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      10-01-2019, 01:31 PM   #1
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i have pulled the trigger.
I have a 335d xdrive
just ordered bilstein b8 shocks
this will pair up with acs springs that are already installed on the car(but have busted the front stock shocks in 10k miles since installation - could be a coincidence as car has done 50 k miles in total ).
B8 Shocks will be with me on thu.
I will get them installed next week.
will post a review as soon as I have them installed.
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      10-02-2019, 09:17 AM   #2
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Let us know how it goes. Any Pics? just because.
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      10-03-2019, 06:41 AM   #3
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The shocks have been delivered
i have compressed thrm by hand rear seem quite soft and compressible
front seem firmer. The fronts after they compress 2/3 they hit the gas chamber i think and then it is quite hard to compress them though still can be done.

Installation of the shocks booked for monday
Getting front strut mounts and drop links also changed at the same time. hope this isnt overkill.
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      10-03-2019, 06:44 AM   #4
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Last edited by KRS_SN; 10-03-2019 at 12:41 PM..
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      10-03-2019, 05:52 PM   #5
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interestingly the b8 seems to be common across the f series ie b8 that fits on f30/31 xdrive also fits on f34 xdrive as shocks are marked f20-36 4wd
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      10-04-2019, 10:37 AM   #6
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my baby
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Last edited by KRS_SN; 10-04-2019 at 01:26 PM..
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      10-04-2019, 01:23 PM   #7
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I'm doing the same this weekend. B8's arrived at my door about 10 minutes ago!

they are going in with the dinan springs already in the car.
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      10-04-2019, 01:41 PM   #8
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congratulations! i have a fellow compatriot venturing out with me into the unknown lol.
if ur in the uk euro car parts have strut mount(corteco brand) which is on offer for £77 and strangely had a bmw logo on it.

Last edited by KRS_SN; 10-04-2019 at 02:15 PM..
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      10-05-2019, 07:53 AM   #9
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before b8 installation pics (with acs springs)
front and rear
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      10-08-2019, 12:00 PM   #10
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After before b8 installation pics (with acs springs)
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      10-08-2019, 12:04 PM   #11
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As you can see the before pics were acs springs and stock shocks. The after shots are acs springs with b8 shocks. Front sits about the same height. Back sits higher though.
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      10-08-2019, 12:05 PM   #12
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Initial thoughts are ride is divine! Detailed review to follow soon
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      10-12-2019, 06:57 AM   #13
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The ride is higher with b8?
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      10-16-2019, 12:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by liveevil View Post
The ride is higher with b8?
i don't know if the acs springs were compressing my stock shocks too much but yes with acs springs and b8 ride height is lower than stock shocks with stock springs. with acs springs and stock shocks the front ride height was about the same but rear ride height is slightly higher.
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      10-16-2019, 12:48 PM   #15
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steering feel.
i am blown away by how much more responsive the steering feels. Previously with stock shocks there was vagueness and understeer but with b8 and acs springs the steering in comfort mode goes exactly where u point and back follows through. I would say it has gone from understeer and vagueness to great steering feel in comfort and tad bit oversteer.

If there is a 90 degree turn in the road to the left and i turn left the left front wheel goes close to the kerb and left back wheel follows suit no touching the kerb. No drama. very surprising.

comfort and stability and other parameters review to follow soon...
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      10-16-2019, 06:47 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by liveevil View Post
The ride is higher with b8?
Bilstein dampers raise the ride height for a couple of reasons. In the front the spring pad base isn't as slanted/curved as the OE base, and seems to be placed a bit higher than the OE struts. Additionally you have much higher gas forces exerting an additional 40-50lbs of force upwards. So if you were to calculate the compression of your springs you'd subtract 40-50lbs per corner to see the true amount of compression.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KRS_SN View Post
steering feel.
i am blown away by how much more responsive the steering feels. Previously with stock shocks there was vagueness and understeer but with b8 and acs springs the steering in comfort mode goes exactly where u point and back follows through. I would say it has gone from understeer and vagueness to great steering feel in comfort and tad bit oversteer.

