Hi, i need to replace my front dampers on my 2016 L&K Superb. They are DCC. I have found Bilstein B4's for not a bad price. Do they need coding after fitment? Basically, can i change them without having VCDS? Thanks in advance for any help

Check out newbie69's thread because he has just lowered his DCC Superb but kept the factory dampers can't remember reading that they need coding, but I could be wrong.

But I only replaced springs on a DCC car, those don't interfere with DCC anyway. The OP is asking about a possible damper replacement.

B4 should be a direct replacement item but that's the theory. No idea if they actually require some coding or not...

Thanks for the reply. I don’t want to change them and be left with an undriveable car. 

I think that you have to do some coding. But thanks to @newbie69 thread i found this:

 

 

With this module you shouldn't have to code

6 minutes ago, F1sparks said:

Thanks for the reply. I don’t want to change them and be left with an undriveable car. 

 

I doubt it would be undriveable in any case. Even when people put non-DCC shocks to DCC cars the car drives normal but you get dash errors.

 

 

6 minutes ago, Roscio said:

I think that you have to do some coding. But thanks to @newbie69 thread i found this:

 

 

With this module you shouldn't have to code

 

My thread keeps getting referred to but to no use for the OP . @Roscio: He is not deleting the DCC, he is putting B4's in that are a OEM replacement item, supporting DCC.

 

Is that right F1Sparks?

Thanks @Roscio, but I want to keep the DCC. The Bilsteins are a direct replacement but I don’t know if anything needs setting up in VCDS or it’s just plug and play. 

ok, I misunderstood, I thought the B4 would eliminate DCC.

16 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

he is putting B4's in that are a OEM replacement item, supporting DCC.

Good news! Now I have to investigate how it can support DCC, this could be a good solution for me too.

@F1sparks I would also think that it needs some coding.

 

4 minutes ago, Roscio said:

ok, I misunderstood, I thought the B4 would eliminate DCC.

Good news! Now I have to investigate how it can support DCC, this could be a good solution for me too.

@F1sparks I would also think that it needs some coding.

 

As it's a direct replacement I don't think it will need coding, but for a certain answer a Bilstein dealer would be better to answer this.

Why would you consider B4 for yours? They are an OEM replacement item, meaning they provide the same characteristics as the OEM item, I thought you were looking for some improvement?

B6 DampTronic is probably the sweet spot for a daily driver Superb. Firmer with more control tham OEM but nothing too stiff, also compatible with stock springs. Then there's the B8 but those are set up for performance driving and for use with lowering springs, and they would definitely compromise comfort to some extent. That's how the Bilstein series are designed in general.

What i found out till now is that only kw’s kit and b16 are for dcc cars, but these kits are not what i need and are expensive too.

 

of course i need improvement over stock ones but also want to keep DCC, and i’m just finding out that there are (or could be) plug and play solutions that keeps OEM DCC working...

 

have to take time to do some research

 

 b6 becomes interesting if compatible with dcc

 

 

edit: b6 and b8 are for vehicles without electronic suspension control

Edited 24 June, 20205 yr by Roscio

2 hours ago, Roscio said:

I think that you have to do some coding. But thanks to @newbie69 thread i found this:

 

 

With this module you shouldn't have to code

 

These things r used to "trick" the car electronics into thinking that the usual DCC dampers r still there.

The car's drive modes will tell the shocks to go into Comfort/Normal/Sport dampening modes, but it will have no effect as it goes to this "dummy" device, and not to the aftermarket shocks.

 

These r designed for non-DCC compatible shocks.

 

Usually not putting this dummy DCC devices will throw errors.

 

The very very expensive Koni DCC compatible shocks will retain the drive mode dampening changes.

7 hours ago, JR RS said:

The very very expensive Koni DCC compatible shocks will retain the drive mode dampening changes.

 

Which ones?

14 hours ago, F1sparks said:

Hi, i need to replace my front dampers on my 2016 L&K Superb. They are DCC. 

 

Op - why do you NEED to change them, if I may ask...……..

Is there a problem with them. Is it a mileage issue, or are they leaking?

