My Golf R has recently clocked over 60,000 miles and I have started a programme of preventative maintenance. I been running stock suspension up until now and B16 was on my to do list but as it happens they have just been superseded by EVO T1’s. This is basically Bilstein just rebranding their range as they are the same as B16’s. I’ve ended up with a similar ride height to you as real world driving with potholes, ramps and kerbs to negotiate means a track setup is just no good. My garage charged 4hours labour and I also had new front top mounts and bearings. So far I am super impressed, the car now rides over potholes and broken surfaces so much better than before. I’ve been advised to run the car for a bit and then get another alignment done as it will likely settle into place after a 100 miles or so.
@AdamChandler864 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing. I totally agree with your thoughts. Daily driving was significantly enhanced. It makes me regret wasting time (and labor) on lowering springs when I first got the car.
@fearofchicke4 жыл бұрын
I’m glad to hear someone who doesn’t hate seeing tires wrapped around their wheels.
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
HAH! Honestly, it's a performance vehicle. Why in the heck wouldn't I give myself some rubber? In Drag racing & auto cross, thin rubber is stupid. You need grip and flex!
@xtoofur5 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad Bilstein finally released the B16! I have been waiting for their release for what seemed like an eternity. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience
@nickovdub61315 жыл бұрын
Good God!! half the stuff in front did not need to be removed to install the coilovers no wonder they took so long. One hour tops for each side, and if you got a lift and air tools its even less
@Cowboy6844 жыл бұрын
4:45 "i stayed with a friend locally" is code for passed out in the alley behind the bar across the street
@thehardways4 жыл бұрын
Hi Adam. I was wondering, after one year, are you still happy with the Bilstein B16s? Does it still pass the “girlfriend test”? I don’t track my car (2017 Golf R). I’m just looking to lower the car by about an inch while maintaining factory handling and comfort. I was just reading on VW Vortex about a nightmare experience with KW DDC coilovers. Thanks for sharing your informative video.
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
Still love these. I'm glad I went with "the best" and not try to go cheap other than getting these on sale. They're really great. have done only a few drag strip days and auto cross days and they do react to steering input really well. But comfort is still totally comfort which is great because for years I was afraid coilover = uncomfortable.
@mapyn1313 жыл бұрын
Adam, did you ever do a driving review of these?
@samosasnmimosas20554 жыл бұрын
"ROLF R" deaddddd hahahaha i love it
@grantod15 жыл бұрын
Good content Adam, I have an APR stage 1 estate (wagon) and last visit for the remap that garage suggested this setup to me, looks like the next plan! Thanks for the content, always very helpful as a fellow R owner. 👍
@AdamChandler865 жыл бұрын
Great car you have. Thanks for the comment. Sorry I don’t have a lot of R videos but since my car is pretty much built, not much to say
@grantod15 жыл бұрын
Thanks Adam. The remap, dog bone insert, R600 intake, turbos technics inlet and res delete brought it alive! I have a Yamaha tracer 900 also, so bike content also of interest 👍
@Rossyross773 жыл бұрын
You mentioned you got them for around $2100. Did you happen to buy them from Europe? I’m in the US and bought from Demon-Tweeks (in the UK) and just had it delivered here today for about $2100. Box was pretty tattered and there are slight scratches here and there. Definitely think it had a rough ride being shipped over here.
@AdamChandler863 жыл бұрын
All you can do to find the best price is plug "49-255874" into shopping.google.com and it looks like FCP Euro is $2600 at the moment. You can find them cheaper on eBay but if you don't buy from a USA Billstein Retailer, you won't have a warranty so that's the risk. I bought them from Summit Racing which, at the time, had them for $2100. I called Billstein USA to confirm Summit was a retailer that could ensure I would have a warranty.
@Rossyross773 жыл бұрын
@@AdamChandler86 thanks for looking that up! For some reason the $2600 one the was showing up from fcp under that product # was for a bmw. Bit the bullet and paid the $2,900.
