New Product - Evolve x Bilstein B6 Damptronic EDC Dampers

Introducing the Evolve x Bilstein B6 EDC Damptronic Damper for E9x M3!

We have developed these dampers in conjunction with Bilstein UK over a period of years. As good as the original Bilstein dampers were, we wanted to tailor them for use with lowering springs and MSS Height Adjustable Springs.

We worked with Bilstein to change the valving to make the Comfort setting even more compliant and the Sport + setting slightly stiffer giving more range of damping given by the electronic modes in the EDC equipped E90, E92 and E93 M3.

Not only that but a common complaint for all B6/B8 dampers is that they lift the front slightly. This wasn't something we wanted so with a lot of back and forth with Bilstein we have developed a slightly shorter damper body that solves this issue. (some lift may be evident when brand new comparing to a used damper due to the nature of how Bilstein uses a gas pressurised damper)

These are now in stock on the shelf ready to ship worldwide! - https://www.evolveautomotive.co.uk/products/evolve-damptronic-shock-absorbers-bmw-3-series-e90-e92-e93-m3?_pos=1&_psq=Damptronic+ev&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Product overview, install and driving impressions video:


Installed photos paired with MSS HAS kit, set to full low on the front











Independent video by M539 Restorations paired with standard springs

We can't wait to hear the feedback from customers and see installed photos with various spring and wheel setups!

Hey guys… do you need bump stops? Streten said you didn’t…

The Bilstein damper has an internal bump stop.

Great! Thanks. Can you guys also give a complete parts list on the rear for the shock mounts?

I’ve read in the comment section on your most recent YouTube post above - that one needs to reset the run time memory on the EDC system after installing the new dampers.

Truth?

Racer-X wrote

I’ve read in the comment section on your most recent YouTube post above - that one needs to reset the run time memory on the EDC system after installing the new dampers.

Truth?

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2006874

Thanks I guess - perhaps evolve can answer the back and forth of that thread.

And if the new shocks I got for evolve require a reset - what do I tell my dealership or speed shop or Me the shady tree mechanic to get this done.

Brandoch wrote

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2006874

Racer-X wrote

Thanks I guess - perhaps evolve can answer the back and forth of that thread.

And if the new shocks I got for evolve require a reset - what do I tell my dealership or speed shop or Me the shady tree mechanic to get this done.

Did you read the document? It clearly states from BMW that a reset must be done after changing out the EDC shocks. This has nothing to do with evolve and everything to do with BMW

Yes I did - thanks for implying I didn’t. It has lots of back and forth and contradicting information at times. (I read it before posting and again if you must know Brandoch)
Did you read all of my post of two sentences? If you did, please answer me what I tell my dealership or speed shop after I do the work… or allow evolve too. The post you keep pointing to, never clears that up. Heck one person in that thread has a buddy that is a tech at BMW, who was unfamiliar with e92s needing this in the first place. What do you tell that tech?

Since evolve never addresses this in any of their videos over the years - Ill reask them the question. Perhaps they have a solution or a thought outside your pointing to threads.

Brandoch wrote

Did you read the document? It clearly states from BMW that a reset must be done after changing out the EDC shocks. This has nothing to do with evolve and everything to do with BMW

"After a replacement, the running time memory for the front or rear axle must be reset with the BMW diagnostic equipment"

Directly from the BMW training manual

Racer-X wrote

Yes I did - thanks for implying I didn’t. It has lots of back and forth and contradicting information at times. (I read it before posting and again if you must know Brandoch)
Did you read all of my post of two sentences? If you did, please answer me what I tell my dealership or speed shop after I do the work… or allow evolve too. The post you keep pointing to, never clears that up. Heck one person in that thread has a buddy that is a tech at BMW, who was unfamiliar with e92s needing this in the first place. What do you tell that tech?

Since evolve never addresses this in any of their videos over the years - Ill reask them the question. Perhaps they have a solution or a thought outside your pointing to threads.

Brandoch wrote

"After a replacement, the running time memory for the front or rear axle must be reset with the BMW diagnostic equipment"

Directly from the BMW training manual

I’m the one that asked my BMW tech friend. The disconnect was I repeatedly asked if coding was required when replacing edc dampers rather than just asking what’s required when replacing an edc damper. I rephrased my question and he said there is a test plan/procedure required when replacing edc dampers and/or edc control module.

