New Struts/Shocks (Again!)
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
New Struts/Shocks (Again!)
Some may remember that I replaced the OE setup with Bilstein B6 and was very happy with them. Then, the Polar Vortex struck and roads in SE Michigan became only slightly better than the surface of the moon.
So, with a lot of wifely urging, the B6 had to go. The B4 went in today and a forum member here got an outstanding deal on some almost-new B6. I also changed to the end of the bar mounting holes instead of the inner mounting holes for the Eibach antisway bars.
Not too bad....the B4 have very good impact harshness compliance, but (from memory) the transient steering response is still better than with the OE struts. IDK if Bilstein is an OE supplier, but this combination feels better than OE + Eibach, but much more comfortable than B6+Eibach, although a tad less planted.
So the 4-digit $$$$ lesson is that if you live around good roads and want really tight (not in the NASCAR understeer sense at all!) handling feel...flat, stable, almost go-kart-ish, B6+Eibach are great. If roads are not good, probably make do with the B4, which seem to be an improvement over my memory of the OE.
Also, almost forgot....SMERC strut tower brace has been on throughout all three set-ups and is a very good add!
So, with a lot of wifely urging, the B6 had to go. The B4 went in today and a forum member here got an outstanding deal on some almost-new B6. I also changed to the end of the bar mounting holes instead of the inner mounting holes for the Eibach antisway bars.
Not too bad....the B4 have very good impact harshness compliance, but (from memory) the transient steering response is still better than with the OE struts. IDK if Bilstein is an OE supplier, but this combination feels better than OE + Eibach, but much more comfortable than B6+Eibach, although a tad less planted.
So the 4-digit $$$$ lesson is that if you live around good roads and want really tight (not in the NASCAR understeer sense at all!) handling feel...flat, stable, almost go-kart-ish, B6+Eibach are great. If roads are not good, probably make do with the B4, which seem to be an improvement over my memory of the OE.
Also, almost forgot....SMERC strut tower brace has been on throughout all three set-ups and is a very good add!