11 hours ago, Roscio said:

edit: b6 and b8 are for vehicles without electronic suspension control

B8 yes you need a DCC delete kit, i was referring to it simply as to where it stands in the Bilstein series in terms of firmness and improvent with respect to the other models. 

But B6 no, there exists a B6 DampTronic series which means DCC compatibility. This firms up the ride nicely while retaining some levels of comfort in Comfort mode (although it's noticeably firmer). Imo this is the ideal option for our cars when looking for a clearly sportier drive that is still bearable. B8s are becoming too much for daily use from my experience

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/collections/bilstein-b6-damptronic

The problem is verifying part numbers for the B6 DampTronic for a Superb. It's weird because if I remember correctly, the part numbers given from Bilstein between a Golf R variant and a Superb are the same for the B4 series but for the B6 there is no Superb compatibility suddenly.

It sounds as they didn't bother confirming the B6 Damptronic for the Superb due to much lower interest compared to the Golf market, I can't imagine why it shares the R variant shocks on the B4 but not on the B6...

9 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

The problem is verifying part numbers for the B6 DampTronic for a Superb. It's weird because if I remember correctly, the part numbers given from Bilstein between a Golf R variant and a Superb are the same for the B4 series but for the B6 there is no Superb compatibility suddenly.

It sounds as they didn't bother confirming the B6 Damptronic for the Superb due to much lower interest compared to the Golf market, I can't imagine why it shares the R variant shocks on the B4 but not on the B6...

 

As you say they probably didn't bother with the checks as there is little demand.  I would suspect the fitment to be fine as the B4's are ok.  The DCC connection is probably also the same but it would need checking of course.  Anyone want to be a lab rat?

10 minutes ago, MarkyG82 said:

 

As you say they probably didn't bother with the checks as there is little demand.  I would suspect the fitment to be fine as the B4's are ok.  The DCC connection is probably also the same but it would need checking of course.  Anyone want to be a lab rat?

It really was very high on my list until last Saturday when I put the Eibachs on. Frankly, a 272 Sportline with Eibachs and a rear arb upgrade, in Sport mode feels almost like a GTI. I got all the extra control and response I could ask for so I just can't justify such an expense (they are rather pricey at around 1300EUR) at the moment.

But if/when the stock shocks go, I am definitely replacing them with B6 Damptronic, i'd like to retain DCC modes and they are even cheaper than OEM shocks so, a win-win. That's after I verify compatibility with the Golf R variant models via Bilstein.

2 hours ago, newbie69 said:

That's after I verify compatibility with the Golf R variant models via Bilstein.

 

I spoke via chat with a Bilstein technician (on this page), he said that there are no compatible B6 Damptronic for Skoda Superb.

 

 

3 hours ago, MarkyG82 said:

 

As you say they probably didn't bother with the checks as there is little demand.  I would suspect the fitment to be fine as the B4's are ok.  The DCC connection is probably also the same but it would need checking of course.

 

No wonder they don't care!

Interesting Bilstein don't suggest compatibility.

 

Several sites suggest part 23-254343 fits the Superb (front).

 

eg https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/products/23-254343

 

20-254343 (rear)

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/products/20-254353

 

SKODA SUPERB Estate (3V5) 2.0 TSI 4x4 (03/15-) 206 kW with electronic suspension control; Type: PDD; Multilink Axle Strut outside diameter [mm] 55

 

 

51 minutes ago, Roscio said:

 

I spoke via chat with a Bilstein technician (on this page), he said that there are no compatible B6 Damptronic for Skoda Superb.

Of-course he would say that, he just took 3 seconds to put your car model in the catalog and repeat to you what the page was showing, really helpful of them 

So the Golf R variant shocks are the same for B4 DampTronic and B8 standard , but somehow not for B6 Damptronic, lol...  

 

That web page is so accurate, or shall I say complete, that it only mentions a front B4 model for the Superb, so you can't have the rears if you go for B4 Damtronic 

I bet someone has been really lazy with the Skoda/Superb entries. I wouldn't think you can resolve this by a quick chat on their page, you would need to involve either some dealer with access to their technical department
or contact Bilstein yourself and explain why they share shock numbers in all other series but B6 Damptronic, and also why their site does not list a rear B4 Damptronic but only a front...

