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7 minute(s) of a 612 minute read
9-15-2013
In case you missed this from the best sports car company in the world :-) - holy cow it's sub 7:00!!!
10-16-2013
For those who don't know: there are 2 versions of the Bilstein for Turbo:
1. Bilstein B16 Damptronic: with automatic control of dampening force and retains function of PASM button.
2. Bilstein B16 PSS10: manual settings of dampening force - like other typical coilovers such as KW, Moton, JRZ, etc. PASM button no longer works.
ryem3 is asking about number 2, as opposed to the ones used by most people here, number 1.
C, yes you are absolutely correct. For those who worry about PASM electronic failure, PSS10 is to me the first choice for an alternative (believe I mentioned this in first page but, no problem). I think PSS10 is more street friendly than its most worthy competitor, the excellent KW V3, and still would retain the OEM Porsche 911 feel. Primarily, because its spring rates are Porsche-typical: rear about 150 to 200 larger than front. PSS10 is but a newer version of PSS9, a damper that's been around a LONG time and used by 996 Turbo owners. If I have electronic failure with my Damptronic, this is the route I would take.
The problem is it's not that simple; we don't know if PSS10 would feel the same as "Damptronic, without the PASM button." First, obviously, is that you have to set dampening forces, which depends on who you are, may be simple or may leave you wondering. I don't have any experience (no one does actually, I don't know if there's been a PSS10 on any Turbo) so I can't tell how easy it is to get a "perfect" setting with PSS10 non-pasm, or whether the car will still overall "feel/behave" the same as the Damptronic. This is the unknown; I would be ok with it but others who are less adventurous might not.
The nice thing about Damptronic is that it is such a fantastic setup and completely plug-and-play. It is the best compromise street-track combination that I've ever driven and elevates our Turbo to another level altogether. This is why, for me, if I have to do it all over again, I would still go with the Damptronic version and would only switch to PSS10 if I have electronic problem. My Damptronic will hit 6 years (!) soon enough, and I've done all sorts of abusive things to it without any problem, so I remain optimistic.
For the record, I have never been a fan of PASM - it's gimmicky and I prefer just one setting; but we are dealt the hand and there is no way around it if you want to retain stock function.
Also, FWIW, for me, PASM in the BMW M3 is so much better than our first generation Porsche PASM, it's not even funny. The 3 settings of M# are entirely useable and not going from one extreme to another (extremely soft to extremely stiff) like the Porsche Turbo.
C., not sure if I understand your question correctly, but the H&R springs I referred to are lowering springs meant to use with stock damper, you can't adjust damper settings. It is true that among lowering springs, H&R is rumored/reported to be the softest, "like stock." There are many H&R lowering spring users on this forum and people are happy with them. However, if your goal is to stiffen the car and make it more sporty, you will have to add other stiffening components: Heim joints, sway bar, etc., etc.
The famous "War Admiral 997.1 Turbo" (? name) by Champion Porsche, the one that got an absolute rave review in Excellence a few years ago, was in fact based on H&R springs (anyone pls correct as needed), but as mentioned above, it has a bunch of other suspension mods. This was my original first choice but when I called Champion at the time, around 2008, whoever answered the phone told me they were still trying to figure out exactly what components they put in the car 
, and they didn't have the package for sale. I called 2-3 times then gave up. A few months later, Bilstein released the Damptronic and as the expression goes, rest is history.
Eibach is top notch spring company, they do make lowering springs for the Turbo and available here in the US, but they don't make coilover, not to my knowledge and not for Turbo anyway.
Clunk with coilovers (not just Bilstein) are like brake noise IMHO. If you have it, have a professional check out to make sure there is nothing wrong with suspension, and then don't worry about it. I think it's the sound of the springs setting in its seat. It should ONLY happen at parking lot at extreme steering angle, otherwise it is NOT normal. It doesn't bother me, but if you cannot tolerate clunk in parking lot at severe steering angle, better to stay stock.
"Seems" is the key word here; and yes I agreed with you PSS10 is a very reasonable alternative as I've already stated. And I also think that it should be on top of list of non-PASM coilover. I don't believe I misunderstood - I outlined the 2 systems in the post above: PSS10 vs. Damptronic, and in fact both have been discussed on page 1 of this thread. Lastly, I know people are upset and undersand why they are upset, OTOH the Bilstein has been in my car and others close to 6 years; I don't want to inflame the issue anymore by stating I feel differently, but I hope you see my point and let's not visit this topic here as there have been multiple threads on it (pay attention to Bilstein in various people's signature here, a number has been on for 4-5 years). I've quit discussing those issues because people are so upset, and understandably so, not because I don't have my own opinion.
Regarding cost, unlike say cosmetic component, IMHO, suspension is NOT the place to shop according to how much you could save. This is a key component of the car, go with whatever you are comfortable with, not my place to intervene, but if you shop according to cost, history will not be on your side.
How about these other suspensions you mentioned? Yes only if you want to be the guinea pig, and no I won't stop anyone. Example: JRZ. Supposed to be compatible, but a friend tried this in our Turbo a few years ago, went through 2 installers and hell, eventually got it right but ending up getting rid of it because it was too stiff. Mario recently went through the same thing; I haven't heard from him so don't know what happened but his JRZ experiment was NO cakewalk. IOW, if you want to try, go ahead, but not what I would recommend. There are multiple choices available from GMG lowering spring, to PSS10, KW, etc., why re-invent the wheel.
Second example: Eibach is a great spring company, but for our car, I wouldn't let their coilover touch our Turbo with a 10 foot pole, unless I know for sure that it's a re-branded by another manufacturer. That kit you mentioned was used by someone for Dodge Challenger (!) and WV GTI whatever, and the Challenger guy wouldn't even recommend it. I mean, it's just dangerous to take a chance.
My opinion is still the same, for anyone who cares:
PASM: Bilstein Damptronic
Non PASM: Bilstein PSS10, KW V3
Lowering springs: Techart or GMG.
