BMW E21 323i Suspension Bilstein & Springs

[johnpaulurizar]

Hello All,

Just a quick question re Bilstein and lowering springs combination. I have been reading several post on this great forum on the subject.

My question is Bilstein B6 or B8 shocks with HR lowering springs. I know a lot of people have B6 with lowering springs, however my local Bilstein supplier are recommending B8 with lowering springs. B8 are specifically designed for them and B6 ( 20% stiffer than original shocks ) are designed for standard factory springs.

Look forward to everyone replies, so I can order the correct set up.


kind regards

John Paul Urizar

[croma_man]

absolutely B8, despite that, I dont think you can buy B8 for the rear, only for the front.

I have the B8/B6 combo on my E21.

[Jeroen]

I did some comparisons with shocks that were all close to new. Especially the front B8's feel stiffer than B6's when compressing. With the rears the difference is smaller (as per Bilstein they don't want to make the rear too stiff as it will cause the light E21 rear to start hopping). On top of that the B8's are NLA for the rear, which is a pity, not for the rate but for the fact that these are 4-way height adjustable where the B6's only have 2 positions.

Anyway, my conclusion would be that B8 fronts and B6 rears make a decent combo. Personally I chose B6 fronts for the Baur, but that's because it's a convertible, not a sports car

[Vic]

This is so helpful as I'm also considering the b6/ b8 set up.. Jereon, would you say the b8's all around would be superior to the b6's? I may be able to source them, if can will post the supplier here. Will be using Bilsteins with the motorsport springs already got bmw dealer on my S Edition

regards

Vic

[Jeroen]

What would be best depends on intended use and personal preference, that's why I found B6 all round good enough. But B8 all round is not a choice as they have been NLA for the rear for years already. But you can always run into some NOS of have a used set rebuilt. But as I wrote, for the rears the difference isn't too big when it comes to behavior, its more the height adjustability.

[croma_man]

my 50 cents, I contacted directly bilstein in Germany, couldnt get the B8.

Now I have the H&R -35mm and B6 on the rear (on the lower height ring).

this is the current ride height (full fuel tank though)

http://shrani.si/f/1i/42/4lyOuctZ/20141010001.jpg

[Mucka]

that looks nice

[johnpaulurizar]

Hello Gents

Thank you for the replies. I have confirmed with my supplier and they are able to sell me B8 front and rear. Given this option would you choose it or still have B8 for front and B6 for rear.

I really just want the car to handle better. I will never do track work etc.

[Vic]

Croma_man, that looks wicked!

johnpaulurizar - I'm also thinking the same B8's or B6/ B8, Need to be as sure as possible before I splash the cash Thanks for all advice given on the topic guys.

[E21noob]

Looks like I might be able to score some b8s. No idea of condition.

Anything to look out for?

Also, can these be refurbished if necessary?

[Jeroen]

Fronts will be useless as new ones may be cheaper, but for rears, check with Bilstein Germany but I believe they still offer this service indeed.

[E21noob]

John, hope you don't mind me piggybacking your thread a little.

As pointed out, the B8s are the shocks that the Alpina B6 was delivered with - can anyone point me to a place that sells the correct Eibach lowering springs to match the shocks?

[Jeroen]

The Alpina B6 came with dedicated springs to cope with the higher weight of the M30 engine, but as far as I know they are NLA for years already. The regular Pro Kit for the E21 was out of stock for years as well, but now being produced again in small batches. A friend of mine is offering them in his webshop, sadly only available in the Dutch language atm: http://eibach.verlagings-veren.nl/conte ... 2_E21.html

[petroscf]

I ordered Eibach springs from a guy called Tsvic Saffar, I think Jeroen you know him? I can't remember now how I found him, but it was in here somewhere.
He had some E21 things for sale, he 's based in France if I am not mistaken.
He told me that this springs (Eibach are NLA for our cars afaIk) were made on a group order, so a small production was made.
I have his email for whom might be interested, he may have some pieces left?

[petroscf]

Question: The springs are the same for 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder cars, or am I mistaken?