totok

Hi guys,

 

My name is André. I come from Germany and I have a Outback 3.0 MY08 European Model. I'm very unsatisfied with the suspension too.

 

@totok

 

Do you have found out in the meantime whether the BTS-kit can be installed in European/Japanese models too?

 

I hope you or other users of the forum can give some hints about this topic.

 

Thanks

André

Hi André,

Unfortunately I failed to made this plan reality. By the time I was really in need of new suspension there wasn't any kit available or I fail to find it online on ebay or refused to buy used one and import it from JPN. It was 3 yrs ago. At the end I select kind of oem style (street legal) set/kit from pedders.

Not sure if it is TUV certified as oem replacement for DE. But I never had an issue with Czech Technical inspections since then. I can tell it was ok feel, not much better from stock. But what was worse, when carrying really heavy loads in trunk, the handling worsen. I mean really heavy load, over the capacity. The read end dig down and front end lift up like starting airplane feeling very light on steering/handling. For the rest of occasion it was ok. I sold the car last year with 30k km on that shocks w/o any issues.

Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring - Rear 2938

Pedders Shock Absorber - Rear 122311

Pedders Sealed Strut - Front Left 129009L

Pedders Sealed Strut - Front Right 129009R

Set of oem mounts and front springs....

We in the US don't have the auto-level system, so we can't speak to it exactly. I think what they mean is, it will fit, but you lose the auto-level capability of the system.

 

I was searching around and a found a guy in Asia that replaced his auto-level system with the BTS kit. But, unfortunately I don't remember any of the details of that thread (like where it was) to provide more input to your problem.

 

If you have a picture of your rear suspension and the shock, we can probably tell you if it will fit.

 

edit: searched around a bit. Looks like all you need is shocks and springs off a non-self-leveling unit. So, if you get the BTS kit, it should bolt right up. You do lose the self-leveling rear though.

@Rhitter

That was what I though about. Not an option for USDM Outbacks. But from one already forgotten thread here where M. Schneider said he was in Frankfurt or somewhere around in Germany I got an impression he could maybe know ;-)

But thank you for your nice search. In fact I'm getting more and more concerned it should fit. EU cars are build in Japan factory. Therefore in general the only difference are in p parts for USDM and JDM Subarus.

I can live without self-levelling option for sure. If it would be more reliable why not to spend money on it, but it usually won't last long.

Subject: MY05 USDM Outback XT LTD. Original owner, stock condition. (Stock size) 225/55/HR17 Michelin Pilot Alpin. A mud & snow rated tire.

 

Objective: Street use/sport oriented suspension enhancement while maintaining the Outback signature raised ride height. - snow/ski time in the Rockies.

 

Outcome: Mission Accomplished! (unlike the aircraft carrier kind-politically speaking) Excellent suspension enhancement. Night and Day compared to the OEM stock. The BTS kit will have you forgetting the car is a wagon; a raised ride height wagon at that. Superior quality components.

 

Parts list:

1ea. JDM Bistein BTS-5056J. www.hirano-tire.co.jp - Export divison; exportdivision@hotmail.com (the Company regularly advertises 128,370 Yen for the BTS 5056J Kit)

2ea. USDM SpecB top hats, 20320AG01A. local.

2ea. USDM SpecB dust cap 20320AG000. local.

2ea. JDM rear shock perch 20370AG010. www.japanparts.com

2ea. JDM rear rubber upper 20375AE011. www.japanparts.com

 

A Bilstein link to the kit/pictured - text in Japanese

http://www.bilstein.co.jp/pdf/outback_bts.pdf

 

A link to the Japan based auto parts retailer whom sold my kit.

http://www.hirano-tire.co.jp/bil/bil4.htm

 

With the exchange rate at the time of purchase (11/08) the cost for kit alone was $1235.00 as shown on my CC statement. The additional USDM front top hats and rear JDM shock perchs were approximately $200 all toll. Any shipping charges/cost is that of the buyer. My BTS kit was shipped independent of the Hirano Tire Co Japan.

 

A BIG commercial goes out to fellow forum member Unclemat who "shunt to ground" much of the details. Also to Bilstein Japan and the Accenture Toyko office.

Dear M. Schneider,

I hope you can help me. I'm located in Europe with my NA 2.5i MY2007 Outback dealing with the need to replace old rear shocks. Original parts comes as self-leveling/niveau KYB shocks ( 20365AG300 ). I was reading your posts up and down here to get more concerned about the possibility to replace them with this BTS kit. Original rear shocks costs here around 500$ each. Not talking about struts, mounts and other additional parts. If I consider the price only it's even better choice - rear shocks vs. kit for whole car. But in the shop mentioned here, wwwj.japanparts.com , they say " This would not fit an auto levelizer system equipped car " Does they mean exactly the Europe models? Or better if you ever heard of someone who installed this kit in Europe , I would be glad for any info.

Thank you and wish you nice weekend

Daniel