Bilstein pss10 or pss9

bluecarbon · 10-03-2009, 12:44 PM

Hi, I have searched a little and decided on this suspension I just had a few questions. I know that on a few vedor sites they offer the pss10 for the 135 but on the bilstein site it still only list our car for the pss9 does anyone know if the spring rates are different because they list the pss10 for the e92? And my random question does anyone happen to know the circumference of the sport button if you get the electronic dampening system. I have some mounting idea but don't want to spend the extra cash if it is not going to mount somewhere easily accessable and not gaudy looking?

NTTY · 10-07-2009, 03:44 AM

Hi, for the 135, only PSS10 are available. PSS9 and PSS10 are basically the same except you get 10 different settings with PSS10 and 9 with PSS9.

You also have the PSS that are not adjustable, but honestly there's only one setup on the PSS10 that works fine with the springs, and it's the one you get with PSS... Same story with the electronic version.

At the end of the day, even if you have adjustable suspensions, springs remain the same, and there's only one setup for the dampers that goes really well with the springs. Then if you change the springs to go for stiffer ones, that's another story. And that's where the PSS come back in the game. Some mechanics know how to open them to modify the stiffness, and in this case you'r not even limited by 10 pre-defined settings, you can get what you want to perfectly match your needs.

Of course, that depends on what you plan to do with your car. But if you plan to do some track days, I would recommend to go for the PSS. Indeed, in the case you really want to be serious one day, the PSS10 will never be stiff enough and there's no possibility, to my knowledge, to modify them.

Hope it helps.

Cheers,

My135 · 10-08-2009, 11:05 AM

Are they as good as KV1, 2 or 3?

BMWeber · 10-08-2009, 11:28 AM

PSS10 is just the newer version better adjustment knobs and 1 extra adjustment setting. I personally like them better than the KW.

also I disagree with NTTY. if you want a duel purpose car or just the Ability to fine tune the ride to your liking the PSS10 is the better choice. on the street lowering the shock stiffness gives you a much better ride and you can stiffen the shocks up for the track. also certain tracks with different surfaces and characteristics work better with different dampening settings( this is why almost all race shocks are adjustable) also Bilsteins PSS10s can be modified/revalved for different spring rates if you'd like to make your car a more serious track car.

CDR_UK · 10-09-2009, 01:51 AM

Also disagree with NTTY - the shock controls the spring movement, and adjusting this has an obvious impact. PSS10 are a good compromise for street and track with easy damping adjustment. The only downside is the height adjustment on the front is worthless - since the max setting is already arguably too low! For a more track oriented setup that is still good on the street - go with KW clubsport. I was running PSS10, now I'm running clubsport - so I'm speaking from experience. My 135i is my daily driver, and I've tracked both suspensions. Clubsport takes it hands down!

BMWeber · 10-09-2009, 08:29 AM

whats the price difference between the PSS10 and club sport? how is the club sport on the street and did you have camber plates with your PSS10?

CDR_UK · 10-10-2009, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWeber

whats the price difference between the PSS10 and club sport? how is the club sport on the street and did you have camber plates with your PSS10?

Prices depends where you buy from. I paid ~$100 less for the clubsports than the PSS10 with Vorshlag plates. In the end the clubsports are better in design (real usable height adjustment), flexibility of damping adjustment (though it takes more time to adjust), and on track performance - especially with the linear springs on the front. On the street the ride is perfectly acceptable. Even my wife didn't notice the difference on some long journey's across bumpy roads - in the end it depends on the damping settings. I was running 6 Front and 7 rear with the PSS10 on the street.

BMWeber · 10-10-2009, 11:22 AM

wow nice deal I got a sweet deal on the PSS10 and for me the club sports would have been over $1000 more

FON · 10-10-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDR_UK

Also disagree with NTTY - the shock controls the spring movement, and adjusting this has an obvious impact. PSS10 are a good compromise for street and track with easy damping adjustment. The only downside is the height adjustment on the front is worthless - since the max setting is already arguably too low! For a more track oriented setup that is still good on the street - go with KW clubsport. I was running PSS10, now I'm running clubsport - so I'm speaking from experience. My 135i is my daily driver, and I've tracked both suspensions. Clubsport takes it hands down!

