Touring Shocks

[2ndBimmer]

Has anyone tried Bilstein's new Touring Shocks?

Im pondering Sports vs Touring in combination with BavAuto springs from Tborr. I want better cornering and a better look. Im wondering how stiff Sports are, as they are 'made' for lowering springs and how Tourings will deal with lowering springs.

My brother just bought an Integra which, due to previous owner, is dropped 2.5 inches and running on 17" wheels (and the total wheel/tire diameter on Integras is less than on 3 Series). Driving down what I once thought were smooth roads is a pain in the rump (which is why my brother is putting on the stock springs which were included in the sale).

I dont want a ride nearly that harsh! But yet something worth of sporty driving and a DASC in the near future but still can deal with DC traffic and S. PA road work without breaking my coccyx.

[96cali]

I didn't think they made the tourings for the Ti- anyone know for sure?

[J!m]

I have the sports- they're fine.

Don't go with too little side wall on the tires. This is where the harshness comes from.

Change the rear shock mounts. They will fail.

[Travis]

Mine failed, and were replaced...and failed again. Then I ordered a set from bavarian Autosport which (from the new body style E46, I think) are supposed to be much more durable. It was a genuine BMW part, so I guess you could get them anywhere.

-Travis

[2ndBimmer]

My car is on 225/50/16s. My brothers is on 205/40/17s, very very narrow sidewall.

[Phil Marx]

I have a '98 Active Package (15" 5-spoke wheels and 205/60 tires) and it came to me a couple of months ago with the Bilstein Touring setup on it and installed only recently. I'm not a real fan. My impression, not having had the ability to compare it to the worn-out original stuff, is that it is too stiff over bumps and yet not stiff or sophisticated enough to handle well on our back country Virginia byways. To put that in the proper context, I have had many 2002s with Bilstein sports, an E12 528i w/sports and Eibach sport springs, and currently have an E28 535is with the stock M-tech Bilsteins. The old E28 will outhandle the ti on twisties even with shocks that have 200k on them. The Tourings seem to be just like any other shock during cornering in that they offer nothing in the way of stiffening the suspension. the high-pressure normal Bilstiens add to the roll stiffness and yet don't deteriorate the ride that badly depending on spring choice. I'd say the Tourings ride over rough pavement like a too-stiff sport suspension but offer far less control on the suspensino on curves than even the HD high-pressure gas normal Bilsteins. I can't imagine any of that would improve with lower springs. I'd go with the "real" Bilsteins if it were my money. You're welcome to try my ti but I'm in Virginia.

-Phil

[2ndBimmer]

Curious. Northern Virginia?