Jim 1 Posted September 15, 2014 So ever since I got new Bilstein B4's fitted to my Corrado about three years ago, I've always thought they never felt right. I put this down to a mismatch of dampers and springs (KW). I found the ride had become progressively more crashy but also dangerously bouncy.. like if I go over some sections of uneven road too fast, it literally bounces the car like some kind of low rider! It's always been on my list of things to sort, but always on the back burner because it's yet another significant expense. I was chatting to a friend of mine this weekend over from Germany and I told him about the suspension symptoms and what I've got and he immediately knew the problem. He's a serious regular at the Nurburgring and follows lots of forums with folks discussing suspension setups and so forth (and indeed owning something like 7 cars, I trust his judgement on this sort of stuff!). The issue specifically is that the B4 is explicitly designed for STANDARD ride height with standard springs. Apparently the box / documentation even warns that they will not work with lowering springs properly and indeed apparently destroy the valves inside the dampers within a matter of months. So that'll explain why my suspension is awful as the dampers are not working properly. So a useful warning I hope for folks debating fitting worn shocks with Bilstein B4's like I did. Don't. Apparently you need the B6's as a minimum or ideally want to go for a complete kit like the B12. Which I guess I'll have to think about soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 15, 2014 Yep, B4s have always been OEM spec. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlosterOx 0 Posted September 15, 2014 After the CCGB trip around Wales I cannot praise the B12 Pro kit enough Jim, it was awesome! Ian. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean_Jaymo 0 Posted September 15, 2014 B12 comes with b6 I believe. B8 if you go for a 50mm b12 kits made for other cars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DriverVR6 11 Posted September 15, 2014 (edited) Bilstein dampers are manufactured to be stroke sensitive. It's one of the reasons they are so good. So you have to use the correct spring length to match the specific Bilstein dampers you fit. Dampers like Koni's are not stroke sensitive. So you can use lowered springs (within reason) without a probem. It's the damper working outside of its designed stroke range and/or bottoming out that causes them to become damaged. Like I've said a million times, for a car to handle well you need to match the springs, dampers, tyres, wheel size, geometry, etc, to work together in harmony. Edited September 15, 2014 by DriverVR6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 16, 2014 Like I've said a million times, for a car to handle well you need to match the springs, dampers, tyres, wheel size, geometry, etc, to work together in harmony. Couldn't agree more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 1 Posted September 16, 2014 Indeed. Well, I was looking at some of the Bilstein kits available. Not in a position to consider anything yet and will just have to manage with shagged suspension for a while but either the B12 kit, or maybe one of their coilover kits would be my most likely acquisition later on down the line. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 16, 2014 B12, 15s with ContiSport tyres - Job done. At least yours isn't a daily as fecked suspension would do my nut in! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 1 Posted September 16, 2014 It is a daily, in so much as it's my only car.. but I don't have to use it every day as I can walk to work. But I'd just gotten so used to the shagged suspension to be honest and was just living with it but always thinking "God this suspension is abysmal..." :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Bowen 1 Posted September 16, 2014 Think i'll try the B12 kit next. My koni stuff has hardly done any mileage so can always flog that on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 16, 2014 Do it. Didn't someone attempt a B12 group buy recently? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
corrado wannabe 10 Posted September 17, 2014 Was getting a bit worried when I started to read this Jim, as I have just put a new set of B4 dampers on mine. However I have standard springs wheels and tyres so I am hoping they will continue to feel as good as they have so far. Dougie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Bowen 1 Posted September 17, 2014 I have standard shocks and lowered springs on the rear of mine at the moment, Not driven many miles with them on though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madmatt 10 Posted September 19, 2014 thats interesting, i fitted lowered avo's springs and b4 shocks to my old mans t3 and they work well in that application as fitted to lots of vans.but not on the corrado running gear. on my van i have HR cup kit and that works very well,and just fitted a HR cup kit to my mk3 i got both kits from thehttp://www.tuningstudio.de/index.php/XTCsid/sn3fvsb91nno9hbsuhbo99g7g0 good bit cheaper than i could find in this country and fast delivery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamiehamy 0 Posted September 20, 2014 I'm running B4s on my standard springs and the setup is beautiful. Bit harsh on urban pothole roads, but at speed, it's just beautiful. IT's almost impossible to get the car upset, perfect balance of travel and firmness.Whilst my other halfs Golf R is very quick and has oodles of grip, on bumpy rods, the slower Corrado is much better to fly over. I just need the get the rear axle bushes done and suspension refursh is complete. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 1 Posted September 20, 2014 Yeah - I need to emphasise that this is only with lowered springs. I'm sure they're a great damper with standard springs :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