@JR-do5cc4 жыл бұрын
Hey Adam, thanks for the review. I had some installed a month ago on my Mk7 on PS4S. I definitely noticed an improvement when driving in race as compared with springs, but I must admit I found very little change in stiffness going to comfort mode, where as it was really pronounced on the stock setup. Jus wondering what your experience has been like in this regard ?
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
I was on lowering springs before so my experience was far worse as the springs & shocks aged. So switching to these was a monumental upgrade from stock to this, maybe riding modes were less pronounced.
@worldwearyposer3 жыл бұрын
After having these for the last month or so, I noticed the same thing...I can't really tell a different between the modes. It genuinely feels like they just integrated a DCC delete into the housing and any difference is a placebo effect...
@MattPayne13 жыл бұрын
@@worldwearyposer Think there was a vendor that said these doe not alter compression. Only rebound in the different settings.
@kdublam4 жыл бұрын
Can you list all the hardware you had to replace? Just ordered a set yesterday
@worldwearyposer3 жыл бұрын
I'm finding myself in the exact predicament in that I had lowering springs installed for a few months now and I already want something like these Bilsteins. How are these holding up? I hear they are pretty stiff, what do you think? Good for daily still?
@AdamChandler863 жыл бұрын
IT's been over a year now. I still love these things a LOT. They're fantastic and good all around. I honestly don't think they're too stiff in comfort mode.
@Jvilleman4002 жыл бұрын
My R has 77k on them and never changed the top mounts or bearings or struts. I’ve had 034 lowering springs on for a couple years and I’m ready for a new suspension but don’t wanna drop 3100 on a dcc coilover. Would a DCC B6 bilstein work well with an Emmanuel designs lowering spring? It’s just a daily driver no track
@AdamChandler862 жыл бұрын
77K is getting up there and probably time especially with lowering springs that put a lot of added tress to your struts. At the time I bought this, the B16 was the only DCC compatible coilover out there. There are other options. I wouldn't match Billstein struts with non-Billstein springs but a call to Emmanuel design might be the best next step.
@Jvilleman4002 жыл бұрын
@@AdamChandler86 well the KW DDC is another dcc compatible coilover but they’re also 3100 dollars. The bilstein B4 OE replacement strut is another option but it’s on back order. I just don’t want to delete dcc but don’t wanna spend 3100 on a dcc compatible coilover and I also don’t wanna cheap out on a dcc compatible strut that isn’t designed to be on lowering springs lol
@AdamChandler862 жыл бұрын
These product are absurdly expensive. One person’s guest was the DCC module & electronics is licensed by a 3rd party OEM (SACHS or Tractive) and it makes DCC compatible aftermarket suspension a lot more pricey than it should be. You may even be better off just replacing with VW OEM struts.
@Jvilleman4002 жыл бұрын
@@AdamChandler86 would the bilstein B6 dcc strut be too stiff?
@AdamChandler862 жыл бұрын
B6 is new to me so I had to do some reading. Looks like the B6 is more street oriented / daily and the 16 is going to be the stiffer strut but you had mentioned combining the two B6 + Emmanuel springs. What if you gave ShopDAP a call? They might have a bit more information. I think they sell Billstein coilovers.
@yinqijia80082 жыл бұрын
Hi Adam, at 8:13, I notice your shop didn't put the bump stops in. so you instailled the kit without it?
@AdamChandler862 жыл бұрын
I definitely have them.It must have been a choice / mistake I made in editing.
@andrewhouldcroft11164 ай бұрын
Bump stop is built into the shock?
@Rossyross773 жыл бұрын
Just had my b16 damotronic kit fitted today on my 7.5R but I don’t feel any difference between the drive modes. Have you had this experience at all?
@AdamChandler863 жыл бұрын
Very odd. I can definitely tell between race/comfort those are the most stark.
@WolfnWool2 ай бұрын
I have a friend that was told by our local VW performance shop they needed to do work in VCDS to program the (b6) struts to get the dcc to work properly, any truth to that claim?? Or did anyone mention that to you??
@AdamChandler862 ай бұрын
I don’t believe that’s true. They’re plug and play and talk to the oem DCC system.
