Bilstein Struts & Shocks Explained - Which Bilstein Model Is Right For You?

►Bilstein has been at the forefront of damper technology since it introduced the first monotube gas pressure shock absorber on a Mercedes-Benz series vehicle in 1957. Their revolutionary design spurred everything dampers have become, and their use on some of the world's most high-performance vehicles only speaks to their legitimacy. These days, Bilstein offers several kinds of damper for all sorts of applications.

Bilstein offers the B4, B6, and B8 variations on just about every sporty model. Vehicles designed strictly for comfort likely won't have a B8 option. The three variants offer different damping profiles, each specific to the chassis. The B4 serves as the OE damper, identical to what you'd find in the car out of the factory. The latter two offer increased firmness and an inverted design for better suspension control under hard cornering. They differ slightly from each other because the B8 is meant for shorter, aftermarket springs, while the B6 can be used with the OE units.

Choosing the right strut for your application can be tricky. Do you want the OE valving, or are you better suited with something stiffer for more spirited driving? Should you stick with the standard damper or go for an inverted one? And what's the difference? Well, ask no more, as FCP Euro's BMW Expert Gareth Foley is here to explain Bilstein's product offering to help you determine which is best for you.

00:00 - Intro
01:12 - Bilstein B4 Overview
02:17 - Bilstein B6 Overview
05:18 - Bilstein B8 Overview
08:50 - Wrap-up

Get free parts from FCP Euro:

Follow FCP Euro on:

[ms]

I didn’t even recognize Gareth for a sec. Congrats on the weight loss 🎉

[workingmanaudio]

I’m using B8 mk6 versions with VWR springs on my mk5 Rabbit. It rides so good. Amazing ride.

[aceking]

Bilstein USA reps has indicated using B6 with lowering springs is ok, where some car application only have B6 to choose from.

[stephencurry]

Did you guys tap my brain? I have just been considering which model to use. And now thanks to your information I have a clear set of parameters to use. Thank you.

[ArtemDzhadzha]

I lowered my E92 but very little, only about 1 inch. So I installed B6 because all docs say it's still ok for B6 and not enough for B8. Recently one of my B6 died, it not just leaked, but it started rattling and knocking inside really bad. My mechanic suggested that I had to go with B8 from the start, that B8 might work better even for 1-inch lowering. And probably, he was right.

[EFRANEED]

Thanks for these kind of videos Gareth, love how informative they are, straight to point.

[twinboost]

My E46 M3 came with super low ebay coil overs fitted by the previous owner with next to no KMs on them, the cars' ride and handling were so disappointing, very harsh ride that stayed fairly flat in the corners but the damping was all wrong, any mid corner bump would destroy cornering ability. I had Bilstein on my Supra previously so two weeks in I bought and fitted Bilstein B6 and Eibach springs all round for the M3 and the improvement was incredible, such a nice ride but with far superior road holding - they made the M3 a drivers car again.

[kdao]

Always enjoy these definitive videos on the products. Was just watching all the Bilstein videos and then you guys had one popped up today. Very informative as well. Thanks for doing it and keep up the good work. Suggestion the website, the bumpstops and bellews should have a package kit that shows what's what. That is the most confusing part. If you wanted to change your factory OEM springs, you might have that as suggestion with the shock or strut. It helps save time when wanting to upgrade or replace. I have to go to various sites to figure out like had to go to Febi site to look up the part of the bump stops on a VW Touareg. Thanks.

[oldjarhead]

Thanks, great explanation for ALL views. Greetings from that Old Jarhead in WNC

[steifan]

Would be cool with a comparison of several brands, like "OE" replacement Bilstein B4, Sachs SuperTouring, KYB watchacallit, Performance upgrade: Bilstein B6, Koni S.trt, KYB ??, etc etc

[Jeff-bwkw]

Any comments on how B8s with lowering springs compare to KW-V1 Coilovers on a BMW E90 335xi?

[ETips]

Very informative video! Always loved riding on Bilsteins

[muskistutter]

Excellent explanation on the differences between these Bilsteins.

[Criticalhinking]

Can you use sport springs on the B6? Why or why not? FCP site Q&A says you can but everywhere else says you can’t. Please help explain. thank you 🙏🏽

[ash]

Do the rear b6s have internal bump stops too? I’m looking at one for the e46 m3.

[aboyandhisdog]

Outstanding video! I put new B6's on all corners of my 911 last fall and was stumped when the directions said "do not install a bump stop". Now I know why! The typical bump stops on our shocks/struts are notorious for disintegrating over time. Do you think these internal bump stops will hold up over time? BTW...I do love the ride and performance of the B6!

[gregorytolson]

I bought the B6’s for my E85 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i. My car had the standard springs but noticed one was cracked. I replaced the springs with the BMW M sport spring equivalents made by Lesjofors. I was constantly debating if I needed the B8’s or B6’s since the springs were a little shorter than the stock springs my car had. Also fcp euros website stated the B6’s were meant for the M sport springs but Bilstein’s website mentioned using the B8’s. I went B6’s and the car rides great. One thing to note is the front struts will look higher the first 1000 miles. They require time to settle down

[Daniel-qdnb]

Can I putting Bilstein B8 at the FRONT and Bilstein B6 at rear in my 2012, MULTIVAN T5, and keep the springs that are currently on the car.

[EPICxCrash]

My right rear damper is broken on my car, the car was already lowered with eibach springs but with the original dampers, now I want to install the bilstein b8 but I only bought the rear dampers for now.. Would that be a problem?🤔

[dnfpolz]

I love how u explain so clearly the details of each model. I have a 2015 subaru wrx and I so very badly wanna replace my really old worn struts all around with the bilstein B6 with a new set of factory springs so I can enjoy the curves once again while still being at stock ride height so I can still hit the dirt with my AWD lol. But since dad passed away I became the official caregiver of my badly disabled mama so I commute to work I'm an auto shop manager and I work 12 to 14 hours 5 days a week while taking care of mom and heading the household and all the finances myself but I promised dad on his death bed that I would always care for mom. So with that said money is very tight and I will probably have to get a set of those dirt cheap loaded struts on Amazon cuz my left rear totally blew out and sags so bad the tire hits the fenderwell on every bump. I would give anything for a complete set of the B6s with new springs and mount it'll kill me but at least for now I'll have to give my baby the dirt cheap junk to get by until I save the money for the bilsteins they are so expensive but its worth it for the best in my opinion and when I finally get them I'll be hitting these beautiful southern CA curves with that precision handling shifting thru those gears and hearing that turbo spool up. My dad is why I'm a car guy and work in the industry and when I get stressed out I find solace in the fun of driving its how I relax and think of dad and the good things in life. I'll get my B6s one day and enjoy the handling I crave