KYB vs Bilstien Touring for a Subaru

[Rhill]

Hi folks, looking at replacing some rusty, possibly noisy rear struts on our '15 Outback this season. I've been looking at the KYB and the Bilstien.

I've always thought the Bilstiens are the way to go but that may be the HD version that has me stuck on them.

Is one loser to an OEM level of durability than the other?

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[Kira]

Some people like KYB...some people swear by Bilstein.
Comparisons of the lifespan of OE Subaru dampers to those of the two manufacturers mentioned is something I've never seen come up here.

How many miles are on your Subaru parts. I assume they're shot and it's time to refresh.

 

[dfarr67]

Not a fan of either- nothing else available?

 

[GRUMPYDUDE2]

I have used both, both performed well for years.
Bilstein was better, but cost more.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Bilstein has a lifetime warranty.

 

[Kira]

It's not an "either" question. It's a threeither. ( OE, KYB, Bilsteins) Ha-ha

How long is the OP intending to keep his 2015 car? Cost always factors in.

 

[CarbonToast]

I put KYB on our Forester, they have been fine.

I agree with prev post, price is a factor.

Looks like $100 for OE, $60 for Bilstein, $50 for KYB.

I would go Bilstein for $60.

 

[IndyIan]

KYB has quickstruts available, and I've only heard good things about them on the Outback forums. I've had nothing but good luck with KYB over the years, and never actually wore any out, they have all gone the 80-90k miles until the car was done. They can be a bit firmer than OE on some cars, but I don't mind that either. Something in the rear suspension on our 2018 Outback is squeaking a bit, and if its the struts, I will go with KYB.

 

[edyvw]

Bilstein, always Bilstein.

 

[Jeep_Riot]

You’ll be fine with either option. That said, on my prior and current Subaru’s, I’ve always gone with OEM.

 

[The Critic]

KYB will last a few years for a low cost, but will not deliver the same ride or handling characteristics as the original. OE is generally the best choice.

 

[slo town]

There's Bilstein and there's Bilstein. For European vehicles most if not all are made in Germany. For other vehicles of other COO they are usually a completely different design quality. The shock bodies and bushings are totally different from the Euro cars. Other than the yellow paint the non-euro versions look like a Monroe.

I'm a Bilstein guy to the core - for European cars. I've used Bilstein on non-euro cars and never liked them - too soft and floaty. I've used KYB Gas-Adjust (the white ones) on non-euro cans and have always found them stiff and harsh.

As @The Critic said, for your Subaru I'd go with OEM so long as you liked their ride quality.

Scott

 

[Rhill]

Thanks a ton guys! This is great Info.

Weve been maintaining it to go 20 years if we can, no bolt ledt unturned. I may go OEM or bilstein HD

 

[Impatient]

There's Bilstein and there's Bilstein. For European vehicles most if not all are made in Germany. For other vehicles of other COO they are usually a completely different design quality. The shock bodies and bushings are totally different from the Euro cars. Other than the yellow paint the non-euro versions look like a Monroe.

I'm a Bilstein guy to the core - for European cars. I've used Bilstein on non-euro cars and never liked them - too soft and floaty. I've used KYB Gas-Adjust (the white ones) on non-euro cans and have always found them stiff and harsh.

As @The Critic said, for your Subaru I'd go with OEM so long as you liked their ride quality.

Scott

Wow, this triggers me to offer my opinion, but my opinion is rather scattered. You could go to SubaruOutback.org and spend hours of your life and come away fairly confused. I don’t have any experience with a gen 5 (such as 2015). For gen 4 (2010-2014), the yellow B6’s are waay too harsh, at least on my 2013 6 cyl model. My overall opinion of the KYB’s and the OEM ‘s (at least for Gen 3 & 4) are they wear out prematurely, and until then, their damping is just not great (too firm and too soft at the same time…how can that be???too much compression damping, not enough rebound???unless heavily loaded in back)). That said when I rode in a relatively new 2025 Outback XT, I was impressed, so somewhere in there, Subaru must have improved things. but I wish Bilstein USA would talk to their brethren in Japan, as some JDM Bilstein offerings for the older OB’s hit the nail on the head much better (well, racers may want even greater control at expense of even a modicum of comfort). When I “recently” spoke with Bistein tech about B4 and B6 (are both models available for Gen 5?), he said the B4’s were 100% like OEM, would offer no (absolutely zero) improvement over OEM, except not worn out. So I got the B6’s and can barely stand them except on ultra smooth asphalt…where they excel. So Bilstein needs to share some notes with their Japanese counterparts: build in a little plushness, but somehow also provide better control…even if it meant different springs too. I always joke when someone asks me about them, saying “Bilstein needs to make a B5 for the Outback…or go back to the drawing board: revalve the B4 for maybe 15% better control than OEM, with more refined rebound vs compression curves, and back off the B6 initial damping by 15%…or somehow soften the 1st 1-1.5” of travel firming up rapidly in low-speed damping beyond that. I think the 2 models would still be miles apart.

