Bilstein for Gen 4

[BigJon]

Hi All,

I have recently purchased a Gen 4 Liberty sedan with 80 000km on it.

I am now spending money on it which I probably shouldn't!

I saw a complete new set (front and rear) of Bilstein struts with springs on ebay ready to bolt in for $550. Is this a worthwhile upgrade / good price / scam, etc?

Thanks.

[rickerty]

Not a scam mate. They came from an STi upgrade order.
A few of the boys here have purchased these, myself included.
Very worthwhile upgrade from stock to spec B struts.
You won't find them at a better price/condition.

[teK--]

Very worthwhile upgrade; that kit is the most value for money upgrade you can buy at this point in time since full price is about quadruple that. Many forum members have bought from same vendor it's not a scam.

[BigJon]

Thanks for the replies.

Next question:

What difference should I expect in ride quality and ride height? My missus is the main driver of the car and I don't want to make it too "hardcore".

[Kekotic]

Ride quality is great, and ride height will not be affected.

Obviously it's going to be a little harsher than the stock setup, but only barely, and it's a nice tight feel to it compared to stock.

Edit: just noticed in your intro thread you said you have replacement front lower control arm bushes...Are those the PHAT GT replacements?
Keep in mind those are going to introduce more road noise and road feel through the steering wheel, having said that I hear they are the best handling upgrade for that kind of money. Paired with the billies and you will have a cornering machine....then all you need to do is replace the rear swaybar

Once you start....you won't be able to stop

[BigJon]

Yep, set of bushes from Phat GT. The cheaper option though, not the ones with adjustable shims. Rear sway bar hey... Might have to wait a while on that one.

[Q]

Ride quality is great, and ride height will not be affected.

Obviously it's going to be a little harsher than the stock setup, but only barely, and it's a nice tight feel to it compared to stock.

I found the Bilsteins to be very harsh (I used Bilstein HD's, they have the same valving as the one's going cheap according to the suspension place that pulled mne apart). So harsh that I went and got them revalved for a better ride. They have way too much high speed compression and the revalve made a massive difference to the ride quality without affecting handling.

If you equate harshness and crashing over bumps with handling, then they handle really well........

[bambi]

The Bilsteins will ride about 5-10mm HIGHER after a few hundred kms from the 2.5i stock suspension. You will especially notice the rear will be higher as it doesn't look like there's a dead body in the back, but IMO, it doesn't look bad.

The actual ride is slightly less smooth on bumps, however in corners, the car feels so much better. You don't get thrown around the car anymore, and it improves the handling incredibly.

Easily one of the best upgrades you can do to your car.

[hamish_023]

pics of the ride height Bambi on a 2.5i?

[rickerty]

+1 for pics. I've just done my rears in the 2.5 wagon and found it sits if not the same slightly lower.
Def not higher.

[teK--]

The Bilsteins will ride about 5-10mm HIGHER after a few hundred kms from the 2.5i stock suspension. You will especially notice the rear will be higher as it doesn't look like there's a dead body in the back, but IMO, it doesn't look bad.

The actual ride is slightly less smooth on bumps, however in corners, the car feels so much better. You don't get thrown around the car anymore, and it improves the handling incredibly.

Easily one of the best upgrades you can
do to your car.

It sits higher because the 2.5i is a lighter car than the GT

[Kekotic]

If you equate harshness and crashing over bumps with handling, then they handle really well........

Sorry I was writing from the perspective of someone who isn't about to be thrown into an old folks home.

As Bambi said, it reduces body roll around corners which is more preferable to me than being able to feel a few less bumps.

[bambi]

Before:



After (Front):


After (Rear):




You'll notice that it's particularly noticeable in the rears that it sits higher. Just keep in mind that the 'after' shots were immediately after the new billies were installed. Now that they've been run in a little, both front and rear have dropped about 5-10mm from the height shown in the photos, which is still about 5mm higher than stock.

[Q]

If you equate harshness and crashing over bumps with handling, then they handle really well........

Sorry I was writing from the perspective of someone who isn't about to be thrown into an old folks home.

As Bambi said, it reduces body roll around corners which is more preferable to me than being able to feel a few less bumps.

Haha more from the perspective of someone who hasn't tried decent suspension in their Liberty yet FYI I'm using coilovers so does that get me out the old folks home???

[Kekotic]

Q - The OP was asking for an opinion on the difference between the stock setup and the bilstein suspension, I have ridden in both and was telling it how it is.
For people who don't want to spend a fortune it's stupid to not upgrade to the bilstein's considering how cheap they are.



Any plans for changing your rims Chris? Spec.B rims are mighty cheap you know