Bilstein B16 too hard for me...

[ximo03]

Hi guys I recently put Bilstein B16 on my car. The car is pretty low now and I'm very happy about that. However I feel like B16 is too hard for me...considering I live in upstate NY and the road we have super bumpy...I had level 5 on both front and rear and right now is level 3 on the front and level 1 on the rear...still super bumpy and too hard for the road

Any suggestion to solve this problem? Like a new set of spring? NEED HELP!

Update: Seriously thinking the combination of s3 shocks+ Emmanuele Design springs, any comment on this set up? Also does anyone know what is the part number for S3 shock..?

[rs200z]

Are you on stock or aftermarket sway bars? Try switching back to stock if you are on aftermarket sways. It helps for bumpy roads.

[ximo03]

Stock..

Honesty I'm thinking S3 shocks+lowered spring combination right now

[diztek]

bilstein might have different spring options for this coilover setup .

[ximo03]

bilstein might have different spring options for this coilover setup .

I checked...nah

[RupertPupkin]

Tire pressure plays a huge role as well as tire size. Not sure which setup you have or tire pressures. It is all subjective too, maybe you aren't about that racecar life.

[ximo03]

39psi with 17 inches rims+225/45

[RupertPupkin]

Oh wow. that is a soft setup to begin with then. You could lower tire pressure. Is this your first set of coilovers? Obviously know nothing of who you are or cars you've owned, but that should be a nice setup.

[ximo03]

Yup and this is my first car :) Thanks for your advice

I tried many setup with b16 and I think it is just because the road we have is super bumpy. I actually had level 5 on front and rear for a road trip to PA, spent an afternoon in west chester, super comfort and I had no problem with it. But upstate NY? The road we have are like bombed

[15WhiteA3]

What fender height are you? You may be too low for the system. If I recall there a 20 mm range in adjustment on them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ximo03]

never measure the height, but the front is pretty low, like 5mm until the lowest point

[will13k7]

[ximo03]

hahahahahaha

[15WhiteA3]

You might be too low that could be why. Mine are around the middle of the adjustment area and mine rides amazing. I don't have the adjustment you do since I have the b14 kit but mine is comfortable even with pa roads.

[ximo03]

PA roads are so much better than what we have in syracuse ;(

[Jimmy ny]

It could be the polyurethane mounts on front struts. This is a warm weather track suspension. It's not good for the street. If you don't like it now forget when it's 20 degrees out. Lowering the adjustment to low numbers is defeating the purpose of this system.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ximo03]

This actually makes sense, I can feel the differences under different weather

[salvadorik]

I always thought that B16 in its comfiest setting provides with a more comfortable ride than the OEM setting (say S3 with mag ride with comfort mode selected). Of course once lowered and adjusted coils to a sporty mode they will be stiffer. What I dont understand is how OE S3 shocks (regular shocks) coupled with ED springs can be more comfy than B16 in its comfy setting as well. Isn't the following true with B16:

comfort mode:

B16 is more comfy than the stock set up

normal mode:

B16 is about equally comfy as the stock set up

sport mode:

B16 is really stiff and significantly less comfy than the stock set up

Please note at all three variations listed above B16 offers significantly better handling. Frankly speaking I didnt drive a car equipped with B16 and my opinion is based on what I read and heard. OP are B16s that uncomfortable that you are considering go back to stock setup?

[jokingjimmy]

Being that low, the springs are really compressed (sounds like to spec limit?). Softening the damping won't help wheel travel. The axles/wheels need a certain amount of travel to absorb the impacts. My suggestion if you don't like the current ride hardness is to raise her up a little, maybe even to Euro spec. Riding at the lowest height will give you the roughest ride.

Or you can bag it. Slam it when you're outside the car and can see the stance, then raise it when driving.

Either way, car is to low to ride soft IMO.

[S4 00 2.7]

Lol