B6 or B8?

[Happy Jose]

The following post refers to my 2010 MB SLK 350 with the Sport Pkg. For those unfamiliar with the Sport Pkg, the front is lowered 0.5" compared to the stock suspension. I believe much of the following information can be extrapolated to the BMW 135i.

I have a 2010 SLK 350 with the Sports Pkg. Frankly, I'm not thrilled with the suspension, because the ride is similar to a hay wagon!

I'm thinking about going back to the standard or non-sport pkg setup. Looking at a MB online parts website it doesn't look too difficult to do:

https://www.mbonlineparts.com/auto-p...-v6-gas-engine

The front struts & springs along with the rear shocks & springs need to be replaced. I was considering using all MB OEM parts except for the front struts, R&R them for Bilsteins. So B6 or B8?

I had a long email conversation with Bilstein Tech Support who told me the B6 is the correct replacement. I questioned this, because in previous inquires, I was told B8. To resolve my confusion, I was able to nail down the difference between the B6 & B8 from the horse's mouth.

I would happily post the entire conversation here except it's privileged. Hence, I'll give you the essence of it:

"According to our interchange the B6 is the direct replacement for your vehicle. In further investigation our B6 and B8 products for you Mercedes have the same valving profile/ride characteristic just the B8 has a slightly shorter travel stroke. The housings of the shocks are dimensionally the same between the two. Only difference is the travel. For your vehicle the B8 would be a more appropriate shock if you were using an aftermarket lowering spring."

That makes sense, since a lowering spring would be shorter and stiffer and wouldn't need as long a stroke as the normal/standard spring.

Bilstein Tech Support requested the Mercedes OEM part#s before answering my question, B6 or B8? Incidentally, the SLK uses the same spring in the rear for both the sport and standard suspension. The only things that might get changed are the shocks.

So the moral of this tale is to contact Bilstein Tech Support and tell them what you are planning to do. You need to supply the parts numbers of the BMW struts you are replacing. If you are planning on using the stock spring or a lowering spring either BMW or aftermarket, you need to give them these details too.

Ciao!

[Happy Jose]

I forgot to add that Summit Racing had the best prices on the B6 struts. Unfortunately, they won't be shipped until 8/10. That's OK, since it has been hot as hell here in lovely Ohio! Maybe the weather will be better then?

[elitesales305]

U Do Realize This Is A Bmw Website Correct?

[Happy Jose]

Are you capable of advanced thought plus know how to read?

[desertman123]

Don't do my mans elitesales dirty like that

[gjm120]

Let me try to mediate here.

I think what Happy Joe meant to say was 'I believe there is some carryover from my experience with the Mercedes Bilsteins to BMW applications.'

[Gangplank]

Or he was looking to start a pool pissing match. Take your pick.

[elitesales305]

Lol I Didnt Make It Past... I Own A Slk Etc Etc..

[elitesales305]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Or he was looking to start a pool pissing match. Take your pick.

WTF GP.. WHEN ARE WE GONNA RACE FROM STREET LIGHT TO STREET LIGHT??

P.S. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT LIVES UP THERE IN ST LUCIE.. HE REFERS IT TO "THE JUICE" OR PT ST JUICY.. JUST THOUGHT ID LET U IN ON THE LINGO UP THERE

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by elitesales305

WTF GP.. WHEN ARE WE GONNA RACE FROM STREET LIGHT TO STREET LIGHT??

P.S. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT LIVES UP THERE IN ST LUCIE.. HE REFERS IT TO "THE JUICE" OR PT ST JUICY.. JUST THOUGHT ID LET U IN ON THE LINGO UP THERE

Lol! I'm the slow cruiser kinda guy. Haha!! PSL is a chill place with retirees & older than them everywhere.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Or he was looking to start a pool pissing match. Take your pick.

More likely based on past performance.

[elitesales305]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

More likely based on past performance.

IVE HIJACKED THE THREAD..
JIM..

