Upgrading Shocks from 2010 (Bilstein or 2013 OE)
07-27-17, 02:46 PM
#49
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Hi guys sorry for the late update, so the B6s have been fitted with OE springs, together with a set of Yokohama Advan Sport v105s rear tyres.
Now I'm coming from having a set of BC Racing coils 14/10 on the car for about 6 months and before that, the standard 2008 OE suspension for about another 6 months. First thing that I noticed was the reduction in overall road noise compared with the BCs, probably because the B6s use the OE top mounts which provide some isolation from the road. Turn in is not as sharp as on the BCs but its pretty damn good, the other thing I noticed was the steering felt a little heavier and so does the car. On the BCs with the higher spring rates the car felt more on its toes, that feeling is now reduced but in terms of comfort and handling the roads here in the UK its much better. Don't get me wrong its still a sporty ride but the quicker you go down some of the A roads the better the suspension soaks up the bumps.
There is a very good review of the B6s over on the M3 cutters forum http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=125709 and I echo much of what he has said, its worth a read. I've not done many miles yet so suspension is still bedding in but as in the M3 cutters post, I think the ride height has slightly increased over stock. I will get a measurement once I get a few miles on it. In the M3 cutter post the reviewer mentions the fact that the B6s are sensitive to tire pressures and a reduction in PSI gives a much more compliant ride, so today I reduced my pressures from 35PSI all round to 31PSI and I can confirm the difference over bumps and overall compliance is excellent.
The suspension so far has been completely silent as well, just like stock. For the roads I travel on and my driving style I'm happy with this setup and the car drives more like a Lexus than on the BC coils, but I do miss the way the stiffer spring rates on the BCs made the ISF light on its feet. From a price point the B6s are a bargain in my opinion, I paid £480 delivered to my door from Germany and I know they will last for ever.
Any questions let me know, will try my best to answer them and I will get some pics up of the car ride height this weekend weather permitting.
Now I'm coming from having a set of BC Racing coils 14/10 on the car for about 6 months and before that, the standard 2008 OE suspension for about another 6 months. First thing that I noticed was the reduction in overall road noise compared with the BCs, probably because the B6s use the OE top mounts which provide some isolation from the road. Turn in is not as sharp as on the BCs but its pretty damn good, the other thing I noticed was the steering felt a little heavier and so does the car. On the BCs with the higher spring rates the car felt more on its toes, that feeling is now reduced but in terms of comfort and handling the roads here in the UK its much better. Don't get me wrong its still a sporty ride but the quicker you go down some of the A roads the better the suspension soaks up the bumps.
There is a very good review of the B6s over on the M3 cutters forum http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=125709 and I echo much of what he has said, its worth a read. I've not done many miles yet so suspension is still bedding in but as in the M3 cutters post, I think the ride height has slightly increased over stock. I will get a measurement once I get a few miles on it. In the M3 cutter post the reviewer mentions the fact that the B6s are sensitive to tire pressures and a reduction in PSI gives a much more compliant ride, so today I reduced my pressures from 35PSI all round to 31PSI and I can confirm the difference over bumps and overall compliance is excellent.
The suspension so far has been completely silent as well, just like stock. For the roads I travel on and my driving style I'm happy with this setup and the car drives more like a Lexus than on the BC coils, but I do miss the way the stiffer spring rates on the BCs made the ISF light on its feet. From a price point the B6s are a bargain in my opinion, I paid £480 delivered to my door from Germany and I know they will last for ever.
Any questions let me know, will try my best to answer them and I will get some pics up of the car ride height this weekend weather permitting.
07-27-17, 04:40 PM
#50
Pole Position
Interesting!..... Thanks for your review on the B6s....I know some members have been needing some feedback on these
07-31-17, 11:38 AM
#51
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Hi guys sorry for the late update, so the B6s have been fitted with OE springs, together with a set of Yokohama Advan Sport v105s rear tyres.
Now I'm coming from having a set of BC Racing coils 14/10 on the car for about 6 months and before that, the standard 2008 OE suspension for about another 6 months. First thing that I noticed was the reduction in overall road noise compared with the BCs, probably because the B6s use the OE top mounts which provide some isolation from the road. Turn in is not as sharp as on the BCs but its pretty damn good, the other thing I noticed was the steering felt a little heavier and so does the car. On the BCs with the higher spring rates the car felt more on its toes, that feeling is now reduced but in terms of comfort and handling the roads here in the UK its much better. Don't get me wrong its still a sporty ride but the quicker you go down some of the A roads the better the suspension soaks up the bumps.
There is a very good review of the B6s over on the M3 cutters forum http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=125709 and I echo much of what he has said, its worth a read. I've not done many miles yet so suspension is still bedding in but as in the M3 cutters post, I think the ride height has slightly increased over stock. I will get a measurement once I get a few miles on it. In the M3 cutter post the reviewer mentions the fact that the B6s are sensitive to tire pressures and a reduction in PSI gives a much more compliant ride, so today I reduced my pressures from 35PSI all round to 31PSI and I can confirm the difference over bumps and overall compliance is excellent.
The suspension so far has been completely silent as well, just like stock. For the roads I travel on and my driving style I'm happy with this setup and the car drives more like a Lexus than on the BC coils, but I do miss the way the stiffer spring rates on the BCs made the ISF light on its feet. From a price point the B6s are a bargain in my opinion, I paid £480 delivered to my door from Germany and I know they will last for ever.
Any questions let me know, will try my best to answer them and I will get some pics up of the car ride height this weekend weather permitting.
