A vendor on the forums here informed me that the Bilstein B14 are on national backorder and takes a while to come in.

I'm wondering why these are on backorder since they don't have much room for damping adjustability out of the box. The Bilstein B16 (if i've done my research correctly) give a lot more flexibility on damper adjustments out of the box. The difference between the B14 and B16 are in their dampening?
Anyone rode both of these at one point and have any input? I like how the B16 you can adjust damper on the bottom of the shock.

 

Welcome to the failed supply chain of Bilstein. Just like the B12 Prokit that one couldn't find without a 4-5 month wait a bit back. OK, maybe that's a bit harsh, given that they manufacture based on supply/demand - and how many 33 owners are ponying up for Bilstein in a world filled with hundreds of cheap me-too "coilover" products? (Why yes, I'm biased, why? )

Yes, the difference between them - price not withstanding - is in damping adjustability, either none (PSS-B14-ride height only) or single click double adjust and ride height (PSS10/B16). And just to clarify, it's not "just" the difference, it's ALL the difference. (Explaining the 2x price differential).

The B14 kit is similar in valving to the B8 shock absorber with similar ride characteristics. It isn't the same shock body, however, so there is a difference.

Honestly, unless you need the damping adjustability for differing TRACK conditions OR you change your wheel/tire set-ups (unsprung weight differentials) on a regular basis, the B14/PSS set-up is more than fine for a street/canyon runner. Save the $1000 difference for something else, like bars, tires, and camber adjustment hardware. More "results" come from sway bar tuning than shock damping for street applications.

 

The damping adjustability of the B16 is good, better than most, but just like most single-adjustable dampers after a certain point stiffening them up begins to yield diminishing returns. Combine that with the fact that the B14 is a VERY competent damper off the shelf (esp. with a linear rear conversion) and I think you have your reason.

At a 1K price point they are truly hard to beat, but if you did want something more performance oriented, id look at something like the Fortune Autos or the Ohlins if your budget permits it.

 

Thanks for the response guys. Dampening is pretty important to me since it effects ride quality. I would love to have a smooth OEM feel ride. Currently I have a set of BC coilovers on right now and I think its time for me to move onto something else. Growing up Bilstein has always been a brand i've heard from OEM to off road to street track. So their reputation has been known for a while so i wanted to see what Bilstein had to offer as a coilover. That landed me with 2 choices, B14 or B16 (could also do shocks and swift springs).

Now even with my BC they are adjustable but I don't find myself adjusting the damping at all. Which steers me in the B14 setup. I DD the car, I also AutoX once a month. This year I'll try to do a SCCA tracknight once a month if time permits. I don't ever adjust damping even on autox'ing.

Any idea where, how long, when I can grab a set of B14s? And if the wait is really too long, what brands are comparable? I've seen KWs V2 being compared to the Bilstein B16s. just get me off these 1 hit wonder coilovers

Thanks guys

 

Ck out Import Parts Pro. Great prices, I got my B8s in about 2 weeks.

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