156 SW suspension chose

bastunas · #1 (**Post Link**) 25-12-11

Hi guys.
Marry Christmas and happy new year to all !!!

Have 156 sw. Need some comparison/advice.
Can't decide witch kit to buy.
Eibach pro kit (eibach pro springs + pro dempers)
Bilstein B12 (eibach pro springs + bilstein b6/b8)
Car is for every day use, so don't want to go more than 30mm lower.

I believe bilsteins are monotubes (b6/b8 series) what ever it means

but from 2009 they changed springs from H&R to eibach in theese kits, so maching springs with dampers chaged as H&R springs was litle stifer i believe.

Pro dampers from eibach, what ever are they made by, i heard eibach revalves them (maches) their springs.

One more interesting thing about bilstein/eibach kits is that with pro springs mostly is offered with b6 as if i remember correctly Bilstein regards more that 20mm lower springs from oem high with B6 as they are for normal springs. Just do not understand that the....

I'm going crazy choosing

Does any body can realy compare these kits and advice that to choose ?
Theory question: from that depends are dampers serviceable ?
Are Bilsteins b6/b8 serviceable ?

Or go totally difference way ?

Laptop_Matt · #2 (**Post Link**) 25-12-11

Have you considered Koni FSD's? They really are good with eibach spings.

Had mine on 4 years.

Nothing touches the ts sportwagon on corners with this kit and not too uncomfortable driving normally. Better ride than stock with standard wheels (I have 18's)

bastunas · #3 (**Post Link**) 25-12-11

Not really.
As Koni it self do not recommend them with lowered suspension. They are not shortened. Cost is high and the most important, looks like they die fast in eastern europe ( I''m from Lithuania) from reviews.
I believe this is because of climate ( hot summers and cold winters)

Would consider yellow ones, but again....
Don't know why but in opinion dampers must be with shortened with shorter springs, what is why do not look to KONI side.
More, you have to by koni separately (i do not want -40 stupid harsh koni springs within kits) thats basically cost sane as a kit, then buy pro springs, leaving koni springs to dust in the corner.

Just hate throwing money

Pud237 · #4 (**Post Link**) 25-12-11

Eibach shocks are made by KW I believe.

yan.ko · #5 (**Post Link**) 25-12-11

Originally Posted by bastunas

Not really.
As Koni it self do not recommend them with lowered suspension.

Koni FSD works perfectly with Eibach pro kit springs (-30mm). Can recommend that combo.

Pud237 · #6 (**Post Link**) 25-12-11

Originally Posted by yan.ko

Koni FSD works perfectly with Eibach pro kit springs (-30mm). Can recommend that combo.

+1 I have had this combo on my 156 3.0, 156 GTA, 147 2.0 and 156 1.9 16v diesel and I can't fault it.

TribesMan · #7 (**Post Link**) 25-12-11

I also have them, for two and a half years. They have done 90.000km and the rear ones are completely busted, fronts are quite OK, but much worse than in the beginning.

So yes you can fault them... easily

Laptop_Matt · #8 (**Post Link**) 25-12-11

Mine have done 50k miles and are still fine. I have -30mm lowered also with no issues even with the car seriously overloaded with stock.

JS JTD · #9 (**Post Link**) 26-12-11

I'm having the Eibach pro springs with Pro dampers installed next thursday. The price/ quality ratio is believed to be very nice. I'll post my feedback for these asap.

http://i40.tinypic.com/34yefiq.jpg

yan.ko · #10 (**Post Link**) 26-12-11

Originally Posted by TribesMan

I also have them, for two and a half years. They have done 90.000km and the rear ones are completely busted, fronts are quite OK, but much worse than in the beginning.

So yes you can fault them... easily

Not sure if I remember it correctly, but imho the Koni FSD comes with lifetime warranty. Have to check the Larkspeed invoice ....

bastunas · #11 (**Post Link**) 26-12-11

Even if FSD has life time warranty, i spoil it right away using lowered springs, as with B6 as not for lowered suspension.
So say goodbye to your warranty.

Just read warranty statements dudes.

Whats why i do not want b12 kit with eibach pros and b6 as a kit, like alfisti offers called "Sportiva" kits, as you loose automatically warranty.

Just a example (citation) "Eibach's Pro-Dampers have a shorter body and stroke than standard dampers are are therefore ideally suited to shorter springs. Although they can be used with standard springs, such use is not covered by warantee."

alid1 · #12 (**Post Link**) 26-12-11

Dont get the fsd with eibach springs. They seem brilliant at first,but once settled they are shiite. Might be ok with the lighter ts engines.

yan.ko · #13 (**Post Link**) 26-12-11

Interesting, isn't it because of worn springs? From my experience they work very well until your springs wear and lower.

