Bilstein vs Sachs, what do you prefer?

[arjun90]

I see a couple of Bilstein and Sachs kits available for suspension refresh (front and back) for the C6 platform. Should I go with a kit based on price? What's the general consensus between these two brands, both are supposedly still made in Germany

[G-Can]

my 07 Sline came with Sachs red shocks, and shorter springs. (which seems to be same setup as on S6 those years) 2008 S line allready came with regular shocks, not red sachs.

I replaced everything with Eibach prokit and Bilstein B8. I honestly have split feelings about it. I feel the springs are to soft for the shocks, and I feel that my stock suspension felt less soft, and car felt flatter, especially at turn in. ANd that was with 250k on it.

I have now completelly replaced all suspension components, including subframe bushings, whole new set of control arms, links, etc., and car at moments feel soft as non sport suspension, but at moments its throwing you all over the place when you get on bad part of the road.

TBH, after this experience, I would of stick with stock non sport suspension. Its just this car is very heavy and theres no point.

It does look waay better lowered a bit though with 19"

Only place were I see benefit is at very high speeds, its like a snake then.

[arjun90]

I agree, at high speeds is where you benefit from the smoothness of the sports suspension. Unfortunately, my C6 came with a sports suspension and it feels flat when going over the uneven parts of the road and does not dampen out the bumps efficiently and that too coupled with 19" wheels :(

I don't mind sticking with the stock setup but perhaps non-sport suspension might restore a better feel versus sports suspension

[G-Can]

All depends what you need from a car.
I had to replace my suspension due to age and cracked rear springs. So while at it, decided to get everything new.

Not the smartest financial decision as I can't get for he car what I put in it in last 3 years.

[ewmin3m]

subbed to this thread.

I'll be looking to do a full suspension refresh as well on my 2010 avant whenever things start going. Currently on non sport suspension,.ride height is really high and body roll is at boat level.



I've had good experience with the eibach pro kit and B8 Bilstein shocks on my 08 a4 avant. The dampening was way nicer than the red OEM s-lne suspension. I'm hoping the dampening in struts for heavier cars is adjusted for the added weight.

Did you buy the full kit directly from Bilstein?
I recall you can order the parts separately instead of the complete kit from Bilstein.
You can then go with a stiffer spring if you order directly from Eibach and then order the struts separately from Bilstein. But i haven't looked into any of this recently so I don't know if things have changed.

What kms did you guys do full suspension refresh at? Did you start having noises suspension when it went?



Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

[arjun90]

Im beginning to feel an appreciable amount of bounce when going over irregular road surfaces. I can feel the car is trying to restore stability but it takes a couple of seconds for the shocks to even out while the car is in motion. I’m thinking of purchasing through FCP at some point especially due to warranty. They have those yellow Bilstein shock kits in stock as well as Sachs

[MTL4]

Changed out everything in the rear myself as well (broken springs here too) and just went with OEM sachs all around. Car feels solid enough for what it is but still gives you a luxury ride for DD to and from work. Happy with my choice but car is not lowered at all (need the clearance for winter weather).

[arjun90]

What were you feeling when you were driving with broken rear springs? Also, did you opt for the Sports suspension from Sachs or Standard suspension from Sachs? I'm currently refreshing the suspension on my 70k mile Q5; right after I'm done, the A6 is next in line . I've determined that my Shock mounts, shocks, upper control arms, sway bar end links, and sway bar bushings are in need of being replaced (even though I can still buy some more time, but its ruining my satisfaction as a daily driver)

Changed out everything in the rear myself as well (broken springs here too) and just went with OEM sachs all around. Car feels solid enough for what it is but still gives you a luxury ride for DD to and from work. Happy with my choice but car is not lowered at all (need the clearance for winter weather).

