Bilstein shocks
- Heinrich
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- Posts: 78
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- My E21(s): '81 323i TC-1 Baur 5-speed
- Location: Denmark
Bilstein shocks
Hi,
I am about to change my suspention and I am after some lowering springs (40-45 mm - any suggestions?). Now, I see that there are B6 and B8 shocks from Bilstein, but what is the difference and do I need 45 or 48 mm for a 323i?
I am about to change my suspention and I am after some lowering springs (40-45 mm - any suggestions?). Now, I see that there are B6 and B8 shocks from Bilstein, but what is the difference and do I need 45 or 48 mm for a 323i?
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E21noob
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Re: Bilstein shocks
You need the wider ones for your 323.
B6 is what most go for, B8 hard to come I thought. B4 more like OEM standard.
Where did you find the B8?
B6 is what most go for, B8 hard to come I thought. B4 more like OEM standard.
Where did you find the B8?
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ruh
- Upcoming E21 fanatic
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- My E21(s): 320/6
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Re: Bilstein shocks
I have bought several spring sets from KAW in Germany, i have found that the quality is very good and prices are affordable. www.fahrwerke.de
They ship to Denmark (i know i am from Denmark too
)
They ship to Denmark (i know i am from Denmark too
With best regards
RUH
RUH
- Heinrich
- E21 VIP

- Posts: 78
- Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:29 am
- My E21(s): '81 323i TC-1 Baur 5-speed
- Location: Denmark
Re: Bilstein shocks
Thanks a lot!
How much did you lower your car(s)?
What I can't figure is if I need 45 og 48 mm shocks. Many listings of 45 mm allso mentions that they fit 323i?
How much did you lower your car(s)?
What I can't figure is if I need 45 og 48 mm shocks. Many listings of 45 mm allso mentions that they fit 323i?
Re: Bilstein shocks
As standard 320 and lower take 45mm strut inserts and 323 take 48mm inserts that is if you have standard hubs and have not been replaced with ones from a diff. Model
Re: Bilstein shocks
Hello… Brand-new member and I hope I'm not too late. The difference between B6 and B8 is fairly significant. The B6 is a heavy duty shock. It's only to be used with the regular ride height… And it makes the car very firm at that stock height
The B8, is a sport shock it makes your ride nice and firm. But it's specifically for a lower car the stroke length on the shaft is different. Hope this helps… I just purchased a set yesterday for my build
The B8, is a sport shock it makes your ride nice and firm. But it's specifically for a lower car the stroke length on the shaft is different. Hope this helps… I just purchased a set yesterday for my build
Re: Bilstein shocks
hi, from where did you purchase B8 shocks for your bmw?
- Jeroen
- Site Admin
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Re: Bilstein shocks
Over in Europe the B6 is not sold as HD but I'm pretty sure they're the same spec dampers as what is supplied in the US, they are just more rugged than the average stock damper from Sachs or Boge. We have B6 'sport' for cars with a standard or slightly lowered suspension, and the stiffer B8 'sprint' for sports suspension. B6 F/R are still available, believe B8 fronts are still available as well but the rears have been nla for a couple of years already.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
- Jeroen
- Site Admin
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Re: Bilstein shocks
Friend of mine pointed out that it appears the B8 rears are being produced again, part no 24-184618. Where the B6 rears only have two positions, these are 4-way height adjustable which gives you more options with lowering springs.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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steed
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Re: Bilstein shocks
I was just looking at this after one of my friends (who works in a large parts distribution organisation in the UK) posted up about the recent availability of Bilsteins and low and behold the B8 for the E21 were among them!
'79 316 (sepiabraun, awesome!)
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steed
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Re: Bilstein shocks
they have both the front and the rears (B8):
34-186350 (Fr)
24-184618 (Rr)
listed as single units on the HendyShop.co.uk site. I ask him explicitly if they we selling both rather than just rears, he also gave me a 10% discount code which is valid for a few moths:
ZZ17MM9ERF10
34-186350 (Fr)
24-184618 (Rr)
listed as single units on the HendyShop.co.uk site. I ask him explicitly if they we selling both rather than just rears, he also gave me a 10% discount code which is valid for a few moths:
ZZ17MM9ERF10
'79 316 (sepiabraun, awesome!)
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E21noob
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Re: Bilstein shocks
cool. think it must be www.hendyeshop.co.uk
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steed
- Upcoming E21 fanatic
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- Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:57 am
- My E21(s): '79 316 manual (4spd)
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Re: Bilstein shocks
E21noob wrote:cool. think it must be http://www.hendyeshop.co.uk
you are correct, thanks for spotting my typo
'79 316 (sepiabraun, awesome!)