Bilstein overhaul- don't bother
Discussion
I just needed a quick rant about the overhaul I had on my front Bilstein shocks. They were overhauled by ...., the ....service centre in the UK, last November. 1500 miles later I take the car to Fernhursts who bounce the front of the car up and down to show me that the shocks are shot and are an MOT failure. They offered no resistance or damping at all. No wonder driving it felt wallowy. I contacted .... and was told that was not possible but that they would take a look at them on a 48 hour return basis. One week later, nothing. I contacted them today and they managed to find my parcel and said they would test them. I received a call to say that they are set up on the TVR settings and are fine! What the f***, how can they be fine when they are an MOT failure with more bounce than Zebedee. What can you do about that?
I have just written a long letter to .... HQ in the USA naming and shaming as I feel that is unacceptable service or lack of it. My advice to anyone thinking of sending their Bilsteins for an overhaul is don't, buying new is only a little more money and a lot less risk.
I have just written a long letter to .... HQ in the USA naming and shaming as I feel that is unacceptable service or lack of it. My advice to anyone thinking of sending their Bilsteins for an overhaul is don't, buying new is only a little more money and a lot less risk.
Edited by S6 Devil on Thursday 3rd July 19:59
mt10argyll said:
Interested to hear this. I need a new set of Dampers and thought about sending my Bilstiens away for a refurb.I have discounted Gaz after a few stories on here about not being able to set them up properly, I might bite the bullet and buy a new set
Good, I'm glad at least one person has been spared all that hastle, bloody crooks!Seriously though, the new Bilsteins are great shocks and is what I have gone for. 1500 miles on overhauled ones just isn't economical.
mt10argyll said:
Interested to hear this. I need a new set of Dampers and thought about sending my Bilstiens away for a refurb.I have discounted Gaz after a few stories on here about not being able to set them up properly, I might bite the bullet and buy a new set
Not sure what you've heard about Gaz but I have them on my Chim and the set up is fantastic. Zippee said:
mt10argyll said:
Interested to hear this. I need a new set of Dampers and thought about sending my Bilstiens away for a refurb.I have discounted Gaz after a few stories on here about not being able to set them up properly, I might bite the bullet and buy a new set
Not sure what you've heard about Gaz but I have them on my Chim and the set up is fantastic. Ballistic Banana said:
No worries Mike 
I completely understand your anger. you could add as well that if anyone wants to know more about who is the .... to mail you
BB
Thanks. I did give out the details of the company concerned a while ago when I was having them overhauled after several people had emailed me. I hope no one else has the same problem. I am happy to PM anyone who wants to know, I completely understand your anger. you could add as well that if anyone wants to know more about who is the .... to mail you BB
On further reflection, it seems that the person I spoke to, who is insisting that the shocks test shows that they are set to TVR set up, is inadvertantly saying that TVR set up their shocks to fail an MOT. Does he think I'm stupid, I know I have my moments but...!
What is really frustrating me is that there seems no avenue that I can really pursue to get them to admit they got it wrong. You would have thought that for the price of £155 inc VAT and delivery, they would take responsibility and sort it. For me it isn't the money but the principle. If I get something wrong I like to feel that I am man enough to put my hands up and say yes I got it wrong, now let me get it right.
I must stop ranting now but it makes my blood boil!
Zippee, interesting to read the Gaz advice, I have already put some other Bilsteins on the car which I am happy with. The car is for sale as I have a Tuscan due soon so I don't want to change again, however I like the feel of the Bilsteins, when not overhauled to "TVR MOT failing settings" they are good dampers. I would recommend sticking with the new Bilsteins!
Edited by S6 Devil on Sunday 6th July 02:22
Zippee said:
mt10argyll said:
Interested to hear this. I need a new set of Dampers and thought about sending my Bilstiens away for a refurb.I have discounted Gaz after a few stories on here about not being able to set them up properly, I might bite the bullet and buy a new set
Not sure what you've heard about Gaz but I have them on my Chim and the set up is fantastic. Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff