Bilstein PSS9 Review

gtsxr · 04-02-2007, 07:48 PM

I installed a set of Bilstein PSS9's over the weekend and I am very pleased with the results. I decided to go with the PSS9 instead of the RCE T2 or the KW V3 because I don't think I really need a double adjustable setup. My car is primarily a daily driver, but will see about 10 autocrosses a year and maybe a track day. I like the idea of turning a single nob to get the performance I need and I didn't think I'd really be able to put the time in to fine tune a double adjustable setup. The spring rates a similar to the KW V3, 440/380 f/r, but with a linear rear spring.

The build quality of the PSS9's is great. During the install everything slid into place like it was an OE peice. This made the install pretty easy overall considering I was on my own for this one. The hardest part was getting the front strut bolts off. I went through two broom handles trying to get them off. I was a little worried they wouldn't work with my DMS camber plates, but I had nothing to worry about, they fit perfectly.

Now for the good part, the ride quality. So far I've only driven them for about 100 miles on my usual roads, but they soak up bumps much better that the stock struts do. There is no crashing over potholes or brakes in the pavement. The highway ride is pretty similar to my wife's Audi A4. There is no bobblehead and they are dead quiet, no squeaks, rattles, or swooshing noises. Big bumps give you a slight jolt, but that will happen with anything on this type of spring rate. I just have them set at the softest setting and the valving for around town is great. I have an autocross coming up in a few weeks and an alignment tomorrow, so I'll get a better feel for the handling in the coming weeks, but as of now I don't think there is anything lacking from a performance standpoint. On the softest setting they handle better than the stock struts. Less understeer than my previous setup which was stock struts and GC coilovers with 325/300 spring rates.

Overall I couldn't be more pleased. For the price, I don't think there is a better coilover available for the STi. OE level fit and finish and better ride and handling than anything on stock struts. On top of that, they are rebuildable and have a lifetime warranty.

-Pete

mofoSTI · 04-02-2007, 08:06 PM

I may have found a new set for 1600$ new.

suscribed

Mykl · 04-02-2007, 08:12 PM

That's great to hear.

bigbadbrad · 04-02-2007, 08:30 PM

nice review.

LOLSTi · 04-02-2007, 08:48 PM

Single adjustable - rebound?

stretch · 04-03-2007, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOLSTi

Single adjustable - rebound?

Bump and rebound simultaneously.

**twiSTies** · 04-03-2007, 04:56 AM

What did you use in the rear for the strut top? Will the factory-style strut tops work with these?

karleric · 04-03-2007, 06:10 AM

Great review. Have you got pics of the car? I had a buddy with the PSS9's on his Jetta GLI, and they rode very well!

***JPWEraser*** · 04-03-2007, 06:28 AM

Awesome info, thanks for taking the time to do it. I am in the middle of deciding whether or not to buy coilovers and which set to buy. This helped!

LOLSTi · 04-03-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretch

Bump and rebound simultaneously.

I can't say I dig that.

**SWortham** · 04-03-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOLSTi

I can't say I dig that.

The Ohlins struts do that as well -- although they adjust rebound far more than they adjust compression.

gtsxr · 04-03-2007, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twiSTies

What did you use in the rear for the strut top? Will the factory-style strut tops work with these?

I used Group N rear strut tops and they fit well. The PSS9's are designed to work with the stock top hats, so stock or Group N in the rear will work with no problems.

-Pete

**twiSTies** · 04-03-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtsxr

I used Group N rear strut tops and they fit well. The PSS9's are designed to work with the stock top hats, so stock or Group N in the rear will work with no problems.

-Pete

Man, I am liking this option a lot. Thanks for the info!

wrinklefree · 04-03-2007, 10:13 AM

I'll be interested to hear if they remain silent. Please keep us updated.

danchon · 04-03-2007, 10:59 AM

same here... i will be looking into this set as long as it has the potential to remain comfortable and somewhat silent.