WHAT WOULD U GO WITH FOR A STREETBIKE NOWADAYS??
THE GSXR WAS THE PROVEN PERFORMER.. MANY CO SIGN ON THE YAMAHA..
WHAT DO U SUGGEST.. IM LOOKING FOR A BIKE.. DONT WANNA SUPE IT UP SINCE MY 1ER IS A BOTTOMLESS PIT .. SO IM LOOKING FOR SOMETHING I CAN ENJOY STOCK BUT WONT LACK IN THE PERF DEPT..
KEEP IN MIND I CANT SPLURGE ON SOMETHING BRAND NEW..
LOOKING TO STAY UNDER 5K

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by elitesales305

IVE HIJACKED THE THREAD..
JIM..

WHAT WOULD U GO WITH FOR A STREETBIKE NOWADAYS??
THE GSXR WAS THE PROVEN PERFORMER.. MANY CO SIGN ON THE YAMAHA..
WHAT DO U SUGGEST.. IM LOOKING FOR A BIKE.. DONT WANNA SUPE IT UP SINCE MY 1ER IS A BOTTOMLESS PIT .. SO IM LOOKING FOR SOMETHING I CAN ENJOY STOCK BUT WONT LACK IN THE PERF DEPT..
KEEP IN MIND I CANT SPLURGE ON SOMETHING BRAND NEW..
LOOKING TO STAY UNDER 5K

What are your goals/intent for the bike? Just a daily driver scoot around town?

Sport bike or cruiser or cafe style?

[elitesales305]

Sportbike.. And Yea To Cruise Around.. Not Put That Many Miles On The 1er.. Also To Take To South Beach And Put A Huge Assed Black Chik On The 2nd Seat..
J/k.. Well As Far As The Black Chik No Offense To Our Brothas On Here!!

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by elitesales305

Sportbike.. And Yea To Cruise Around.. Not Put That Many Miles On The 1er.. Also To Take To South Beach And Put A Huge Assed Black Chik On The 2nd Seat..
J/k.. Well As Far As The Black Chik No Offense To Our Brothas On Here!!

[Gangplank]

Kawasaki Zx-6r or Suzuki GSXR 750. Both great bikes and plenty capable. I used to race a gsx-R750.

Have you risen before? If not look at a Suzuki SV-650S. Great bike, not too powerful and great fun. Inexpensive and easy to work on. It's a twin cyl.

[Happy Jose]

Originally Posted by gjm120

Let me try to mediate here.

I think what Happy Joe meant to say was 'I believe there is some carryover from my experience with the Mercedes Bilsteins to BMW applications.'

You are absolutely correct.

I guess the word "extrapolate" is just too difficult for the primitive minds to understand.

Much of our knowledge isn't gained by pure research, but our experiences with related or somewhat similar things.

[rowsdower]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Have you risen before? If not look at a Suzuki SV-650S. Great bike, not too powerful and great fun. Inexpensive and easy to work on. It's a twin cyl.

Agree w/this. Sportbikes look cool but are awful street bikes for a lot of reasons. The SV still looks sporty but the powerband is better suited to street riding. It has more usable power in the RPM range you will be riding at, and less explosive power at high RPM. Also cheaper, easier to work on, still a very capable bike on track if that’s your thing (I bought one exclusively as a track bike and did a couple dozen track days on it). Very good suggestion by Gangplank.

[elitesales305]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

You are absolutely correct.

I guess the word "extrapolate" is just too difficult for the primitive minds to understand.

Much of our knowledge isn't gained by pure research, but our experiences with related or somewhat similar things.

given your oversized superhuman brain.. ud think u would be able to make heads or tails of ur shock issue..

[elitesales305]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Kawasaki Zx-6r or Suzuki GSXR 750. Both great bikes and plenty capable. I used to race a gsx-R750.

Have you risen before? If not look at a Suzuki SV-650S. Great bike, not too powerful and great fun. Inexpensive and easy to work on. It's a twin cyl.

yea I ride.. havnt in a while..
prolly gonna look at the 750 gsxr.. would love a repsol in good cond

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by elitesales305

given your oversized superhuman brain.. ud think u would be able to make heads or tails of ur shock issue..

What elitesales meant to say was 'I am sure you will easily be able to figure out what is the right shock for your application'.


I decide to try to keep peace in the forum and also train for a job as the President's handler.

[Happy Jose]

Originally Posted by elitesales305

given your oversized superhuman brain.. ud think u would be able to make heads or tails of ur shock issue..

Obviously your problem is cognitive dissonance which can only be cured with a brain tune. Repeating the third grade is the only remedy to effect a cure!