If there is a 90 degree turn in the road to the left and i turn left the left front wheel goes close to the kerb and left back wheel follows suit no touching the kerb. No drama. very surprising.

comfort and stability and other parameters review to follow soon...
This is due to the higher low-speed compression forces the Bilstein dampers have. Low speed damping controls body movements. Bilsteins are pretty overdamped, but likely pair better with the F34 vs F30 or F2x since it's heavier and has stiffer springs. A lot of aftermarket lowering/stiffer springs don't actually have as high rates as the F34 can come with stock.
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      10-16-2019, 10:06 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Bilstein dampers raise the ride height for a couple of reasons.
Ok, now I'm confused by this last post...OP says the combo rides lower than stock, but you're saying it is higher?

I get the physics concept that the stiffer damper might push up a bit more than stock thus raising the height, but from what I could tell on the Bilstein site filtered for a 14 335GT xDrive:
B4 is for OEM replacement
B6 is performance upgrade for use with OEM springs
B8 is performance upgrade for use with lowering springs

Also it's pretty hard to judge based on those pics because of shadows and wet vs dry tires, might create an illusion there.
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      10-17-2019, 11:12 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by washufiddyfo View Post
Ok, now I'm confused by this last post...OP says the combo rides lower than stock, but you're saying it is higher?

I get the physics concept that the stiffer damper might push up a bit more than stock thus raising the height, but from what I could tell on the Bilstein site filtered for a 14 335GT xDrive:
B4 is for OEM replacement
B6 is performance upgrade for use with OEM springs
B8 is performance upgrade for use with lowering springs

Also it's pretty hard to judge based on those pics because of shadows and wet vs dry tires, might create an illusion there.
OP said the B8 + ACS springs rides lower than OE shocks and OE springs. If you look at his B8 + ACS springs vs OE + ACS springs, the B8 are clearly higher. Additionally I experienced the same thing with my B6.
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      10-17-2019, 01:51 PM   #19
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b8 if you have any lowering springs
b6 if you have oe springs
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      10-17-2019, 01:52 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by washufiddyfo View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Bilstein dampers raise the ride height for a couple of reasons.
Ok, now I'm confused by this last post...OP says the combo rides lower than stock, but you're saying it is higher?

I get the physics concept that the stiffer damper might push up a bit more than stock thus raising the height, but from what I could tell on the Bilstein site filtered for a 14 335GT xDrive:
B4 is for OEM replacement
B6 is performance upgrade for use with OEM springs
B8 is performance upgrade for use with lowering springs

Also it's pretty hard to judge based on those pics because of shadows and wet vs dry tires, might create an illusion there.
ac schnitzer springs https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1580114

check my previous pics from that thread.
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      10-26-2019, 03:57 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Bilstein dampers raise the ride height for a couple of reasons. In the front the spring pad base isn't as slanted/curved as the OE base, and seems to be placed a bit higher than the OE struts. Additionally you have much higher gas forces exerting an additional 40-50lbs of force upwards. So if you were to calculate the compression of your springs you'd subtract 40-50lbs per corner to see the true amount of compression.



This is due to the higher low-speed compression forces the Bilstein dampers have. Low speed damping controls body movements. Bilsteins are pretty overdamped, but likely pair better with the F34 vs F30 or F2x since it's heavier and has stiffer springs. A lot of aftermarket lowering/stiffer springs don't actually have as high rates as the F34 can come with stock.
I have the stock m sport suspension for f34, and my current ride appears the same or slightly lower than OP before he changed to B8. Want a better ride with B8 but not very keen if the height increases.
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      11-05-2019, 05:33 PM   #22
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Ok I was so dissatisfied with my 335 drive gt when I bought it. power plant was excellent but suspension and steering were shit.
ACS springs and installation £700
Ditched tun flats for Michelin pilot sport 4 £800
Bilstein b8 shocks and installation £900
New drop links and shock mounts £300
roughly £3000 all in all from purchase to now.

But Im so much in love with my car now. £3k is small change for a car thats stable fast responsive silent comfortable and one that i plan to keep for at least another 3 years.. More to follow....
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