Bilstein Heavy Duty Experience
 

I don't know if there is any kind of satisfaction gaurentee, but I could see that as the reason he would say "wait 1000 miles."

In the 35+ years I have been driving, I have never had a set of shocks that felt bad - then got better.

:iagree: ...I've put on "stiff" shocks on cars, hoping to improve "handling",
back in the day, but they never got comfortable and the handling was
hardly improved.

I did some cursory noodling on the web, and many/most sites show the
Bilstein replacement as "heavy duty", yet the Bilstein site shows several
spieces, eg HD, "Comfort", "Sport", et al.

GL to the OP, but I suspect those are going to be firm and "stiff" for quite
some time.
GL, mD

I put Bilstein shocks on my Explorer Limited when it was new. Now almost 100K later they still feel good. They really improved the ride etc. They are warrantied for 1 million miles so I doubt they'll change much in 1K.

Many customers tell me the same thing. I always sell my customers Sach's struts which are the Oem supplier.

I would of went with Koni because they are adjustable....

The Bilstein heavy duty replacements are really not for a stock vehicle. I tried the HD shocks on a Jeep Cherokee I lifted. I picked them because I had a steel bumper up front that weighed 70+ pounds and had armor and extra steel everywhere. The HD were STILL too stiff and I removed them and went with Old Man Emu which were amazing. I really think you should just try to pull them out and replace with an OEM or comfor variant of the Bilstein or another manufacturer. I seriously doubt that they will become noticeably more comfortable after driving because it's the valving and dampening rates that are just not right for the X5.

I don’t want to malign the vendor because it is generally a reliable source for parts and a BMW CCA supporter but that sounded bogus to me too.

The point here is truth in advertising and full disclosure so that customers can make an informed decision. Quote from the web site:
“Bilstein street shocks will give you an unparalleled combination of comfort and control when paired with BMW springs. Thanks to a patented oil and nitrogen gas design, Bilstein shocks reduce body roll to deliver exceptional road handling and cornering stability. They also reduce wear and tear on steering and suspension components and increase tire life by dampening wheel movements on the roughest roads and in the tightest corners. “

Well, not true.

I don't think it's the Bilsteins, I had them on my 87 300E for 155K and they were superb. The problem as some have alluded to is in the HD. These mofos are stiff as are many "HD" shocks- very poor for all but billiard smooth roads.

Aren't Sachs pretty expensive relative to the Bilsteins? What's your value recommendation?

I find the prices comparable. You get what you pay for. Sach's will give you the OEM ride quality.

Suspension feel can be a very personal thing. I put Bilstein HD's on my e36 with stock springs and M3 wheels and have been happy for over 140,000 miles. I have not put them on my X5 though.

Did you get the correct shocks? What I mean is there are different shocks for cars with sport packages, self-leveling, etc. If you are sure you did and you are unhappy with the feel, I would pull them off before it is too late and change them out for something else.

From your quote, I am pretty sure I know where you bought them from. If my guess is correct, my step dad bought their lowering springs and Bilstein HD's for his e30 325e. When he put them on, it was way stiffer than he had hoped for. After a phone call they agreed to allow the return without a re-stocking fee if he purchased other shocks from them. He ended up going more OEM and was happy.

I'm really happy with Bilstein HD on my 01 3.0i X5.
The handling and ride ways better then the stock BMW bilstein shocks.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...40k-miles.html

For the record on the Bilstein HD's, I've had now (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, yup) 7 vehicles with Bilstein HD's all the way around. I have noticed that sometimes the Bilstein HD's need a few thousand miles to settle in. I recall one set that was installed that I thought I would have to remove ('89 Volvo 740 sedan), but the more I drove it, and the more aggressive I got behind the wheel with it, the more they smoothed out, and in a couple thousand miles they really settled down and behaved quite well. That particular car handled quite well (it had other mods done as well).

But they've been on the Suburban, 4 Volvos, a BMW, and a Jeep and I've recommended them and put them on many other friends vehicles, and they've all been excellent. When the X5 needs new ones...it'll get bilsteins.

For the prices you listed, your link to Bavauto goes to the non-HD Bilstein shock.

