Bilstein PSS coilovers - Not released in US yet, BUT...

[tbone28]

Went to get the coilovers installed...they don't fit, cuz bilstein sent the wrong springs...sucks!...what a tease...the wait continues

[SunDiego]

Ouch

[VinceLA]

no worries...just a little bit more patience!

Btw, did you take a "before" picture of the car?

[tbone28]

Not yet, Vince, but I will.

[bentoutofshape]

What are the coil overs going for?

[tbone28]

I'm not at liberty to say, as the Bilsteins have not been released to the public yet. The KW's have been released, and they retail for 1595. Smartmadness has them for less though.

[tbone28]

Just got off the phone with one of the US Bilstein engineers, and they figured out the issue. Looks like Bilstein did not redesign the European coilover for the US Smarts!!!! They basically sent over the European kit! duh!! When asked if they had plans to redesign the kit for the US market, I was told that if they do, it would be a minimum of 2-3 months.

I guess I will go look at the KW's now. I had preferred the Bilsteins because they can lower the car an additional 1/2", but KW's are great coilovers, too. I'm going to call KW now to see if they have test fitted their kits on the US Smarts.

Edit: just got off the phone with KW, who said they did redesign the coilover for the US market - but then again, that's what Bilstein told me a while back, too - so we'll see. The shop I'm going through knows KW's owner, so he will try to confirm fitment with him. I'll keep everyone posted.

[VinceLA]

KW did redesign it. Let me get the pn for you in a bit...

[tbone28]

Thanks Vince. KW gave me a part number a while back, but I'm curious to see if we have the same numbers

Edit: Just got a call back from my shop. Klaus (KW's owner) is in Germany, but my shop was able to confirm with his right-hand man that the KW set is redesigned for the US. They also tried a European set on the US 451 a while back, and learned that it wouldn't fit.

Placed my order for the KW's today. I hope they actually fit this time. Keeping my fingers crossed. They're telling me it should arrive in just over a week from Germany.

Vince - here's the part # I have: 15226004

Front: lowers 5-30mm
Rear: lowers 20-40mm

For comparison, Bilsteins lower 30-50mm front/rear

[VinceLA]

Aye...I totally forgot about updating my post!

Yes that's the pn.

A buddy of mine is a master KW distributor. Hence I consulted him for anything KW. PS: the KW Clubsport very nice but not for Smart.

I am surprised that Bilstein didn't confirm the fitting before selling you a set. Seems like they were just trying to get something over to you for the sake of it. I hope you didn't have to fork out any $$$ for shipping back/from. Did they promise to pay for the partial installation fee?