Bilstein B16 Damptronic Coilovers

[klp110]

just ordered a set and looking for setup recommendations fro both DD and track use. running 19
how many threads front and back is why i'm looking for. nothing slammed
thanks for the help

[wootloops]

Originally Posted by klp110

just ordered a set and looking for setup recommendations fro both DD and track use. running 19
how many threads front and back is why i'm looking for. nothing slammed
thanks for the help

If you're using stock front top hats I would maybe try the factory setting and then adjust to your preference for aesthetics.

If you have aftermarket camber plates, I would go maybe to like 2-3 threads from the bottom in front to make up for the extra height they add and then adjust from there.

[klp110]

Originally Posted by wootloops

If you're using stock front top hats I would maybe try the factory setting and then adjust to your preference for aesthetics.

If you have aftermarket camber plates, I would go maybe to like 2-3 threads from the bottom in front to make up for the extra height they add and then adjust from there.

great. would the factory setting be as they come?

[wootloops]

I'm pretty sure, but actually just to be safe I would follow 6ixSpd 's advice from this thread (https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1759857)

The front struts/collars were set to three threads from the bottom up front out of the box. In the rear, I set the collars to 9 threads from the bottom. This sits at exactly the same height as the H&R Spring combo.
NOTE: I am using Ground Control Street camber plates which adds approx 5mm to the stack height. You may want to set your fronts with 5 or 6 threads showing if using OEM top mounts.

[OldenburgerM3]

FWIW: Ordered July 15th, received October 23rd. Basically three months.
Can't wait to get these installed.

[HolyChitMeng]

Are these in stock anywhere?

[OldenburgerM3]

nope

[therealtk]

Originally Posted by HolyChitMeng

Are these in stock anywhere?

EAS had some about a month ago. Would be worth checking in with Kevin @ EAS

[OldenburgerM3]

For what it's worth, and future searches of course:

Just had these installed. Trusted shop was around $1600 for the install. I shopped around and found as low as $1200 but had no experience with that BMW specialist. Wish I had more time to do it myself but I'm back to work and they did an excellent job.

Anyway: It rides like a new car, I absolutely love it so far. Very tight. Feels like I have a lot more road contact. EDC stepping works well. Haven't played with the ten-step damper adjustment knob yet, nor the ride-height. I've kept it where it was with the ride-height so far.

My "home tracks" are MSR-H and COTA pretty much, so I'll see how this setup feels once out there.

Edit: Car is ten years old and 71,000 miles. Old setup was OEM and quite tired. DD and track car.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by OldenburgerM3

For what it's worth, and future searches of course:

Just had these installed. Trusted shop was around $1600 for the install. I shopped around and found as low as $1200 but had no experience with that BMW specialist. Wish I had more time to do it myself but I'm back to work and they did an excellent job.

Anyway: It rides like a new car, I absolutely love it so far. Very tight. Feels like I have a lot more road contact. EDC stepping works well. Haven't played with the ten-step damper adjustment knob yet, nor the ride-height. I've kept it where it was with the ride-height so far.

My "home tracks" are MSR-H and COTA pretty much, so I'll see how this setup feels once out there.

Edit: Car is ten years old and 71,000 miles. Old setup was OEM and quite tired. DD and track car.

I thought the B16 damptronics did not have manual adjustments for dampers. It was all done via the EDC 3 options.

[wootloops]

Originally Posted by derbo

I thought the B16 damptronics did not have manual adjustments for dampers. It was all done via the EDC 3 options.

Correct. There is no knob on the damptronics. EDC adjustment only. The normal B16 have the manual adjustment knob.

[OldenburgerM3]

Interesting, I'll have a look. The Damptronic Installation manual for B16 shows the adjustment knob but it makes sense that there isn't one.
Edit: The installation is B16 / Damptronic, not B16 Damptronic, I see.
https://media.carparts-cat.com/pdf/E...M4-Y611A00.PDF

[wootloops]

Yeah I think they just send the same manual out with both the normal B16 and the Damptronic B16. For example, Page 26 shows the normal B16 rear damper (with adjustment knob) and page 26 shows the Damptronic (without adjustment knob).