These are probably a lot softer than the HDs.

Is there a good way to tell if the shocks need to be replaced?

Out of curiosity, is there a specific "lifespan" for the OEM shocks?? I've seen more than a few Forum members putting new shocks on. Is it because they are itching for that extra-sporty ride feel, or is it because their initial shocks somehow degraded over time?

I'm at 95,000 miles and I just put new brake pads and rotors on. But I have never had an issue with the shocks or ride quality.

Agreed. I had HD's on my Saab and the ride was rougher. They help the handling, but sacrifice ride quality. The non-HD Bilsteins would be better for the X5.

I'm also at 95,000 and my OEM struts feel like new as well. I'm anticipating them to last till between 120k and 140k before needing to be replaced. And the main visible way to tell when they are letting go is to look for the internal oil to seep/leak out of the strut where the shaft comes out of the body.

I did research myself on struts and determined no aftermarket struts will match the comfort and handling of the OEM 4.6is struts I have... Maybe the 4.6is struts can be used as an upgrade for the 3.0i and 4.4i models?

That is an interesting question. I'd be interested in the answer.

I bought my X5 with 68k on it. It has 130 now, and it felt to me like the shocks/struts were done around 90. They still work, but it is a bit more given to leaning in turns and bouncing excessively.

I have put HDs on two older SUVs and my firebird, and agree that they can be harsh at times, but my wheels stay on the ground. That may not be ideal depending on how or what you are driving.

Just did some cross referencing on realoem.com, all E53s use the same strut mounts and spindles, so the struts are fully interchangeable! Sport models springs should be swappable, but if you don't have the sport package you may need to buy 4.6is springs as well. The rear shocks are also different for 4.6is vs the rest, but the air springs are the same.

Good info Weasel!

How do you think the OE sport package shocks on a 4.4i would compare to a 4.6is?

Just checked, 01 4.4i sport suspension rear shock is the same as 4.6is. And apparently I didn't scroll down enough, the sport suspension struts are all the same as well. The 4.4i with sport suspension has the same struts as the 4.6is...

So basically if you have standard suspension you can use sport suspension struts and springs to upgrade yourself.

NOTE: Do not buy/use HD Bilstein shocks for the X's if you're not going to lower her.It is very
rough and harsh ride.

Any you may also need to replace the rear stabilizer bar and rubber mountings with sports suspension setting version, which is 1.5mm thicker.

I just rolled 190K - you think it is time to replace my original shocks/ struts?? :D

You can do it at anytime to upgrade you suspension setting to sports suspension setting (S226A). Remeber to replace your front shocks, rear shocks, rear air spings and rear stabilizer bar including rubber mountings. Then your X will become sports suspension seetings. You can find the right parts at realoem.com. Remember to carry out chasis alighment after complete the job.

Interesting Bilstein discussion. I'd put Bilstein HD's on my wife's Explorer and had to take them out after 1,000 miles they were so bad. Way too much rebound for the stock suspension. But I'd put HD's on a previous Tahoe and they were fantastic. And the HD's in my 911 were way too soft.

FWIW, Bilstein will revalve any of their shocks and struts. I send my 911 shocks and struts to them every year to be rebuilt and revalved any time I make suspension mods. Every time I go stiffer on the torsion bars, or now converting to coilovers, I give them the compression and rebound specs I want and they set the valving up the way I want. And it's a pretty darn good bargain too- about $100 per shock.

I may make a call to Ramone at Bilstein Motorsport and see if he knows the factory specs on the HD's for our X5's. Then maybe we can figure out how to revalve to smoothe them out a bit. I suspect that like a lot of the HD's, the valving is too stiff on compression and too soft on rebound which makes it feel like on every bump it has way too stiff a spring and nothing to control the body going back up after hitting a dip in the road. Very typical of the HD, since it's typically used in conjunction with a lower/stiffer coil spring.

From what I understand, the sport suspension on the E53 is way too bouncy and firm.

Bilstein makes a shock that is not their HD and should be close to the sachs OEM. MrBMW apparently put it on his car & likes it.

Not to me. Too firm or too soft is just a matter of personal preference.

