Bilstein B6/B8 Struts/Shocks for XI!!!!

pdjafari · 12-08-2008, 10:32 AM

This all started once flukey called Billstein NA to see if they sell the B6/B8 series for XI owners in North America. Unfortunately, they dont YET and apparently stated they will by years end, or perhaps next year some time.

Since I've heard these types of rumors before (regarding other parts) on products that never saw the light of day I decided to pursue a european vendor who would be willing to sell/ship them overseas to the US.

I did a search on Bilstein's website for the exact model numbers for the front/rear of the B8 and found a vendor in the UK.

Balance Motorsports

http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk/

I sent them an Email asking them if they could provide a set front/rear to the US and how much they'd charge. I got a response this morning.

thank you for your enquiry,
we usually only sell in Europe, however seeing as you are a bit stuck with this one we are happy to help - please see quote below
shipping would cost £111
Description Part No Price Qty Amount

BE5-C042 - Bilstein Monotube Damper BE5-C042 £88.24 2 £176.48

VE3-E247 - Bilstein Monotube Damper VE3-E247 £152.53 1 £152.53

VE3-E248 - Bilstein Monotube Damper VE3-E248 £152.53 1 £152.53

Subtotal £481.54
Export Surcharge 5%
£24.00

Shipping
£111.00

Total £616.54

Doing the math, it would be roughly $900 USD for a set which isnt bad IMHO. Alot less than running KW V3s and also alot easier to install as its plug n play. The quote above they provided is for the B8s

Now the only question is 'are they legit' to do business with??

What does everybody think??

chinoxs203 · 12-08-2008, 11:31 AM

+ money for springs. are the shocks adjustable? if not i wouldnt see much difference in a set of H&Rs coilovers where you can atleast adjust the height

pdjafari · 12-08-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinoxs203

+ money for springs. are the shocks adjustable? if not i wouldnt see much difference in a set of H&Rs coilovers where you can atleast adjust the height

The shocks are adjustable, sport/comfort setting. HR coilovers have been known to be harsh additionally coilover installs are a royal PITA. I installed springs and its not a bad DIY however coilovers are another story.... You cant quite compare this setup to the HR coilovers. I'd take adjustable struts/shocks over adjustable height ANYDAY!!

chinoxs203 · 12-08-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdjafari

The shocks are adjustable, sport/comfort setting. HR coilovers have been known to be harsh additionally coilover installs are a royal PITA. I installed springs and its not a bad DIY however coilovers are another story.... You cant quite compare this setup to the HR coilovers. I'd take adjustable struts/shocks over adjustable height ANYDAY!!

i would also take adjustable shocks over the height adjustable H&R coilovers, thats why i was asking. if it was just a shock (non adjustable like the H&R) then it would be a tougher choice.
just clearing up for others for their reasoning in importing these.

Kevin G · 12-08-2008, 12:23 PM

So a plan could be, install H&R sport springs for now, then upgrade the shocks once this is available next year.

pdjafari · 12-08-2008, 12:43 PM

^^IF its available next year...

Im already running HR springs and its a bouncy ride, forget about hitting a pothole...

MyE92 · 12-08-2008, 02:54 PM

Maybe we can get a group buy together for them, and they can give us a better deal....

ZTZ1010 · 12-16-2008, 09:35 PM

+1. I'd be interested in a GB also

pdjafari · 12-17-2008, 12:41 AM

id have to email them back but considering their Email 'we normally dont do this' but since your stuck im not too optimistic

heyitzalex · 12-26-2008, 02:57 AM

+1 for gb

MyE92 · 01-14-2009, 11:12 PM

any update?

mds82 · 02-16-2009, 10:02 AM

I'm going to check about potentially getting these imported. I need new struts anyways, so might as well!

mds82 · 02-19-2009, 02:28 PM

I just bought these from my Friends that own a place - 4-6 weeks till i get them !!!!!

And No - i did not Pay $900 for them. I got them at dealer cost though, so i cant say

itsbrokeagain · 02-19-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdjafari

The shocks are adjustable, sport/comfort setting. HR coilovers have been known to be harsh additionally coilover installs are a royal PITA. I installed springs and its not a bad DIY however coilovers are another story.... You cant quite compare this setup to the HR coilovers. I'd take adjustable struts/shocks over adjustable height ANYDAY!!

coilovers arent that hard do to. Im the recommended go-to guy in the tri-state area here for E90 suspension installs

itsbrokeagain · 02-19-2009, 05:52 PM

everyone who has run H&R springs with konis or Bilstein struts has had nothing but good things to say. The ride is much like stock, only slightly firmer, in addition to being lower

flukey · 02-19-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mds82

I just bought these from my Friends that own a place - 4-6 weeks till i get them !!!!!

And No - i did not Pay $900 for them. I got them at dealer cost though, so i cant say

Pictures and a review once they come in, please!

adr1974 · 02-24-2009, 08:44 AM

I emailed Balance Motorsport about the possibility of importing the Bilstein B8's...response is below (they say it's a warranty issue, which as far as I know may very well be the case).

Hi Adam
sorry we are not able to - unless you came to the UK!
thanks
Julian

MyE92 · 03-02-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adr1974

I emailed Balance Motorsport about the possibility of importing the Bilstein B8's...response is below (they say it's a warranty issue, which as far as I know may very well be the case).

Hi Adam
sorry we are not able to - unless you came to the UK!
thanks
Julian

Maybe we can get a UK member to set over a couple of sets...

adr1974 · 03-02-2009, 09:02 AM

I would definitely consider...would love to hear someone's review beforehand, though. Googled it and couldn't find a thing...