@john_c14 жыл бұрын
nice upgrade, thank you for sharing. Did you say you will get Michellin Pilot Sport 4s? I thought they don't come in 18" size.
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
Yep! 225/40R18 paid $189 each from TireRack on 3/18/2019. LOVE the tires so far.
@john_c14 жыл бұрын
@@AdamChandler86 thank you. I will try and get them for my new car. That's great news :) do you still own the Golf R? How much Hp and torque you got?
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
Hi John, I do still own it. It pretty much is only driven on nice days and to the track. Last dyno was 2 years ago on a 'dyno-mite' 4-wheel setup and it was 377 HP and just over 390 torque. Respectable for the stock turbo. I'm going to stay stock turbo until it fails. Next big modification will be the E85 EU Multi-Port injection w/ a tune which should give me a bit more power.
@john_c14 жыл бұрын
@@AdamChandler86 wow 377 Hp that must be amazing . Congrats man
@Redk00laid3 жыл бұрын
Do these coils have easily accessible damper adjustments like the kw V2 with DCC? If so where is the adjustment knob
@AdamChandler863 жыл бұрын
It's very tough to get to the coil adjusters and the dampers are non-adjustable (they purely take the signals from your car's DCC system)
@milenstoikov98194 жыл бұрын
That’s a great video, I just bought a very well priced Alltrack with problematic suspension and I was checking my options then I stumbled on your video. I see B16s priced at 1500$ online but depending on the seller the image for the part doesn’t show the adjustable shock density dial. I wonder how many B16 models there are considering they are priced about the same. The image might be deceiving too. I don’t want to be plugging links of the sellers but I can add those.
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
There are a few B16 options but so long as the part number is 255874, that is the one that works with the DCC system. Make sure your AllTrack has dcc before you spend the extra money on that one. it's a fantastic upgrade.
@johanhasselt11482 жыл бұрын
Hey, i have the bilstein b16 damptronic but i am not satisfied. The ride is very hard and stiff, and i do not feel de different modes. I heard somewhere that if you lower the car that you must recalibrate de dcc with a laptop. Do you know if that’s the case? Or could it be something else? I have 19 inch rims 19 225 35 thank you
@AdamChandler862 жыл бұрын
Hi John, I went to an Audi shop who installed my shocks and they did indeed to VCDS calibration but I didn't see how it was done or what the process was. You might need to do that. I for sure still feel a pronounced damping change between ride. modes.
@johanhasselt11482 жыл бұрын
Thanks for answering:) going too try that very soon👍🏻
@aaronreynolds25215 жыл бұрын
I have the same wheels but in 19” for summer.
@strik3r822 жыл бұрын
Hey mate, are all 3 modes usable on the road? Race isnt too stiff?
@AdamChandler862 жыл бұрын
Race is fine on the road. It’s stiff but not spine-shattering.
@Closeminded074 жыл бұрын
What kind of noise were you getting on the stock shocks? I’m at 62000 Km currently and it’s making a popping noise. I am certain it is a blow front shock, but after 4 trips to the dealer they have. It fixed it.
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
The noise was a popping only when turning at a stop so put car in park, turn far left and far right and hear a pop / click. This was resolved by replacing the strut bearings.
@Closeminded074 жыл бұрын
Ah thanks for the reply. Seems a bit different than my issue. Mine is at 30-60 km on roughish roads going straight. I meant to say they have not fixed it* didn't proof read haha. I probably will do this upgrade next year though!
@rabity5 жыл бұрын
what did you say you spray your car with? grease? hows the coils?
@AdamChandler865 жыл бұрын
It’s an undercoat spray to keep road salt off the car. Holds up for about 2 years.
@robertyoung27604 жыл бұрын
How low did you go? What is your center wheel to fender measurement (Front and rear)?
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
I actually put the car back to stock height nearly. I live in Northern New Hampshire. Our roads are really bad so I wanted more ground clearance. I've cracked my oil pan open just driving to work.
@sorteleggiosorteleggio94354 жыл бұрын
Hello. I need to know if A vw 6 GTD 2010 HAVE 4 DCC OR JUST 02 . I ve a button written on it sport comfort, is this mean that my car have a dcc becose i dont see a dcc i ve a normal one's
@deebee684 жыл бұрын
What has your experience been with the B16?
