For consumers, it can often be quite difficult to sort through the
numerous available options pertaining to aftermarket suspension components. The
custom suspension marketplace has become saturated with an ever-growing number
of manufacturers, all claiming to produce the best shock absorbers, steering
stabilizers, coilovers, coil springs, and struts available. However, few can
argue against the fact that this prestigious claim is best reserved for
Bilstein.
Bilstein is a name that is synonymous with perfection in the manufacturing and production of vehicle dampeners. In fact, the company has spearheaded some of the most significant technological advances to have ever occurred in the realm of automotive suspension. By all accounts, Bilstein sets the bar by which all other OEM and aftermarket dampeners are judged.
Why Bilstein?
Selecting the perfect shocks for your vehicle can always be a trying decision, no matter the application. With every passing year, an increasing number of manufacturers begin to offer their own line of shocks, further complicating one’s decision making process. However, one manufacturer stands head and shoulders above the rest in the production of premium shock absorbers and aftermarket suspension components. That company is none other than Bilstein.
Bilstein components have been used around the world in both OEM and performance-based applications. When a stringent need requires use of the best shocks available, Bilstein provides components that will fit the bill. Few companies can boast that their shocks offer the same degree of integrity, durability, and performance. In more ways than one, Bilstein shocks simply offer more bang for a consumer’s buck, without question.
The following are a number of reasons why consumers continually place their faith in Bilstein shocks over the offerings of other aftermarket suspension manufacturers.
An Industry Leader: Then and Now
While most are aware that Bilstein’s history dates back a number of years, few actually realize the true extent of the manufacturer’s longevity. Bilstein, as a company, was initially founded in 1873 by August Bilstein. In its earliest days, Bilstein was renowned for its production of window fittings, which garnered much attention in the region surrounding Ennepetal, Germany, where the company was based.
Even during the company’s early manufacturing efforts, Bilstein maintained stringent quality standards, even founding its first strip iron rolling mill in 1919, in a bid to eliminate reliance upon outside material suppliers. As time progressed, Hans Bilstein, who had succeeded his father at the helm of the family business, returned home to Germany after an extended stay in the United States. With his return, Bilstein brought a newly secured wealth of knowledge pertaining to methods of nickel and chrome plating.
With a firm grasp of these refined manufacturing practices under his belt, Hans Bilstein created a niche for his company within the fledgling automotive industry. Bilstein’s first foray into the production of automotive-related components entailed the manufacturing and supplying of chrome-plated bumpers as well as vehicle jacks.
However, it was a later research discovery by Bilstein’s engineering team that would ultimately lead the company's name to be indelibly scribed into the records of automotive history. In the 1950s, those within Bilstein’s design lab applied the principle of gas saturation within base oil to the design of a revolutionary new dampener, known today as the monotube gas pressure shock absorber.
This newly designed shock absorber proved to be immensely popular with automotive manufacturers, first appearing as a production component on Mercedes-Benz series vehicles in 1957. Bilstein would go on to further polish and update the design of their monotube shock, which eventually found its way into some of the most distinguished performance cars ever produced, including the Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Porsche 911.
Throughout the years, Bilstein suspension components have also proven to be viable when pitted against the most demanding of circumstances. The company’s history is deeply rooted in motorsports culture, beginning over 50 years ago, when a Bilstein shock absorber-equipped Mercedes-Benz took home the checkered flag at the famed Monte Carlo Rally. In the years since, Bilstein suspension components have played an integral role in the efforts of numerous endurance and Formula 1 racing teams from around the globe.
A Trusted Source of Quality Components
If ever you find yourself questioning whether or not Bilstein shocks are the right choice for you and your vehicle, quickly search through the list of top automotive manufacturers who have or currently use the company’s shocks within their production practices. One might be surprised to realize just how extensive this list truly is. It quickly becomes apparent that Bilstein has played at least some role in the success of many top automotive manufacturing giants.
Some of the most notable of these manufacturers include Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Subaru, and Volkswagen. Each of these companies has come to rely upon Bilstein to provide shocks that showcase the same superb performance characteristics as is true of their production vehicles.
