[bull_409]

Looks like Bilstein has released their B4, B6 and B8 dampers for our cars.

Good timing as I've been thinking of replacing the struts/shocks in my car.

https://cart.bilsteinus.com/results...72874489866300&submodelid=4202293696259268860

 

[toy4x]

Nice find! $133-$140 not bad

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[vintage42]

Use their B4 or you might be sorry.

 

[bull_409]

Use their B4 or you might be sorry.

Thinking of adding some Tanabe spings. What'd be the best bet?

 

[tickerguy]

Uh, why?

The B6 is designed for OE springs..... why would you be "sorry" if you used them?

 

[dasrider]

This is great news. I had a set of Bilstein B6 HD shocks on an Integra that were still going strong after 200k+ miles on stock springs.

Based on the description the B6 shocks are probably what I'll go with. At 113000 miles, the original suspension on my 6 is getting a little soft. Time for a replacement.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[vintage42]

Uh, why? The B6 is designed for OE springs..... why would you be "sorry" if you used them?

Stiff ride.

 

[tickerguy]

Interesting.... I don't find the stock suspension on the "6" too compliant. On my VW the stock struts were a bit too soft for my preference, and a set of Koni's tightened it up nicely without making it harsh when they got to the point that they needed replacement anyway.

So far the dampening on the "6" remains ok, but eventually I'm sure they'll wear out... it's nice to have choices. One thing I don't like with the Konis is that the cases rust like crazy compared against OE parts -- and I live where there's no snow!

 

[dasrider]

Nice find! $133-$140 not bad

Best price I've found so far is Summit Racing at $134.99 each for the B6. Where else do you guys source your shocks from?

Stiff ride.

I would say that is subjective. Stiff ride compared to what and what car was it on?

 

[toy4x]

Best price I've found so far is Summit Racing at $134.99 each for the B6. Where else do you guys source your shocks from?


I would say that is subjective. Stiff ride compared to what and what car was it on?

Shockwarehouse.com

B8 front - $134

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/...243058-Front-Left-B8-Performance-Plus-Mazda-6


No rear B8's yet... only B4

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[MZR-6i]

cool, cheaper than Koni.......

 

[dasrider]

So I have been shopping to get a set of the B6 performance Bilstein shocks and noticed only the front left and right shocks are offered. There is no option for the rears in the B6 variant, only the B4. I emailed Bilstein sales support and they said there is simply no ETA for the rear shocks and to check their website for updates.


Seriously? Why offer just half of what a customer will need and not even be able to tell anyone when to expect the other half? Seems like a blunder to half-ass release a product to market like this.

 

[nickpapa16]

just a heads up guys, i ordered a set of bilstein b4 and had an issue with the rears. It looks like the 6 has a different rear knuckle design for the lower shock mount point. The design is different for cars with a build date of 5/2013 or older and 5/2013 and newer. It looks like Bilstein overlooked this and created the shocks for the 5/2013 and newer only.

I've added some pics for reference. You can also see this referenced in the BC Coilover install thread on this forum.

I spoke with Bilstein and initially they said that it should work with both designs, however when I sent them pics they forwarded them to their product management team and they then responded that I would actually need part number 19-266817. This model number won't be available in the US for another 3-4 months.

Just thought I'd give you a heads up in case anyone is about to order! Cars with a build date of 5/2013 and newer should be good, it's just the ones prior to 5/2013 (like mine) that won't work!

 

[Get Inline]

Thinking of adding some Tanabe spings. What'd be the best bet?

That's probably the best. Not too firm for street, but still firmer than OEM which should pair well with Bilsteins.

This is great news. I had a set of Bilstein B6 HD shocks on an Integra that were still going strong after 200k+ miles on stock springs.

Based on the description the B6 shocks are probably what I'll go with. At 113000 miles, the original suspension on my 6 is getting a little soft. Time for a replacement.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

Bilstein makes the best dampers regardless whether you're going after or comfortable. They are praised all over the BMW forums for being very long lasting and offering a good blend between sporty and comfortable which would pair excellent to Mazda's chassis. They are both cheaper, longer lasting and out-right better than Koni making it an obvious choice. They are not adjustable which is irrelevant for 99% of us and the safer choice VS. coilovers for sure.

Interesting.... I don't find the stock suspension on the "6" too compliant. On my VW the stock struts were a bit too soft for my preference, and a set of Koni's tightened it up nicely without making it harsh when they got to the point that they needed replacement anyway.

So far the dampening on the "6" remains ok, but eventually I'm sure they'll wear out... it's nice to have choices. One thing I don't like with the Konis is that the cases rust like crazy compared against OE parts -- and I live where there's no snow!

