Blistein B4s on a 997

[Andy 222]

I recently had my 997.1 C2 checked over and need to replace the shocks on it. I'm thinking of going for the Bilstein B4 dampers and wondered if anyone had done similar? The guy at Porsche reckoned it would ruin the ride and handling... But then he would say that I guess! The specialist that I rang thought all would be well. And they are about half the price and supposedly newer technology than the genuine Porsche part.

Does anyone have experience of doing the same?

Cheers

[jkh112]

Not direct experience, and maybe not applicable to a 997, but..
When I refreshed my 996 suspension I read in a few places that the standard dampers are based on Bilstein B4 units and the M030 sports dampers are based on the B6 or B8 units. In both cases the dampers have specific Porsche spec valving.
Not sure if it is true but sounds plausible.

[Andy 222]

Thanks for the reply. It does seem to say that they're tailor for the 997, but not sure which way round it is... I think they are actually used on the 997 turbo as standard.

Has anyone else got experience of fitting them as a replacement for the OEM part?

Cheers.

[EGTE]

Check out Bilstein catalogue:

http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default.aspx?230=1&am...

Lot of good information there.

Looking at Eibach's online catalogue,

http://web2.carparts-cat.com/default.aspx?230=1&am...

the (rather excellent) B12 kit is available for the 997 Carrera 3.6


B12 is Bilstein B6 and matched Eibach springs if you go for Pro-Kit version, or B8 Bilsteins and even shorter matched Eibach springs if you go for B12 Sportilne. The Bilstein gumph suggest B6 would be good for you and I understand it's an update of the B4.


However, I honestly reckon your best bet would be a complete B12 Kit; I've had experience of it (Audi RS4 B5 and E63 BMW) and it's superb for road use. Best place to buy is from carnewal.com or eBay.de. Renewing the springs (which are matched to the B6s in a B12 kit and are variable-rate for great ride comfort) costs only about £200 more; pays to do it at the same time.

I am seriously thinking of a B12 kit for my M030 996 C2 as well (Price for that about €1200. It really gives a fantastic ride and does not ruin the handling. Plus, being Bilstein/Eibach it's got good warranty/reputation.

[Mario149]

Just as an aside, be aware that on top of the new shocks/springs, you may be replacing other suspension components like top mounts, kine arms etc etc. Then add things like poly bushes as if your're goung to do it you might as well do it properly. Then add the labour to fit everything, and if it's a fully adjustable kit, do the set up to your liking, corner weighting and 4 wheel alignment.

Having gone through 2 iterations of changing the suspension on my 993 (where the original suspension parts last a lot longer than on later cars so aren't as likely to need replacing) I can tell you it's a very expensive endeavour.

For the latest and cheapest iteration:
Koni FSDs + M033s
+ Superpro bushes
+ new top mounts all round
+ bits and pieces
+ labour and VAT
= £2,850

Actually it's a bit more than that as J*z royally f*cked up the geo and I had to have it redone elsewhere for another £150

Edited by Mario149 on Thursday 12th November 13:43

[EGTE]

Good point also.

How did J*Z balls up your geo? Makes one wonder about everything else.....

[Mario149]

EGTE said:

How did J*Z balls up your geo? Makes one wonder about everything else.....

Got in the car at theirs to drive it back having got a printout of their geo which appeared to match what I had asked for. After a few hundred yards I thought it felt funny, but just put it down to possible bad tyre pressures (steering was heavy and numb) and/or me just not having driven the car for a couple of weeks and being used to my GT3. About 10 mins later once I was on the motorway home I was convinced something was up as straight on the wheel was nowhere near straight on the road. Thought about trying to go back but it was rush hour and late. Then thought about ringing when I got home and arranging to bring it back to them but couldn't face driving all the way back there as it's a massive faff to get there from mine. So instead I dropped it off at my usual place a week or 2 later where it was going for a major service anyway (having not driven it any more), and asked them to check the alignment (even gave them the printout I gave J*z as I have a personal geo I like) while they were at it. In a nutshell, the geo was miles off what I had requested and I would have actually lunched my tyres in short order had I continued driving on it. Geo was then re-done and after was fine, drove/drives like it should.

I want to be clear and say that I never took it back to J*z so they never had any opportunity to rectify the situation and this was entirely my choice. I like to think they would have sorted it to my satisfaction and I have no reason to believe they wouldn't have. But that said, when it takes you 2 hours to get there across London using PT and nearly the same to get home, I'd prefer it was done right the first time.

[Andy 222]

Thanks for the advice guys... I'm getting a bit worried that it is looking like an expensive endeavour! Top mounts were already factored into the quote I've got, but I'll have a look into the B12 kit as it does make sense to consider doing springs at the same time. Do you reckon I'd notice much difference Vs keeping the original springs?

My understand was that sprigs just eventually snap, it's the shocks that you notice wearing out an making the car feel a bit loose.

Cheers

[MaxA]

If you're going to do it, do it properly. The full B12 kit at least. I wouldn't dream of replacing the dampers without doing the springs at the same time.

Depending on the condition, you may not need to replace top mounts and arms, etc. but it would be worth fitting fresh bushes, and it's certainly getting it all properly realigned if you want a decent set up.

[shoestring7]

Mario149 said:

Just as an aside, be aware that on top of the new shocks/springs, you may be replacing other suspension components like top mounts, kine arms etc etc. Then add things like poly bushes as if your're goung to do it you might as well do it properly. Then add the labour to fit everything, and if it's a fully adjustable kit, do the set up to your liking, corner weighting and 4 wheel alignment.

Having gone through 2 iterations of changing the suspension on my 993 (where the original suspension parts last a lot longer than on later cars so aren't as likely to need replacing) I can tell you it's a very expensive endeavour.

For the latest and cheapest iteration:
Koni FSDs + M033s
+ Superpro bushes
+ new top mounts all round
+ bits and pieces
+ labour and VAT
= £2,850

Actually it's a bit more than that as J*z royally f*cked up the geo and I had to have it redone elsewhere for another £150

Edited by Mario149 on Thursday 12th November 13:43

Superpro bushes? I'd stick to OE - Porsche know what they're doing when it comes to suspension design.

SS7

[EGTE]

Those springs are getting on.

It really would be worth changing the springs, too (and they're tuned to match the Bilsteins).

My experience of B12 is they are usually better than (worn) OEM in terms of ride, handling and stance.

[Mario149]

shoestring7 said:

Mario149 said:

Just as an aside, be aware that on top of the new shocks/springs, you may be replacing other suspension components like top mounts, kine arms etc etc. Then add things like poly bushes as if your're goung to do it you might as well do it properly. Then add the labour to fit everything, and if it's a fully adjustable kit, do the set up to your liking, corner weighting and 4 wheel alignment.

Having gone through 2 iterations of changing the suspension on my 993 (where the original suspension parts last a lot longer than on later cars so aren't as likely to need replacing) I can tell you it's a very expensive endeavour.

For the latest and cheapest iteration:
Koni FSDs + M033s
+ Superpro bushes
+ new top mounts all round
+ bits and pieces
+ labour and VAT
= £2,850

Actually it's a bit more than that as J*z royally f*cked up the geo and I had to have it redone elsewhere for another £150

Edited by Mario149 on Thursday 12th November 13:43

Superpro bushes? I'd stick to OE - Porsche know what they're doing when it comes to suspension design.

SS7

I just went with Center Gravity's reccomendation!