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Thread: Bilstein HD (B6) or Bilstein B3 (touring) on the 540i wagon?

  1. #1
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    Bilstein HD (B6) or Bilstein B4 (touring) on the 540i wagon?

    Hey yall!

    Just starting to purchase everything that needs to be done to the wagon over the next few weeks.

    There's quite a bit of lift when accelerating. I'm looking at some new shocks all around. The Bilstein B6's (Heavy Duties) are quite a bit more pricey than the B4 Tourings so I'm leaning towards the latter.

    Car isn't really used for sporty driving, but will be often loaded with heavy photography gear. I would like something that will handle firm in the corners, not overly floaty (like a Mercedes), but not so firm that my equipment will feel a ton of vibrations.

    I do really want the HD's as they seem to be a good in between for the B8 sports and the B4's...but $600 on just parts alone for the shocks is alot for me. How would the B4's do in a situation like this?

    Thanks in advance for the advice!

  2. #2
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    I just installed the B6s, in my touring. It was worth it. The original shocks were blown, so the comparison goes out the window. Its firm enough, if you ask me. Im a bit of a spirited driver myself. Still need to tackle the front.

  3. #3
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    I mean, if your 540it still has its air suspension then you don't really have to worry about loading the car up with equipment... the air suspension will compensate for the extra load. The shocks just affect how the rear handles imperfections in the road. I have Koni Yellows which are pretty solid. I've heard the Bilstein HD's are a bit on the firm side though.
    1995 525i 5-speed - Thread

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Olly84 View Post
    Hey yall!

    Just starting to purchase everything that needs to be done to the wagon over the next few weeks.

    There's quite a bit of lift when accelerating. I'm looking at some new shocks all around. The Bilstein B6's (Heavy Duties) are quite a bit more pricey than the B4 Tourings so I'm leaning towards the latter.

    Car isn't really used for sporty driving, but will be often loaded with heavy photography gear. I would like something that will handle firm in the corners, not overly floaty (like a Mercedes), but not so firm that my equipment will feel a ton of vibrations.

    I do really want the HD's as they seem to be a good in between for the B8 sports and the B4's...but $600 on just parts alone for the shocks is alot for me. How would the B4's do in a situation like this?

    Thanks in advance for the advice!
    I have the HDs on my wagon, PO had them installed, on flat surface no bumps in the road they are perfect, but "really" stiff...take getting use to if you want a softer ride...$600 is an expensive way to feel the road & you will definitely know when you hit a pothole
    Last edited by SCRSUVS; 08-29-2018 at 12:11 AM.

  5. #5
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    I've got the B4's on my 525, I like them a lot for a daily driver. I'm not sure I'd want the B6's if your primary use is hauling expensive gear. Even the B4's are a big improvement if coming from blown OEM shocks.

  6. #6
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    thank you!! This is all I need to get the B4's!

    saving $200 is nice haha

    I've driven an m sport 540i and it still doesn't handle as well as my base 325i. no point in making a wagon feel super sporty, it'll always be a heavy car. I'll save the goodies for my 3er!

  7. #7
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    I got HDs on mine with 20" wheels and it is HARSH. But with stock 17s they feel fine. Actually after years of 20s, it now feels like I'm in a Rolls Royce ,lol. But really, if you upsize your wheels, stick to the B6. HDs are fine for stock.

    Sent from my ALP-L29 using Tapatalk

  8. #8
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    My wagon came with HDs and a set of brand new KONI yellows in the trunk. Eff the Bilsteins, they are way too stiff -- I've only ever driven one car where I thought HDs worked well. First thing I did was change out the rears because it was so easy. I finished up the fronts today and just chucked the rusty crusty struts in the wheelie bin. The 540 handles pretty well, but the slow steering ratio hurts it (and the gigantic steering wheel if you've got one of those).

  9. #9
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    This is a super old heavily re-hashed topic, but its kinda well documented that Bils messed up the HD calibration for the E39 platform.

    Most people (tho to be fair not all...) find the Bil HD's to be really not good on the E39 platform. I've had good luck w/ HD's on other cars - we own actually 2 cars w/ them in them now and both are great - but indeed there's too much smoke for there not to be fire there. On a normal/typical setup the Bil HD's are never harsh or too stuff but in this case... not really a consensus recommendation.

    The Sports are only for lowering springs, so, those are out if you don't go for something that matches the ride height. Bils will blow-out early if the ride height doesn't match what they are designed for... I have seen enough of those real world examples (fanboiz decide "SPORT MUST BE BETTER" and put them on ignoring the ride height part...) to know its a real issue.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
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  10. #10
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    I installed B4s all around and I think they are still too stiff. My car has Arnott air bags in the back. New Lemforder frame bushings and new controls arms etc.
    For comparison , all of my e46s had Sachs and they all rode better than my wagon with Bilstein B4s.

  11. #11
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    ...and thats why guys say not to get the Billies for E39's...
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    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

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  12. #12
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    How are they for other models? especially interested in e60
    Bimmer addict since 2016

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  13. #13
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Errr this is not really the place to ask about that... golly gee maybe the ummm E60 forum?

    i will / always say tho - billies are fine or even great on some cars. It seems they got something really wrong w the E39 specs tho.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  14. #14
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    FWIW I had Billies on my e31. They were on it when I bought it and they are history. Way too stiff.

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  16. #16
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    I'm pretty sure Bilsteins are stiff on every car... my friend Graham put Bilsteins and H&R springs on his Z3 Coupe and it rides way harsh.
    1995 525i 5-speed - Thread

  17. #17
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    I know I have been told off by Mr. GG here for being off topic before but...
    Bilsteins appear to be too stiff for even 100 series Land Cruiser!

    Quote Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny View Post
    I'm pretty sure Bilsteins are stiff on every car... my friend Graham put Bilsteins and H&R springs on his Z3 Coupe and it rides way harsh.
    Bimmer addict since 2016

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  18. #18
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    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by StephenVA View Post
    LOL.

    As I've said many times, I've had Billies on many cars and never had them be too stiff.

    Maybe they made some radical change or maybe they hate BMW owners... But they can be perfectly plush IME. Come on by and drive my wife's car or our Jeep any time if you think otherwise. I'd also say my old Audi but its since been upgraded to custom coilovers but it was lovely on HD's for years.

    But everybody wants to say "because I had this happen ONCE its the way it ALWAYS IS!". Nope. Because you had it happen once, and because we can document observations of that not being the case also, then that's they way it SOMETIMES CAN BE.

    Its just like "XYZ broke on my car therefore all XYZ's break on all E39's". Nope. If we get 100 reports of XYZ's breaking every month, then yes, we make that conclusion. Otherwise its what we call "anecdotal".

    And as I've also said many manyt times, LOADS OF KIDDIES (wait let me go back and bold that... OK now bolded) BUY THE WRONG DAMN PARTS, aka they buy the sports for non-lowered cars, or vice versa, and then the shocks don't work correctly, and that explains a lot of "waaah I bought these Bilsteins and they suck because I didn't read the directions or listen to what I was told by people who actually know things".

    In closing:
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  19. #19
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