Can't get Bilstein's HELP!!
Discussion
I'm at the end of my tether and just wondered if anyone might have an idea where I go from here
Basically I stripped the suspension on my fairly mileagey 996 Turbo over winter for a refresh, the car needed 4 new dampers, I ordered Bilstein B6's, from a local motorsport retailer, in MARCH.
I got the rear shocks a few weeks later which are now built up and on the car, at the time I was told the fronts would be with me shortly, 4 failed delivery dates later it is now June and my car is still on axle stands in the garage! Today I have been told again that my 12th June date is not happening. I'm gutted.
The retailer is trying his best but seems to have limited influence, I've spoke to Bilstein UK who are helpful but seem to know nothing. I failed GCSE German so don't fancy phoning the factory!
Does anyone have anyone have any suggestions? I'm desperate to get my car back on the road!
Any advice gratefully received!!
Basically I stripped the suspension on my fairly mileagey 996 Turbo over winter for a refresh, the car needed 4 new dampers, I ordered Bilstein B6's, from a local motorsport retailer, in MARCH.
I got the rear shocks a few weeks later which are now built up and on the car, at the time I was told the fronts would be with me shortly, 4 failed delivery dates later it is now June and my car is still on axle stands in the garage! Today I have been told again that my 12th June date is not happening. I'm gutted.
The retailer is trying his best but seems to have limited influence, I've spoke to Bilstein UK who are helpful but seem to know nothing. I failed GCSE German so don't fancy phoning the factory!
Does anyone have anyone have any suggestions? I'm desperate to get my car back on the road!
Any advice gratefully received!!
Seems to ne the way of the world - i ordered a custom pair of brembo race discs for my ducati in December - was told 2 weeks for manufacture and delivery - they were finally delivered in May ffs.
This was after the most amount of bulls
t I have ever heard, the wrong parts being manufactured and sent etc etc
Shame that the only Brembo dealer in the uk able to supply race parts is a complete and utter wker. Italy were worse to deal with.
So, bikeless for 6 months - but I did save £1000 on the final bill, which was £0!
Hope c2 can hook you up.
This was after the most amount of bulls
t I have ever heard, the wrong parts being manufactured and sent etc etcShame that the only Brembo dealer in the uk able to supply race parts is a complete and utter w
ker. Italy were worse to deal with. So, bikeless for 6 months - but I did save £1000 on the final bill, which was £0!
Hope c2 can hook you up.
6 months thats a nightmare! At least you;re back on the road for summer, I used to have Ducati 900SS years ago, sounded amazing on race cans!
Wish I'd not pulled my car apart until I'd checked availability of parts now, I just assumed with a big outfit like Bilstein that supply would be no issue, how wrong I was...
Wish I'd not pulled my car apart until I'd checked availability of parts now, I just assumed with a big outfit like Bilstein that supply would be no issue, how wrong I was...
rtawney said:
Had a similar problem earlier in the year with Bilsteins for a 986.
Infuriated, I ended up cancelling the order and getting them off the shelf from Euro Car Parts, for a little bit more money.
Weren't shown on their website so gave them a call.
Good luck.
Euros stop supplying a few months ago. We have direct contact and never had issues - ordered pss10s on Monday afternoon and they were with us this morning. Infuriated, I ended up cancelling the order and getting them off the shelf from Euro Car Parts, for a little bit more money.
Weren't shown on their website so gave them a call.
Good luck.
OP if you need help give me a shout
Have heard there's now supply issues with billies, I've had a nightmare with replacement H&Rs who don't have any UK agent and the factory are currently re-engineering their line due to technical difficulties, been waiting 7 months for rear top mounts. H&R are huge too!
Hope Bilstein don't go same way!
Hope Bilstein don't go same way!
I've thought about going coilover route but have already bought a new set of OE road springs and built up the back end with the B6 dampers.
I spoke to Bilstein UK again this morning who can tell me nothing timescale wise, Apparently the problem is with some internal parts that bilstein are waiting for from another maunfacturer. They are friendly enough but there seems no sense of urgency from them, it's just a case of they'll be ready when they're ready!!
In terms of a shock rebuilds unfortunately, my actual shock bodies are so badly corroded at the bottom ends they are scrap only.
Also Bilstein UK tell me this issue is affecting production of all 996 shocks non turbo as well so if you are thinking of ordering please tread carefully. I wouldn't want this happening to anyone else!!
