Does Bilstein make H&R's Shocks?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,003
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From: lost in the Land of Enchantment..
Does Bilstein make H&R's Shocks?
Boy am I getting conflicting answers. I've been talking to Alon about buying his H&R setup so I went to the H&R website to see about spring rates, rebuilds, ect - no info there to speak of so I called them and spoke to Josh. He said that H&R builds the shocks in Germany and that if I want a rebuild ever it will be close to 400 per shock with shipping to Germany, ect. He also said that Bilstein did not build their shocks. I had heard here that Bilstein builds the shocks for H&R. Then I went to Gert's site where he sells an H&R coilover with Bilstein shocks. Hmmm. So then I call Bilstein USA and talked to Jack French - great guy - who has helped me in the past, and posed the same question. He said that absolutely yes Bilstein builds H&R to their specs and that yes he can rebuild them all day long. He even said that Bilstein is stamped on the H&R shocks. So....I called Josh back to tell him who builds his shocks in a nice way and to maybe just confirm (cause I do believe Jack French) and he gives me an earfull...That guy Jack is absolutley wrong - H&R MIGHT use some Bilstein components - no way does Bilstein actually build the shocks. Wow. Hope I'm not stepping on toes, but does anyone here have anything to add? 
Weathergirl
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: SE PA
For the H&R coilovers on my Audi (their "street" coilovers), the answer is yes.
The relevant answer to your question is probably that even if H&R assembles them from Bilstein components, Bilstein in CA can rebuild/revalve them for you, which is the important thing.
The relevant answer to your question is probably that even if H&R assembles them from Bilstein components, Bilstein in CA can rebuild/revalve them for you, which is the important thing.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,003
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From: lost in the Land of Enchantment..
I agree about the rebuilding - that is the main reason for my search. Gert said that both Koni & Bilstein make H&R. The folks at H&R just dont know that
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: San Diego, CA
I just had Jack (Bilstein) do a custom re-build/re-valve on my HD's.....what a difference.
Great guy, great work, great service!...................Why not just buy some Bilstein HD's and stay with the best.
ZP44
Great guy, great work, great service!...................Why not just buy some Bilstein HD's and stay with the best.
ZP44
Addicted Specialist
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From: So.CA
Nothing "factual" to add, except that Jack French MORE than knows his stuff ...and he's a tech/engineer, not a marketing guy so he has no "stake" in this; he's just telling the truth IMHO. Over the years I have noticed with startling consistenscy how H&R dampers (at least those made for Porsches)look remarkably similar to Bilstein's. Witness their latest "adjustable" coilover system ...hmmm, do the letters PSS9 come to mind?
Sure HR has their own spring facility, but I do believe that they are using B's shock bodies and sundry components. In "fact" (if you can call it that), I recall an article long ago about how HR custom valves B's shocks to meet their proprietary spring rates. Oh well, just thought I'd add to the rumor mill
Edward
Sure HR has their own spring facility, but I do believe that they are using B's shock bodies and sundry components. In "fact" (if you can call it that), I recall an article long ago about how HR custom valves B's shocks to meet their proprietary spring rates. Oh well, just thought I'd add to the rumor mill
Edward
