Guide: The Ultimate Bilstein Suspension Guide

[Eeyore]

The Ultimate Bilstein Suspension Guide

The Bilstein/Eibach suspension is one of the most popular setups when it comes to a fast road setup or just replacing the OEM suspension.  In this guide we will look at all the part numbers, their prices and what they are reportedly suitable for and how much its going to set you back. Below is a list of most readily available options and their part numbers/prices (Jan 2017). Where possible cheaper alternative manufacturers and part numbers are listed.

Part Numbers & Prices
Bilstein B4 Front Shock Absorber (Left) - 22-045959 - £45
Bilstein B4 Front Shock Absorber (Right) - 22-045966 - £45
Bilstein B6 Front Shock Absorber (Left) - 22-247612 - £120
Bilstein B6 Front Shock Absorber (Right) - 22-247629 - £120
Bilstein B8 Front Shock Absorber (Left) - 22-247308 - £120
Bilstein B8 Front Shock Absorber (Right) - 22-247315 - £120
Bilstein B4 Rear Shock Absorber (Left/Right) 19-019314 - £40 each
Bilstein B6 Rear Shock Absorber (Left/Right) - 24-020749 - £90 each
Bilstein 205 Grp N Challenge Rear Shock Absorber (Left/Right) - 24-010382 - £110 each
Bilstein 205 Grp A Tarmac Rear Shock Absorber (Left/Right) - 24-023139 - £150 each
Eibach 30mm Lowering Spring Kit (Left&Right) - (1.8/1.9/2.0) E7011-120, (1.4/1.6) E7010-120 - £120 pair
Bilstein B12 Kit - 46-194329 - £600

You will need to reuse or purchase the following parts:

Spring Top Cup - 5031-84 (formerly 5031-37)  - £26 each
Top Mount Kit - 5031-60 (alt Febi Bilstein 37931) - £90 pair
Dust Boot - 5254-13 - £9 each
Bump Stop - 503327 (alt Febi-Bilstein 19618) - £10 each

Note: The bilstein B12 kit includes B8 fronts with the Eibach springs and B6 rears. There are no such thing as B8 rears. B4 is OEM where as B6/8 are performance orientated. B6 and B8 shock absorbers are identical however the B8 has a shorter shaft allowing for lowering.

Service Box Diagram



Option 1: OEM Replacement

For an OEM setup, Bilstein B4s are the most direct replacement for the OEM shock absorbers. For original height you should use the original springs but slight lowering with the 30mm kit should be fine. B4s shock absorbers on the rear suit a standard height beam.

1x Bilstein B4 Front Shock Absorber (Left) - 22-045959 - £45
1x Bilstein B4 Front Shock Absorber (Right) - 22-045966 - £45
2x Bilstein B4 Rear Shock Absorber (Left/Right) 19-019314 - £40 each
1x Eibach 30mm Lowering Springs (Left/Right) - (1.8/1.9/2.0) E7011-120, (1.4/1.6) E7010-120 - £120 pair

Total: £290 + £150 if not reusing parts.

Option 2: Fast Road

For a fast road performance orientated setup Bilstein B6s are fine for use with standard springs but B8 shock absorbers should be used when lowering springs of 30mm or greater are fitted. On the rear with a lowered rear beam B6s are suitable however with torsion bars of 21mm or thicker fitting the 205 group Ns is supposedly a good setup.

1x Bilstein B6 Front Shock Absorber (Left) - 22-247612 - £120
1x Bilstein B6 Front Shock Absorber (Right) - 22-247629 - £120
or
1x Bilstein B8 Front Shock Absorber (Left) - 22-247308 - £120
1x Bilstein B8 Front Shock Absorber (Right) - 22-247315 - £120

2x Bilstein B6 Rear Shock Absorber (Left/Right) - 24-020749 - £90 each
1x Eibach 30mm Lowering Springs (Left/Right) - (1.8/1.9/2.0) E7011-120, (1.4/1.6) E7010-120 - £120 pair



Total: £500 
Bilstein B12 Kit - 46-194329 - £600

Note: The Bilstein B12 kit is made up of B8 front shocks, B6 rear shocks and the Eibach pro spring kit. There seems to be no apparent reason as to why this is more expensive than its constituent parts.

Option 3: Dedicated Track

The bilsteins will cope with rally and track situations however they are not tuneable. For those who wish to fine tune their setup look for coilovers over £600. 

Fitting

Fitting is as described in Ginges Suspension fitting guide. The only thing additional to recommend not mentioned in the guide is that new spring top cups come unpainted. Someone will probably tell me they are galvanised but for additional protection it may be a good idea to paint them before fitting.




Photos

These are photos that I have taken of all the parts needed for the setup. Part numbers shown where possible.

[cully]

i would use new of the following and if servicable use the existing top mounts only

FEBI 13085 Dust Cover Kit for around £17 delivered for 2x bumpstops and 2x Dust Boot
FEBI 10091 strut top bearing only BEARING £10 each delivered
New Droplinks
strut pinch bolt

[Eeyore]

I'll update.

[MY95]

i would use new of the following and if servicable use the existing top mounts only

FEBI 13085 Dust Cover Kit for around £17 delivered for 2x bumpstops and 2x Dust Boot
FEBI 10091 strut top bearing only BEARING £10 each delivered
New Droplinks
strut pinch bolt

Where do you find the dust cover kit for £17 Cully? Ive only found one side for £17 or £25 for both sides on eBay with the Febi part number you've given.

[Eeyore]

i would use new of the following and if servicable use the existing top mounts only

FEBI 13085 Dust Cover Kit for around £17 delivered for 2x bumpstops and 2x Dust Boot
FEBI 10091 strut top bearing only BEARING £10 each delivered
New Droplinks
strut pinch bolt

Where do you find the dust cover kit for £17 Cully? Ive only found one side for £17 or £25 for both sides on eBay with the Febi part number you've given.

try putting it into amazon or google. I can find it under 25 but  I cant find it as cheap as 17 either.

[MY95]

Think £23 was the cheapest I could find on eBay, so just wondering where Cully has found it for £17.

[yes306]

Good info on Bilstein shocks and other suspension parts

[roger7]

I've heard from Bilnstein distributor that there are no ilstein B6 Rear Shock Absorbers. That's interesting.

[Eeyore]

I've heard from Bilnstein distributor that there are no ilstein B6 Rear Shock Absorbers. That's interesting.

Strange. There definitely is going by what's for sale online.