Another disclaimer: maybe the Michelin Defenders are contributing to my negative opinions…they are not new, but way to much tread left to consider ditching…maybe 40k left…when I don’t know if tires can make enough difference in this case (certain Pirelli’s supposedly have better ride without sacrificing handling / control…if you can believe tirerack reviews.).

 

[Rhill]

Wow, this triggers me to offer my opinion, but my opinion is rather scattered. You could go to SubaruOutback.org and spend hours of your life and come away fairly confused. I don’t have any experience with a gen 5 (such as 2015). For gen 4 (2010-2014), the yellow B6’s are waay too harsh, at least on my 2013 6 cyl model. My overall opinion of the KYB’s and the OEM ‘s (at least for Gen 3 & 4) are they wear out prematurely, and until then, their damping is just not great (too firm and too soft at the same time…how can that be???too much compression damping, not enough rebound???). That said when I rode in a relatively new 2025 Outback XT, I was impressed, so somewhere in there, Subaru must have improved things. but I wish Bilstein USA would talk to their brethren in Japan, as some JDM Bilstein offerings for the older OB’s hit the nail on the head much better (well, racers may want even greater control at expense of even modicum of comfort). When I “recently” spoke with Bistein tech about B4 and B6 (are both models available for Gen 5?), he said the B4’s were 100% like OEM, would offer no (absolutely zero) improvement over OEM, except not worn out. So I got the B6’s and can barely stand them except on ultra smooth asphalt…where they excel. So Bilstein needs to share some notes with their Japanese counterparts: build in a little plushness, but somehow also provide better control…even if it meant different springs too. I always joke when someone asks me about them, saying “Bilstein needs to make a B5 for the Outback.”

This is valuable! It is a firm riding car. I've always heard the B6s are firm, high pressure. Theyre also monotone, so a different design than OEM.

Maybe B4 is the way to go. Theres also the .....B8??? But it raises the car by 2" not practical for us.

 

[slo town]

Wow, this triggers me to offer my opinion, but my opinion is rather scattered. You could go to SubaruOutback.org and spend hours of your life and come away fairly confused. I don’t have any experience with a gen 5 (such as 2015). For gen 4 (2010-2014), the yellow B6’s are waay too harsh, at least on my 2013 6 cyl model. My overall opinion of the KYB’s and the OEM ‘s (at least for Gen 3 & 4) are they wear out prematurely, and until then, their damping is just not great (too firm and too soft at the same time…how can that be???too much compression damping, not enough rebound???unless heavily loaded in back)). That said when I rode in a relatively new 2025 Outback XT, I was impressed, so somewhere in there, Subaru must have improved things. but I wish Bilstein USA would talk to their brethren in Japan, as some JDM Bilstein offerings for the older OB’s hit the nail on the head much better (well, racers may want even greater control at expense of even a modicum of comfort). When I “recently” spoke with Bistein tech about B4 and B6 (are both models available for Gen 5?), he said the B4’s were 100% like OEM, would offer no (absolutely zero) improvement over OEM, except not worn out. So I got the B6’s and can barely stand them except on ultra smooth asphalt…where they excel. So Bilstein needs to share some notes with their Japanese counterparts: build in a little plushness, but somehow also provide better control…even if it meant different springs too. I always joke when someone asks me about them, saying “Bilstein needs to make a B5 for the Outback…or go back to the drawing board: revalve the B4 for maybe 15% better control than OEM, with more refined rebound vs compression curves, and back off the B6 initial damping by 15%…or somehow soften the 1st 1-1.5” of travel firming up rapidly in low-speed damping beyond that. I think the 2 models would still be miles apart.

Another disclaimer: maybe the Michelin Defenders are contributing to my negative opinions…they are not new, but way to much tread left to consider ditching…maybe 40k left…when I don’t know if tires can make enough difference in this case (certain Pirelli’s supposedly have better ride without sacrificing handling / control…if you can believe tirerack reviews.).

Everybody's butt feels things differently, but you sound like you've got a lot of useful experience with shocks on Subarus.

Your post is most helpful.

Scott

 

[Impatient]

This is valuable! It is a firm riding car. I've always heard the B6s are firm, high pressure. Theyre also monotone, so a different design than OEM.

Maybe B4 is the way to go. Theres also the .....B8??? But it raises the car by 2" not practical for us.

