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I've finally had enough of the OEM suspension and am ready for a set of aftermarket struts and shocks. The only one I've been considering is the Koni's, but I don't really want to deal with the extra work of cutting my OEM struts to make it work. KYB would have been my second choice, but from what I've been able to gather, the general consensus is that the ride is a bit choppy - like OEM. I've been hoping Bilstein would make a set for our Civic and finally they have come through. It's a direct replacement for 2002 - 2005 model years (except the Hybrid). It's probably too new for anyone to have tried it, but I thought I'd ask anyway to see if anyone have any actual experience with it. Any first hand experience with these would be greatly appreciated it.

If anyone is interested the P/N are:
VE3-B425-H0 (Left Front) ~$250
VE3-B426-H0 (Right Front) ~$250
VE3-B424-H0 (Rear) ~$95/each

The struts are not cheap, but Bilstein definitely has a reputable history to its credit.

 
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interesting. No one knew they were out so no one probably has experience with them.

 
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I wouldn't think twice about buying bilsteins. Just buy them. You know the quality is going to be there and I'm sure they're on the sportier side.
I take it at those prices they're probably not adjustable though.

 
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I'm not concern about the quality of Bilstein at all. They've been around for half a century. No company lasts this long without good consistent product. I just wanted to see if there is any personal experience by members here before I place my order. You're right! they are not adjustable, but that's not a priority for me. I wanted to reduce the jarring OEM ride. I don't mind a firm suspension, but OEM is just too damn bouncy and jarring.

 
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No one probably even knew they were out. This sounds like a real recient release. Sounds like you're gonna have to be the guinea pig.

 
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I've been waiting for someone to post about these.I was looking at them a few weeks ago and searched on here and couldn't find nothing.I have them on my GXP and Trans Am and there awesome so I was waiting till someone chimed in on them.They should work with a lowering kit?

part #'s for 02-05 Civic

front right VE3-B426-HO
front left VE3-B425-HO
rear VE3-B424-HO

 
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get megans for about the same price u get adjustable shocks and adjustable springs with that blistein u would have to buy springs as well

 
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I don't know anything about Megans' reputation. They may be well known in the racing scene, but that doesn't help me on the street. I'm looking for a balance between comfort and handling. Most of these smaller players (relatively speaking of course) are geared more toward the street racer niche market. I'd prefer to do business with a company with a bit more reputable history along with a sufficient network to support their products. My car is a daily driver and reliability is a high priority.

I might consider replacing my OEM springs if I could find a good set of progressive ones. It needs to have the 1st inche of travel to be relatively soft to deal with street potholes. As of now, I'm keeping the OEM springs.

 
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Although adjustability is an attractive feature, megan's dampers are **** compared bilsteins. Even some of the high dampers like JIC, Tein, etc aren't nearly as well engineered as companies like Koni, Bilstein, and high end Tokicos.

Try them out man, tell us how they are!

 
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i had tokicos before and they were too harsh, however they handled great, I think they handled way better than my megans I have on now, but I love my megans more. Ive been riding on megans now for weeks on softest setting at that setting the handling sucked so I stiffened it up half way and with much more to go, it feels like my tokicos. Handling dramatically improved so I can say for a fact that the adjustibility on megan's isnt just for impressions on making more sales.

 
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jesus thats expensive for that much i would just get the tein basics or omnipower full coilovers

 
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Um, people just dont randomly overcharge you for parts that arent worth it. Old racing adage; "Good suspension isnt cheap and cheap suspension isnt good". AKA: you get what you pay for. Now, I realize that you may be happy with your omipowermeganobxwhatever coilovers, but realize that a good high quality spring (read Eibach) retails for about $70 a spring. Just another thing to point out, De Carbon invented the gas monotube shock in 1953, which bilstein promply bought the patent for. So Bilstein basically has more reaserch and development in their technology than all those knock-off brands put together. Just something to think about.

 
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good find

 
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My exact sentiment.

 
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I agree as well, and te history provide as well, was quite entertaining.
So, I gave him rep!

Just sucks they don't say it will fit the 2001's

 
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You could get them to fit the 2001s, just a little minor work involved. Where did you get those part numbers from EX4Dr? I called my Bilstein guy and he told me that that part number came up in his computer as proprietary, someone owns the right to those shocks... Happens a lot, but I didnt think that someone would do that with these shocks. Please tell me where you found them. I will probably buy a set to see what they are all about. Also, if they are a monotube, then theoretically you could revalve them...

 
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The non-adjustible Bilstiens are typically Sealed from the factory, not rebuildables... But Bilstines do carry a life time warrenty, so its no big deal.

About all those inexpensive "coilovers".... well, as some one who has a passion for suspension tuning, I avoid them and typically advise against getting them. Not because of any bad Rep, build qualty or what not. But simply because there is Little to no information on the dampers they use. All you can find on them is that they are "32 way adjustible!" which really tells me squat about the damper. But, for 99% of street drivers out there, most of those "coilovers" will be perfectly fine. Because for one they arnt driving the car 10/10ths and even with adjustible dampers they arnt tuing them for handling but rather to adjust ride quality. So the difference between a good damper and a bad on for street use... really doesnt mean a whole lot.

If you are competing however... well then there are some things you should be looking for in a damper and some things you should be avoiding.

 
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Go to there site. I found them on a pdf. http://www.bilstein.com/302passengercars.pdf

 
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I got the part numbers from the Bilstein website. They have a PDF file which lists all applications of their dampers.

 
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I second you!

 
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So are you getting them or what?

 
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Yes. I'm getting them. I don't have time to order this week. Probably next week.

 
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So did ya get em yet?

I still can't believe that Bilstein finally decided to make some struts from the 7th gen.

 
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Yes I've gotten them already. It's been raining the last two weeks and I have not had a chance to intstall them yet. I'll give an update when I get them installed.

 
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take pics of em, but also when they're installed.

 
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i those are around the price of the tokico D-specs...retail for the d-specs are $800 but i got them for $550...good shocks...i love how i can change the settings to however soft or hard i want it its great for autocrossing...but tell us how the bilstens go

 
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Could you take a picture of them out of the box? Are they adjustables?

 
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They are not adjustable. They are just regualr direct replacement struts and shocks and appear to be well built. I'll see what I can do about the pictures. I'm waiting for my tools (tie rod separator) to arrive before installing. Hopefully this weekend. Between the rain and my work lately, I haven't had the time to begin.

 
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Here's what it looks like.

 
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how much did you actually get the shocks for?