So I haven't been around much in the past year. Work has been crazy! I had the new drop links installed on the car and all the weird "snap, crackle, and pops" disappeared like magic...made me really happy! THEN, the "PASM Failure" light started coming on a lot...in the past, I would simply pull over to the side of the road, turn the car off, re-start, and all would be fine. Not any more! After spending an hour on 6speedonline researching this, it seems to be quite a common problem! I had to spend $375 at the dealership for them to diagnose the problem...their computer said it was a certain piece that needed to be replaced (forgot the name of it). That piece was replaced and the light STILL came on! They finally diagnosed it as the "left front" unit not working...something about the wires. Now, I have to pay to have the shock taken off, shipped to Bilstein where they'll "fix" it, reinstall it, and get it aligned...around $900 for the whole thing. I think I'll be better off just buying a new one! Bilstein is saying "installer error" is the problem for the failure...how would they know if they haven't even seen the shock yet? Several posts say the aftermarket units have the wires coming out the BOTTOM of the unit instead of the top (like the stockers do)?? With my luck, I'll buy a new shock, pay all the money to install it, and that little light will STILL come on! I'm thinking of cutting my losses like some of the members have posted and just go with the KW V3's! The amazing thing is that I don't even have 1500 miles on the new units since they were installed 18 months ago...

 

what a nightmare you've had with this unit. so sorry to hear of this continued mess

 

Common problem, cheaper to have the am version's wires exit like that as opposed to the OEM version.
I'd cut my losses, I wouldn't have that crap on my car, not worthy (if i were building a frankenturbo maybe).You've been through enough, time to move on, you and your car deserve better.
GL
C

 

Derek
I'd like to thank you for your previous help on my car. I'm sorry to hear that you've had another problem. IMO, the Damptronics are just a bad product for the following reasons

1. Installation errors are very common, even by "experienced" shops.

2. Poor design, we know that Bilstein said that there was never a problem with the droplinks, but they eventually had to redesign the droplinks with a curved version. If there was nothing wrong with the original design why did they have to redesign it?

3. When the kit is installed incorrectly (see number 1), this can lead to a terminal failure

4. The kit needs OEM parts for proper installation which just adds to confusion with install which leads to problem #1.

5. Customer service is bad. Bilstein will only address the problem when there is a negative forum. You and I both know this from our own personal experience.


I had my Bilsteins installed by a "reputable" installer, one that was recommended by a notable poster on this forum. When I went to his shop, there were usually turbos or Ferraris being worked on so clearly this person was used to working on nice cars. After the car was always noisy and I was told that was to be "expected" a year later, terminal failure on the right front coilover (I have a separate thread on this so I won't go into further details). Bilstein said it was installer error and wouldn't cover it under warranty. They then said they were unable or unwilling to sell me a single coilover! The problem was that the droplinks were installed incorrectly. Eventually they did replace it under warranty (only after I sent them emails with links to my thread on 6speed) but I still fail to understand why you cannot buy a single coilover if it breaks. I took the car to another shop, one that does a lot of coilovers and has a racing heritage and I gave specific instructions on how the drops were to be installed (since bilstein had indicated to me how they were supposed to be installed and that was the root cause of the problem). They installed them incorrectly too! So I had to get under the car and tell them how they were supposed to go in.

After correct installation, all the mysterious pops and spring noises magically went away. I'd be curious to see how this problem sorts out. Best of luck.
Subscribed!

PS Derek drive your car more!

 

Dave,
Good to hear from you. Yes, the problems with the Bilstein's have been amazing. I was shocked to notice that my drop links, too, we're incorrectly installed (and my install was done by the most reputable tuner in New Orleans)! Thanks to you, I got the new drop links and all the weird noises magically disappeared! How frustrating it is now to have to deal with the PASM failure issue! Bilstein is going to take a 50% charge from me for a new shock, send me a new one, I send them the old one, if they determine the failure was not due to "installer error," they'll refund me the 50%. If, after that, I still have PASM issues, I'll dump the Bilsteins altogether and buy the KW V3's. I'm out of pocket about $1,200 regardless (for diagnoses charges, labor, alignment, and shipping)!

 

What a terrible advertisment for Bilstein!

 

I love the way the car looks and drives with the Bilsteins. The ability to remain compatible with PASM is great. Unfortunately, this single mod has resulted a lot of head aches which has really detracted from the enjoyment of my car. Not to mention the inordinate amount of time that I have to spend taking it to and from the shop to have it worked on.

As been mentioned ad nauseum, installer error is almost always the root cause of problems, whether it be droplinks, the magic washer etc. It isn't normal for these suspensions to be noisy, despite what your installer might say. Anyone who is going to install these should read the numerous threads on these coilovers.

Finally the car looks and drives exactly how I would like it to but it has taken me a lot of time and effort to get here....

 

Let me sum up the situation:

- Bilstein sells coil-overs.

- not all necessary washers are provided with the suspension kits.

- you can not use old conical washers which came with the stock suspension. Especially when they are worned or rusted to death.

- Bilstein doesn't specify this fact clearly on documentation, neither on the box (you know like batteries for electronic devices...). "OE" forwards to another mention written only in german and english. There is no Porsche part number specified. There is no easy to understand and step by step detailed drawing or whatever allowing anyone not speaking german nor english to understand what has to be done.

- When the mechanic should see that mention? When he has started the work? So he then orders the missing parts from Porsche? He leaves the car on the lift? And the customer doesn't pick up his car as planned?

- So as a matter of fact, as the provided documentation and information is seriously lacking (that is an understatement), all the Damptronic kits should be installed ONLY by trained and certified specialists who have learned this procedure. Does Bilstein restrict the sale to these professionnals?

 

Wow, crazy thread. I appreciate the fact that this thread exists for the rest of us.

My car has a stock suspension in it currently (bought the car used) and it's making a popping noise when I back out of my garage (sloped driveway so I angle out to reduce the front lip grinding on the driveway). It's a hard left while backing out. The pop only happens that one time and never again during the drive.

From reading this thread and others, I'm assuming this pop is either a harmless noise and/or perhaps the car had an aftermarket suspension on it at some point and when the stock suspension was put back in, maybe the spacer wasn't put in correctly?

I'm going to get Bilstein Damptronics with Tarrett drop links put in soon so hopefully everything will get checked out at that point. My tuner seems to be fully aware of the various issues as the first things he said was to go with Tarrett instead of the ones in the kit and also that the install has to be done properly I'm skipping AM sways because I'm concerned about it being too uncomfortable for daily driving which is what I'll be doing with the car 95% of the time.

 

Just make sure they install those drop links correctly...that's the "popping" noise you're hearing.

 

...and when it's done correctly, it is a dream come true.

See all threads from users with correct setups: they all have good words about the amazing behavior of their cars... even on bad roads!

David

 

Had mine installed this past weekend. My mechanic knew exactly what he was doing including looking for the spacer. I verified the install with the picture Can put up just in case. Ride is a big improvement! And no more popping noises.

 

Took a road trip to FL this weekend and the lovely "PASM failure" light came on! This time, it's the right-front unit? Anybody know of an extremely reputable installer in the Miami area who both sells coil overs and has good skills to install them? Thanks in advance for your help! Done with Bilsteins FYI! I truly believe they have a flawed product with the wire on the bottom instead of the top! Never will I endorse them again!

 

In all honesty Bilstein is the worst pos company I have dealt with. This product is clearly flawed. Dealing with the suspension was one if the reasons I sold my C4S.

I will never buy from Bilstein again. Their customer service is horrendous.

 

Sorry to hear, try orbit racing in Florida.