New Bilstein B4 Replacement Shocks for S4/S5 with Electronic Dampers

[BrockDM]

I was browsing TireRack and noticed Bilstein now offers a B4 replacement shock that is compatible with the OE electronic dampers.

Curious if anyone has tried these or something similar? What's the average life of our stock shocks?

Though they aren't cheap it seems like a nice upgrade for guys running lowering springs or height adjustable springs.

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[Mops@Nemesis]

Nice find Brock. I checked the dealer portal, and these say "Coming Soon". That could mean 2022 at this point.

[ALLROADINGB9]

Good find :) I’m thinking of doing either S model factory dampers or KW V3s and selling my ABT HAS. Finding that the ABT has are great but the combo with the allroad EDC dampers are too bouncy.


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[BrockDM]

Nice find Brock. I checked the dealer portal, and these say "Coming Soon". That could mean 2022 at this point.

It's really hard to tell nowadays when to expect things lol.

Good find :) I’m thinking of doing either S model factory dampers or KW V3s and selling my ABT HAS. Finding that the ABT has are great but the combo with the allroad EDC dampers are too bouncy.

I'd be lying if I said I haven't been wanting KW V3's as well haha. I love my ABT kit but I'm starting to want moar lowww and never flip thru drive modes anymore. Ever since I installed the ABT kit I leave the suspension on Auto and it's been perfect for everything. If only I could squeeze another 1/4" out of it lol.

[OverBoosted]

Are these just OEM replacements or do they offer any performance features over the OEM setup?

[BrockDM]

Are these just OEM replacements or do they offer any performance features over the OEM setup?

I would think they would offer some sort of performance benefit over the OEM but I could be wrong. Maybe our OEM are already Bilstein and these are just a replacement for the same shock?

[OverBoosted]

I would think they would offer some sort of performance benefit over the OEM but I could be wrong. Maybe our OEM are already Bilstein and these are just a replacement for the same shock?

Thats what I thought as well. Seems like if it was an aftermarket performance related part it would be advertised with some marketing details about +15% stiffer suspension when in dynamic mode or something related.

[Drawblood]

Several bucks more than the OEM https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi_201...0413031BG.html. I would defiantly bye the Bilstein's!!

[thermobryan]

Nice find Brock. I checked the dealer portal, and these say "Coming Soon". That could mean 2022 at this point.

Do they offer for non-electric ?

[Mops@Nemesis]

Do they offer for non-electric ?

Short answer... they offer a B8... BUT the US part is 53mm which does not work. I just went through this with them. They argued with me up-front and shortly after realized I was correct in that 53mm will not work with the US cars. They have a 49mm B8, but it's currently a EU offering only. They're working to get it sorted. They had it backwards... 53mm is for EU cars. Those with say the H&R sports, 034, EMD would make for a killer setup.

[Fwdaudi]

Not sure if the B4s are designed for lowering springs. B4s are usually OE replacement, B6 are the sportier shocks for those who prefer to stick with OE springs, and B8s are the same as the B6, but for accommodating lowering springs.
I sat/drove 2 B9 A4s using the B8s with H&R springs, non adaptive suspension. It rides much better than stock, less bouncy, while still offering responsive turn ins.

[thermobryan]

Short answer... they offer a B8... BUT the US part is 53mm which does not work. I just went through this with them. They argued with me up-front and shortly after realized I was correct in that 53mm will not work with the US cars. They have a 49mm B8, but it's currently a EU offering only. They're working to get it sorted. They had it backwards... 53mm is for EU cars. Those with say the H&R sports, 034, EMD would make for a killer setup.

Thanks! Their website was very confusing on these. I want to buy some!

[Mops@Nemesis]

Thanks! Their website was very confusing on these. I want to buy some!

The B8s listed on their site are not correct for the car. Well, the rears are correct - the front are not. They're going to let me know once the correct B8 fronts are setup to sell to the US market. I'll report back here. 👍🏼

[oc cc]

I have ordered the B8s from Europe and they should be landing here Sept 25 - Oct 8th. I will report back once I have them fitted and let everyone know if they work!

[Esmin23]

I have ordered the B8s from Europe and they should be landing here Sept 25 - Oct 8th. I will report back once I have them fitted and let everyone know if they work!

Hey any news on the Bilsteins?

[oc cc]

Getting them installed Nov 7, will report back! They came in a few days ago from Germany.

[BrockDM]

Getting them installed Nov 7, will report back! They came in a few days ago from Germany.

Awesome! Can't wait to hear your feedback. Anything wrong with your OE's or just wanted to try the B8?

[steel234]

But why? B4 is just stock-like, it´s stock-replacement and not performance parts.
I drove many of them (and B6, B8, B14pss etc. - in Germany we drive usually KW or Bilstein)- I would not replace stock to B4 even stock shocks are still ok.