If Bilstein suspension systems meet and exceed the rigorous quality standards employed by many of these industry leading manufacturers, it is reasonable to believe that these same components should provide immense value when fitted to your own personal vehicle. Additionally, each Bilstein suspension component is designed to the same degree of quality, as those sourced for use in subsequent vehicle production.
Next Level Innovation
Anyone who places their trust in Bilstein can rest assured that they will be purchasing nothing but the most technologically advanced of all available suspension components. Bilstein, as a company, carries a long illustrious legacy of being a leader, rather than a follower, in their craft. Never satisfied with “good enough”, Bilstein continually pushes the bounds of possibility with their latest developments.
This is a principle that is nothing new to Bilstein. As the original innovator behind the standard monotube gas shock absorber, Bilstein paved the way for a fledgling industry and inspired a wealth of future development. This invention opened the floodgates, effectively spurring on a renaissance of sorts related to automotive suspension development.
More recently, Bilstein has been a pioneer in the further refinement of gas pressure technology as well as a forerunner in the design and distribution of high quality air suspension components. The company has also found itself on the cutting edge of development pertaining to ride height adjustable shocks, serving as the manufacturer of numerous products within this segment of the performance suspension market.
Unsurpassed Durability
As all who push their vehicle to its extreme limits are well aware, any component that is not structurally sound can and will fail at the worst possible time. A vehicle’s suspension and steering components are no exception to this rule and have a tendency to be pushed beyond their breaking point when placed under immense stress. Whether cornering at speed or crawling over sizable trail debris, a vehicle’s suspension components bear the brunt of a significant amount of abuse.
This is an issue that Bilstein is quite keen toward and has made a habit of engineering around in order to provide each of their components with the utmost degree of durability. The company takes this matter extremely seriously and tests each individual component that they offer in order to better predict its capabilities. Bilstein also uses this same testing to correct any flaws which might inhibit a component’s ability to operate in a reliable fashion.
Bilstein rates their shock absorbers by category, thereby designating each model for a specified use. When operated in a manner that is within their designated standard of use, all Bilstein shocks can be expected to exhibit enhanced longevity, far beyond that which is typical of many other aftermarket suspension components available on today’s market.
Superior Weather Resistance
Shock absorbers are also subject to another detrimental form of wear and tear that is equally as damaging as that imparted by demanding on or off-road use. Due to their natural position along the undercarriage of a vehicle, shocks are exposed to the damaging effects of corrosion. Like any metal, that which comprises a shock’s tubular housing is prone to degradation by the elements.
Within a relatively brief period of time, the outer shell of many economy-grade shocks begins to corrode away. This is a problem that is further exacerbated in northern climates where the use of salt and other deicing agents is quite common during the winter. In many cases, these shocks become damaged beyond use, far before they wear out due to regular functional fatigue.
Bilstein has gone to great lengths to relegate such issues to the past by utilizing proprietary surface treatments as a barrier of defense against the elements. These treatments eliminate virtually any threat of corrosion, thereby drastically extending each shock’s effective service life. As such, consumers are presented with a far more durable shock absorber, which should provide years of reliable service
The most potent of these treatments is known as Bilstein’s Triple-C-Technology. Bilstein describes this technology as follows.
BILSTEIN-Triple-C-Technology® is a high-performance, three-layer coating. It has been specially developed for effective corrosion protection for our Coilover suspensions and has been subjected to grueling DIN 50021 SS salt spray endurance testing. Over 600 hours in the salt spray chamber proved to be no problem for our special coating.
- Coating 1: Zinc alloy ensures exceptional adhesion to the base material and long-lasting corrosion protection
- Coating 2: The middle coating transforms the bottom zinc layer into a completely sealed surface
- Coating 3: A perfect finish for maximum protection against mechanical wear and corrosion
Multi-Faceted Performance
Bilstein offers a remarkable amount of diversity in the range of products that they currently offer. The company manufactures and distributes heavy-duty series off-road shocks and high-performance street shocks as well as a vast array of direct OE replacement components. This allows Bilstein to cater to an extremely large consumer base, offering a custom suspension solution for nearly every application.
