Bilstein Shocks Confusion

Mar 15, 2011 | 09:58 PM

blueC230K

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 439

Likes: 17

From: DC

2002 W210 M112 | 2021 X247 M270 | 2015 Audi SQ5 | 2015 VW Golf R

Bilstein Shocks Confusion

Hey all,

So long story short, it is time for me to replace my Eibach Pro-System shocks so I decided to replace them with Bilstein Shocks. I have chatted with Luke at TireRack and he said since I have lowering springs, I would go with the Bilstein Sport Shocks.

I was excited and looking forward to the package. When I got it and opened it today, the shocks were in black paint. This got me wondered if these are just OE replacements. I went to Bilstein site and did a search:

http://cart.bilsteinus.com/search/mm.../drivetype=RWD

On the site, it listed there are 3 sets of shocks available for the W210. There are 2 sets that are B4 (Touring Class/OE replacement) shocks with "standard" and "sport" suspension. The other set is the B6 Heavy Duty. The one that I got are (24-100588) and (24-100571) which are correct according to TireRack; however, the confusion is that why would "sport" be listed as B4 in Bilstein? What's the real difference between "standard" and "sport" in the B4 line?

If you put the cursor under Products on the site, you can see that B6/B8 (yellow and blue paint) are actually the Performance Shock Absorbers.

Also, how can we even tell which shocks are actually for OEM springs and Aftermarket lowering springs? It looks like B4s are inferior than B6/B8 in terms of performance.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!!

I guess I am not going to install the shocks until I find out the answer to this....

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Last edited by blueC230K; Mar 15, 2011 at 11:22 PM.

Mar 16, 2011 | 01:16 AM

raymond g-

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 5,942

Likes: 178

From: Seattle WA

99 E320

several years ago, when i was sorting things out, i made notes and at that
time, this is what was available. i see now (under your references) that the
part numbers may have changed and renumbered.

my notes...

Bilstein 00-02 W210

Sport F/R
BE3-A057-H0 / BE3-A058-H0

HD F/R
B36-2156 / BE3-A056-H0

at the time, 96-99 and 00-02 were basically the same shocks, but the face-
lifted models had about .75" lower riding suspension than pre-FL. valving
at the time was the same, ie pre/post had same HD and Sport valving.
the difference between HD and Sport was 1" fully extended.

i don't know what to make of your current numbering. too many numbers
.....too late in the day

Mar 16, 2011 | 11:19 AM

blueC230K

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 439

Likes: 17

From: DC

2002 W210 M112 | 2021 X247 M270 | 2015 Audi SQ5 | 2015 VW Golf R

False advertising

I just got off the phone with Bilstein US. I spoke with Keith and he assured me that the parts (24-100588) and (24-100571) are the "Sport" shocks. I was not convinced so I went to Bilstein International site and found this:

http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default...2018004&12=130

They do have separate parts for 96-99 and 00-02 (facelifted)

If you click on Bil_004912, it will return to part numbers 24-100571 BILSTEIN - B4 Gas for the Front and 24-100588 BILSTEIN - B4 Gas for the Rear. They are consistent with the ones in the U.S.

Then when you click on Bil_002810, it will return to the part number 24-062046 BILSTEIN - B8 SPRINT for the Front and 24-062053 BILSTEIN - B8 SPRINT for the rear. I am sure this is the true SPORT shocks.

It clearly shows that Bilstein have 2 sets of B4s, 1 set of B6 HD, and 1 set of B8 Sport/Sprint for the W210.

I can't believe a huge Suspension company can make such a mistake. Basically, the Bilstein US markets the B4 Shocks as the B8 Sport Shocks (according to Keith). I felt like I got ripped off. I am sure some of you might be the same boat as me

This is getting ridiculous....

EDIT: I called him again and he asserted me that both B4 sport and the B8 Sprint have the same damper rate (according to their interal engineers' specs). Basically these 2 parts are identical. Let's hope if this is the case.

Last edited by blueC230K; Mar 16, 2011 at 12:01 PM.

Mar 19, 2011 | 01:32 PM

The Archman

Junior Member

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 71

Likes: 0

2011 C 300 2001 E 430

Put the Bilstein 24-100588s and the 24-100571s on my wife's 01 E430 about 2 years ago. Immediately she complained on how stiff they were and that her ride felt like a sports car. Since I only drive it once in a while, I complied with her wishes and replaced them with Munroe Sensatracs, to which she like the cushy ride much better. Still have the shocks in my garage w/ boxes with about 3K mi on them.