B4 shocks have original length and are not designed for lowering springs or sport suspension use, even if they´re tighter as a stock shocks...

[oc cc]

Awesome! Can't wait to hear your feedback. Anything wrong with your OE's or just wanted to try the B8?

To be honest, Audi's always lagged in the suspension tuning department for me. Stock it feels very floaty and heavy in general, not lithe (exceptions of course, like the TT and A3). Even though the C43 I drove was the same weight, it felt much lighter on its feet.

So I wanted to lower a little for looks and to also improve handling with a moderately stiffer spring rate (paired with rear sway bar, as well as all 034 goodies including endlinks). Went with EMD but the ride then became very bouncy, and every time I would hit uneven freeway pavement my car would tramline. Got the alignment done TWICE to make sure, and riding on 19s with Michelin PSS, so I know met setup is ok. Oddly enough I ended up using my Mazda 6 a lot more because it felt both comfier and also sportier (only suspension mod is RSB on that car).

Even with just the rears the car is much more stable and way less bouncy. Front still has obvious play and hop, but I am hoping once the fronts are on the package will come together nicely. It's odd hitting that pavement with the front and having it get wobbly but right when it hits the back it has a brief thud of confident rebound with little to no bounciness. I think this will be the set up to go with for most people on here. And of course, Mops@Nemesis has been amazing throughout the whole process so if you buy, please buy from him! Without his help I would've been majorly screwed and out a few hundred bucks.

[BrockDM]

But why? B4 is just stock-like, it´s stock-replacement and not performance parts.
I drove many of them (and B6, B8, B14pss etc. - in Germany we drive usually KW or Bilstein)- I would not replace stock to B4 even stock shocks are still ok.

B4 shocks have original length and are not designed for lowering springs or sport suspension use, even if they´re tighter as a stock shocks...

He said he ordered B8, not B4

[BrockDM]

To be honest, Audi's always lagged in the suspension tuning department for me. Stock it feels very floaty and heavy in general, not lithe (exceptions of course, like the TT and A3). Even though the C43 I drove was the same weight, it felt much lighter on its feet.

So I wanted to lower a little for looks and to also improve handling with a moderately stiffer spring rate (paired with rear sway bar, as well as all 034 goodies including endlinks). Went with EMD but the ride then became very bouncy, and every time I would hit uneven freeway pavement my car would tramline. Got the alignment done TWICE to make sure, and riding on 19s with Michelin PSS, so I know met setup is ok. Oddly enough I ended up using my Mazda 6 a lot more because it felt both comfier and also sportier (only suspension mod is RSB on that car).

Even with just the rears the car is much more stable and way less bouncy. Front still has obvious play and hop, but I am hoping once the fronts are on the package will come together nicely. It's odd hitting that pavement with the front and having it get wobbly but right when it hits the back it has a brief thud of confident rebound with little to no bounciness. I think this will be the set up to go with for most people on here. And of course, Mops@Nemesis has been amazing throughout the whole process so if you buy, please buy from him! Without his help I would've been majorly screwed and out a few hundred bucks.

Interesting. Yeah I know what you mean when encountering bumps etc. I have ABT and they aren't as bad but I feel like it still leaves a little to be desired. I've been contemplating forking over for KW V3's and going full coil. I don't mind losing the electronic damping since I never change it now anyways.

Really excited to hear your thoughts. This would be significantly cheaper than going with KW V3's assuming they perform well

[steel234]

Yes, I answered not to him, it was a general post about B4 replacement :)

[S5noob]

To me it’s just the opposite. I own both RS4 and C43. The C43 is just rubbish.

[oc cc]

Ok guys, just posted my Bilstein B8 shock review for the B9 S5 SB:
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...9#post14341299

[LaZyB0ne]

Short answer... they offer a B8... BUT the US part is 53mm which does not work. I just went through this with them. They argued with me up-front and shortly after realized I was correct in that 53mm will not work with the US cars. They have a 49mm B8, but it's currently a EU offering only. They're working to get it sorted. They had it backwards... 53mm is for EU cars. Those with say the H&R sports, 034, EMD would make for a killer setup.

@Mops@Nemesis Any bilstein options for b9 A4 Allroad or A4 Avant?

[Mops@Nemesis]

@Mops@Nemesis Any bilstein options for b9 A4 Allroad or A4 Avant?

Bilstein has not confirmed they're "correct", but the AR/Avant would take the same B8 damper part numbers as the A/S4.

[ALLROADINGB9]

Bilstein has not confirmed they're "correct", but the AR/Avant would take the same B8 damper part numbers as the A/S4.

