Opinions on Bilstein HDs with IE3s?

[Butler]

I have some IE3s that are going to go on my eta.

My original plan was to keep saving for some bilstein sports, but I have a local guy that has a set of barely used bilstein HDs for sale.

So my question is how much a difference will it make running sport shocks vs. the HDs. I don't think I have ever seen any numbers posted regarding the drop factor from bilstein sports.

I believe that both shocks have the same valving, so the only difference is final ride height... correct?



Does any one here run IE3s or H&R Race springs on Bilstein HDs?

I want low, so I'm probably going to get some sport shocks and call it a day- Unless someone here can convince me otherwise because I could get a good deal on these HDs.

Thank you boys. :D

[jlevie]

Bilstien Sport and HD shocks are quite a bit different. While you could use the HD shocks with those springs, my guess is that the won't last long because they aren't valved for those spring rates.

[AbsorbantNut]

HDs arent valved for a drop, sports are. So like jlevie said, they will wear out quicker

[Hellabad]

The e30 Bilstein sport and HD----DO NOT---- have different damping according to Bilstein.

They have a different drooped length for the front, and sometimes for the rear. (some sport and HD rears are exactly the same!)

Same for the e21

This is really true.

Jay from GC

pic attached of compressing Bilstein Sport and HD fronts to show most Sport and HD bottom out at exactly the same time too.



PS. The "drop factor", which is what I call "droop", is 20mm shorter for sport, than HD (on paper, but in real life they can be more than 20mm. I don't know why.)

[VacMan]

The e30 Bilstein sport and HD----DO NOT---- have different damping according to Bilstein.

They have a different drooped length for the front, and sometimes for the rear. (some sport and HD rears are exactly the same!)

Same for the e21

This is really true.

Jay from GC

pic attached of compressing Bilstein Sport and HD fronts to show most of them bottom out at exactly the same time too.



PS. The "drop factor", which is what I call "droop", is 20mm shorter for sport, than HD (on paper, but in real life they can be more than 20mm. I don't know why.)

That 20mm thing is interesting. I had Bilstein HD's on H&R springs on my E34 touring. It would bottom out over sharp bumps. Then I switched to Bilstein Sports, no more bottoming. Then I added 15mm drop hats, now it bottoms out on sharp bumps again, but less severely than before.

[Butler]

Interesting...

Thanks for the info everyone.

[Hellabad]

That 20mm thing is interesting. I had Bilstein HD's on H&R springs on my E34 touring. It would bottom out over sharp bumps. Then I switched to Bilstein Sports, no more bottoming. Then I added 15mm drop hats, now it bottoms out on sharp bumps again, but less severely than before.

As far as I know, VW rabbits, e30 and e21 have the same bottomed out height for sure. Some others, like e34, I am not sure. They made so many for so many years, that I only will try to help someone if I am sure of what I am saying (see pic)

Droop is NOT the same as bump.