Bilstein B8 part numbers

[Mark_DF05]

So the time has come to upgrade the shocks on the car. I've done a search of the forum and decided the B8's are what I want. Could somebody please conform the part numbers for me as when searching I've found a few different one. These are what I've got:

MK5 Bilstein B8
Front: 35-108191
Rear: 24-178006

MK6 Bilstein B8
Front: 35-158745
Rear: 24-158756

I can get the MK6 one for about £50 extra, is it worth it for a slighter more comfortable ride? Anyone on here had both?

[Pirelli08alan]

 Hi am I trested in your mk5 lights could u contact me send me a email is alan1972@live.co.uk or call me on 07862246229

[AJP]

Interested in this myself if I don't go for coilovers. The mk6 shocks sound ideal for our crap roads.

[Mark_DF05]

The part numbers above are correct.

As for MK6 v MK5 B8's, I think I'll go with the MK5 ones.

Some people claim the mk6 ones are quite a lot softer yet others say the difference between the two is minimal so hardly worth it.

Also the warranty would be invalid if MK6 B8's were to be fitted to a MK5.

[pudding]

Are these going on standard springs or aftermarket?

From my experience with other Golfs, B6/B8/B12 (I think the difference is just damper length) can be pretty harsh over bumps, but the benefit is consistent damping all year round and the cornering is great thanks to the massive piston rods (no flexing).  The B6 was standard fit on the MK4 R32 (along with H&R springs that liked to snap), so VW agreed 

[Mark_DF05]

They're going on H&R 30mm springs. Yeah that's what the overall feedback seems to be although I'd seen a couple of people complaining that the ride is too harsh hence considering the mk6 ones.

It's subjective though I guess, too harsh for one person can be perfect for another, it's my daily driver so needs to retain some comfort which I think these will be fine for.

[AJP]

They're going on H&R 30mm springs. Yeah that's what the overall feedback seems to be although I'd seen a couple of people complaining that the ride is too harsh hence considering the mk6 ones.

It's subjective though I guess, too harsh for one person can be perfect for another, it's my daily driver so needs to retain some comfort which I think these will be fine for.

Bit of info here:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=93408.msg936017.msg#936017

Have a read of the big thread from the US forum that's linked within that.

[pudding]

Wow, seems like the MK6 B8 is the way to go then after reading that.

[AJP]

Wow, seems like the MK6 B8 is the way to go then after reading that.

Seems that way doesn't it. From what I can fathom from that US thread, the mk6 b8 is valved 20% softer than the mk5 b8.

Although it'd be good to know how an oem mk5 damper stacks up against a mk5 b8 to get some kind of benchmark.

[pudding]

Wow, seems like the MK6 B8 is the way to go then after reading that.

Seems that way doesn't it. From what I can fathom from that US thread, the mk6 b8 is valved 20% softer than the mk5 b8.

Although it'd be good to know how an oem mk5 damper stacks up against a mk5 b8 to get some kind of benchmark.

Yeah finding the spring and damper rates of the OEM stuff has always been tricky.  We just get different coloured dots on the springs and no info on the dampers at all.  I guess the only way to be sure would be to buy a brand new one of each end of the car and send them off for professional analysis!

B8s and H&Rs feel epic on smooth, sweeping Welsh A roads.  Had plenty of fun on those roads in the past.  But on busted up tarmac, boy do you feel it in the car!

It's a tricky one to get right.  Years ago I went full custom on the spring and damper rates for comfort, and it was superb on rough roads, but too soft in the corners.  Roly poly!  So I needed big ARBs to get the cornering speeds back....and big ARBs stiffen the effective spring rate, so you're back to square one again!

MK5s are pretty unforgiving as standard, so the MK6 B8s sound perfect but they're too short to use with the OEM springs.  Well, I wouldn't personally do that.  Shouduci said the Eibach Pro springs are pretty forgiving compared to Eibach Sport and H&R, so that could be a good partnership.

[pudding]

The VWR springs seem to get good reviews, and they publish the spring rates too, which is rare (and nice) - http://volkswagenracing.co.uk/parts/vwr-sports-spring-kit-22/

Those with MK6 B8s could be a good setup.

[AJP]

Oh those Welsh A roads... they're mega. Welshpool-Newport-Aberystwyth is a certain route I'm fond of.

Yeah I'd like to think you could find that sweet spot between ride comfort over crap roads and minimal roll. I doubt it's easy. Like you say, roll bars will help, but you might take a step backwards in overall comfort.

I'm on H&R springs and oem shocks, and they're not a bad combination. To be critical, at one extreme you could argue that the car still rolls a bit too much when driven hard, and at the other extreme the ride can be a little rough around the edges over poor surfaces.

I'd imagine my shocks are quite tired at 75k, so I'm sure that contributes to the rough ride quality to some extent. That's why this interests me, as I was planning to replace the shocks with new oem within the next couple of years anyway, but if the mk6 b8 shocks can do the job better they're certainly an option.

[Mark_DF05]

Thanks for the link, seems mk6 b8'a are the way to go. I've ran H&R springs with standard shocks before so ill be able to compare the 2 and update once I've once fitted.

And yeah, totally agree finding that right balance is difficult but I'm hoping this proves to be near enough.

[AJP]

Thanks for the link, seems mk6 b8'a are the way to go. I've ran H&R springs with standard shocks before so ill be able to compare the 2 and update once I've once fitted.

And yeah, totally agree finding that right balance is difficult but I'm hoping this proves to be near enough.

That'd be a big help to the rest of us if could report back with your findings. Gives us some objectivity by comparing the two.

[Matto]

Thanks for the link, seems mk6 b8'a are the way to go. I've ran H&R springs with standard shocks before so ill be able to compare the 2 and update once I've once fitted.

And yeah, totally agree finding that right balance is difficult but I'm hoping this proves to be near enough.

Where are you thinking of having them from? I'm in exactly the same boat as you and @AJP On H&R's with standard tired shocks and looking to replace them. I plan on only owning the car another year or so, so didn't know whether to go B8's or OEM as it will be going back to standard at some point.