J.P. · 03-27-2009, 08:56 AM

Im in!

flem · 03-27-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP_335xi

Im in!

I'm in too if only someone in Europe would get them for us...

J.P. · 03-27-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flem

I'm in too if only someone in Europe would get them for us...

best bet is to have a vendor group buy (i.e SupremePower who has both east and west coast locations, so that way the shipping costs can get cut down.)

12-08-2008, 10:32 AM	#1
pdjafari Colonel 152 Rep 2,459 Posts Drives: Axe Murderer with headlights Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (5)	Bilstein B6/B8 Struts/Shocks for XI!!!! This all started once flukey called Billstein NA to see if they sell the B6/B8 series for XI owners in North America. Unfortunately, they dont YET and apparently stated they will by years end, or perhaps next year some time. Since I've heard these types of rumors before (regarding other parts) on products that never saw the light of day I decided to pursue a european vendor who would be willing to sell/ship them overseas to the US. I did a search on Bilstein's website for the exact model numbers for the front/rear of the B8 and found a vendor in the UK. Balance Motorsports http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk/ I sent them an Email asking them if they could provide a set front/rear to the US and how much they'd charge. I got a response this morning. thank you for your enquiry, we usually only sell in Europe, however seeing as you are a bit stuck with this one we are happy to help - please see quote below shipping would cost £111 Description Part No Price Qty Amount BE5-C042 - Bilstein Monotube Damper BE5-C042 £88.24 2 £176.48 VE3-E247 - Bilstein Monotube Damper VE3-E247 £152.53 1 £152.53 VE3-E248 - Bilstein Monotube Damper VE3-E248 £152.53 1 £152.53 Subtotal £481.54 Export Surcharge 5% £24.00 Shipping £111.00 Total £616.54 Doing the math, it would be roughly $900 USD for a set which isnt bad IMHO. Alot less than running KW V3s and also alot easier to install as its plug n play. The quote above they provided is for the B8s Now the only question is 'are they legit' to do business with?? What does everybody think??
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12-08-2008, 11:31 AM	#2
chinoxs203 Major 122 Rep 1,369 Posts Drives: 08 E92 335xi AW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	+ money for springs. are the shocks adjustable? if not i wouldnt see much difference in a set of H&Rs coilovers where you can atleast adjust the height __________________ FOR SALE: Dropbox - please
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12-08-2008, 12:23 PM	#5
Kevin G Second Lieutenant 113 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (2)	So a plan could be, install H&R sport springs for now, then upgrade the shocks once this is available next year. __________________ F80 '16 M3 \| Alpine White + Sakhir Orange \| ZCP \| MS Sport Competition Springs \| MS Intake Scoops \| MS Spacers 10/12
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12-08-2008, 12:43 PM	#6
pdjafari Colonel 152 Rep 2,459 Posts Drives: Axe Murderer with headlights Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (5)	^^IF its available next year... Im already running HR springs and its a bouncy ride, forget about hitting a pothole...
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12-08-2008, 02:54 PM	#7
MyE92 El Presidente 273 Rep 6,962 Posts Drives: your mom wild. Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (24)	Maybe we can get a group buy together for them, and they can give us a better deal....
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12-16-2008, 09:35 PM	#8
ZTZ1010 Aficionado of All Things Vroom 171 Rep 1,213 Posts Drives: 2020 F97 X3M Competition Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (9)	+1. I'd be interested in a GB also __________________ Current: 2020 F97 X3M Competition Retired: '18 6MT AW F30 340x Drive \| '15 6MT F80 M3\| '11 AW DCT E92 M3\| '09 6MT AW E90 335i\| 08' 6MT E92 328xi
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12-17-2008, 12:41 AM	#9
pdjafari Colonel 152 Rep 2,459 Posts Drives: Axe Murderer with headlights Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (5)	id have to email them back but considering their Email 'we normally dont do this' but since your stuck im not too optimistic
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12-26-2008, 02:57 AM	#10
heyitzalex Private First Class 8 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Macan S Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 310 iTrader: (2)	+1 for gb
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01-14-2009, 11:12 PM	#11
MyE92 El Presidente 273 Rep 6,962 Posts Drives: your mom wild. Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (24)	any update?
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02-16-2009, 10:02 AM	#12
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	I'm going to check about potentially getting these imported. I need new struts anyways, so might as well!
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02-19-2009, 02:28 PM	#13
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	I just bought these from my Friends that own a place - 4-6 weeks till i get them !!!!! And No - i did not Pay $900 for them. I got them at dealer cost though, so i cant say
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02-19-2009, 05:52 PM	#15
itsbrokeagain 310 Rep 15,745 Posts Drives: 1999 528iT, E53 X5, E46 325xi Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Strong Island iTrader: (7)	everyone who has run H&R springs with konis or Bilstein struts has had nothing but good things to say. The ride is much like stock, only slightly firmer, in addition to being lower
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02-24-2009, 08:44 AM	#17
adr1974 Lieutenant 128 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive 40i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I emailed Balance Motorsport about the possibility of importing the Bilstein B8's...response is below (they say it's a warranty issue, which as far as I know may very well be the case). Hi Adam sorry we are not able to - unless you came to the UK! thanks Julian
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03-02-2009, 09:02 AM	#19
adr1974 Lieutenant 128 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive 40i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I would definitely consider...would love to hear someone's review beforehand, though. Googled it and couldn't find a thing...
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