Hello everyone,

A good friend of mine has a 2000 CSVT, and he's thinking of doing some suspension work. It's has over 60k miles so I suppose struts will need to be replaced soon anyway. I'm a bit more mechanically inclined that he is so I said I'd do some research and help him install the stuff when he gets it.

At the moment I'm just looking at struts and springs, although camber plates look nice too. The FAQ has been very helpful, but I'm wondering how the Bilsteins and BAT struts compare. He doesn't really need the konis, as this will just be for a little more firmness on a daily driver. In anycase, I know bilstein makes good stuff and they're my first choice at the moment.

My bigger question is about springs. I want something well matched to the struts and I don't want the car to be much lower. Everything I've found lowers the car at least an inch and I'm not seeing spring rates listed. The 225/45/17s already rub over medium bumps when people are in the back seat, with rolled fenders. I suspect he could use a bit more positive offset (17x7 +38mm).

So far I'm liking the Ground Control sleeves, except I don't want to lower the car. Perhaps if I get ahold of them and BAT or SP motorsports and see if I can find out the lengths and rates. Then I could probably just order some a bit longer than what's sold. Are they pretty well suited for the Bilsteins?

Anyway, those are my thoughts so far. I'd appreciate any other suggestions, thanks in advance.

To find more than what will be replied here, keeping searching the forums and archives. Almost/everything you asked for has been answered multiple times.

Originally posted by jamal:

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but I'm wondering how the Bilsteins and BAT struts compare

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I researched the same thing when I got mine. I'm not sure what the specific answer was, but the big theries/ideas/info were

- BAT struts were rebadged bilstiens according to many
- they were close in terms handling/ride quality
- bilsteins were slightly better, performance oriented last longer

Personally, I opted to save a little money and went with the BAT struts.


If you want something well matched and not much of a drop, just do the whole BAT setup. 1" drop and they are made for eachother. Fits what you are looking for.

If you don't want to lower at all, just go with either the BAT or Bilstein struts and keep the stock springs. I kept the stock springs b/c even 1" lowering with the already low front bumper I would scrape to much.

I like the ride, it's stiffer and better handling though at times it can be harsh/rough over little bumps and the struts alone don't cure the brake dive.





Speaking of searching, don't forget the archives and also do a 'BAT bilstein' search in the northeast forum, there was a thread or 2 there.