Bilstein B14 PSS Coilovers

[go_a_way1]

Hey guys. I am really thinking about pulling the trigger on the PSS B14's but im not really a huge suspension guy so I would like some opinions please.

The car is a DD and I do drive it like a sports car. I often dive into corners and accelerate hard out of the turns too. I do enjoy taking exit ramps at speeds higher then I probably should when it is safe to do so. The goal here in this order is to maintain or improve factory road hold and handling, improve ride quality (I do like my ride a little stiffer or firm but not harsh), and finally to lower it a bit. I do drive in the winter (though lots of salt) I may just set ride height to the recommended 30mm lower and leave it. Im not one to play with all the different settings I just want something to work and work good.

I guess the question is do these coilovers seem like a good pick given my goals or should I save my money? I don't want to do just lowering springs either.

The car also has nitto invo tires on stock rims and that is all I have as far as suspension mods are concerned. And yes I have done lots of searching and reading im just looking for more opinions and hopeful some people who actually have them can chime in.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post!!

Edit: I decided that I am going to get these after talking to Barrington at BRZ World over the phone (Awesome guy btw!!) . I will post my thoughts/review on these once I get them installed but that won't be for a few weeks at the very least.

[Tank]

Can't say I have a great deal of wisdom when it comes to suspension, which is one of the reasons I went with these. Put them on and trust in the Bilstein magic.

Rear feels quite stiff.. Big bumps are jarring. The front feels great over bumps, braking hard and changing direction. The dampers are spot on for what I want in a daily drive.

Ride feels a lot smoother with a full tank of gas. Without adjustable lower control arms in the rear you get another degree or so of camber due to lowering. This would add in some understeer, but the rear end is stiffer so it is some combination of things that add more oversteer countered by things that increase understeer. Leaving the extra camber in the rear makes it feel like you get more grip.. right up until the point it lets go.. It's more sudden, unlike stock where it is very gradual. I've also changed tires, so that would contribute heavily as well. My setup gives me lots of rear grip in the dry and almost no grip in the wet.

I'd like the dampening in the rear to be softer for a daily drive.. But it works as a friendly reminder of how much gas I have in the tank when hitting bumps.

Overall, I'm quite happy with them. I've had stiffer suspensions, and comparing to those these feel quite refined. It's only when you get on REALLY rough roads that you find yourself slowing down and being overtaken by minivans and old ford explorers. I wouldn't recommend these if you live in a city with streets rough enough to tax even the stock suspension. Back roads, highway.. These are right at home. I'd also recommend staying with 17" wheels if you're worried about the ride.

[AZP Installs]

We are using the B14 units on our Spec86 Cup as the spec damper/spring setup for these cars for Wheel to Wheel racing. They are a great setup and you don't have to worry about setting the adjustments. Bilstein will have better QC across the board than most so you will get consistent side to side dampening as opposed to some of the other budget coils where a "1" on the left side is equal to a "3" on the right side when you actually put them on the shock dyno.

However I always caution anyone living in the Northern areas that you SHOULD NOT RUN COILOVERS IN THE WINTER. Even the best made coils will get destroyed if they are run in the winter and exposed to grime, dirt, dust, salt, tinders, sand, etc found on the roads in winter months.

-mike

[go_a_way1]

Thanks guys for your input!!! And for as far as using them in the winter is it still not advised if I set my ride height and dont worry about adjustments in the future because I know they will get seized even though I wash my car atleast twice a week. They also have a stainless steel body dont they? Or is it some kind of safety issue?? Now you have me wondering if I should go back to stock for the winter months it can be a pain but I rather spend 2 weekends a year and pay for 2 alignments when I do my tire swap so they will last me more then 3 years. Thanks again guys!!

[AZP Installs]

The reason not to run them in the winter includes but isn't limited to the seizing of the collars, but also the fact that that dirt, grime salt, brine, etc works its way into the seals and pistons as there is little to no protection on any coilovers.

We always suggest swapping back to stock if possible for the winter and re-aligning. It will be much better in the end as your coils will also see 1/2 a years usage rather than a full year each year. This will reduce your rebuild costs/intervals as well.

-mike

[Apoc]

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

The reason not to run them in the winter includes but isn't limited to the seizing of the collars, but also the fact that that dirt, grime salt, brine, etc works its way into the seals and pistons as there is little to no protection on any coilovers.

We always suggest swapping back to stock if possible for the winter and re-aligning. It will be much better in the end as your coils will also see 1/2 a years usage rather than a full year each year. This will reduce your rebuild costs/intervals as well.

-mike

Downside with that would be that you would be paying more than the full cost of the B14s in re-intalls and alignments in one year here in Calgary. I have B14s and know many locals here that don't swap out coilovers in winter. Calgary doesn't use rock salt or brine so winter driving isn't extremely harsh. Dirt and dust is going to happen so I would rather budget for replacement every 3-4 years rather than swap out every season.

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by Apoc

Downside with that would be that you would be paying more than the full cost of the B14s in re-intalls and alignments in one year here in Calgary. I have B14s and know many locals here that don't swap out coilovers in winter. Calgary doesn't use rock salt or brine so winter driving isn't extremely harsh. Dirt and dust is going to happen so I would rather budget for replacement every 3-4 years rather than swap out every season.

The install is not so much of a cost to me as the alignments, but that is a very good point!! Would you mind giving me a ride in your car some time so I can see how they feel??? How do you like them for DD in Calgary?

[AZP Installs]

How much do they charge for alignments up there? I need to raise my prices!

-mike

[Apoc]

$200-$250

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by Apoc

$200-$250

Damm!! Where do you go?? I can get one done for $140 + tax retail at the dealership I work at!