I was editing my reply when you answered. Yeah it’s weird, for other cars B8’s are for lowering, but not the Outback. I used to think monotubes were the end-all-be-all. The JDM Bilsteins I had on my 2007 were monotubes front and rear, and they were the best combo ride and handling I ever had in an Outback. But 2010 plus B6’s are monotube in only in back, twin tube in front. Front B6’s (twin tube) are my least favorite for comfort. BTW, for the Gen 4 (not sure of Gen 5), there is a Japanese shock brand called Cusco which is twin tube, but has adjustable damping (I think you use a hex wrench or maybe proprietary wrench inserted in the top of the damper to adjust it). Check out get-prinitive.com out of Portland. Pricey, though not as bad as the JDM Bilsteins kits were (which had to be shipped from Japan, probably worse now with tariffs). And of course, forget coilovers unless you want even more extreme comfort-deletion. You know, it’s possible mine are defects. But I just got the car back from 3rd suspension-related shop visit, and I’m a bit worn out on it all now. Maybe affecting my attitude. Sorry. In a fairy tale, if I had done what was done in different order (ie, if I knew then what I think I know now), I would have been better off. Still I am salivating for different (maybe softer) springs, different (definitely softer) shocks, slightly lowered ride (though not full-on lowering with Legacy struts/springs). But I seem to be wanting the “Goldilocks” middle ground, which for some reason is under-pursued. Not too soft, not too harsh, not too tall, not to lowered. When I look at Gen 5 & 6, and most Gen 4, the ride height is lower than mine is now…it looks like mine was raised (like on B8’s, but they are yellow B6’s). The springs are stock, unless one shop did a switcheroo which I doubt. A fellow in Austin and I have been trading notes, and after replacing his rear shocks, his also looks abnormally high (with Monroe kits). So we are both scratching our heads.

 

[dfarr67]

Have a spare set of Sachs struts for the Accord, trying Eibach oe for the 4Runner. Both of the above ride hard and KYB today is not KYB of yesteryear.

 

[meep]

It’s been a while since I had a Subaru. I was not thrilled with the oem dampers on my 97, especially the rears, which aged very quickly. The front were very appliance-like. They did not dampen the same.

I went with good ole kyb GR2 back when they had them. The full set excelled in balancing out the vehicle. They were indeed more stiff, but if you slammed a pothole or speed bump they’d magically open up and you’d just waft over the problem. It rode like a good sports car and was an excellent canyon carver. It was a little firm for my tastes.

Nowadays I wouldn’t look that seriously at kyb. I trust them more than I would Monroe, but I personally prefer even the Monroe reflex valving and would choose that in a Hail Mary over the kyb.

I’ve never met a sachs damper I didn’t like, after 3 Volvos,

Does eibach make dampers for yours? I’ve read surprisingly good things about them.

Bilstein - best to change out in 4s, not in pairs. I’ve been disappointed in the newer 5100s in truck use. Yellow body 4600s were well tuned for a family oriented 4Runner. I personally prefer linear valving, and bilstein’s cup of tea is digressive valving (if I’ve got the terms straight).

 

[Impatient]

I tried (in vain) to find some Sachs for it. I remember I kind of cursed the B6’s the first year of ownership on my Transit van…again, too harsh. Nowadays, maybe 20k miles later, either I’ve just gotten use to them, or they have “broken in.” Last time I had them off-road, they were still a bit brutal, but I no longer grit my teeth on pavement. So maybe in another 10-15k, I will begin to enjoy them on the Outback.

If there is a Bilstein Japan BTS strut/spring offering for your model, and you have $2000-$2500 to splurge on them, I bet you will be happy. Again, part of the magic may be the springs. Plus, they might be monotube front and rear, assuming that is a good thing.

All this said, my use case is pretty much pavement only on the Subaru. Yes, I know, it’s all backwards: I take my 2wd Transit off pavement without blinking an eye, while the AWD Subaru gets relegated to pavement, with wee bit of lightest possible gravel thrown in time to time. But with the latest alignment (some slight negative camber up front), it hints at the steering / handling of the older 2007 with JDM stuff.

I will say one more thing: this discussion prompted me to look at get-primitive’s website again, looking at all their strut options, and evidently some newer Subarus use a non-KYB OEM spring; they label it FHI: Fuji Heavy Industry. If that’s the case for your model, by all means consider it. I don’t know first-hand if they are better or worse, but from the passenger seat of a 2023 or 2024 XT (not 2025 as I said in earlier post), I was pleasantly surprised. I don’t know what factory shocks that model used. For all I know, they are still KYB, but evidently better tuned than the old ones, especially old worn out ones.