Bilstein Longevity?

[ThoreauHD]

I'm thinking about getting a full set of shocks and springs done with sachs/eibach. Let me know how it goes for you once you getter done.

It would be nice to have a knowledgeable person compare the bilstein's and sachs. The warranty on these things aren't that impressive all around, so I guess longevity will have to do.

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

I had Bilstein monotubes on a '76 2002 and decided they were too harsh so I swapped in some Boge/Sachs TurboGas. The car rode like a Buick with the Boges. Swapped the Bilsteins back in about 2 weeks later.

The 2002 had a broken Bilstein on the back (wouldn't compress past 1/2 way). Picked up a couple of used ones from another car and one of those was also broken the same way. Strange, but I did end up with a good pair and neither of those ever failed.

Tried Bilsteins on my '88 325iS and it rode a bit stiffer than OE but was fine aside from them lifting the front end 1/2". The OE Boge struts on that car had some kind of internal rebound spring to keep them from easily extending. Never seen that on a strut before or since.

It'll be interesting to hear Jeff's ride comparison impression.

[632 Regal]

anything would be great compared to the sticking one, im afraid im gonna bust the strut mount on top now.

[genphreak]

Bilsteins are like this;
For all e23, e28, 32, 34, maybe the same for e21 and even e26 (M1).
M1 came with Bilstein Sports standard.

Rear
- all monotube design
Front
- Touring Class is monotube
- HD and Sport are a dual-tubed cartridge (and it's easy to tell as the base of the outer tube can be removed without depressurising the inner tube).

Boge/Sashs are all monotube construction. I don't know about Konis... monotube too? Monotube is probably better overall (lighter and faster heat-dissipation) and cheaper. Maybe dual tube is better when you are making them in lower numbers.

Nick

[632 Regal]

there is a rebound spring inside the Super Tourings, if the bumpstops make it I will do the swap this weekend, but Im not betting on them getting here in time. The front bilstein stopped making noise but is still binding, It might be a strut collar failure but too soon to say for sure, I hope so maybe I can ebay them and recoup a few cents on the dollar if they are still good.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You should be able to get something for them Jeff, somebody can buy them and send them into be rebuilt by Bilstein. I think they charge $75 per shock to rebuild.

[genphreak]

there is a rebound spring inside the Super Tourings, if the bumpstops make it I will do the swap this weekend, but Im not betting on them getting here in time. The front bilstein stopped making noise but is still binding, It might be a strut collar failure but too soon to say for sure, I hope so maybe I can ebay them and recoup a few cents on the dollar if they are still good.

Maybe the rebound is specified by BMW for OEM fitment to preserve strut mounts in tough situations, or reduce impact noise. Who knows... its a really is a marketing and technical mess- the way Bilstein sell their e34 shocks...