Edited 25 June, 20205 yr by newbie69

5 hours ago, newbie69 said:

It really was very high on my list until last Saturday when I put the Eibachs on. Frankly, a 272 Sportline with Eibachs and a rear arb upgrade, in Sport mode feels almost like a GTI. I got all the extra control and response I could ask for so I just can't justify such an expense (they are rather pricey at around 1300EUR) at the moment.
 

 

I'm not too interested in lowering right now (not even placed an order yet) but from how the cr is described an upgraded rear arb is essential for anyone wanting to go round a corner at pace.  It'll be going on the shopping list for sure.

I'm seriously starting to think about giving up with DCC to have the freedom to install the best option for my needs... I mean, I don't rule out this possibility 

 

13 hours ago, Roscio said:

I'm seriously starting to think about giving up with DCC to have the freedom to install the best option for my needs... I mean, I don't rule out this possibility 

 

Depends on the use I would say. I would be willing to do this on my Golf GTI that saw more performance driving more often but a coilover (i guess that's what you refer to) would definitely sacrifice some comfort on the Superb. And I say this while not using Comfort mode ever like you say you occassionally do.

Eibachs and the rear arb have completely changed the driving of the car for me and I would definitely recommend the combo if someone is ok with 25mm lower ride height. I would also claim that for 99% of the Superb owners, those upgrades will provide all the improvement they are after while retaining the damping adjustability when needed, I would happily provide a test-drive to anyone being close.

The only asterisk is whether this improvement is partly down to a slightly firmer DCC setup on the Sportline than on the L&K, which means the results wouldn't be as satisfactory on the L&K and you'd be looking for more still?  But at least as far as my preference and my car are concerned, at the current state upgrading dampers is not something I am considering at all.

10 hours ago, newbie69 said:

Depends on the use I would say. I would be willing to do this on my Golf GTI that saw more performance driving more often but a coilover (i guess that's what you refer to) would definitely sacrifice some comfort on the Superb. And I say this while not using Comfort mode ever like you say you occassionally do.

Eibachs and the rear arb have completely changed the driving of the car for me and I would definitely recommend the combo if someone is ok with 25mm lower ride height. I would also claim that for 99% of the Superb owners, those upgrades will provide all the improvement they are after while retaining the damping adjustability when needed, I would happily provide a test-drive to anyone being close.

The only asterisk is whether this improvement is partly down to a slightly firmer DCC setup on the Sportline than on the L&K, which means the results wouldn't be as satisfactory on the L&K and you'd be looking for more still?  But at least as far as my preference and my car are concerned, at the current state upgrading dampers is not something I am considering at all.

 

Most of the time I'm ok with oem suspensions. I drive always in sport mode. But sometimes it happens that if i enter a corner braking on a rough road i can feel the rear of the car going everywhere except staying in the right position. And this is a bad feeling.

Yes, when cruising on highway with my family i set comfort mode, and it's a very smooth and enjoyable ride to me to which I do not like to give up.

I'm also now convinced that a lowering of 25-30 mm should not be too much.

I know I can't have a car that handles like an M4 on corners and is at the same time comfortable like a stock Superb 🤦‍♂️.

To be, or not to be, that is the question...

12 hours ago, Roscio said:

 

Most of the time I'm ok with oem suspensions. I drive always in sport mode. But sometimes it happens that if i enter a corner braking on a rough road i can feel the rear of the car going everywhere except staying in the right position. And this is a bad feeling.

Yes, when cruising on highway with my family i set comfort mode, and it's a very smooth and enjoyable ride to me to which I do not like to give up.

I'm also now convinced that a lowering of 25-30 mm should not be too much.

I know I can't have a car that handles like an M4 on corners and is at the same time comfortable like a stock Superb 🤦‍♂️.

To be, or not to be, that is the question...

Don't brake so late then into a corner and you don't need any mods it seems    Jokes aside, I find driving the Superb fast after the suspension upgrades is very do-able, but you need to drive it "slow", meaning brake early and stick to your line patiently until you hit the apex, then floor it. Its size/weight and the lack of a real diff or more advanced suspension in general mean there is no point in trying to force excessive speed out of it during corners, but with a point and go attitude it can now be impressively capable.

