Bilstein B16 vs B8's with RoW M030 on 2004 996 C2

[leonidasb22]

Hi Porsche community, 

 

I've read and narrowed down a suspension upgrade for my 2004 Porsche 911, C2, Coupe, Manual 6 speed.  (I currently have the standard suspension.)

 

Bilstein B16 (PSS10) 48-186322 vs Bilstein B8's with RoW M030 springs.

 

RoW M030 springs - (These will lower my USA vehicle 20mm(.78") in Front and 10mm(~.39") in the rear. This would be a great height for street driving in USA. The roads are horrible in the USA. This will give me a better look, stiffer springs, and a little rake. And the Bilstein B8's will also firm things up bit more. 

 

Bilstein recommends B4 or B8 for the RoW M030 springs. I'm leaning toward the Bilstein B8's(over the Bilstein B4's) to improve handling. I'm hoping it wont be too aggressive and still street-able but I think it will be a good because I'm going with a Porsche European Spring. 

 

Has anyone used Bilstein B8's with RoW M030 springs? How do they perform on the street?

 

The other option is the Bilstein B16 (PSS10) 48-186322. The highest spring setting on this also matches the RoW M030 springs. Which will lower the my vehicle 20mm(.78") in Front and 10mm(~.39") in the rear. This is my current target setting, since Porsche recommends this and is a good balance of what I'm trying to achieve without bottoming out and scraping. Of course they can go lower but that's not my target. They also have adjustable dampening settings to dial the bump and rebound. I am primarily a spirited street driver who appreciates precise steering and handling. This is my focus. 

 

Between these two kits what does the Porsche community recommend? Looking from a place from experience in comparing these. 

 

Right now —all in all there's also a cost difference of about $1,200, when you factor in strut bearings, strut mounts, spring pads, misc. etc. 

And the other issue with is the RoW M030 springs have to come from Europe and may take many weeks as there's delays (due to Covid). I'm getting quotes of up to 6 weeks. I'd love to get your input.

 

Thanks in advance all. 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2021 by leonidasb22

[tonz]

Hi, may be too late for you, but I just signed up and saw this.  I just removed PSS10s (B16s) from my 2002 996 RWD Cabriolet because the ride was much too stiff around town, even when adjusted to the softest settings on all 4 corners.  They are overkill or street only use.  Former owner tracked the car.  The car handled incredibly on very smooth roads but was intolerable for for only street use in the SF Bay Area. I replaced with Eibach lowering springs and Bilstein B4s (for sport suspension).  Eibach told me they tested with stock shocks and their lowering springs are made to work with the sport version.  Ride height is about an inch lower than stock for the US car.  Car is still plenty stiff, but this took the edge off noticeably.  I think this setup is a great compromise; you will still notice very bad pavement.  My Car also has GT3 sway bars on the least aggressive of the optional link mounting holes, and adjustable GMG upper arms in rear suspension to get the camber right on a lowered car - previous owner added them due to the PSS 10 upgrade.  I get alignment and steering calibration in a few days, but alignment seems OK now since ride height now is not that different than it was with the PSS10s.  BTW, if anyone wants a nice used set of PSS10s for tracking, I will sell for $500 plus shipping.  They are circa 2008, but probably have 30k to 40k on them.  I have them cleaned up and ready to go.

[leonidasb22]

3 hours ago, tonz said:

Hi, may be too late for you, but I just signed up and saw this.  I just removed PSS10s (B16s) from my 2002 996 RWD Cabriolet because the ride was much too stiff around town, even when adjusted to the softest settings on all 4 corners.  They are overkill or street only use.  Former owner tracked the car.  The car handled incredibly on very smooth roads but was intolerable for for only street use in the SF Bay Area. I replaced with Eibach lowering springs and Bilstein B4s (for sport suspension).  Eibach told me they tested with stock shocks and their lowering springs are made to work with the sport version.  Ride height is about an inch lower than stock for the US car.  Car is still plenty stiff, but this took the edge off noticeably.  I think this setup is a great compromise; you will still notice very bad pavement.  My Car also has GT3 sway bars on the least aggressive of the optional link mounting holes, and adjustable GMG upper arms in rear suspension to get the camber right on a lowered car - previous owner added them due to the PSS 10 upgrade.  I get alignment and steering calibration in a few days, but alignment seems OK now since ride height now is not that different than it was with the PSS10s.  BTW, if anyone wants a nice used set of PSS10s for tracking, I will sell for $500 plus shipping.  They are circa 2008, but probably have 30k to 40k on them.  I have them cleaned up and ready to go.

Thank you for your feedback