[MTL4]

What were you feeling when you were driving with broken rear springs? Also, did you opt for the Sports suspension from Sachs or Standard suspension from Sachs? I'm currently refreshing the suspension on my 70k mile Q5; right after I'm done, the A6 is next in line . I've determined that my Shock mounts, shocks, upper control arms, sway bar end links, and sway bar bushings are in need of being replaced (even though I can still buy some more time, but its ruining my satisfaction as a daily driver)

I noticed the rear end was sitting too low. When I went to inspect the condition of the rear springs I realized almost an entire coil had broken off the bottom. The new springs were a pain in the arse to put in but the ride definitely improved and it did feel firmer/less bouncy.

My Sachs shocks are the non-sport (all black) version. I like the ride, it’s not harsh at all and I can still hammer it around a rotary and the car tracks perfectly. No regrets at all with that setup.

[G-Can]

What were you feeling when you were driving with broken rear springs? Also, did you opt for the Sports suspension from Sachs or Standard suspension from Sachs? I'm currently refreshing the suspension on my 70k mile Q5; right after I'm done, the A6 is next in line . I've determined that my Shock mounts, shocks, upper control arms, sway bar end links, and sway bar bushings are in need of being replaced (even though I can still buy some more time, but its ruining my satisfaction as a daily driver)

At 70k you would be burning money for no result.

I ordered eibach pro kit separately, and bilstein b8 from rock auto.

And recently after I couldn't get any shop from figure out the clunking I ordered full Mayle HD front control a set with tie rods and everything.
Just to realise then that the left side shock but was cross threaded and that was the clunking.

2000dolaars down the drain because of prevolious mechanics mistake.

[ewmin3m]

At 70k you would be burning money for no result.

I ordered eibach pro kit separately, and bilstein b8 from rock auto.

And recently after I couldn't get any shop from figure out the clunking I ordered full Mayle HD front control a set with tie rods and everything.
Just to realise then that the left side shock but was cross threaded and that was the clunking.

2000dolaars down the drain because of prevolious mechanics mistake.

Basically the parts I was looking at getting as well when I have to do the full refresh:-D

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

[arjun90]

I’m not changing the shocks on the Q5, just the control arms, sway bar links; and tie rods. Roads are crap here in the Northeast and the bushings took a good beating.

A6 on the other hand is high mileage, my upper controls have tears through them. Wish me luck removing the pinch bolt on this one, lol. My rear springs are still intact, but I do feel a little shimmy coming from the rear. I hope its not the rear wishbone

[MTL4]

A6 on the other hand is high mileage, my upper controls have tears through them. Wish me luck removing the pinch bolt on this one, lol.

Living in NY I can almost guarantee you'll need this tool to remove the pinch bolt (use antiseize when reinstalling to prevent this in the future).
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben.../022770sch01a/

[G-Can]

I’m not changing the shocks on the Q5, just the control arms, sway bar links; and tie rods. Roads are crap here in the Northeast and the bushings took a good beating.

A6 on the other hand is high mileage, my upper controls have tears through them. Wish me luck removing the pinch bolt on this one, lol. My rear springs are still intact, but I do feel a little shimmy coming from the rear. I hope its not the rear wishbone

If you don't have clunking coming from suspension, save your money.

car won't feel any different. First 3 days yes, while rubber is still stiff, but after that it will feel the same like it did before change.

[arjun90]

Are you implying that going from torn and worn out upper control arm bushings to fully intact bushings won’t make a difference?

[G-Can]

ofcourse there will be a slight difference. For first couple days until everything stretches out and softens up.

My car is still soft in front, I was hoping to get a tighter feel on the steering wheel, but its still soft. For example, sister in laws A5 with stock suspension, and 150k on it, feels much tighter and stiffer in front.

[f20c]

i cancelled my order for a suspension refresh - koni + prokit

they have a sale on ecs but i bought locally here in toronto. i have a feeling i'll open up a can of worms doing suspension like i did when i did plugs... - simple fukkkking plugs.
apparently pulled a wire and tripped that eps light. - so yeah as much as this car still looks ok, i aint touching it no more

[arjun90]

I'm not too concerned about the pinch bolt as the car has seen snow only once. A little bit of persuasion should go a long way when tackling those pinch bolts