

Here are some pics after corner balancing.

[TheMaster1971NL]

[Couna777]

My current ride height on b16 damptronic

[SE7EN335]

How do these coilovers compared with the KW DDC? If anyone knows..

[Couna777]

Originally Posted by SE7EN335

How do these coilovers compared with the KW DDC? If anyone knows..

Can't speak for kw DDC since I never had them, but I would recommend these.
Coming from several different setups, by far the best.

[SE7EN335]

Originally Posted by Couna777

Can't speak for kw DDC since I never had them, but I would recommend these.
Coming from several different setups, by far the best.

Yeah I'm waiting to snag them up on upcoming Black Friday sale discount this year. Hopefully its as big of a discount as compared with last year's. Deciding between either the B16 Damptronic or the KW DDC so its a tough choice, and considering whether the additional cost of the KW DDC is actually worth it

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by SE7EN335

How do these coilovers compared with the KW DDC? If anyone knows..

Bilstein has some better technology built in. Monotube Bilstein damper vs twin tube (KW).

KW DDC is the same technology as KW V3 except electronically controlled.

KW is more expensive.

[SE7EN335]

I just realised one thing today!

The CS steering coding is much more well suited for non-zcp and zcp M3/M4 that are on stock suspension.

Whilst the GTS steering coding is more suited for M3/M4 that have been lowered on good quality coilovers or shocks and struts set up.

Im on stock non-zcp suspension and i found the GTS steering to be too fast for the chassis and for the front end grip to handle the fast steering ratio. The CS steering is a tad bit more slower but feels much more well suited.

Hellokitty, could that be the reason why you prefer the GTS steering over the CS steering now that you are on coilovers?

[Couna777]

also DDC requires a little modification on wiring, where as B16 direct plug and play

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by SE7EN335

I just realised one thing today!

The CS steering coding is much more well suited for non-zcp and zcp M3/M4 that are on stock suspension.

Whilst the GTS steering coding is more suited for M3/M4 that have been lowered on good quality coilovers or shocks and struts set up.

Im on stock non-zcp suspension and i found the GTS steering to be too fast for the chassis and for the front end grip to handle the fast steering ratio. The CS steering is a tad bit more slower but feels much more well suited.

Hellokitty, could that be the reason why you prefer the GTS steering over the CS steering now that you are on coilovers?

I've always preferred the GTS settings over the CS even when on stock suspension. I liked the more precise steering feel from the GTS coding

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by Couna777

also DDC requires a little modification on wiring, where as B16 direct plug and play

Oh thanks for reminding me. Yes that's another major difference...

[biofluke]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

Here are some pics after corner balancing.

I think your ride height explains why my setup feels over sprung sometimes due to the progressive springs. Here's my ride height below.

I was also told corner balancing would be a major undertaking since they are not linear.

Next step, raise it up a few mm so it's flush wheel gap and not tucked like I have it now. I have a feeling I'll get the suspension feel I'm looking for when I'm similar to your corner balanced ride height. Thanks for sharing the pics

[MNR]

FWIW - I had my car with stock camber plates aligned to stock specs and cornerbalanced with no issues.

Current height is in the pic below. Fronts are down close to all the way and the rears can go down a few threads (don't recall exactly).

[jim1013yyf]

Here is mine on B16 with Ground Control camber plate. Lowered 0.5 inch front and rear. Cambers are at -2.6 front and -1.9 rear. 0 toe front, tiny bit of toe-in on the rear (factory spec).

I have had this setup since April this year, have done ~1500miles including 3 track days on laguna seca. No complain so far in terms of handling and performance.

However, I have to say this is NOT a comfortable setup for daily use. I do not daily my M4 so it's no big deal. But if you want softer ride than stock, B6 damper / KW DDC are probably better options.

[TheMaster1971NL]

Originally Posted by Couna777

My current ride height on b16 damptronic

very nice! What is your lowering front and rear?

[Couna777]

Originally Posted by TheMaster1971NL

very nice! What is your lowering front and rear?

both front and rear at max

[TheMaster1971NL]

Originally Posted by couna777

both front and rear at max

👍🏼

[Reddevils7]

just bought the kit. hopefully it'll arrive by Friday and I'll install it over the weekend and report back my findings. anyone here diy with this kit?

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by Reddevils7

just bought the kit. hopefully it'll arrive by Friday and I'll install it over the weekend and report back my findings. anyone here diy with this kit?

Should be straight forward. Just make sure you cut your front OEM dust boot (see the Bilstein instruction diagram for where to cut) and place the rubber piece between the spring and the top hat.

[Reddevils7]

did it come with instructions on how to set specific ride heights? I have 19" vmr wheels currently and will go back to oem 513 during wonters. Not sure how low I want to set it, do you just measure the threads with a ruler and set it where you want? (the more compressed the springs the lower it'll be sitting??) this will be my first coilovers but I'm sure I'll figure it out as I go. I was watching kies Motorsport diy and a few other videos