Some news from BILSTEIN

[MAZDA Kitten]

I was on a mission to bust some balls at Bilstein to release their shocks to the NA market.
Here is the letter I got:


The front struts are currently available. The rears have been released for production, but there are not yet any that have arrived in North America. The rears will be added to the page below when they are released, and the fronts can be ordered at http://www.bilsteinshocks.com/bilstein/html/show_shocks.asp?make=\'MAZDA\'&model=\'Mazda%203\' &year=\'2005\'

Thanks,
Kevin Foote
Sales Engineer


I am not impressed with the prices :( Might as well go for coilovers.

[bubba1983]

w00t
least more stuff is being developed, FINALLLY
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9079/bb4qe.jpg

[thekid]

Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten
I am not impressed with the prices :( Might as well go for coilovers.


Do you know what the size of the pistons used in the Bilstein units? If they are a big diamater like they are in so many of there other applications then they may be well worth the higher prices. I\'ve found the problem with alot of coilover kits is that they use too small of a piston in the shock.

The often used mono tube design (46mm piston) vs. a twin tube 10mm piston is the key! Less deflection of the piston due to the bigger piston make cornering more accurate. People that don’t understand damper technology will always try and sell on adjustability. Bilstein, self adjusting internals with a 46mm piston will out perform any JIC, TEIN or what ever the flavor of the month is.

Like I said, I don\'t know what piston is used in these, but they may be very much worth the money.

[MAZDA Kitten]

OOhhh ok. I had no idea. I will definately look into that.