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[theolodian]

Well, they did loosen up.  And then they loosened up some more.  And then they loosened up some more again.

The thwack on sharp bumps is reduced but still very much there.  The damping on large dips was soft to begin with and got a little softer.  When first installed the damping was best balanced around 80mph.  After 2,500 miles it is best balanced around 50mph.  

It is generally OK on B roads.  Weaknesses are feeling a bit floaty at high speed, any bumps in town, and especially those bumpy yellow lines just before a dangerous intersection on a B road.  Your eyes bounce so bad you cant see anything clearly, unless you drop to about 30mph in a 60 and then you get whiplash.  They do keep the car under control everywhere except badly rippled pavement.  You can hit large bumps at speed without hitting the bump stops.

Overall they just feel cheap.  I guess that you are getting what you pay for.  I wouldn't rule them out completely, and they have become liveable, but if I had to do it over again personally I would pay the extra for the VX shocks.  OTOH, the car is safe to drive which it was not before so the value there is immense.

[Markjay]

Very strange – Bilstein specialise in sports dampers and are very highly rated (right next to Koni) – I had them on a  previous car and they were great. Maybe your [problem is suspension related and nothing to do with the dampers?

Also, - are these the Sport ones, on the OEM replacement?

[theolodian]

Very strange – Bilstein specialise in sports dampers and are very highly rated (right next to Koni) – I had them on a  previous car and they were great. Maybe your [problem is suspension related and nothing to do with the dampers?

Also, - are these the Sport ones, on the OEM replacement?

These are the OEM's.  I replaced the wishbones at the same time.  Front and rear behave the same.  I do have hard tires pumped up to 35, so it will get better when I replace the tires, but I have taken that into account with my review.

I guess I just don't like gas shocks very much.  I have used Koni's before and was happier with them.  They aren't perfect, and they're a pain when you have to take them out to adjust them, but I do like them better.  I have ridden in cars with Bilsein Sports before.  THey are very good at what they are meant to do, but I strongly suggest that people ride in a car with them before buying to be sure that is what they want because they are very stiff.