I agree. In stock form, the dampening is tuned to be rather comfortable (for such a sporty, multi-purpose chassis design) where any driver can get in and say that the ride is good yet still feels very rewarding/communicative for novice drivers learning the limits of their cars. Once you start to push, there is too much body-roll and the steering becomes soft.

It depends on what sort of roads you drive on, but B6 is not overly stiff when paired with appropriate springs on any decently paved road. It's the appropriate balance for spirited driving while B4 is a good OE replacement. A great tip would be to install sway bars if you want to reduce body roll and increase steering precision with a negligible increase in ride harshness.

 

[MZR-6i]

That's probably the best. Not too firm for street, but still firmer than OEM which should pair well with Bilsteins.



Bilstein makes the best dampers regardless whether you're going after or comfortable. They are praised all over the BMW forums for being very long lasting and offering a good blend between sporty and comfortable which would pair excellent to Mazda's chassis. They are both cheaper, longer lasting and out-right better than Koni making it an obvious choice. They are not adjustable which is irrelevant for 99% of us and the safer choice VS. coilovers for sure.



I agree. In stock form, the dampening is tuned to be rather comfortable (for such a sporty, multi-purpose chassis design) where any driver can get in and say that the ride is good yet still feels very rewarding/communicative for novice drivers learning the limits of their cars. Once you start to push, there is too much body-roll and the steering becomes soft.

It depends on what sort of roads you drive on, but B6 is not overly stiff when paired with appropriate springs on any decently paved road. It's the appropriate balance for spirited driving while B4 is a good OE replacement. A great tip would be to install sway bars if you want to reduce body roll and increase steering precision with a negligible increase in ride harshness.

So if i'm reading your post correctly, then B6 would be a good pair with springs H&R or Tanabe. Then if that's the case them hopefully they can get some B6 rear shocks in production.

 

[MZR-6i]

I just talked to the guy in tech support at Bilstein. He said that the B4 rear shocks because of their monotube design will work with either front shocks B4, B6, and B8. So there is no need to make B6 or B8 rear shocks.

 

[Get Inline]

That's probably the best. Not too firm for street, but still firmer than OEM which should pair well with Bilsteins.



Bilstein makes the best dampers regardless whether you're going after or comfortable. They are praised all over the BMW forums for being very long lasting and offering a good blend between sporty and comfortable which would pair excellent to Mazda's chassis. They are both cheaper, longer lasting and out-right better than Koni making it an obvious choice. They are not adjustable which is irrelevant for 99% of us and the safer choice VS. coilovers for sure.



I agree. In stock form, the dampening is tuned to be rather comfortable (for such a sporty, multi-purpose chassis design) where any driver can get in and say that the ride is good yet still feels very rewarding/communicative for novice drivers learning the limits of their cars. Once you start to push, there is too much body-roll and the steering becomes soft.

It depends on what sort of roads you drive on, but B6 is not overly stiff when paired with appropriate springs on any decently paved road. It's the appropriate balance for spirited driving while B4 is a good OE replacement. A great tip would be to install sway bars if you want to reduce body roll and increase steering precision with a negligible increase in ride harshness.

So if i'm reading your post correctly, then B6 would be a good pair with springs H&R or Tanabe. Then if that's the case them hopefully they can get some B6 rear shocks in production.

Never liked H&R, too stiff. Not the best pairing for bilstein. Not sure what other options there are but Corksport or tanabe would be my first picks. Shame that Eibach doesn’t make springs for the third gen because they go perfectly with Bilsteins. I’ve tried Eibachs on a Scion FRS before and loved em.

I just talked to the guy in tech support at Bilstein. He said that the B4 rear shocks because of their monotube design will work with either front shocks B4, B6, and B8. So there is no need to make B6 or B8 rear shocks.

This would be frowned upon with a RWD car, but I don’t see it as a problem with a FWD cars where 60% of the weight is over the front axle. Not optimal, but I don’t see it as a problem. I’d seriously consider at least a rear sway bar, if not front as well.

 

[dasrider]

I just talked to the guy in tech support at Bilstein. He said that the B4 rear shocks because of their monotube design will work with either front shocks B4, B6, and B8. So there is no need to make B6 or B8 rear shocks.

No kidding, they sure forgot to mention that when I inquired about when the rear B6 shocks would be available. They simply said it's not and they didn't know when to expect them. Didn't say anything about the B4 being their recommended rear shock regardless of what you use up front.


Anyway, I like the idea of adding a rear sway while I've got things apart, B6 fronts and B4 rear.

 

[Get Inline]

Anyway, I like the idea of adding a rear sway while I've got things apart, B6 fronts and B4 rear.

You may as well do the front as well.

What springs are you using with your Bilsteins?

 

[dasrider]

Probably sticking with OEM springs. I prefer to keep as close to OE ride height as possible.