I gave up on Comfort after the first couple of months even for the highway. Yes the "cloud feeling" going over bumps is fun but any sudden brake/acceleration/direction change and it spoiled the drive. I mean Normal is still very compliant (even with upgraded springs) so it's not as if you absolutely have to switch to Comfort to have a good ride as in more focused machinery. In fact it's Normal mode is is more comfortable than our 2015 Opel Corsa - why do they make those cars so stiff yet they roll so easily at the same time...

Another thing I realized recently after the arb and the springs came on: For several months before those changes I had subconsciously settled with the fact the car is just a roomy family carrier, despite some straight line speed. The stock car's behavior, had slowly eliminated any desire to chase anything outside a straight line and even straight lines all-together at some point, probably because I knew what would follow if I did: Too much body roll, dive and squating the moment I would up or down the pace, and coming from much firmer and sportier cars it was something I found more and more unpleasant. I had bought the car with the hope it could also provide small doses of fun - maybe with the help of a few upgrades - but hadn't done anything to achieve this and it was killing this driving need slowly. I am sure I would be now looking at a second fun car for me alone if i hadn't proceeded with the modifications.

But the arb and the springs upgrade have given it just the character and behaviour I expected from a large but sporty MQB car. Now i really look forward to find "driver's occasions" when I enter in it, in fact I modify some trips particularly for that reason. It's an element that was completely not present before and is now as much a strong point of the car as it's its space probably. If i get something done on the brakes also, I will be taking it to the local track for sure just for a fun comparison with my previous cars, it can definitely handle some fast driving now.

Essentially, for someone like me, those suspension mods (and anything related that might follow) might just have extended my partnership with the car significantly, compared to if I didn't touch it at all.

PS. Sure it's not an M4 as you say, but I would never consider an  M4/M3 as our family driver at this period of our life anyway. It's much much better than the car I drove out of the dealer though and rather close to cars I've done many happy km's with so it's rather good!

8 hours ago, newbie69 said:

Don't brake so late then into a corner and you don't need any mods it seems 

 

You're right, but trust me it happens also when driving relaxed. Indeed, it is precisely when I drive relaxed that this "scares me" the most.
With a sports drive I pay more attention and I have less problems when cornering.

 

8 hours ago, newbie69 said:

Another thing I realized recently after the arb and the springs came on: For several months before those changes I had subconsciously settled with the fact the car is just a roomy family carrier, despite some straight line speed. The stock car's behavior, had slowly eliminated any desire to chase anything outside a straight line and even straight lines all-together at some point, probably because I knew what would follow if I did: Too much body roll, dive and squating the moment I would up or down the pace, and coming from much firmer and sportier cars it was something I found more and more unpleasant. I had bought the car with the hope it could also provide small doses of fun - maybe with the help of a few upgrades - but hadn't done anything to achieve this and it was killing this driving need slowly. I am sure I would be now looking at a second fun car for me alone if i hadn't proceeded with the modifications.

But the arb and the springs upgrade have given it just the character and behaviour I expected from a large but sporty MQB car. Now i really look forward to find "driver's occasions" when I enter in it, in fact I modify some trips particularly for that reason. It's an element that was completely not present before and is now as much a strong point of the car as it's its space probably. If i get something done on the brakes also, I will be taking it to the local track for sure just for a fun comparison with my previous cars, it can definitely handle some fast driving now.

Essentially, for someone like me, those suspension mods (and anything related that might follow) might just have extended my partnership with the car significantly, compared to if I didn't touch it at all.

 

Good to know that with the right setup Superb can be funny (or at least not frustrating) to drive through corners too...

 

8 hours ago, newbie69 said:

PS. Sure it's not an M4 as you say, but I would never consider an  M4/M3 as our family driver at this period of our life anyway. It's much much better than the car I drove out of the dealer though and rather close to cars I've done many happy km's with so it's rather good!

 

I would have gladly bought such a car as a family car. But in Italy we have something called "superbollo" which costs you 20 €/kw annually for each kw over 185. This means that having an M4 with 316 kw you have to pay € 2.620 (131 kw x 20 €/kw) extra tax, every year. This for me (and many others) is an excellent reason not to buy these cars...

But I can say I'm happy with the choice I made when buying this Superb!