A colleague just changed to this shock absorber and was quite delighted with the difference it made to the vehicle. It was described as "good", though there wasn't any elaboration in detail.

Does anybody have this shock absorber installed on your vehicle?

Your friend driving what car?

Bilstein B8 (yellow shocks) is good.. sporty without compromising too much on comfort. it is shortened and meant to be used with sport springs, normally paired with either Eibach or H&R.. it's the same shock found in Bilstein B12 kit.

If you do not want to go for coilover route, this is a good upgrade. unfortunately they don't make for every car.

More commonly available for continental cars. Firm yet composed & balanced handling. Only to be paired with lowered springs though. Cost double than conventional shocks (for BMWs).

Have this on my polo for a few months. I pair it with stock spring, the ride high is same as factory shock. As compare to stock (I believe is Sachs) , ride quality is way better over the bump and cornering. My family didn't even notice I have change the shocks, so I take it as very comfortable.
I have think of pair it with H&R spring, which lower by 30-35mm, but I don't think it will clear the bumps and sloop my area has, can't give any feedback.

Thanks for the feedback. May I ask why "few months"? Have you un-installed the Bilstein B8 or sold the car?

The Bilstein B8 shock absorbers are not exactly cheap though. My colleague paid almost RM3k for 2 pairs(front and back) which includes installation for his Ford Focus. Not sure about the stock/conventional shocks for the BMWs but the yellow-coloured Bilstein B8 looks more "serious" and substantial than the stock shock absorbers of the Ford Focus. The tubular section of the Bilstein is significantly larger in diameter than the thin tube of the stock shocks in the Focus. Presumably the springs in the Bilstein B7 are also larger than the stock springs of the Focus.

It's around the range of 3-4k for most BMW models. Mono-tube hence can take more abuse & is repair-able. But I was told that it is meant to be paired with lowered springs only due to the design. Normal height springs should be paired with the B6 (Yellow-Sports) or B4 (Black-Comfort).

Okay thanks. Not too sure if he has changed (or lowered) the springs on his vehicle when he opted for the Bilstein B8 shocks. Will ask him later.

What is your take on the difference between B4, B6 and B8? Some Ford guy recommended the B8 to him so he took his advice. I might go the Bilstein route when the stock shock absorbers on my vehicle wear out.

This post has been edited by SportyHandling: Sep 2 2014, 01:41 PM

B4 = OEM level
B6 = a bit sporty & firm, to be used with stock springs
B8 = as B6, but shorter and meant for use with sport/lowering springs
B12 Pro-Kit = actually a kit that consists of B8 + eibach pro-kit springs, mild lowering
B12 Sportline = as above but even lower (eibach sportline springs, or maybe H&R)
B14 PSS = entry level coilovers
B16 PSS9 = coilovers with damping adjustment
and etc..

Thanks for the information. Do you have one installed on your car? You seem to have quite a bit of knowledge on this Bilstein shocks.

It is still in the car, I'm still driving it.

Does this Bilstein available for Honda City GM3 or MK5?

To be frank, in terms of firmness both B6 and B8 felt the same (in a BMW that is). The only difference is that B8 is lowered and cost more. If one were to pair with stock springs, I believe B6 is a better choice. Cheaper as well.

overfloe did a very detailed sharing as below.

I dont because bilstein doesnt offer any for my car. I do however using another german made coilovers, but i will not hesitate to buy bilstein products if available because i have test drove a car fitted with bilsteins.

Its best if you take Bilstein B12 as it comes as a set. Your ford focus will look good too when lowered.

i know monotube damper repairable , but i wonder anyone service bilstein in malaysia?

depending on the model.. some are serviceable some not. normally non-coilovers are non-repairable.
try f-tuned for rebuilding.

Thanks for the replies. Will survey more on B6, B8 and B12 more when the time comes. Not sure how different will all these Bilstein shocks be when compared to the stock shock absorbers in the Ford Focus. I think the height of the Focus is pretty decent. I'm not a fan of cars which sit low to the ground, although I understand handling will be better. A good balance between handling and comfort is preferred.

By the way, the Bilstein should be quiet suspension right? (I presume shock absorbers = suspension). Hopefully it will be quieter than the stock shocks of the Focus. I can hear all the knocks and thuds from the suspension of the Focus right now.

Not too sure how long the current shock absorbers will last before a change to the Bilstein in warranted. Perhaps in 3 to 4 years time.

Test driven the Focus once and IMO, the stock shocks are good for day to day driving with decent firmness and control if one were to have occasional spiritual driving. Handles the road bumps and corners pretty well, typical continental handling.

But of course the Bilstein is much firmer but unless you are a serious track junkie or very picky about the handling, I reckon the stock shocks are more than decent.

So you had test driven the Focus. Yes, the car in its stock form is pretty fun to drive. The suspension is responsive and firm but didn't feel too stiff. It is certainly tuned to some spirited driving but the comfort is still there, at least for the driver, not so much on the passengers sitting at the back(all occupants sitting at the back seat commented that the Nissan Sylphy is more comfortable than the Focus due to the softer and bouncier suspension of the former which soaks up bumps and irregularities on the roads more effectively than the Focus. All knocks and imperfections on the roads are transmitted to the cabin more effectively with the Focus' suspension).

I need to interrogate my colleague more effectively on the "differences" between the Bilstein B8 and the stock shock absorbers of the Focus. All he said was "good", though the stock suspension of the Focus is certainly good enough for me. Just curious why he went ahead with the Bilstein though. I'm certainly not a track junkie but even with some occasional spirited driving sessions the suspension of the Focus does not disappoint. The combination of the steering and control from the suspension are the best that I have experienced so far, at least for vehicles up to RM150k.

Though I reckon I might just stick with the stock shocks of the Focus as I agree they are more than decent.