I think that they are all HD for the X5. MrBMW has the HD's for the front and rear, care to confirm? (I think its Tom)

I do have HD all around. It's very rough and harsh ride at times,so i went ahead and lower the X turn out to be very good ( feel and handling is much better) and i like it after it been lower.

I would think that has more to do with reduced travel. No shock meant to damp on X" of travel is going to do as well at X-2" travel or similar.

After driving on these turkeys for six months I just can't take it anymore. It is not only that they are super stiff, they just don't work in sync with the springs. Every road imperfection is transfered into the cabin. Over larger bumps the rear gets up in the air. Passengers are taking a beating and so does the car. I hear rattles that weren't there six months ago. The retailer where I bought the Bilsteins is offering me a 60% store credit if I return them so I went ahead and ordered a set of Sachs. By the way, I spoke with a rep from Bilstein of NA who was totally unhelpful. They wil not be getting any of my business in the future.

Based on my experience, I strongly advise fellow X5 owners to stay clear of the Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks and struts. They are totally unsuitable for US roads.

How much did you pick up the sachs for? bavauto seems to be the cheapest

For the fellow in New York would installed Bilstein shocks and feels they are too firm, three questions? What engine do you have? What wheels do you have - 17, 18 or 19? Tire height adds damping as well. Did they "settle in"?

FYI, Koni is not an option for the X5 - they don't offer it for this model.

Dead stock 3.0 with 17 inch stock wheels and OEM Michelins. The rears were replaced six months later with Sachs. The fronts are still in the car. As I remember road surface quality is pretty good in Switzerland so they might be okay for you.

Thanks. Mine is a 3.0 but diesel, manual transmission waiting for my UUC short shifter and stock 17 wheels. You have normal springs in the rear or self leveling? The rear Bilstein shocks you removed, were they B6 (yellow, I don't have the part number handy)? Sachs are low pressure, twin tube - one of the two OEM shocks when the X5 was built. Do you still have the former rears? Front are Bilstein B6 or something else?

NYC. I made this Billstein HD mistake twice. I guess I am a glutton for punishment.

First time, e36 328is. Son of a bitch it was messed up rough. I was able to deal with it for about 4 months, then just had to remove them. Sold them on bimmerforums, and replaces with sports, with lowering springs. MUCH better.

Second time Lexus GS430. Lowered it a bit with Ltuned springs, note they are factory eibachs, billstein HD, and I almost cried the first time I hit a bump. All day replacing this shit, and it was terrible. They were gone in two weeks.

Bilsteins & BMW's
 

Hmm, I've had nothing but good experiences and with cars in the US and Europe in more than 20+ years.

1977 320i (E21, US), sport Bilsteins (as the car was 1" lower). Firm but good.
1981 M535i (E12, Europe). Factory Bilsteins. Great car, firm but good.
1980 733i (E23, US). Aftermarket Bilstein HD / B6. Firmed it up nicely, made a large "boat" corner like a BMW should.
1990 325i touring (E30 touring). Aftermarket Bilstein HD / B6. Firmed it up nicely.
1995 525 touring (E34, US). Aftermarket Bilstein HD / B6. Firmed it up nicely.
2002 Honda CRV (US). Aftermarket Bilstein HD / B6. Did rear first, totally eliminated front to rear pitch. Front were the icing on the cake.
1981 320/6 (E12, Europe). Bilstein HD / B6. Firmed it up nicely.

The ONLY car I know that it can cause issues with is the classic BMW 2002, the B6 rears are WAY too firm. Front B6 are fine for this car however.

If the roads in NYC were better, the HDs might have worked for me, but the roads are the worst in the country. The HDs were so stiff, that my head unit actually came out of my e36 after hitting a pothole.

Can even count how many rims i've bent or cracked.

I read this post when looking at replacing my struts.
So instead of bilstien hd, I got the touring class.
They feel like factory. Very nice.
For the record I have an 01 with the 3.0 gas and 17"

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

I'm very happy with my HD and Eibach pro springs. The cornering, body roll and turn in and out are all through the roof.

Its not to rough for me, but every car I have owned is stiff.

My e90 and e82 were far stiffer.