Is the B8 the right choice for a lowered car?

Yes. The B8 is valved and shortened for cars with lowering springs, so it keeps travel and control where a stock-length strut would bottom out.

How is it different from the Bilstein B6?

The B6 is for stock-height cars; the B8 has a shorter body and firmer valving for lowered setups. Both are gas-pressurized monotube designs.

Does it come as a complete strut?

No. It is a cartridge insert that goes into the existing front strut housing, so the old housing and hardware are reused.

Can I use it with stock springs?

Bilstein intends it for lowered cars. On stock-height springs the shorter travel and firm valving are a poor match.

Do I need an alignment after installing it?

Yes. Any strut change affects camber and toe, so have the front end aligned afterward.

Where is the Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge cheapest?

At CarParts.com, for $209.00, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge?

11 stores we checked sell it, including CarParts.com, NAPA Auto Parts, JM Auto Racing, ECS Tuning, FCP Euro.

Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge

Best price now

$209.00at CarParts.comChecked Nov 4

Compared across 11 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit CarParts.com

Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge

Best price now

$209.00at CarParts.comChecked Nov 4

Compared across 11 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit CarParts.com

Ask our agent about this product

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Price facts

Last seen at $209.00 at CarParts.com on Nov 4.
Checked at 11 stores.

Our take on the Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge

The Bilstein B8 Sport is a gas-pressurized monotube strut cartridge that drops into the front housing of a lowered car. It is the shorter-travel companion to the B6, built for cars with lowering springs and stiffer sway bars. Owners like the firm, controlled damping and long service life; the trade-off is a stiff ride on rough roads and the labor of a cartridge swap rather than a complete strut.

Best forLowered sport compacts and coupesDrivers who want firmer, flatter corneringCars already running stiffer sway barsReplacing worn inserts without changing springs

Pros

Monotube gas design resists fade under hard driving
Shorter body suits lowered ride heights
Firm, controlled damping with less body roll
Long service life reported by many owners
Application-specific valving for each fitment

Cons

Stiff over broken pavement and potholes
Cartridge install needs the old housing and special tools
Firmer than stock, which some passengers dislike
Not intended for stock-height cars

Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge prices at every store

CarParts.comNew
Availability unknown
$209.00Checked Nov 4
Visit CarParts.com
NAPA Auto PartsNew
Availability unknown
$218.99Checked Nov 4
Visit NAPA Auto Parts
JM Auto RacingNew
Availability unknown
$219.00Checked Nov 4
Visit JM Auto Racing
ECS TuningNew
Availability unknown
$219.00Checked Nov 4
Visit ECS Tuning
FCP EuroNew
Availability unknown
$219.00Checked Nov 4
Visit FCP Euro
Koritas TiresNew
Availability unknown
$219.00Checked Nov 4
Visit Koritas Tires
BimmerWorldNew
Availability unknown
$219.00Checked Nov 4
Visit BimmerWorld
AutohausAZNew
Availability unknown
$219.00Checked Nov 4
Visit AutohausAZ
Lowered LifestyleNew
Availability unknown
$219.00Checked Nov 4
Visit Lowered Lifestyle
AutoZoneNew
Availability unknown
$219.99Checked Nov 4
Visit AutoZone
AR MotorwerkzNew
Availability unknown
$219.99Checked Nov 4
Visit AR Motorwerkz

Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge price history

Lowest price we've seen: $209.00 on Nov 4 at CarParts.com. Tracked across 11 stores since Nov 4.

What reviewers say

Owners of lowered cars generally praise the B8 for sharp turn-in, flat cornering and durability over years of use. Complaints center on a harsh ride on rough roads and the effort of installing a cartridge rather than a full strut.

What people mention

Ride qualityMixedOwners like the control but say rough roads feel harsh and busy.
HandlingPraisedDrivers report less body roll and sharper turn-in with lowering springs.
DurabilityPraisedMany owners say the inserts last years and still feel firm.
InstallationCriticisedFitting a cartridge into the old housing takes more work than a complete strut.

From NAPA Auto Parts

Bilstein B8 Sport front strut insert
Works with aftermarket suspension mods such as sway bars
Designed to work with lowered sports cars
Pressurized gas in a sturdy monotube housing
Gas-pressurized monotube adapts to track or road automatically
Rigorously road tested and application-specific optimized

Guarantee: Lifetime Limited Warranty
Shipping: Free shipping

About the Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge

This is a Bilstein B8 Sport front strut insert, also called a strut cartridge. It is designed for lowered sports cars and works with aftermarket suspension modifications such as sway bars.

The insert uses pressurized gas in a sturdy monotube housing. The gas-pressurized monotube adapts to track or road driving automatically. Each application is optimized for its vehicle and has been road tested.

Series: Bilstein B8 Sport
Position: Front
Type: Strut insert (cartridge)
Construction: Gas-pressurized monotube housing
Use: Lowered sports cars
Compatibility: Works with aftermarket suspension mods such as sway bars

Questions and answers

Is the B8 the right choice for a lowered car?: Yes. The B8 is valved and shortened for cars with lowering springs, so it keeps travel and control where a stock-length strut would bottom out.
How is it different from the Bilstein B6?: The B6 is for stock-height cars; the B8 has a shorter body and firmer valving for lowered setups. Both are gas-pressurized monotube designs.
Does it come as a complete strut?: No. It is a cartridge insert that goes into the existing front strut housing, so the old housing and hardware are reused.
Can I use it with stock springs?: Bilstein intends it for lowered cars. On stock-height springs the shorter travel and firm valving are a poor match.
Do I need an alignment after installing it?: Yes. Any strut change affects camber and toe, so have the front end aligned afterward.
Where is the Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge cheapest?: At CarParts.com, for $209.00, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the Bilstein Suspension Strut Cartridge?: 11 stores we checked sell it, including CarParts.com, NAPA Auto Parts, JM Auto Racing, ECS Tuning, FCP Euro.