Can I fit 2011 Virage Shocks on 06 DB9?

[Green9]

Sorry for repost - deleted original by mistake...

Lots of searching online and I’ve watched Bamford Mike’s excellent video on DB9 dampers but I haven’t found the exact answer - I wonder if anyone can help here:

I have an 06 DB9 Volante (not sports-pack) with the famously bad Dynamics shocks. It needs new rear springs as one has cracked. I’ve been offered a pair of springs and Bilstein shocks from a low-mileage 2011 Virage Volante at a good price.

Would these be a straight fit? Clearly I don’t have adaptive suspension so I guess they would be stuck in one comfort setting and the wire would not be connected.

Any advice very much welcomed!

[anonymous-user]

Speak to mike at BR, they can do that upgrade and give you the dynamic damping, sounds like a good fit if you need to do something.

[Green9]

Thanks for the reply Soofsayer - yes I’d love to speak to Mike but due to the virus the car is booked in at a trusted local AM specialist next week and I need to decide over the weekend whether these will physically fit or not. BR is not open till Monday and that will be too late to get these delivered.

I think I’ll buy them as - at £320 for the pair of springs and dampers - they’re a bargain either way and if they don’t fit, I’ll sell them to someone else.

Thanks again

[Green9]

Update - have bought them as, apparently early Virage shocks have the same top-mounting as my DB9 ones so they should be a straight swap.

Does anyone know whether (when the wires are not attached) the default mode is soft, middle or hard?

Thanks in advance.

[Squaremeal]

You'll really notice a difference on the Bilstein shocks.

[Green9]

Thanks! Just need to find some Bilstein front shocks now, ideally without having to remortgage the house.

[Timothy ward]

Did the same on my 2005 DB9. fronts only.[originals leaking] Took the used shocks and springs to Bilstein from a later model. With adaptive suspension. Apparently default setting is hard, so I had the them adjusted to 10% firmer than my original standard and wires removed. The springs are off a Vanquish. Haven't done many miles but the steering and ride seems a lot better. Hope this helps Tim

[Green9]

Tim - that’s very helpful, thanks a lot. I was hoping the default setting would be most comfortable, not the hardest.

Can I ask what you mean by “took your shocks to Bilstein”? Do they have an outlet(s) I can physically go to and get them adjusted? Can I have mine fitted and then have them adjusted afterwards do you think?

Thanks again

Matt

[Timothy ward]

Matt. Morning. Bilstein have outlet in Leicester and offer a rebuild service for around £100 per shock. I took my new ones [ones from a later model] and an original to them. They tested the original to get the settings and rebuilt the new removing the wires and increasing damping by 10%. They also fitted my new to me springs on the units.

Service manager I think is Dave, he might well remember doing mine and have the original settings. The process did take a while as they where very busy. I live in Leicester so would call in and try help things along when passing. As mentioned new units a lot better than original.

Hope this helps Tim

[Green9]

Thanks again Tim - much appreciated.

I live in Wiltshire so sadly that isn’t a realistic option for me. For now I’ll have to try the Bilsteins as they are when fitted this week and then find a way to have them adjusted locally afterwards.

From doing some online research, most people seem to think the default setting on adaptive Bilstein shocks is softest rather than hardest - I’ll let you know on Thursday...

Just need to find some front Bilsteins now!

[Green9]

Just spoke to Mike at BR - hugely helpful and advised that Tim is correct - the default (unplugged) Bilstein setting is hard.

I’ll try to find a pair of front Bilsteins now and then get BR to fit the lot with the electronics and their rear antiroll bar etc.

[Green9]

Still looking for some suitable front Bilstein switchable shocks for the DB9 Volante.

I’ve done a search and can’t find the answer to this - are the front shocks the same fitment/size as those on a V8 Vantage? I know the rears aren’t...

Thanks in advance.

[Squaremeal]

Have you checked the parts catalogue?

Perhaps the numbers are the same?

https://www.scuderiacarparts.com/en-gb/carparts/ma...

[Green9]

Thanks - good plan - I was hoping that someone might simply be able to give a yes or no answer to this but if not I’ll go down this route...

[8Tech]

NO, DB9 front shocks are longer than the Vantage although the mounting points are the same fittings.

DB9 Top
Vantage bottom.

[Green9]

Thank you - that’s exactly what I was after...although hoping this wasn’t the case!

If anyone knows of any 2nd-hand Bilstein front shocks available for a DB9 (ideally Adaptive/switchable), please do get in touch.