The following are a number of Bilstein’s most prominent product categories.
Street Performance
Bilstein boasts an extremely loyal following within the street and track sector of the automotive industry. This comes as no surprise, as many of Bilstein’s components have been put to the test on a substantial number of the world’s most infamous road courses, including the famed Nürburgring in Germany.
Whether you intend to put your vehicle through its paces on the track or simply wish for your daily driver to exhibit better handling characteristics, Bilstein offers the exact suspension system components that you need to get the job done.
Some of the most notable popular shock absorbers within this product category include:
- Bilstein B6 Series Shock Absorbers
- Bilstein B8 Series Shock Absorbers
- Bilstein B16 Series Shock Absorbers
Off-Road Performance
Bilstein, as a company, is extremely keen on the fact that any off-road vehicle worth its place along the trail needs a robust suspension system capable of sustaining a lifetime beyond the pavement. Therefore, the company wasted no time in getting down to the business of creating a comprehensive line of heavy-duty shock absorbers, any of which is sure to be appreciated by all off-road enthusiasts.
In order to best serve consumers, Bilstein manufactures and stocks a diversified inventory of off-road suspension offerings, providing the public with an opportunity to locate the perfect suspension kit for their trail vehicle of choice, no matter its specific ride height. Numerous Bilstein shock absorbers are available to accommodate virtually any particular model of truck or SUV, including the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, Dodge Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra/Tacoma, and the Jeep Wrangler.
Some of the most notable shock popular shock absorbers within this product category include:
- Bilstein 4600 Series Shock Absorbers
- Bilstein 5100/B8 5100 Series Shock Absorbers
- Bilstein B8 8125 Series Shock Absorbers
- Bilstein 5160 Series Shock Absorbers
OE Replacement
Along with Bilstein’s vast inventory of performance shocks, the company also offers a comprehensive selection of replacement shocks that are comparable in every way to those that a vehicle comes fitted with from its manufacturer. These shocks are designed to provide enhanced ride comfort and precise handling for vehicles of a stock height. Bilstein offers front shocks as well as rear shocks for virtually any model of vehicle on the road today, all of which can be sourced by part number or by year/make/model.
Each Bilstein OE replacement shock absorber has been designed to provide perfect fitment for the particular vehicle for which it is intended. This saves consumers time and effort when installing their replacement shocks, as no prying or persuasion is needed to complete the task at hand. As with any Bilstein product, all OE replacement shock absorbers are constructed to the highest degree of quality and offer a superior level of durability.
Some of the most notable shock absorbers within this product category include:
- Bilstein B1 Series Shock Absorbers
- Bilstein B2 Series Shock Absorbers
- Bilstein B4 Series Shock Absorbers
Bilstein Warranty Promise
Although one can expect nothing short of absolute dependability out of any Bilstein suspension component, consumers can rest assured that they are covered to the fullest extent if the unfortunate does occur when on the street, track, or trail. Bilstein is known for its excellent customer service as well as its acuity toward complete customer satisfaction. As such, Bilstein products are backed by some of the greatest warranty policies offered by any manufacturer within the custom/aftermarket suspension industry.
Known as the “Bilstein Warranty Promise”, consumers are provided with a level of coverage that many competitors simply cannot boast of. This warranty includes full limited lifetime coverage of nearly all Bilstein components currently available on the North American market. This warranty specifies that all Bilstein products will be free from defects in design, material, and workmanship for as long as a consumer owns a particular product.
Additionally, any products not covered by this limited lifetime warranty are backed by industry-leading policies of their own right. These warranties typically range from 90 days to two years in length, with the same adherence to quality standards regarding design, material, and craftsmanship, as is underlined in accordance with the abovementioned lifetime warranty.
Any Bilstein product that is found to be defective can be returned to the authorized dealer from which it was purchased. Returned components will be assessed against warranty criteria and replaced at no expense to the consumer should the product’s defectiveness be confirmed.