By the Suspengo Technical Team · Published 2026-11-04
Quick answer: Both are Bilstein coilover kits with threaded height adjustment and springs included. Choose B14 if you want to set your own ride height and are happy with one well-sorted damping setting. Choose B16 if you also want to change the damping yourself — it adds a 10-click adjuster, so the same car can be set softer for the road and firmer for a track day.
B14 and B16 look almost identical in the box. The difference is one feature — adjustable damping — and whether you will actually use it decides which kit is the better buy.
What B14 and B16 have in common
- Coilover kit: dampers and matched springs for both axles, made for a specific car.
- Threaded height adjustment: you set the ride height yourself on the threaded damper body. Bilstein quotes up to 50 mm lower, depending on the car.
- Road use: Bilstein supplies both with a technical certification for road use. Check the document for your car and registration country before fitting.
The one real difference: damping adjustment
B14 has fixed damping. Bilstein tunes it for each car, firm and predictable, and it stays that way. You choose the ride height; the damping is done for you.
B16 adds a damping adjuster with 10 settings. One knob changes rebound and compression together, by hand, with the kit fitted to the car. Softer settings suit everyday roads; firmer settings suit a track day.
B14 vs B16 at a glance
| B14 | B16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Coilover kit | Coilover kit |
| Ride height | Threaded, adjustable | Threaded, adjustable |
| Lowering | Up to 50 mm, by car | Up to 50 mm, by car |
| Damping | Fixed, tuned per car | 10 settings, rebound and compression together |
| Springs | Included | Included |
| Best for | Fast road driving, setting your own stance | Road and track in one setup, fine-tuning |
Sources: Bilstein's product pages for the B14 and the B16.
Which should you buy?
Choose B14 if:
- The car is mainly driven on the road and you want it lower and tighter
- You want to choose the ride height but don't want to experiment with damping
- You prefer a set-and-forget setup
Choose B16 if:
- You do track days or drive the same car on very different roads
- You want to soften the car for daily driving and firm it up when needed
- You enjoy fine-tuning and will actually use the adjuster
If you only want a lower car with no adjustment at all, a matched spring-and-damper kit is simpler: see Bilstein B12 vs B14. If you are keeping your springs, see Bilstein B6 vs B8.
Find the kit for your car
Both kits are made for specific cars. Use the vehicle selector at the top of the page to see the B14 and B16 kits that fit yours, or browse Bilstein B14 and Bilstein B16. For every Bilstein range in one place, see the Bilstein ranges guide.
