Bilstein Shock Absorbers

In Bilstein’s damper range the right line depends on the springs the car will run. B4 is the like-for-like replacement, valved to the car maker’s original settings for standard-height suspension. B6 is a firmer monotube damper that still expects the standard ride height. B8 has a shortened body for cars lowered on sport springs, so the damper keeps its travel and bump-stop clearance at the lower height.

For pick-ups and 4x4s there are also the B6 4600 and B8 5100 series. Where a car came with DampMatic or DampTronic dampers from new, there are matching B4 and B8 versions, and a few steering dampers are listed as well.

Each listing is for one axle position, with left-hand and right-hand versions where the car’s front struts differ from side to side. Order them in pairs so both sides of an axle match.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz have the most listings, then Ford and Audi, with Citroën, Volkswagen, Renault, Hyundai, Nissan and Chevrolet following.

Choose the line once the spring decision is made: a car being lowered now should get B8 dampers at the same time, not B6.