Now I'm coming from having a set of BC Racing coils 14/10 on the car for about 6 months and before that, the standard 2008 OE suspension for about another 6 months. First thing that I noticed was the reduction in overall road noise compared with the BCs, probably because the B6s use the OE top mounts which provide some isolation from the road. Turn in is not as sharp as on the BCs but its pretty damn good, the other thing I noticed was the steering felt a little heavier and so does the car. On the BCs with the higher spring rates the car felt more on its toes, that feeling is now reduced but in terms of comfort and handling the roads here in the UK its much better. Don't get me wrong its still a sporty ride but the quicker you go down some of the A roads the better the suspension soaks up the bumps.
There is a very good review of the B6s over on the M3 cutters forum http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=125709 and I echo much of what he has said, its worth a read. I've not done many miles yet so suspension is still bedding in but as in the M3 cutters post, I think the ride height has slightly increased over stock. I will get a measurement once I get a few miles on it. In the M3 cutter post the reviewer mentions the fact that the B6s are sensitive to tire pressures and a reduction in PSI gives a much more compliant ride, so today I reduced my pressures from 35PSI all round to 31PSI and I can confirm the difference over bumps and overall compliance is excellent.
The suspension so far has been completely silent as well, just like stock. For the roads I travel on and my driving style I'm happy with this setup and the car drives more like a Lexus than on the BC coils, but I do miss the way the stiffer spring rates on the BCs made the ISF light on its feet. From a price point the B6s are a bargain in my opinion, I paid £480 delivered to my door from Germany and I know they will last for ever.
Any questions let me know, will try my best to answer them and I will get some pics up of the car ride height this weekend weather permitting.
My Bilsteins B6 are coming in today! So I'm really excited based on your review.
We (Outcast Garage) should be installing them sometime this week.
I came from 2010 OEM suspension, and I swear, the shocks may have been blown because it was so bouncy like a Civic with cut springs.
I tested out a friend's Endless Zeals but it wasn't what I expected and the wifey was not happy with with the ride quality! The ride was too rough and bouncy. I could never dial in the dampening correctly. (Wifey was throwing up on every dip or bump the ride home from LA freeways).
07-31-17, 03:16 PM
#52
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Thanks for the feedback!
My Bilsteins B6 are coming in today! So I'm really excited based on your review.
We (Outcast Garage) should be installing them sometime this week.
I came from 2010 OEM suspension, and I swear, the shocks may have been blown because it was so bouncy like a Civic with cut springs.
I tested out a friend's Endless Zeals but it wasn't what I expected and the wifey was not happy with with the ride quality! The ride was too rough and bouncy. I could never dial in the dampening correctly. (Wifey was throwing up on every dip or bump the ride home from LA freeways).
My Bilsteins B6 are coming in today! So I'm really excited based on your review.
We (Outcast Garage) should be installing them sometime this week.
I came from 2010 OEM suspension, and I swear, the shocks may have been blown because it was so bouncy like a Civic with cut springs.
I tested out a friend's Endless Zeals but it wasn't what I expected and the wifey was not happy with with the ride quality! The ride was too rough and bouncy. I could never dial in the dampening correctly. (Wifey was throwing up on every dip or bump the ride home from LA freeways).
07-31-17, 04:22 PM
#53
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Done a bit of digging. See link below on how the top mounts should be fitted regarding lining the arrows to point away. Need to check mine now to make sure this has been done correctly. Anyone doing this please take note
http://workshop-manuals.com/lexus/is...ber/page_6425/
http://workshop-manuals.com/lexus/is...ber/page_6425/
07-31-17, 04:36 PM
#54
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07-31-17, 04:55 PM
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09-14-17, 10:37 PM
#56
Pole Position
Bump for updates on this thread^^ anything new to add with the B6
10-03-17, 11:48 AM
#57
So I am at my wits end with my 2008 ISF. Taking a long drive (1+ hr) is torture near DC suburbs. Will B6 shocks be the most cost effective way to fix the bouncy suspension?
Also, for the lateral turns thinking about the F sport rear sway bar would that make the ride more harsher?
Also, for the lateral turns thinking about the F sport rear sway bar would that make the ride more harsher?
10-06-17, 08:56 PM
#60
Pole Position
The B6 should work very well with the OEM spring and very likely a mild lowering spring like the Swift.
So many others are crazy for coilover but for street they are really over kill and for a regular driver it is a lot of money to get a well made set, have them installed, and have the car corner balanced. And then there is the maintenance...
The B8 really isn't necessary unless you are really going to put aggressive lowering springs on the car, but then I think those that want a really low car are going threaded body coilover anyway. It makes the B8 market for ISF small for Bilstein. I'm guessing it was a business decision at Bilstein to just make the B6 as many cars are now of the age to just have the stock shocks replaced with a OEM like replacement.
It is my understanding the B6 and B8 have the same valving and performance profile and just very in piston length to maintain an "optimal" working position for the corresponding spring height.
So many others are crazy for coilover but for street they are really over kill and for a regular driver it is a lot of money to get a well made set, have them installed, and have the car corner balanced. And then there is the maintenance...
The B8 really isn't necessary unless you are really going to put aggressive lowering springs on the car, but then I think those that want a really low car are going threaded body coilover anyway. It makes the B8 market for ISF small for Bilstein. I'm guessing it was a business decision at Bilstein to just make the B6 as many cars are now of the age to just have the stock shocks replaced with a OEM like replacement.
It is my understanding the B6 and B8 have the same valving and performance profile and just very in piston length to maintain an "optimal" working position for the corresponding spring height.
So considering the Swift springs lower by 1.1 inches in the front and 0.6 inches in the rear there is really no need for the B8 with Swift springs anyhow unless you have a drop spring that exceeds 30mm then that would be out of the range that Bilstein recommends for the B6 and then the B8 would be more appropriate at that point.
Hope this clears up some confusion with the B6 being used with Swift springs