You found the max height in the front with the pss was to low? how much, can you tell?

Was it rubbing?

I'm planning also on getting the pss9 to my E81, but it is my daily driver also..

The clubsports you mention.. are the B14?

CDR_UK · 10-11-2009, 02:10 AM

^^^ Clubsports are from KW suspensions - not bilstein. AFAIK B14 are the same as PSS10 (B16) but without the damping adjustment.
The stock ride height measured from lower edge of rim to the middle of the front wheel arch is 592mm. After I installed my PSS10 with ride height set to max, the ride height had dropped to 562mm. That's a min 30mm drop. Any lower and you will probably rub (which make the height adjustment worthless). Also with different rims and tyres you will also have an increased chance of rubbing. Camber plates are a must.

FON · 10-11-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDR_UK

^^^ Clubsports are from KW suspensions - not bilstein. AFAIK B14 are the same as PSS10 (B16) but without the damping adjustment.
The stock ride height measured from lower edge of rim to the middle of the front wheel arch is 592mm. After I installed my PSS10 with ride height set to max, the ride height had dropped to 562mm. That's a min 30mm drop. Any lower and you will probably rub (which make the height adjustment worthless). Also with different rims and tyres you will also have an increased chance of rubbing. Camber plates are a must.

Thanks for the info my friend!

NTTY · 10-12-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDR_UK

^^^ Clubsports are from KW suspensions - not bilstein. AFAIK B14 are the same as PSS10 (B16) but without the damping adjustment.
The stock ride height measured from lower edge of rim to the middle of the front wheel arch is 592mm. After I installed my PSS10 with ride height set to max, the ride height had dropped to 562mm. That's a min 30mm drop. Any lower and you will probably rub (which make the height adjustment worthless). Also with different rims and tyres you will also have an increased chance of rubbing. Camber plates are a must.

Exact, PSS (B14) and PSS10 (B16) are the same except PSS10 has damping adjustment

I've lowered my car by -40mm front and -45mm rear (with the B14). No rub even with 4 people in the car. I tried the worst roads I know, no rub. I have the OEM wheels and tyre size. I will lower a bit more the front to match rear.

Cheers

NTTY · 10-12-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDR_UK

Also disagree with NTTY - the shock controls the spring movement, and adjusting this has an obvious impact.

It has an impact, indeed, but as I said previously, because springs remain the same, there is only one setup for damping that goes well with them. PSS10 only allows to modify bump and rebound at the same time. Going for softer of harder setups on the dampers is a kind of workaround solution, because none of them match the springs stiffness. Only real advantage is that you can adjust the damping in case you lighten the car for instance. Note that because of the different options we have on our cars, it might impact the final weight and again in this case, could be worth being able to adjust dampers.
Honestly, the only reason why I went for PSS instead of PSS10 is because I've been told it might not be possble to modify them to make them harder, while it is clearly possible with PSS (I did it once).

Cheers.

FON · 10-13-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTTY

Exact, PSS (B14) and PSS10 (B16) are the same except PSS10 has damping adjustment

I've lowered my car by -40mm front and -45mm rear (with the B14). No rub even with 4 people in the car. I tried the worst roads I know, no rub. I have the OEM wheels and tyre size. I will lower a bit more the front to match rear.

Cheers

Are you running on 18's?

igom3 · 10-23-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTTY

Exact, PSS (B14) and PSS10 (B16) are the same except PSS10 has damping adjustment

I've lowered my car by -40mm front and -45mm rear (with the B14). No rub even with 4 people in the car. I tried the worst roads I know, no rub. I have the OEM wheels and tyre size. I will lower a bit more the front to match rear.