So the above is correct - you need to make sure the edc damper running time reset procedure is executed on both the front and rear new edc dampers after they’ve been plugged into the car. If it is not done, your new Evolve/Bilstein dampers will have their damping force output biased higher based on the age of your old edc dampers.

So to address the raised ride height with the B6 dampers, you lowered where the lower spring seat mounts on the damper, or shortened the length of the damper body (which does the same thing), relative to the knuckle mount on the damper? The only other viable option would be to reduce the internal pressure in the monotube B6 damper which I’d be surprised if Bilstein would allow that.

Can I mix and match Evolve with Bilstein B6?

I already have the Bilstein installed front and rear. I would just like to swap out
the Evolve front to lower the ride height.

This seems like a really great product. Perfect for those wanting to retain EDC and go with an OEM+ damper.

How do these compare (Evolve B6+MSS HAS) to Ohlin R&T Kit from a comfort perspective?

Nairb1 wrote

Can I mix and match Evolve with Bilstein B6?

I already have the Bilstein installed front and rear. I would just like to swap out
the Evolve front to lower the ride height.

The difference in front strut length is going to be pretty small. They adjust the length to account for the gas lifting force in monotube damper. Although, they’ve never quoted a number, it’s around a 1/4-1/3”. People with their f8x version, complained about the increase in ride height because Evolve recommends the MSS HAS kit which has a mild drop to begin width. Are you going to buy two new fronts for 1/4-1/3”? As for mixing, that really depends on how different the comfort and sport+ settings are compared to the regular B6. EDC is trying to minimize oscillations so if there’s a large difference in damping then it may not be wise to mix B6 versions, if it’s small then it’s likely not an issue.

Racer-X wrote

I’ve read in the comment section on your most recent YouTube post above - that one needs to reset the run time memory on the EDC system after installing the new dampers.

Truth?

We've tested this a few times on various cars, tried blind testing with employees etc and can't say we've noticed much difference before/after the reset.

We always recommend following BMWs instructions and therefore recommend having the EDC system reset after installing our dampers. However if you do not have the tools to do this I don't think it's the end of the world to not have.

Obviously each car is different and your mileage may vary.

M3SQRD wrote

So to address the raised ride height with the B6 dampers, you lowered where the lower spring seat mounts on the damper, or shortened the length of the damper body (which does the same thing), relative to the knuckle mount on the damper? The only other viable option would be to reduce the internal pressure in the monotube B6 damper which I’d be surprised if Bilstein would allow that.

As you can see in the video we shortened the damper body.

Nairb1 wrote

Can I mix and match Evolve with Bilstein B6?

I already have the Bilstein installed front and rear. I would just like to swap out
the Evolve front to lower the ride height.

Due to the valving differences we would not recommend mix and matching the dampers with Bilsteins own variant. Currently we only sell the dampers as a package also (the only exception being after sales support such as accident damage meaning just one damper needs to be replaced.

Ervin87 wrote

How do these compare (Evolve B6+MSS HAS) to Ohlin R&T Kit from a comfort perspective?

It's been a very long time since being in a car with the Ohlins R+T setup. I would say our combo is the same or more comfortable purely from the point of view that when driving I don't find myself thinking it's uncomfortable or that I want it softer.

Nice sounding product! Glad to see these finally on market.

Installed mine over the weekend - very pleased with how the car now rides and handles the twisty backroads.

From a ride height perspective. How many miles till the suspension settles in - a few hundred?

It depends on usage, but we measured the ride height fairly regularly and started to see a real difference around 400 miles, with it fully settled at roughly 1000 miles.

I’m sure to a degree time also influences this, and of course how much travel the damper is seeing etc.

I’d recommend taking a measurement now and then remeasure every few hundred miles.

wyatth wrote

Nice sounding product! Glad to see these finally on market.

Took a while but worth the effort in the end. We are very pleased with them and initial feedback from customers is also positive.

I have been driving around our Japan Red E92 with the prototypes on for well over a year now.

Just curious what shipping time is (approx) for shipping to US or if you have a preferred US distributor?