Suspension thoughts - Bilstein B6 vs ALPINA OEM

The place to talk about ALPINAs.
e.g. News, Reviews, Insurance, Warranties, Running Costs, Sightings, general questions etc.

Moderators: Charles, neil, D4

Post Reply
User avatar
Charles
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 2:44 am
Location: Oxford

Suspension thoughts - Bilstein B6 vs ALPINA OEM

Post by Charles » Sun May 08, 2016 1:06 pm

Yesterday I had the car up on the ramp at Phil's to change the rear shocks. This was because I was getting axle tramp from the NSR and had concluded that the Bilstein B6s were starting to get tired after almost 100k miles.

After a slight detour to change the centre prop shaft bearing (from an E46 330d by the way) which had failed because the rear gearbox mounts had failed and hence why I was getting a knocking sound on pick-up to about 25mph, we realised that we had a pair of Bilsteins that were definitely past their best but still had some life in them fitted to the car and a pair of ALPINA OEM shocks that were sitting on the bench and weren't returnable.

In my mind, the decision was simple - change them over - so we did :D

Now for those of you with short memories, 100k miles ago was the time when I was having a full engine rebuild, the original shocks definitely needed changing and I simply couldn't afford the additional £500 over and above the cost of a set of Bilsteins. So, with a heavy heart, I went non-OEM for the first time in my life with the car.

Of course, new shocks will always feel great compared to tired old ones and because shocks fade progressively, it's difficult to remember back to what it was like before. However, I was very pleased with the Bilsteins to start with but over the last 5 years I have had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that the back end of the car felt a lot tighter, the ride was a lot harsher than I remembered it to be and this was not something that I fully enjoyed.

Jump forward 5 years to yesterday and there I was about to get into my car of 13 years and 276k miles, with rear shocks that ALPINA designed, engineered and intended for the B3S Touring.

So, was it good, I hear you ask? Well, it was certainly different. The OEM shocks have a gentler response rate than the Bilsteins and you might think that this would cause the back end to wallow over lumps and bumps. But, to be honest, they just smoothed them over less harshly and made the whole ride so much more enjoyable. Both rear corners felt fully connected to the ride and cornering was just as fun as before, if not more so, because I wasn't gritting my teeth for another thump and bang from the harsher Bilsteins.

It will be interesting to see how they cope tomorrow afternoon as I return home from school on the M4. For those who know the road between J12 and J13, there is a particular section where the road goes over a number of bridges in quick succession and there are pronounced rises and falls as you pass over the start and finish points of said bridges. For the last five years, I have inwardly grimaced as I approached this point at my typical commuting speed, knowing that the car will remain stable but the jolting isn't what I want.

It's interesting what you grow used to. The original shocks were so tired that anything would have been better but as I have lived with the Bilsteins for quite a while now, I realise that I have been compromising the ride that I want and which my car originally came with. Perhaps this is a reflection of the fact that I travel significantly more miles in a year than most ALPINA owners and so my usage and requirements are likely to be quite different to those who take their cars out for occasional blasts on the A and B roads (no disrespect meant or intended).

I recognise that I am basing this post on about 2 hours of motoring with the new shocks but first impressions count and I pride myself on the "seat of my pants" being right. However, I am fast reaching the conclusion that whilst the Bilsteins are a good option at almost half the price, they are compromised in terms of what they offer compared to what ALPINA designed, engineered and intended.

I hope to update this over the next few weeks to provide a fuller assessment and analysis but, in the meantime, I hope that it is of interest.

PS For sale, one pair of previously-loved Bilstein B6 shock absorbers - will suit an E46 B3 Touring or similar. POA
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

User avatar
scalesg
ALP
ALP
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 3:53 am
Location: North Wales

Post by scalesg » Sun May 08, 2016 2:01 pm

Oh...

I have convinced myself over the last few months that when the time comes to get mine replaced I will go for Bilstein as people use them instead as they are almost as good and save money too!!

Then you wrote this!! :lol:
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)

User avatar
Charles
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 2:44 am
Location: Oxford

Post by Charles » Sun May 08, 2016 2:27 pm

scalesg wrote:Oh...

I have convinced myself over the last few months that when the time comes to get mine replaced I will go for Bilstein as people use them instead as they are almost as good and save money too!!

Then you wrote this!! :lol:
Sorry :oops:

Seriously though, the Bilsteins are very good shocks and are a compelling (and let's not deny it, cheaper) option. However, in my opinion and based on almost 100k miles, they deliver a harsher/firmer performance than OEM, which I have come to realise is not what I enjoy, given the extended mileage and nature of driving that I do in my car.
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

User avatar
MCB
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 2211
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: Essex

Post by MCB » Sun May 08, 2016 5:37 pm

We have recently fitted B6/B8 Bilsteins with Alpina springs to the E36 Touring and are more than happy with the results. So is my wallet :wink:

Funny enough though. Our original Alpina dampers were not in that bad a condition!
1997 E36 Alpina B3 3.2 Touring. No.66
1998 E36 1.8 Touring
1989 E30 M3.
2004 E60 530D
2004 Vauxhall Signum (for the shopping)
2002 E39 M5 (Sold)

nealpina
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 3442
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:00 am

Post by nealpina » Sun May 08, 2016 7:09 pm

I have no issues with whatever suspension anyone places on their ALPINA whether it is do with cost or they want a change.

I had several arguments on the forum with someone who changed their suspension to B6, (and wanted to convert to a manual gearbox). My argument was not to do with they changed to non ALPINA suspension, but it took the essence of ALPINA away. Another argument they had was that the B6 was newer technology - fair point, but for that era, ALPINA suspension was designed to work with that car (and that is the feeling I want - to feel I am driving a car from that era). Also if I drive a newer ALPINA the suspension always feels the same to that to my B3 or B10

Their last post, their signature said M3 SMG
Oscar Wilde & Burkard Bovensiepen: I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.

ALPINA B3 3.2 Coupe Switch-Tronic ALPINA Blue
ALPINA B10 3.3 Saloon Manual Mora Metallic

rc944
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 1080
Joined: Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:21 pm
Location: London / Bucks

Post by rc944 » Mon May 09, 2016 7:51 pm

charles this is really useful thanks. ive long held a belief that once you change the suspension, engine or exhaust in a meaningful way away from what it left the factory with then you lose a lot of what makes these things special. luckily ive not been faced with any big bills yet but should i ever need to replace the shocks and springs on mine then ill know that spending a few extra pennies on the oe stuff will be worth it
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S

User avatar
Charles
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 2:44 am
Location: Oxford

Post by Charles » Mon May 09, 2016 8:50 pm

Just home from school and was able to test the shocks on a variety of surfaces. The M4 test was delightful - the bridge joints on that section are particularly vicious and the car rode them beautifully. A smooth rise and fall without the jarring I would have got from the Bilsteins.

The occasional pothole was dealt with easily, again without the added firmness of the Bilsteins that I now realise had made the whole ride so much firmer than I wanted or what ALPINA engineered originally.

Of course, we all have our preferences and as I said before, the Bilsteins are excellent items but not of my liking having now returned to OEM.
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

simon13
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 3385
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:10 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey

Post by simon13 » Mon May 09, 2016 10:11 pm

Having gone through the bilstein catalogue the B6 isn't what bilstein recommend for the B3S they say the B8 spring damper is the one to use

My bro in law had B6 put in his B3s saloon and it ruined it imo way to hard a ride
Image

Post Reply