Apologies if this has already been covered, but I've done a search and can't really find what I want to know.

 

Basically the car ('09 OctyII estate TDI CR vRS, 140k) has recently begun to feel a bit like driving an old sofa. I don't believe the shocks have been replaced, so despite no obvious oil leaking I suspect they're on their way out.

I like 'making progress' (for lack of a better expression) and journeys are either on twisting, pot-holed Isle of Wight roads or long, loaded motorway family hauls. However, ultimately it's a family car and I don't want to sacrifice comfort for extra stiffness.

 

I've seen Bilstein B6s highly recommended but others saying they're too stiff, whereas Bilstein B4s are touted as their OEM replacement (and half the price of the B6).

 

Has anyone got experience of driving both to give me an idea of difference behind the wheel? Or is there something else I should be looking at?

I’d be interested in this as well my 2011 diesel VRS is on 160,000 miles and the shocks which are original are starting to mist.

 

Id be interested to here views given to your original post as I plan to change shocks and springs together soon

Ive not tried b6s, but opted for b4s all round and have no complaints.

If you keep an eye on the bilstein website they often have deals on which make it alot cheaper to get hold of,

Only difference is this is on my petrol hatch.

My personable experience with B6s is that if you mainly pootle about on 30mph pot holed roads and not bothered about improved handling then you are better off with B4, as I think the main complaints come with the low speed ride.  But they come alive when you push the car and once above 30mph the ride is fine as the faster you go the better the ride becomes.  I think this is due to the mono tube and digressive valve design of the shocks.

 

They are also the same shocks paired with B12 lowering kits with the only difference in that some will come with B8 shocks which are a shorten version of the B6 shock but with the same firmness.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the replies all.

 

I suspect B4s are the way to go; improved handling would be nice but realistically there's more pottering on the school run than fun driving these days. 😁