Bilstein Streetline Rear Shocks - Just Taken Mine Off..

[jackherer 543]

If you look on Motorsportworlds web site, they list that part number for the OE replacement Damper. And that is the same part supplied to me by Euro Car Parts as an OE replacement.

 

Thats right, the streetline kit is meant to be OE equivilant (some people say 10% uprated but I don't think Bilstein ever did).

 

The Streetline kit consists of four Original Equipment (OE) Spec Bilstein Gas shock absorbers complete with lowered sports springs. This Entry-Level kit proves very good value for money.

[maturin23 10]

I noticed two main things when removing/refitting them - non-scientific observations of course, but fairly clear to me.

 

The Streetlines were easier to compress (by hand) than the OEM shocks - both in terms of initial resistance and when the load was steady. Once fitted this was hugely noticeable when leaning on the back of the car.

 

The Streetlines also had a much stronger rebound force - the OEM items seems fairly happy to stay compressed whereas the Streetlines quickly crept back to their uncompressed state.

 

How Bilstein can suggest they are the same spec as OEM items is beyond me.

Edited June 4, 2007 by maturin23

[d-9 0]

Pete - if anyone at ANY time has said the Streetline (NOT Sprintline) rear shocks are remotely worth fitting then I would say their opinion is on the same level as that guy who swears that the handling of his Corsa is improved by lowering his rear seat back

 

Back in the day they were highly recommended by a lot of the people on this forum, a couple of mates bought them on this advice and agreed when a couple of months later everyone realised they were s*ite. Guess you're right about that backseat thing lol

 

 

There's a clear difference between buying from a high street (GSF-type) or no-name internet store at rock bottom prices, and going to an independent specialist (such as yourself and arguably the guys I bought mine from) and paying a little more on the goods for the advice and experience of the vendor.

 

I wouldn't expect you or similar companies to be the cheapest, but I'd expect some added value for the extra cost

 

Think Miles was the cheapest by quite a lot when I brought my group N dampers, and the service was superb too.

[Duroc 2 1 Cars]

the OEM items seems fairly happy to stay compressed whereas the Streetlines quickly crept back to their uncompressed state.

 

The Streetlines react that way because they are a 'gas pressurised' damper . I.e. have a bag of gas in the outside of the twin tube.

 

The Streetlines also had a much stronger rebound force

 

Rebound force is how hard it is to extend the piston rod from the damper body. So the gas pressure preload probably weakens what little rebound control that there is on these extremely nasty things.

 

I was going to sell my rear streetlines at one point. But I just can't, knowing how bad they are.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

On the 306 Forum the Streetline rear's for the 306 are not bad from what they say but having never tried or seen them I can;t comment on this, Might be worth looking at but as said the OE ones are cheap enough and are very good for the road

[maturin23 10]

Turoc - thanks for puttinng me straight!

[jackherer 543]

On the 306 Forum the Streetline rear's for the 306 are not bad from what they say but having never tried or seen them I can;t comment on this, Might be worth looking at but as said the OE ones are cheap enough and are very good for the road

 

I'm 99.9% sure its the exact same rear shock for 306s.

[jackherer 543]

Back in the day they were highly recommended by a lot of the people on this forum, a couple of mates bought them on this advice and agreed when a couple of months later everyone realised they were s*ite.

 

I've seen people get confused between the terms streetline and sportline numerous times.

[Anthony 1,000]

I'm 99.9% sure its the exact same rear shock for 306s.

They are (or certainly were - not checked recently) listed the same by ECP for 205, 309, and 306's, but I'm wondering if this is where the difference between the two different rear shocks I've seen with the same part number comes from - prehaps the stiffer ones that I've seen were the 306 ones?

[number2301 1 1 Cars]

I've seen people get confused between the terms streetline and sportline numerous times.

 

Isn't it streetline and sprintline?

[jackherer 543]

Isn't it streetline and sprintline?

 

exactly!

[d-9 0]

Sportline (at least for the 106) are the sprintline damper rates at standard ride height.

[Duroc 2 1 Cars]

Sportline (at least for the 106) are the sprintline damper rates at standard ride height.

 

That's how I understand it:

 

Sport shocks Bilstein B6 heavy duty

 

Sprint shocks Bilstein B8 heavy duty short stroke

 

Sportline for 205's don't seem to be sold in a kit, unlike Sprintlines. But the reason these two options are available, is due to their monotube design. The disadvantage to this setup (which is about the only one, apart from cost) is a comparative reduction in piston travel (cf. a twin tube design). So they have to be tailored for a specific range of movement. Therefore there's one type for standard height and one for lowered cars.

[Rippthrough 98]

(which is about the only one, apart from cost)

 

 

I suggest you ask Ohlins why they are using twin-tube dampers in some of their highest level units.

There are advantages to both setups, application is key.

Edited June 5, 2007 by Rippthrough

[Duroc 2 1 Cars]

Ok, fair enough. If that's incorrect, I apologise. But I think it covers the sort of dampers that the vast majority of people are going to use here, i.e. the budget end (not high end Ohlins, remote resevoirs, etc). Do you not think?

[Rippthrough 98]

Ok, fair enough. If that's incorrect, I apologise. But I think it covers the sort of dampers that the vast majority of people are going to use here, i.e. the budget end (not high end Ohlins, remote resevoirs, etc). Do you not think?

 

 

Not really, I've always been of the opinion that twin tube dampers are better for the front of the Pugs.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

The SBC setup is using Bilstein shocks (not sure which model) and the handling/ride quality of the car is very good.

 

Roadspeed....I have these, they are set up by Skip Brown.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Simes click

 

Nah, that's the one about Eibach sending out the wrong springs due to incorrect listing in their catalogue.

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?a...lite=streetline

Edited June 8, 2007 by Simes

[Super Josh 4]

If you look on Motorsportworlds web site, they list that part number for the OE replacement Damper. And that is the same part supplied to me by Euro Car Parts as an OE replacement.

Josh

 

 

Thats right, the streetline kit is meant to be OE equivilant (some people say 10% uprated but I don't think Bilstein ever did).

 

 

Kieran, I'm really confused now So you are saying that BNE-1931 is OE equivalent or Sprintline? Because the general consensus is that sprintline rears are alot softer than OE. So which are they?

 

 

Josh

[jackherer 543]

BNE-1931s are sold alone as OE spec rear dampers AND as the rear dampers in the STREETline kit. They are all too soft, so actually worse than OE.

[Super Josh 4]

BNE-1931s are sold alone as OE spec rear dampers AND as the rear dampers in the STREETline kit. They are all too soft, so actually worse than OE.

 

 

Kieran, just read your other post about the fact that Pug manufacture their own dampers. So time to throw the 1931s in the bin then

So how do the streetline front dampers compare to standard then? Are they a lot firmer?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh

[jackherer 543]

I've never heard anything bad about the fronts, I think they are mentioned in a good light in this thread but I can't comment as I only have the rears.

[Sandy 189]

I had the 309GTi Streetlines on the rear of my 205 Rallye some years ago, i'm positive that they had a different part number at the time (2000 ish) and I never had cause to complain about them and i'm really fussy about dampers!

Looking at the Bilstein website now, 205GTi/306 all/309 all have the BNE 1931 listed. 205 base models have BNE 6813 listed.

[maturin23 10]

Given the slightly circuitous route this thread maybe I should reprise the basic point..

 

Streetline front = good lowering strut combo slightly firmer than OEM

Streetline rear = almost criminally soggy - far worse than OEM