[smokinjoe64]

As many know, supply/availability been tough to get a new set for several years.

Great deal from AJ-USA, an Authorized Bilstien distributor
[saved ~$340 + free shipping].

Also opted to replace the EDC module since 10yrs old and suffered intermittent malfunctions of late. Awaiting coding for new module...looking forward to see/feel results.

Next up ==> Brake upgrade choice/decision

Selected ride height ~'one fat finger' wheel to fender...

[MisterClutch888]

Curious in the rear, have the monroe top bushing, then big washer then locking lock. how did u guys lock down that nut onto the shaft? i know there is a flat spot on the shaft you can put a 10mm to hold, but there is no space to hold the 10mm and tighten the 19mm lock nut. How did u guys do it?

[wyatth]

Good to see these becoming available again.

Can you guys weigh in on how the different EDC modes feel compared to stock, and what you're coming from (ZCP or not, miles, etc.)?

[TechE]

I would love to hear some feedback regarding end link choices with these.

From my understanding they require longer links due to the higher mounting tabs on the strut bodies. Retaining OE causes pre-tension on the sway bar, since they're short. They don't simply slide on while the car is at ground level.

Correct? Or am I missing something here?

I ask because while my car is raised, the bottom of the end link makes hard contact with the control arm, and I feel like that isn't supposed to happen. I'm using adjustable links ordered to length, installed at ground level.

[jchrystal]

Originally Posted by TechE

I would love to hear some feedback regarding end link choices with these.

From my understanding they require longer links due to the higher mounting tabs on the strut bodies. Retaining OE causes pre-tension on the sway bar, since they're short. They don't simply slide on while the car is at ground level.

Correct? Or am I missing something here?

I ask because while my car is raised, the bottom of the end link makes hard contact with the control arm, and I feel like that isn't supposed to happen. I'm using adjustable links ordered to length, installed at ground level.

I just got mine installed, but I'm having some computer errors that are causing them to run full firm. As soon as I get that corrected (Tuesday, hopefully), I'll share my impressions here.

That being said, on full firm with some pretty tired tires, they handle like they're on rails... reminiscent of my E46 M3 with TC Cline coilover kit.

[nah dude]

I just got a set of these from Rockauto for 3069 out the door. Pretty solid deal considering the price everywhere else.

[nah dude]

For those that have these coilovers that ran OEM top mounts, did you replace all the OEM parts with new or reuse what you had? If you did replace with new OEM, what parts?

[nah dude]

So I went through the Bilstein instructions to figure out what OEM hardware is needed for the install so I could order all new hardware and not re-use anything from my current suspension, no spring compressors are needed for install if you're using all new hardware which is a plus in my book.

Bilstein's instructions don't have a list of part numbers, just some illustrations so it took some time to figure out exactly what was needed, but I wanted to post this list of OEM part numbers needed for install for anyone looking.

FRONT STRUTS

31332283379 - Articulated disk - need 2
31302283650 - Front Upper Strut Mount - need 2
51717895241 - Hex nut - need 6
31332283038 - Upper Spring Plate - need 2

REAR STRUTS

33502283519 - Rear Upper Shock Mount - need 2
33506767010 - Shock Mount Sealing Grommet - need 2
33502283518 - Rear Upper Shock Mount - need 2
31332283038 - Upper Spring Plate - need 2

REAR SPRINGS

33532283888 - Rear Spring Pad - need 2

I think this is everything. Hopefully this helps someone, wasn't able to find this info anywhere.

EDIT - Edited this post to change out a few things

[nah dude]

Anyone know how long these Bilstein springs take to settle?

Also, does anyone know why the rears are able to drop so much lower than the fronts? I have 1.5 threads to go in the front and tires are about 1 fat finger gap. The rears have probably 10 threads or so with 1 fat finger gap also.

Here's what it looks like now, installed. I'm running 19x10 ZCP wheels on all 4 corners, 275/30/19 PS4S tires all around. Next time gonna go with 265/35/19 all around for a little extra sidewall meat.