I spoke to Bilstein UK again this morning who can tell me nothing timescale wise, Apparently the problem is with some internal parts that bilstein are waiting for from another maunfacturer. They are friendly enough but there seems no sense of urgency from them, it's just a case of they'll be ready when they're ready!!
In terms of a shock rebuilds unfortunately, my actual shock bodies are so badly corroded at the bottom ends they are scrap only.
Also Bilstein UK tell me this issue is affecting production of all 996 shocks non turbo as well so if you are thinking of ordering please tread carefully. I wouldn't want this happening to anyone else!!
Just thought I'd post a quick update...
I recieved a phonecall this morning off a director of Bilstein UK, who had been told about this post on Pistonheads!! He was very helpful and thinks he has sourced some shocks currently residing in Greece. He has to confirm this but if they're the right shocks, they could be with me within a week!
I recieved a phonecall this morning off a director of Bilstein UK, who had been told about this post on Pistonheads!! He was very helpful and thinks he has sourced some shocks currently residing in Greece. He has to confirm this but if they're the right shocks, they could be with me within a week!
I've just joined to specifically reply to this post.
It's not quite a 3 month delay but I've been waiting 4 weeks for a set B6s for my Audi A2, so it doesn't appear to be just a Porsche supply issue. Have contacted EuroPerformance a couple of times and they haven't really given a concrete answer as to whats happening although they did mention they've been in touch with Bilstein. Sounds like they're in the same boat as the rest of us.
Did the Greek dampers turn up?
Andy B
It's not quite a 3 month delay but I've been waiting 4 weeks for a set B6s for my Audi A2, so it doesn't appear to be just a Porsche supply issue. Have contacted EuroPerformance a couple of times and they haven't really given a concrete answer as to whats happening although they did mention they've been in touch with Bilstein. Sounds like they're in the same boat as the rest of us.
Did the Greek dampers turn up?
Andy B
OK, I've actually got my shocks! In the end Bilstein UK sourced them in the States got them shipped back to Germany and back out to me.
It did take too long to resolve but at least once people at a senior UK level became aware of it they did deal with it swiftly and did keep me updated with several calls a day!
AndyB I'll PM you with the contact details of the gentleman that helped me out, fingers crossed he can do the same for you!
Anyway this weekend will be spent entirely in the garage, can't wait to get the car back on the road, new dampers, springs, drop links and bushes, should drive really tight again!
It did take too long to resolve but at least once people at a senior UK level became aware of it they did deal with it swiftly and did keep me updated with several calls a day!
AndyB I'll PM you with the contact details of the gentleman that helped me out, fingers crossed he can do the same for you!
Anyway this weekend will be spent entirely in the garage, can't wait to get the car back on the road, new dampers, springs, drop links and bushes, should drive really tight again!
Tim3 - top man!
Contacting Bilstein UK was going to be my next move, not really to have a rant but to see if I could find out what the issue is and gently chivvy them along.
For such good kit I don't really mind waiting as long as I’m kept in the picture as to what’s happening. It’s the not knowing that peeves. EuroPerf haven’t got back to me and I suppose been the middle man and not wanting to upset either side they are in a tough position – but some feedback would have been nice.
Nice rainy weekend to do the work and I feel sure next week the sun will be out and the roads are gonna be dry for you
Thanks again,
Andy B
Contacting Bilstein UK was going to be my next move, not really to have a rant but to see if I could find out what the issue is and gently chivvy them along.
For such good kit I don't really mind waiting as long as I’m kept in the picture as to what’s happening. It’s the not knowing that peeves. EuroPerf haven’t got back to me and I suppose been the middle man and not wanting to upset either side they are in a tough position – but some feedback would have been nice.
Nice rainy weekend to do the work and I feel sure next week the sun will be out and the roads are gonna be dry for you
Thanks again,
Andy B
Well... have just got off the phone with Aaron from Bilstein UK, who was really helpful, and it appears my order had only reached them this Wednesday. And they have the parts in stock. 
So somehow my order got lost/delayed in EuroPerformance's systems rather than anything to do with Bilstein production/supply difficulties.
So I'm back to waiting with baited breath and excitement mounting
So somehow my order got lost/delayed in EuroPerformance's systems rather than anything to do with Bilstein production/supply difficulties.
So I'm back to waiting with baited breath and excitement mounting
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