Bilstein B8 review (at long last!)

I initially didn't want to rush a review on these struts.  That ended up turning into a bit of a delay as they have been on for about 6 months now.  I'll consider this a long-term test review...yeah, that's it.

Parts:
Bilstein $838 shipped, Tire Rack- http://www.bilstein.de/gr/products/high-performance-shock-absorbers/bilstein-b8/
Whiteline $197 FT86 SpeedFactory - http://www.whiteline.com.au/whiteline-blog/new-whiteline-roll-center-kit-for-frs-brz-and-86-models/
Perrin $148 FT86 SpeedFactory- http://perrinperformance.com/i-14754433-front-endlinks-w-polyurethane-bushings-for-fr-s-brz.html

I'll start by noting that I had some Koni yellows (which I've had on many other cars) but would have really liked a direct swap option.  Shortly after the Koni's arrived the B8's were announced.  Ugh.  So I sold the Koni's to a local 86er and put the B8's on order.  Since I was going to be down there I also ordered the Whiteline roll-center kit and the Perrin solid end links.  I installed everything at once so this review can't be a direct review of the B8's, but I feel they were the largest part of the upgrade and also made the most difference.

They are matched to the Eibach Pro Kit, and compliment them well.  Install was easy, with the Whiteline parts needing a press for the lower ball joint, and the Perrin parts needing some strong loving to get into place as the poly bushings make for a tighter fit than the OEM end links.

I'd say that the slow speed dampening is equal too or improved over the OEM setup (springs and struts) although the rear seems under dampened for slow speed bumps.  You still get a pretty hard bump if you roll over a pothole with the rear.  At medium or high speed they are nearly flawless.  If the OEM dampers are a stick of butter that's been sitting out on the table all day the B8's are the same stick only on the counter for 10 minutes.  Firm in the center but slightly soft around the edges, absorbing bumps and dips with a sport-tuned OEM feel.  At medium to high speeds I'd compare them to a stock STI suspension as far as stiffness goes.

Up to this point I'm talking about straight line characteristics.  Once you turn in...that's when the magic happens.  I'll bring us back to the roll-center kit and end links and suggest these as upgrades even if going with a different suspension.  They tighten up the the steering input and it becomes more direct than it already is.  So, back to the magic.  These dampers are some of the best I've had on a car.  Through the years I've had tried almost every model from the name brand suppliers and find these at the top of the pile.  The shortened height of the strut really shows in how quickly the corners of the car respond to quick input.  Even moving back and forth between quick esses is smooth and stable.  Paired with a quality progressive spring in front I go back to the 10 minute butter sensation from earlier. The inital turn in is quick and easy, then firm...not frozen butter firm, but 10 minute butter firm.  I've put this suspension through it's paces on back roads and a few auto-x events, both with my 245/40 Dunlop ZIIs and the grip is seemingly endless.  I have yet to push the suspension to it's limits on a full track, but this point is moot as this setup is designed for a car which will see most of it's days on the road.

With that in mind I'd rate this setup as one of the best daily setups I've ever put together. It's sporty when you need it, a little stiffer than you might want at slow speeds, but performs flawlessly once you're on the move. For me this is the perfect daily driver setup for the driver who might see a track or auto-x a couple times a year. Out the door the setup is about $1600 (Bilstein B8's ($838 Tire Rack) + Eibach sport line ($217 Tire Rack) + Whiteline roll correction ($179 FT86 Speedfactory) + Perrin front end links ($146 FT86 Speedfactory) + Strano front sway bar ($189 Strano) = $1569.) and in my opinion it will perform far better than any coilover for around that same price point.