[jwebb335xi]

Hey guys,

I installed a set of Bilstein HDs in the rear of my 335 XI and wanted to share a few observations and pictures.

First off, when assembling the HD, the washer shown in the first picture slides onto the shock BEFORE the blue dust boot. (Going into the project I was uncertain about that. I sought some confirmation and installed in this manner, which is clearly correct).

Second, ride height changed by about 1/4 of and inch as shown by the before and after pictures below. Note that I also used new Lemforder lower shock mounts, and they may contribute to the change in height ever so slightly because they're not beat to heck like the originals, which had 86k.

Next, I went with Dinan upper shock mounts (you could use monroe, stock, etc). Doing that, I only reused two items from the old set-up. Specifically, I reused the metal support cup and rubber grommet/gasket. Everything else either came with the HDs or in the Dinan package.

If you do the install - and haven't done this kind of work before, I'd suggest the following:

(1) Be extremely safe when raising and supporting the car. People are injured and DIE when cars fall from not being supported properly.

(2) Read a couple DIYs or watch a few videos before you start.

(3) make sure you have all the necessary tools. I couldn't find my 6mm socket, which drive me nuts! Yes, I substituted a 1/4, but that's a piss poor way to do things.

(4) Although power tools are AWESOME, i suggest breaking everything loose by hand and and final tightening by hand. You don't want to strip or break anything.

(5) ratcheting wrenches (16 and 17mm if I remember correctly) are great to have for install.

(6) you'll need both torx and E bits/sockets, so make sure they're on hand.

Happy to answer any questions. Hope this helps somebody!

[PrematureApex]

The ride height is due to the high pressure gas nature of the Bilsteins. While it will settle a bit, they do slightly increase ride height.

Normally, shocks/struts have no effect on ride height. But that's a generality reserved for twin-tube designs.

Notice how hard your shocks were to compress?

Bilstein mentions this in their FAQs.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

The ride height is due to the high pressure gas nature of the Bilsteins. While it will settle a bit, they do slightly increase ride height.

Normally, shocks/struts have no effect on ride height. But that's a generality reserved for twin-tube designs.

Notice how hard your shocks were to compress?

Bilstein mentions this in their FAQs.

They were a bear to compress, no doubt. The rear is firmer and, perhaps, a bit busy over really broken up pavement, but it's a much better ride. When I purposely hit large bumps or railroad tracks, the back sucks up the punishment and stays settled much more than the front, which I haven't swapped over as of yet.

[cdgatti]

i also did the rears first a few weeks before getting my fronts done. And altough I could definitely tell a difference with only the rears, it is really like night and day when you get all 4 corners done.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

They were a bear to compress, no doubt. The rear is firmer and, perhaps, a bit busy over really broken up pavement, but it's a much better ride. When I purposely hit large bumps or railroad tracks, the back sucks up the punishment and stays settled much more than the front, which I haven't swapped over as of yet.

Yup, that's the compromise. "Stiff" feeling over small bumps, with the ability to hit anything and everything without fear of bottoming out/crashing over the big stuff.

[bman5150]

Hey guys....might finally getting this done to my car in a week or so. Are either of you still running the run flat tires?

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by bman5150

Hey guys....might finally getting this done to my car in a week or so. Are either of you still running the run flat tires?

No, non run flat, whether summer or winter. Both stickier and softer.

[Guido S]

I guess I disagree with this install. I didn't reuse the gray cap. On the old shock it was the external bump stop cover. Why is it needed when the B6 has a built in bump stop? If Bilstein had meant the big black washer to go under the dust shield it would have been assembled that way on arrival. It goes on top to provide a firm base for the shock to push on. Dust shield followed by large heavy washer, followed by rubber fitting with sleeve, followed by thin rubber water seal raise into shock well and add final fitting and nut. Torque upper and lower to spec and enjoy your new firm ride.