I'm getting ready to lower my C5 and was thinking of adding the Bilsteins. Anyone else running these? Could you give me your pros and cons??

Thanks---TD :cheers:

 

Mine has the Z51 suspension, I lowered the car 1 1/2" and swicthed to the Bilstein sports. Car handles awesome but a noticeable increase in road noise(convertable car) and rougher ride. It is a sports car so I like it and expect it. A great mod for me and my toy!! :yesnod:

 

I had a Z51 suspension and switched to Bilsteins after lowering. I think it really cleaned up the ride compared to the Z51 with lowering. The Bilsteins with lowering seem to absorb bumps better than the Z51 did with lowering. The ride is a little harsher than stock, but not bouncy and it doesn't bottom at all. Most of the 'harshness' is due to the drop and not the shocks I believe...........a VERY worthwhile mod! :cheers:

[EDIT] I only notice the 'harshness' over larger bumps. On regular, nice streets it just sticks like glue!


[Modified by johnso26, 8:30 AM 4/17/2002]

 

I do like the Bilsteins. I will say they do ride a bit harsher than stock. Here is the deal. I installed myself 3 weeks ago. First, I put the front shocks on first and took it for a drive (With the new Bilsteins on front and the stock shocks on the rear) , loved it, very smooth and sure in the handling department!

Next, I put on the rear Bilsteins (now i had all 4 Bilsteins on) and went for a drive. The Rears made the ride much more jolting than the stock rears, when you hit a bump, you feel it in your head. I also lowered an inch all the way around and put on Z06 Sways the following weekend. After more driving time, I do like the TOTAL package, the shocks, lowering, and 2002 Z06 Sways. The Bilsteins are a good mod, but just be prepared that your car will definately ride harsher than stock. On smooth roads, they are great!
Mine is not a daily driver so I can handle the additional harshness since it is a sports car.

If it was an everyday car, I would leave the front Bilsteins on and put the rear shocks back to stock. I know someone who did this "mixed combo" and was very happy with the result. He also had Sways and his car was lowered.
He said there was no Negative affect in terms of performance and stiffness around turns etc. He said the only difference was when he hit a bump with his stock rears, it didn't jolt his head.

Good Luck

The Bandit.................................. .............

 

Did you all re-aligned your cars afterward? I heard that it is a must after it's lowered.

:cheers:
-Tuan

 

I realigned..........it was WAY out! :)

 

I did not have the car aligned after, but did have it checked 6 months later and it was fine. Maybe lucky..... you should have it aligned.


[Modified by jeffh355, 9:21 AM 4/17/2002]

 

I put rims (Y2K 18x9.5 front Y2K look alike 18x10.5 rear), tires BFG G-Force KD 265/35/18 front, 295/35/18 rear) lowered ~1” and put Bilstein Sports all at the same time. I’ve very happy with everything. :yesnod:

Handling is amazing :eek: and as far as the ride - to me it’s still soft as a caddy (just call me nuts ;) )

 

My mods are in my sig. I did the shocks, lowering, and alignment all at the same time, so I cant' tell you how the shocks were alone. The wheel and tire combo I now have is only two weeks old. I'm still scrubbing the tires in. I'm going to go about another .50-.75" lower and realign next week. I'll post some pics and opinions then. But, for as inexpensive as the Bilsteins are, I would say do it.

Greg
:cool:

 

Thanks Guys---

I appreciate your input! :smash:

TD :cheers:

 

Lowered and added Bilsteins to my base suspension car. Much firmer in a good way. Also, they seem to have lost some of the initial harshness after a few hundred miles (or maybe I just go used to them). With the base suspension, they make a nice improvement without jolting you.

 

Quote: "Handling is amazing and as far as the ride - to me it’s still soft as a caddy (just call me nuts )

You have not ridden in a caddy lately. I am one who felt that the Bilstein Sports were too stiff, especially in the rears. I like the bars. If you do not have upgraded sway bars get those first. Ken has the Z06 set up for $264 + shipping - a great deal and great results. It stiffens some and improves cornering alot.

I did bars first, tested. Then added front shocks, tested then added rear shocks and tested again. I went right home and took the rear shocks back to stock after about 5 miles. Jolting went back to tollerable. I have since put the fronts back to stock and am happy with my ride.

Stock springs and shocks, Z51 bars, lowered with stock bolts no cutting. I never bottom out.

If you are having a bottoming out problem - the Bilstiens will definately solve it.

 

Dude, I’m just exaggerating to make a point ;)

I was used to my IROC (Koni adj. shocks, Eibach sport-line springs, poly bushings) suspension and let me tell you – it was so stiff you virtually couldn’t push the car down :eek:
On top of that I’m in NYC (have you ever seen the roads here? :eek: :cuss :mad: )

One ride in my IROC on local roads here and you would lose all your teeth fillings for sure :crazy: :D
I drove it daily and didn’t mind (Like I said just call me nuts :crazy:)

After that I don’t think there’s anything that could be done to C5 to make it “stiff” :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Bilstein's to my 01 C5 is one of the best mods I have done to my C5 after lowering. Ride is firm but not harsh. When I hit bumps in the highway. I am not jolted, like with my Z51 shock setup.

 

Per my sig, I've got a Z51 with Bilsteins, Bars and Lowering. I had lowered first, which left me with a "jiggly" sort of nervous ride. Adding the shocks, and raising the car a "hair" to restore suspension travel fixed the problem. The jounce/rebound settings on the Bilsteins allow much less uncontrolled movement than the stock shocks. The result is a somewhat more forceful response to road irregularities. You wil simply feel bumps, undulations etc. in a more overt sort of way. On the other hand, these no longer upset the car, nor allow it to wobble about. Overall, you gain in handling while giving up only a bit in comfort. As you can see from what else I've done, that's a tradeoff I was comfortable with.

Be careful how much you lower; you need to retain room for some suspension travel or else you'll be driving a buckboard.

Alignment is a must.

 

Good choice!:D

 

Bilstiens are a must if you go lower than the stock bolts. A little firmer ride, but that's the price you pay to look cool! :D