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shocks : Z51 vs Bilsteins HD

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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 01:47 PM
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Default shocks : Z51 vs Bilsteins HD

I have the F45 packages (with Z06 sway bars, Z51 springs leaf).
A friend gave me his Z51 schocks and I've just bought Bilsteins HD.
They are in front of me : the bilsteins seems to be softer the the Z51 ones...

Are bilstein really better than 2002 Z51 shocks ?
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 09:24 PM
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Compliments of DG's Autocross Secrets:





Looks like the Bilstein HD is softer than the 2004 Z06, and the Bilstein Sport is the firmest..I know that that doesn't directly address your Z51 question, but I would think that the Z51 is more similar to the valving of the Z06 than the Bilstein HD, meaning that it is likely that the Z51 is indeed firmer than the Bilstein's..All that said, I am quite happy with my Bilstein Sports (they ARE firm, not annoying, but firmer than my Z51's)..

http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets6.html
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 03:57 AM
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I thought the HD would the stiffer than the sport ones and better for autocrossing !

A friend of mine told me : Bilstein sport are crap, you need the HD for your C5...

Is that true ?
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 05:36 AM
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I changed out my Z51s for HDs a long time ago before the coilovers. Honestly I didn't find that much of a difference.
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by dixonk
I changed out my Z51s for HDs a long time ago before the coilovers. Honestly I didn't find that much of a difference.
I think I have to sell my Bilstein, replace my F45 schocks for Z51 ... next step : pfadt coil over.
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 08:38 AM
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I bought my Bilstein Sports specifically with autocrossing in mind. Bilstein Sports are stiffer than the Bilstein HD's. The HD's are more of an OEM replacement and wouldn't be a significant improvement over the Z51's...Read what DG has to say about Bilsteins...I really like the Bilstein Sports and would reccommend them to anyone who autocrosses and doesn't (or can't) pay for adjustables or Pfadt units..
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 09:19 AM
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I would think getting new springs would make more of an improvement than the shocks.
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by dixonk
I would think getting new springs would make more of an improvement than the shocks.
True, but depending on what autocross class you're trying to be in, changing springs may not be an option..
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 07:52 PM
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Bilstein Sport worse than the HD? Your friend is wrong...

I've got the Bilstein Sports on my 1990 e30 BMW 325i, with e30 M3 springs (and a host of other suspension mods) and It's 1000 times better than any OEM shock replacement. And, if I were to go with an OEM ride, same quality, softness, comfort shock, it would be the Bilstein HD - same as I recommended to my friend on his 1989 e34 535i. He's in love with that suspension...it's perfect now ( on a stock 5 )

If I were to upgrade from the sport shocks on my e30...they would be adjustable KONI shocks, and absolutely nothing less.

Plus - Bilstein offers the 1,000,000 mile warranty, and if something happens, at any time, free replacement - just read what's covered, and what's not.
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