OEM Dynamic Shocks vs OEM Bilstein shocks

[Beardog]

I may be misunderstanding the thread, but if this refers to the early DB9 shocks compared to the revised DB9 Bilsteins, the improvement is profound. With the Bilsteins the car becomes supple and comfortable, losing the annoying harshness of the early ride, but still a pleasure over a spirited B road drive.
Of the various improvements my 2009 car has over the 2005 (which overall makes it a much nicer car), the shocks are the single best aspect.

[divetheworld]

I'd echo the comments above but for the Vantage. My old 4.3 was somewhat Fatiguing on a crap road surface. Hard and uncompromising.
My new one Is just sublime. No loss of ability but so smooth.

[graham 500]

I have a V8V 06 and the ride is awful. I have spoken to Mike at BR re electronic damper control, replacing the whole system but all good thing come at a cost. My question is, is the ride much better with standard (later)shocks and do you know if Bilsteins can be sourced easily.

[tjconway]

My 2006 DB9 came with Dynamic Suspension shocks, which are leaking all over my floor with 13K ON THEM. Can anyone tell me; If they can be rebuilt? Can I get an aftermarket to fit? Upgrade to Bilstein? Thx

[Jibberingloon]

I have done exactly this But add the H&R springs to the billy sport pack dampers.

Even though I lowered the car and put harder springs the ride quality is better than the dynamics. It gets rid of the woolly rear end feel and makes it a better fast road car.

The sports pack dampers are a million times better, all I will say is its hard to find a set.....

[speedracer800]

I apologize for reviving an old thread but I was hoping someone could help me with a quick question..

My 05 DB9 is ready for new dampers as the original equipment (not Bilstein) rear units are leaking and my ride quality is suffering I would like to retrofit the Bilstein shocks from the later cars or Sport Pack equipped DB9's. I'm just not quite understanding what my options are as I thought all the Bilstein dampers were part of the late model Dynamic (active) suspension cars? Were the early (06-07) Sport pack cars Bilstein shocks as well? How do they differ from the dampers on the later cars and when (if ever) did all DB9's get the Bilstein treatment? Can I use the Sport Pack Bilsteins with my OE springs?

OK.. Not such a "quick question".

Thank you guys in advance for any help you can offer.

Eric

[roughrider]

As far as we were always told, any car up to 2009 model year [Ford key in steering column] had Multimatic dampers, standard or Sport Pack.
Any car post 2009 model year [docking station] is fitted with Bilstein, whether non-adaptive or adaptive.

[speedracer800]

roughrider said:

As far as we were always told, any car up to 2009 model year [Ford key in steering column] had Multimatic dampers, standard or Sport Pack.
Any car post 2009 model year [docking station] is fitted with Bilstein, whether non-adaptive or adaptive.

Thanks for the help!

So that being said, are the Bilstein a direct replacement on the older cars then? Could I just use my original springs and buy some 2009 dampers with no other issues? I have to replace mine now anyways so why not spend a couple dollars more and get what most agree are a much better shock..

[Squaremeal]

Does anyone have an idea of the cost to replace?

How much are the Bilsteins?

[speedracer800]

Squaremeal said:

Does anyone have an idea of the cost to replace?

How much are the Bilsteins?

I just replaced all the damper/spring assemblies on my 05 DB9. I found a couple "deals" on the parts and did the work myself and the cost was about $2000usd. I was originally just going to replace the rears because I had a rear shock leaking but then decided to "upgrade" to the Bilstein (which requires a different spring).

I've only had a few miles on the car since and really notice little to no change in ride quality or handling honestly.. If I had to do it over, I'd just replace the leaky damper. If you decide to move forward, I could post some pictures of the installation.. Very straightforward job.

[R129 300SL]

Hi

OEM shocks are around £600 each here in the UK. This is for the dynamic shocks not bilstein.
I'm surprised you noticed no big difference by going to bilsteins.

If you could post pics that would be great.

Thanks

[speedracer800]

R129 300SL said:

Hi

OEM shocks are around £600 each here in the UK. This is for the dynamic shocks not bilstein.
I'm surprised you noticed no big difference by going to bilsteins.

If you could post pics that would be great.

Thanks

I was quite shocked (pun intended) as well.. I was expecting a much improved ride / handling. 600 each is full retail price.. With the coils. If you're just going to buy the dynamics again, you don't need to buy new coils.. Only dampers (reuse oe coils). Then the price gets much better.

Have you tried HWM? I'm in the states and order all my parts from Rob at HWM now.. Even after the hefty freight charges to ship across the pond, I've never found anywhere with not only better pricing, but also better service than these guys.

I'll post some pictures as soon as I get back to my office..

[speedracer800]

R129 300SL said:

Hi

OEM shocks are around £600 each here in the UK. This is for the dynamic shocks not bilstein.
I'm surprised you noticed no big difference by going to bilsteins.

If you could post pics that would be great.

Thanks

I like to apply a little tape around the painted fender edge to protect it while wrestling out the liner.


A mugshot of the culprit. I only had the right rear leaking. Tried several times to clean it and see if it had stopped but with 27,000 miles on the car and over 10 years it was probably time to replace.


The new Bilsteins from HWM.


Easy way to tell the difference besides the tags, which are nearly impossible to see when installed is by the shape of the ends. Bilstein on the left.


Side by side.


Couple pictures of the install process. Very straightforward job. I followed the shop manual procedure. The only thing I may add is to recommend removing the rear parking brake calipers to ease in the removal/fitting. The shop manual doesn't say it's needed but I decided to because the rears were a little tricky to fit back into place and it bought me a touch more room to wiggle them in.



Hope that helps.. Good luck. Cheers!

Edited by speedracer800 on Saturday 19th March 15:25

Edited by speedracer800 on Saturday 19th March 15:28

[Speculatore]

Bamford Rose fitted Blistein dampers to my 2007 DB9 with sports pack when they fitted the electronic switchable suspension so it can be done.

[R129 300SL]

speedracer800 said:

I like to apply a little tape around the painted fender edge to protect it while wrestling out the liner.


A mugshot of the culprit. I only had the right rear leaking. Tried several times to clean it and see if it had stopped but with 27,000 miles on the car and over 10 years it was probably time to replace.


The new Bilsteins from HWM.


Easy way to tell the difference besides the tags, which are nearly impossible to see when installed is by the shape of the ends. Bilstein on the left.


Side by side.


Couple pictures of the install process. Very straightforward job. I followed the shop manual procedure. The only thing I may add is to recommend removing the rear parking brake calipers to ease in the removal/fitting. The shop manual doesn't say it's needed but I decided to because the rears were a little tricky to fit back into place and it bought me a touch more room to wiggle them in.



Hope that helps.. Good luck. Cheers!

Edited by speedracer800 on Saturday 19th March 15:25

Edited by speedracer800 on Saturday 19th March 15:28

Thanks for that. Is very useful.