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
Hi David, they're fantastic. No regrets at all and the car is more planted than ever. I also got a great deal on these so If you can find them for $2K, grab them up.
@tannerbrinck274 жыл бұрын
Did you use your stock camber plates for your front coilovers?
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
I did but i did replace with with new OEM ones.
@matthewwendorf73354 жыл бұрын
After they're installed, how hard is it to adjust the height?
@AdamChandler864 жыл бұрын
They include a spanner tool which you can kind of fish in there to adjust with the wheels on but you really need to remove the wheels to properly adjust it. To make it perfectly level on all 4 wheels, it took about 2 hours of small adjustments to get the ride height where we wanted it.
@matthewwendorf73354 жыл бұрын
@@AdamChandler86 I'm actually surprised you can even try with the wheels on. 2 hours doesn't seem terrible.
@jhamildiaz88042 жыл бұрын
Is the dcc functioning?
@AdamChandler862 жыл бұрын
Yes it is. The B16 does support DCC and it's fantastic.
@jhamildiaz88042 жыл бұрын
@@AdamChandler86 cool! I’m looking into doing the same set up! Are you on stock shocks and struts? How is it running?
@AdamChandler862 жыл бұрын
Hi. It's a full conversion. The only thing still stock would be the control arms. Sub-frame, sway bars, lighter 2-piece brake rotors, lighter wheels and the full coil / shock replacement along with aftermarket poly bushings & strut mounts (that do fail so if you're pulling shocks, replace the strut mounts too).
@faiznur77265 жыл бұрын
What lowering springs were you on?
@AdamChandler865 жыл бұрын
VWR
@takemecato3 жыл бұрын
How are these a year into use?
@AdamChandler863 жыл бұрын
Great timing. I just brought the car out of storage and went out for a few drives already. They’re great. I have zero complaints. No errors or codes from the electronics. Ride modes work great. I wouldn’t want to go back to stock.
@mastap14775 жыл бұрын
Is the ride comparable to stock in terms of ride comfort?
@AdamChandler865 жыл бұрын
I think it's a slight improvement in daily driving. it takes the bumps a bit better. When you're going around a corner at 70, that's when things really start to shine but like most mods, these should be paired with a stronger rear sway bar, great tires, upgraded brake pads and a bit of driving skill :)
@mastap14775 жыл бұрын
Adam Chandler thanks! Basically, I want to lower my Golf R with DCC. I only want to lower it about an inch. Seems like this is the correct way to do it.
@davidgreve10815 жыл бұрын
Listen Up!! BELSTIEN SHOCKS have had a Reputation since the early to mid 70s for being the best of the best!! Jeep Clubs swear by them. Anyone, and i mean ANYONE that has ANYTHING to do with JEEPING IE 4 WHEELING , THAT NAME IS STRONGER THAN MERCEDES BENZ IS FOR BEING THE BEST CAR. TRUST ME ON THIS...
@AdamChandler865 жыл бұрын
Why are you yelling? I don’t think I bad mouthed them did I?
@davidgreve10815 жыл бұрын
Many people have never heard of that brand a, and i wanted to stress the fact of how they stand in the market. They Never Compromise in Quality. Im sorry for the shouting. Bilstein (correct spelling) have never been cheap. They always have had top notch in quality. Made to take punishment like you wouldnt believe! Ask any 4-wheeler shop and they will tell you what im telling you.
@davidgreve10815 жыл бұрын
If youd prefer that i delete it , i will, or you can if you have that ability beings its Your account.
@AdamChandler865 жыл бұрын
No problem. I thought I misspoke in my video. Thanks!
@davidgreve10815 жыл бұрын
Adam Chandler, Your shop is Most impressive! Ive watched you do upgrades on your GS, now i see much more fine work in this video, especially the use of top quality parts to rebuild your automobiles. I also like how your shop is equipped, and the men you hire to do everything are like family, and a Strong Family at that! God has truly Blessed you! May he continue to do so throughout the coming years!