D33ZNUT5

Those shocks are expensive! When you factor in the cost of shocks and springs its really not much of a savings over coils.

NYC530XI

Do you think that Bilstein dealers in the states could acquire these part numbers and save on the shipping from across the pond?

Might be something to look into.

v_therussian

nah-ah! It's like almost a grand less than the KW V3's - that's counting the springs.

Not to mention, I won't have any of those noise issues

v_therussian

From what I know, these Bilsteins are not for U.S. - meaning that no U.S. dealer can get their hands on them. And even if somehow they could, I doubt it would be cheaper than buying it across the pond. PM me, if you want to know more details about this - I'm afraid I'm already talking a bit too much about this...

I have asked about a Group Buy, but the vendor said that it wouldn't make any difference in price. I'm just beginning to research these though, so some new information is sure to come in later, if you want to just keep checking back with me/this thread.

325/528

I just called shox.com and the B6 (not B8) are available. You can get part numbers on the bilstein site.
B8 are VE3-E179, VE3-E180, BE5-E181
B6 are VE3-E176, VE3-E177, BE5-E178 - they had very good pricing on these

I am wondering if the "I" springs fit on the "XI" like they do on the 3 series???

v_therussian

From what I was told, the B6 is the one to use with stock springs. B8 - for short (sport - lowered) springs.

Now I've got to double check this again?

scratch that. edit:

shox.com is a U.S. retailer. READ PLEASE: THESE B8's ARE FOR EURO/ASIAN MARKET ONLY.

Up until recently, that is...

325/528

Apparently the B6 is ideal for drops of 30mm or less and B8 for drops of greater than 30mm. European sites show a B12 combo which is B6 shocks/struts with bilstein 30 mm lowering springs.

I don't think there will be any warranty with B8's imported from the UK, but I would double check with the vendor.

v_therussian

We need to hear from some people with actual experience. So far, this is all on a "rumor" level. Just because a site states something, doesn't make it so, or that it is the best setup.

I've contacted Bilstein directly yesterday and asked them which one of their setups would be the better pick for me. They have not yet gotten back to me, so until then, there's not even a point in speculating.

I then spoke with a vendor in UK, who told me that yes, the B6's would work; however, the B8's are a much better choice, because they are higher performance and when running a lowered setup of ANY kind, they will be the better pick. I did ask him to recommend what he thought would be best, based on his experience and to not consider the budget as the main determinant. He said that even though there are statements that when you're lowering more than 30mm (or in some cases 40mm), you should go with B8, its not necessarily universally true. It seems that in reality - and this is allegedly based on the experience of the vendor I talked to - if you lower at all, you are better of going with the B8's, because they are geared for higher performance and are a better match.

And I just re-checked the fitments on the German Bilstein site and there is no B12 setup for Xi, so I don't know what you were referring to there. There are indeed B6 and B8 Bilsteins available for the Xi. Again, as I was explained, it is best to use B6 if you're not lowering your car and use B8 on short springs.

325/528

www.bilsteinus.com/PSS_bro_fnl.pdf

this is what is shown on european sites as the B12 system (actually the BTS B12 system- bilstein tuning system)- it's the PSS here.

Very confusing though as it seems we can only get opinions from vendors - even different sites show different components in the B12 system.

-Mike-

\subscribe

so this sounds like a viable option

has anyone actually pulled the trigger on these yet?

i will admit

i want to see it installed and road tested b4 i touch anything

while my car looks like a 4x4 the ride is fine

whoever does do this is brave, even with all the research done