Bilstein outlines its different shock absorber product lines at a glance.
Even for experienced mechanics, the differences between the various shock absorber programs aren’t always immediately obvious. That’s why Bilstein has clustered its shock absorber portfolio according to drivers’ preferences: Do they want to replace worn out or defective shock absorbers with ones exactly matching the OEM’s requirements and restore driving experience as if the car comes directly from the assembly line? Then the Bilstein B4 OE replacement range is the right choice.
If the driver wants an upgrade of the OEM-intended driving behaviour or drives with additional loads due to rear-mounted bike carriers, for example, the high-performance Bilstein B6 shock absorbers are the corresponding answer. When the driver intends to lower their car, the Bilstein B8 with its shortened design is the ideal shock absorber for them as it is designed for vehicles fitted with lowering springs ensuring the necessary spring preload and precise, agile handling.
Talking about driver’s preferences is an opportunity for the workshop to deepen customer relations as well as to generate additional business. By recommending corresponding products and offering choices, the workshop can demonstrate know-how while improving customer satisfaction. With Bilstein products, the workshop benefits from a broad vehicle coverage as well as technical support and reliable premium product quality.
OEM replacement
Bilstein supplies many (premium) vehicle manufacturers with the highest quality shock absorber and suspension systems as original equipment and therefore knows exactly what the OEMs require. Its B4 OE replacement shock absorbers are manufactured on the same production lines as the OE products and correspond exactly to original equipment quality. The B4 product range covers more than 90 per cent of all European vehicle models, so, there is a suitable B4 model for almost every car on the market as a monotube and twin-tube gas pressure shock absorber in the specification that corresponds exactly to the standard equipment.
Improving on OEM
With road tests, Bilstein has developed vehicle-specific damper tuning with its yellow Bilstein B6 shock absorbers leading to a higher performance than the regular OE shock absorbers – even under heavy loads such as rear-mounted bike carriers with heavy e-bikes which put a significant load on the rear axle. The Bilstein B6 high-performance shock absorbers handle such loads much better than the standard equipment. Since they don’t compromise ride comfort but significantly improve driving safety, they are an upgrade for drivers who frequently push their vehicle to its limits.
A sportier drive
The Bilstein B8 combines the performance of the B6 high-performance shock absorber with a specially shortened design for lowering and sport springs. It is important to also upgrade the shock absorbers when installing lowering springs as their travel is shorter, they have a stiffer spring rate – for which the standard shock absorbers simply aren’t designed. The shortened high-performance Bilstein B8 shock absorbers maintain the preload of the lowering springs. This is an important prerequisite for driving comfort and safety, because only a well-sprung suspension can be a fast suspension, as it ensures road contact. The result: optimal and consistent damping force with improved handling, even under heavy loads and stress. Other B8 applications are designed for raised and off-road vehicles, or for challenging use in poor road conditions.