Cheers

Interesting, every site I checked did not list PSS(B14) for our car. Where did you get your PSS. Thank you

10-03-2009, 12:44 PM	#1
bluecarbon Private First Class 13 Rep 192 Posts Drives: 2019 440i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pocomoke, MD iTrader: (2)	Bilstein pss10 or pss9 Hi, I have searched a little and decided on this suspension I just had a few questions. I know that on a few vedor sites they offer the pss10 for the 135 but on the bilstein site it still only list our car for the pss9 does anyone know if the spring rates are different because they list the pss10 for the e92? And my random question does anyone happen to know the circumference of the sport button if you get the electronic dampening system. I have some mounting idea but don't want to spend the extra cash if it is not going to mount somewhere easily accessable and not gaudy looking?
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10-07-2009, 03:44 AM	#2
NTTY Second Lieutenant 37 Rep 234 Posts Drives: G30 M550xi Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Hi, for the 135, only PSS10 are available. PSS9 and PSS10 are basically the same except you get 10 different settings with PSS10 and 9 with PSS9. You also have the PSS that are not adjustable, but honestly there's only one setup on the PSS10 that works fine with the springs, and it's the one you get with PSS... Same story with the electronic version. At the end of the day, even if you have adjustable suspensions, springs remain the same, and there's only one setup for the dampers that goes really well with the springs. Then if you change the springs to go for stiffer ones, that's another story. And that's where the PSS come back in the game. Some mechanics know how to open them to modify the stiffness, and in this case you'r not even limited by 10 pre-defined settings, you can get what you want to perfectly match your needs. Of course, that depends on what you plan to do with your car. But if you plan to do some track days, I would recommend to go for the PSS. Indeed, in the case you really want to be serious one day, the PSS10 will never be stiff enough and there's no possibility, to my knowledge, to modify them. Hope it helps. Cheers, __________________ 2018 M550i Sepia-Violet
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10-08-2009, 11:05 AM	#3
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Are they as good as KV1, 2 or 3? __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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10-08-2009, 11:28 AM	#4
BMWeber Major 36 Rep 1,329 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Amesbury, MA iTrader: (5)	PSS10 is just the newer version better adjustment knobs and 1 extra adjustment setting. I personally like them better than the KW. also I disagree with NTTY. if you want a duel purpose car or just the Ability to fine tune the ride to your liking the PSS10 is the better choice. on the street lowering the shock stiffness gives you a much better ride and you can stiffen the shocks up for the track. also certain tracks with different surfaces and characteristics work better with different dampening settings( this is why almost all race shocks are adjustable) also Bilsteins PSS10s can be modified/revalved for different spring rates if you'd like to make your car a more serious track car.
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10-09-2009, 01:51 AM	#5
CDR_UK Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 226 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: home iTrader: (0)	Also disagree with NTTY - the shock controls the spring movement, and adjusting this has an obvious impact. PSS10 are a good compromise for street and track with easy damping adjustment. The only downside is the height adjustment on the front is worthless - since the max setting is already arguably too low! For a more track oriented setup that is still good on the street - go with KW clubsport. I was running PSS10, now I'm running clubsport - so I'm speaking from experience. My 135i is my daily driver, and I've tracked both suspensions. Clubsport takes it hands down!
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10-09-2009, 08:29 AM	#6
BMWeber Major 36 Rep 1,329 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Amesbury, MA iTrader: (5)	whats the price difference between the PSS10 and club sport? how is the club sport on the street and did you have camber plates with your PSS10?
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10-10-2009, 11:22 AM	#8
BMWeber Major 36 Rep 1,329 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Amesbury, MA iTrader: (5)	wow nice deal I got a sweet deal on the PSS10 and for me the club sports would have been over $1000 more
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10-11-2009, 02:10 AM	#10
CDR_UK Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 226 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: home iTrader: (0)	^^^ Clubsports are from KW suspensions - not bilstein. AFAIK B14 are the same as PSS10 (B16) but without the damping adjustment. The stock ride height measured from lower edge of rim to the middle of the front wheel arch is 592mm. After I installed my PSS10 with ride height set to max, the ride height had dropped to 562mm. That's a min 30mm drop. Any lower and you will probably rub (which make the height adjustment worthless). Also with different rims and tyres you will also have an increased chance of rubbing. Camber plates are a must.
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