JWTelemarkSkier Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I am in the process of getting the Bilstein kit from Japan, and I've heard from Fuzzy Oda at OOparts that Bilstein Japan will no longer be making the Bilstein 5056J suspension kit. Just passing along the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easton Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Noooo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05 Outback 2.5i Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I want to be mad about this, but the reality is I could never really justify the cost (Maybe if I had an XT I'd feel differently), so I guess I have no right to be. Sad news for those who are willing to spend that kind of money though, as it seems like the best 'street' solution to the Outback's wallowing suspension.. __________________ ~Scott'05 Outback 2.5i WagonWillow Green Opal/ Moss Green Metallic225/60HR16 Bridgestone G009's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWTelemarkSkier Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 I hear you '05, I thought about selling my OBXT and buying a 2011 WRX, but the cost of a new car vs. a suspension helped me make up my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impatient Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 We need someone to buy one of these kits, and get it re-created by Bilstein US (or Germany). But if you want my 2 cents: it was greed by the middlemen that killed this kit. 5 times as many would have sold (maybe more) if pricing hadn't been highjacked by middlemen. When Schneider bought his, he paid 128,000 yen. The exchange rate was more favorable too. Now, just try to find a a kit for 128,000. Then the markup on top of that is significant. You know, sometimes things work out better if there is a price cut, as more people buy the product. Getting 20% margin on $1mil is better than a 40% margin on $200,000 revenue. But, I guess the dealers and "exporters" saw things differently. Then again, if I were an unscupulous dealer, I would spread FUD (fear, uncertainty & doubt) to promote gouging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhBe1 Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Anybody try working with Cheam (UK) for a Euro version? 06LOB2.5i MT, JDMRSB, GYTTs, HPS, LGT Mufflers & Leather Wheel, SubiMomo Knob, Inalfa Moonroof, Clutch Switch Bypass, DeDRLd, DeChimed, & Straight Headrest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Say it ain't so! Why just today when taking the wifes OB XT around the block the thought was the Bilstein BTS was worth every penny; 128,000 yen IIRC. Transforms the XT wagon. I'd contact Bilstein USA years ago (2009) about replicating the JDM BTS 5056J kit... they could give a shit. That was then. Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impatient Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Price in yen went way up and exchange rate went to heck too. Now a $2500 - 3000 proposition by the time you add other needed parts & shipping & labor I sure wish bilstein usa had the specs. Then I could get my hacked bilstein's re-valved to match Does anyone have back-to-back comparison of bilstein hd to these bts's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Seems as though the Euro Bilstein B6 (HD) shocks/struts have been fitted to the USA MY2004-2009 Outback chassis? Great. Before importing the JDM BTS kit, I cast around the idea of fitting Germany sourced Bilstein B6 Sport units with the Outbacks XTs OEM stock springs: never got any where with the idea. In the end, the JDM BTS kit with its progressive springs matched and coupled with essentially re-valved B6 Sport units won out. What is needed to fit B6 Sport units to the USA Outback XT ...? IIRC the USA Outback, specifically the XT model, has the highest ride height; SUV/truck class in EPA terms I believe. F, K-ing Subaru for making the Outback with an amalgam of suspension & brake parts.... Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impatient Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 well, the re-valving is important. But I think the Legacy HD's (B6's), the only B6 sold in US, have shorter bodies and shafts than your BTS, or my hacked Bilsteins. Easton (see above) has one of the best arrangements for an Outback that utilizes the HD's, and I believe his ride height is lower than yours. I can't remember if he also added spacers or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmrider Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Price in yen went way up and exchange rate went to heck too. Now a $2500 - 3000 proposition by the time you add other needed parts & shipping & labor I sure wish bilstein usa had the specs. Then I could get my hacked bilstein's re-valved to match Does anyone have back-to-back comparison of bilstein hd to these bts's?Bummer, glad I got mine before this happened. Like Impatient posted it's mostly the uber crappy exchange rate than anything else. Importers had to bump the price up 50% just to cover the yen-dollar funk. Put an already high priced kit outta reach for a vast majority of the USDM market. If I had to start from scratch I'd go the HD/spacer wagon route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impatient Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Of course, Schneider, you're not going to be happy with yours once the new BTS-5088 hits the market in a few months. So keep me in mind for your used 5056's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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