Bilstein Advice

[bosodoge]

So tomorrow i will be going to purchase a set of Bilsteins i believe it is the HD series second hand with around 30k miles on them. They have been used with the stock springs, and a member of Static Nine Garage informed me that they are good shocks that last longer than OEM. But my question is what signs should i look for before making the final decision? And before some o f you say to buy new ones, I am a college student living on a budget so paying close to $500 for a new set is a little out of my ways as opposed to $200.

[BoBo]

I hear yah, school is far from cheap especially in NorCal, I'm in school myself. Anyways, you can't go wrong with billies, just make sure it's not leaking. The HD can take a ton of beating and still ride new. I have them on oem springs, it's a bit bumpy on rough roads due to the increase in rebound, but it will go the distance. Pair it up with stiffer springs like the FM and it should ride better than oem. Usually I replace my shocks every 15k or sooner, but not Billies, Monotubes are something else.

[WASABI]

I have been running Bilsteins on my 1991 Miatas since 2005. I bought used sets of stock NB Sport (hard) Bilsteins) with stock springs and NB top hats. I am currently running one car on this set up, very smooth and comfortable. My other Miata has the same NB Bilsteins, but with Ground Control coil overs, with spring rates of 425 front, 375 rear, Fat Cat bumpstops, and NB top hats. I run the car lower (5" from pinch seam to ground) this set up is much stiffer... but more fun to drive.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/build/shocking-1.jpg

[etikoner]

go for it.

[Rogue]

I have them on several of my Miata's.
I bet I have over 250k on my 93LE ones and they're still working and no leaks.
I run them with FM springs and FatCat bumps.
That car rides way better than my bone stock 93LE. (also on Billies and much lower miles)
I have installed a bunch and never had a complaint, key is bumpstops.

[BoBo]

Here is a picture of my billies as well. It's on 96 oem springs so it's a bit taller than the previous models. It also has a shorter FatCat bumpstops, so it doesn't ride on the bumpstops all day. Ive heard of these Monotubes lasting up to 100k easy.

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu129/MR2SW21/96%20miata/DSC01563.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/MR2SW21/media/96%20miata/DSC01563.jpg.html)

[wannafbody]

Garage Star top hats are a better choice with the longer NB shocks.