04-02-2007, 07:48 PM	#1
gtsxr Amateur STI Driver Car: 06 CGM STi Location: Reston, VA Posts: 48 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Bilstein PSS9 Review I installed a set of Bilstein PSS9's over the weekend and I am very pleased with the results. I decided to go with the PSS9 instead of the RCE T2 or the KW V3 because I don't think I really need a double adjustable setup. My car is primarily a daily driver, but will see about 10 autocrosses a year and maybe a track day. I like the idea of turning a single nob to get the performance I need and I didn't think I'd really be able to put the time in to fine tune a double adjustable setup. The spring rates a similar to the KW V3, 440/380 f/r, but with a linear rear spring. The build quality of the PSS9's is great. During the install everything slid into place like it was an OE peice. This made the install pretty easy overall considering I was on my own for this one. The hardest part was getting the front strut bolts off. I went through two broom handles trying to get them off. I was a little worried they wouldn't work with my DMS camber plates, but I had nothing to worry about, they fit perfectly. Now for the good part, the ride quality. So far I've only driven them for about 100 miles on my usual roads, but they soak up bumps much better that the stock struts do. There is no crashing over potholes or brakes in the pavement. The highway ride is pretty similar to my wife's Audi A4. There is no bobblehead and they are dead quiet, no squeaks, rattles, or swooshing noises. Big bumps give you a slight jolt, but that will happen with anything on this type of spring rate. I just have them set at the softest setting and the valving for around town is great. I have an autocross coming up in a few weeks and an alignment tomorrow, so I'll get a better feel for the handling in the coming weeks, but as of now I don't think there is anything lacking from a performance standpoint. On the softest setting they handle better than the stock struts. Less understeer than my previous setup which was stock struts and GC coilovers with 325/300 spring rates. Overall I couldn't be more pleased. For the price, I don't think there is a better coilover available for the STi. OE level fit and finish and better ride and handling than anything on stock struts. On top of that, they are rebuildable and have a lifetime warranty. -Pete This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

04-03-2007, 10:13 AM	#14
wrinklefree Junior STI Driver Car: 07 Sti SWP Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 156 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks for the review I'll be interested to hear if they remain silent. Please keep us updated.

04-03-2007, 10:59 AM	#15
danchon Junior STI Driver Car: Black 05 WRX STI Posts: 75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	same here... i will be looking into this set as long as it has the potential to remain comfortable and somewhat silent. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

04-02-2007, 08:06 PM	#2
mofoSTI Spec C Club Car: 08 STI,sr20det 510 Fav Mod: boob job for wife Location: springtuckey, OR Posts: 2,386 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I may have found a new set for 1600$ new. suscribed

04-02-2007, 08:12 PM	#3
Mykl S204 Racer Car: '04.5 STi Fav Mod: ZZYZX Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 2,751 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	That's great to hear.

04-02-2007, 08:30 PM	#4
bigbadbrad Amateur STI Driver Posts: 8 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	nice review.

04-02-2007, 08:48 PM	#5
LOLSTi S204 Racer Car: RIP 02 WRX Fav Mod: 2004 Aspen White WRX STi Location: Cincinnati Posts: 3,621 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Single adjustable - rebound?

04-03-2007, 04:56 AM	#7
twiSTies Gold Member Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: T2s and Recaros Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 3,105 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (6)	What did you use in the rear for the strut top? Will the factory-style strut tops work with these?

04-03-2007, 06:10 AM	#8
karleric Senior STI Driver Car: '07 Obsidian Black Fav Mod: Stage 2 + Protune Location: 4177898 637995 10S Posts: 349 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Great review. Have you got pics of the car? I had a buddy with the PSS9's on his Jetta GLI, and they rode very well!

04-03-2007, 06:28 AM	#9
*JPWEraser* Platinum Member Car: 05 STi Fav Mod: Do Luck CF Location: East TN Posts: 1,556 Join Date: May 2005 Trader Rating: (4)	Awesome info, thanks for taking the time to do it. I am in the middle of deciding whether or not to buy coilovers and which set to buy. This helped!