I’ve been doing some research on retrofitting the sport adaptive dampers onto my allroad (AKA 1BQ/ adaptive dampers on S4) and from what I’ve seen for the front suspension- the allroads use a specific strut fork that is different then the rest of the adaptive suspension equipped cars. I believe it has to do with either the raised height of the allroads, or the strut diameter.... I’m pretty sure it’s the height, but I could be wrong. Especially given that a couple of us run the ABT kit.. without fitment issue.


The rears have a whole variety of changes including the bump stops, strut mounts, and other changes. (In addition to obviously the springs and dampers). Easily changed

Happy to help guinea pig if needed :D

[Mops@Nemesis]

Happy to help guinea pig if needed :D

These might be the ticket for you! Due to @oc cc situation, Bilstein now realizes they were offering the incorrect front P/N to the US market, and as of this AM, all is sorted and Bilstein USA now offers the part oc cc sourced from EU. The rears are in stock, but the fronts are ~40 days out.

[thermobryan]

Ok guys, just posted my Bilstein B8 shock review for the B9 S5 SB:
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...9#post14341299

Ran into same issue this weekend......Bilstein coilovers with 53mm shocks, but mine are 49mm......ugh

[oc cc]

Ran into same issue this weekend......Bilstein coilovers with 53mm shocks, but mine are 49mm......ugh

For what it's worth - once you get them on you will be very pleasantly surprised :) Worth the hassle to me. Just took the car out for a long drive this past weekend and was shocked how nice, firm, and and yet refined they rode. Couldn't have made that trip on my springs alone - too bumpy to the point that I wouldn't enjoy myself.

[Mops@Nemesis]

For what it's worth - once you get them on you will be very pleasantly surprised :) Worth the hassle to me. Just took the car out for a long drive this past weekend and was shocked how nice, firm, and and yet refined they rode. Couldn't have made that trip on my springs alone - too bumpy to the point that I wouldn't enjoy myself.

We’re working on it

Same deal... the PSS10 kit offered for the US is 53mm yet they offer a 49mm kit for ROW. Sound familiar?


Mops on the Move

[oc cc]

We’re working on it

Same deal... the PSS10 kit offered for the US is 53mm yet they offer a 49mm kit for ROW. Sound familiar?


Mops on the Move

If there is a second takeaway from my review for Audizine users, it's that even though the part you get may be the same, WHO you buy from matters a hell of a lot, and my modding journey was on its last legs if it wasn't for Mops stepping in and helping. Even if you find it a few bucks cheaper on Ebay or whatever, please support your local Audizine vendors as they *actually* give a shit about you. Even the best mod will be unenjoyable if the process to get it properly functioning is a negative experience.

[thermobryan]

If there is a second takeaway from my review for Audizine users, it's that even though the part you get may be the same, WHO you buy from matters a hell of a lot, and my modding journey was on its last legs if it wasn't for Mops stepping in and helping. Even if you find it a few bucks cheaper on Ebay or whatever, please support your local Audizine vendors as they *actually* give a shit about you. Even the best mod will be unenjoyable if the process to get it properly functioning is a negative experience.

Agreed 100%!!

[TheFatArmadillo]

Mops, are these available now?

Is the consensus that EMD springs are the way to go on these?

[Mops@Nemesis]

Mops, are these available now?

Is the consensus that EMD springs are the way to go on these?

They're available for order, but not yet in stock. I do have 3 rears in stock.

I feel they'll work equally great with EMD, 034 and H&R. I personally would lean towards EMD or 034... EMD being a bit softer with more drop.

[thermobryan]

They're available for order, but not yet in stock. I do have 3 rears in stock.

I feel they'll work equally great with EMD, 034 and H&R. I personally would lean towards EMD or 034... EMD being a bit softer with more drop.

What about 49mm front shocks???

[Mops@Nemesis]

What about 49mm front shocks???

The B8s are available to the US. But the PSS10 kit with 49mm fronts is not. I lost that battle as you very well know. 😕

Bilstein US admitted their 53mm B8 offering was incorrect and made the revision to bring in/offer the 49mm. But they still feel the 53mm PSS10 is correct. Well it is... for very early B9s... not the 90% in service.

[danaeroS4]

The B8s are available to the US. But the PSS10 kit with 49mm fronts is not. I lost that battle as you very well know.

Bilstein US admitted their 53mm B8 offering was incorrect and made the revision to bring in/offer the 49mm. But they still feel the 53mm PSS10 is correct. Well it is... for very early B9s... not the 90% in service.

What do you mean the 53mm correct for the very early B9s?


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[thermobryan]

What do you mean the 53mm correct for the very early B9s?


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Some have 49mm diameter front shocks, some have 53mm front shocks.

[danaeroS4]

Some have 49mm diameter front shocks, some have 53mm front shocks.

That seems weird how they would switch with same model year.....how do you know which one you have? And if you can use with early year why not newer ones?


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