Pud237 · #14 (**Post Link**) 26-12-11

Originally Posted by JS JTD

I'm having the Eibach pro springs with Pro dampers installed next thursday. The price/ quality ratio is believed to be very nice. I'll post my feedback for these asap.

http://i40.tinypic.com/34yefiq.jpg

Best of luck, I've recently bought a car with this combo fitted (2.4/V6 spec springs) on Eibach pro dampers and I can't say I'm too impressed with it, it is very twitchy over big bumps, and makes the car unsuitable for motorway use. They have done a fair few miles though so perhaps they are past their best. I'm not sure what I'll replace them with yet.

alid1 · #15 (**Post Link**) 26-12-11

Originally Posted by yan.ko

Interesting, isn't it because of worn springs? From my experience they work very well until your springs wear and lower.

Yes, its when the springs sag and settle is when the ride becomes terrible.

Too soft and spongy. It honestly felt better with the standard shocks.

I think fsd's would work great with standard springs.

bastunas · #16 (**Post Link**) 01-01-12

So guys what to put in ? Eibach pro system or new B12 (only if possible to get B8 with pro sprimgs)
Comfort and twintube / minitube question is main issue between these kits

JS JTD · #17 (**Post Link**) 02-01-12

Originally Posted by Pud237

Best of luck, I've recently bought a car with this combo fitted (2.4/V6 spec springs) on Eibach pro dampers and I can't say I'm too impressed with it, it is very twitchy over big bumps, and makes the car unsuitable for motorway use. They have done a fair few miles though so perhaps they are past their best. I'm not sure what I'll replace them with yet.

Hmm, my first impression is they are really quite stiff. But, I've always had original suspension so I can't compare it with other sports suspension.
Sleeping policemen are going very well, but small "dents" feel quite harsch.
Also no problem at all with highway driving.
I have to say I'm getting used quickly to this new reduced comfort level, so no issue for me.

On the other side, bodyroll is greatly reduced, so cornering is much, much better and more fun.

For its price I am very satisfied with the results, but again, I do not have experience with Koni FSD or Bilstein B6/B8 that are much more expensive.

wankski · #18 (**Post Link**) 03-01-12

i have fitted the b12 kit... trust me, do not get the b8 shortened dampers, the fronts are already hard to install with the b6 dampers - i had to get a shop to do it for me...

so believe me, get the b6s i did the job myself... there is a reason why the b12 kit comes with the pro-kit and the b6 paired... the b8s are paired with the even shorter sportline springs (-50mm)... also if you use the shortened b8 it will reduce the drop even more!

i ended up with the fronts being 35mm lower then they were before (totally stock) with the b12 kit...

as for ride - my sister did not notice any harshness change at all. i did, but probably in my head mostly.... as for handling - big change, a lot less pitching in corners, less roll, and less diving under brakes... all in all quality kit... the b6 dampers are quality gear no doubt!

overall, pretty happy - but my stock dampers were wrecked after only 6yrs!

u can read about my install here:
installing new suspension into a 156 v6 (slowly)

also has video of worn stock damper... caused a lot of pitching and wallowing from the springs in tight low speed turns on uneven road... all gone now!

bastunas · #19 (**Post Link**) 04-01-12

Wankski, What a car

Favorite model, favorite wheels and favorite color

Woun't realy go for pro springs and B6.
They are not supposed to be used with lower springs (just lisen Bilstein, they should know better) as i do not want to change them after a year or two.

As far as i'm thinking, the more and more i think EIBACH pro dampers with pro dampers is best choose (as far as it is possible to hunt them, as eibach canceled production) As dampers should be matched and save ~150 Euros for well strut brace, or K&N or hmmmm....., Beer ?

Just noticed, Article is typed incorrectly, someone could correct ?

JS JTD · #20 (**Post Link**) 04-01-12

Originally Posted by bastunas

As far as i'm thinking, the more and more i think EIBACH pro dampers with pro dampers is best choose (as far as it is possible to hunt them, as eibach canceled production) As dampers should be matched and save ~150 Euros for well strut brace, or K&N or hmmmm....., Beer ?

Tried the Alfisti shop? There's where I got mine.

bastunas · #21 (**Post Link**) 15-04-13

Pretty old already, not common here, just wanted to say after a while

Eibach pro kit is just FANTASTIC

Stiffer from stock, dive under hard braking gone, not hard at all, even more comfortable i would say, maybe you hear the sounds from pottholes and surface cracks little more, but don't feel more

If my mum likes it at age 64

and doesn't complain about hardness, that i was hearing before Eibachs

Eibach Pro Kit Rocks !!!

Gertie · #22 (**Post Link**) 17-04-13

Thanks for the feedback

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