• The Pit+Paddock x Bilstein E91 GTS Tribute touts top-tier automotive aftermarket brands—Bilstein, Akrapovič, MOTUL, and StopTech—among others while nodding to BMW’s heritage.
• The CSF x Pit+Paddock Euro Trip sent the CSF 911 and the E91 across the Atlantic for a multi-stop showcase of American style.
• Before heading back to the UK for Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Pit+Paddock x Bilstein E91 GTS Tribute headed to the Nurburgring.
• Bilstein’s Competence Center is conveniently located outside of the ‘Ring and acts as a service and development destination for OEs and race teams alike.
• Bilstein’s 7-post rig can simulate up to 100 track tests per day, helping dial in trillions of possible vehicle set-ups efficiently.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Unfortunately, our CSF x Pit+Paddock Euro Trip didn’t take us that far East, but we did the second-best thing: visit the Nürburgring in Germany. “Green Hell” needs no introduction. It’s the Mount Everest of motorsport venues; a single lap commands 170 turns in its 15.7-mile configuration. All that is to say, it’s a place that lives and breathes petrol—just like us.

For decades, automotive media outlets and manufacturers have used lap times on the Nordschleife as a marker for a car’s measured performance. A car could have 1,000hp, but the four-figure grunt would certainly lose merit if it failed to best another with a fraction of that on the ‘Ring. But we know all too well that a car’s total performance has never just been about the engine. It’s partly why our E91’s title sponsor, Bilstein, set up shop right outside the Nürburgring track grounds and a big reason for how we ended up here in the first place.

DO IT RIGHT

Bilstein calls its Nürburgring HQ a Competence Center. It’s designed to be a service provider to race teams and premium car manufacturers, leveraging Bilstein’s decades of experience in developing dampers to ultimately arrive at the best possible setups for the road (or track) ahead. To do so, Bilstein has packed this Competence Center full of state-of-the-art simulation and evaluation software, dedicated data engineers, and an impressive seven-post test rig.

Seven posts mean there are seven actuators in the rig itself, helping race teams and OEs get to the heart of their data more efficiently. Allegedly, there can be over a trillion possible ways to set up a car. Instead of hours of testing on the track, Bilstein’s rig can perform up to 100 separate tests per day. Its proximity to the ‘Ring is no coincidence; teams can take their setups to the track immediately after validation and chase their magic lap time numbers on the spot.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

A focused operation by intent and practice, it was easy to see that Bilstein’s commitment was steadfast here. Every work surface was tidy and organized—much of it devoid of extraneous decor, save for Bilstein signage and the word “Motorsport” affixed to one of the interior walls. Race cars from several series greeted your eyes as we made our way through the floor plan. Since the Evolve x BMW Park Lane takeover, I never thought I’d see another E90 M3 CRT again, but lo and behold, there was one in Bilstein’s workshop too. We go to Europe once and see two of 67 examples ever made. Maybe things really are greener on the other side.

A PROUD PARTNER

Anyway, seeing everything that Bilstein sought to accomplish here was incredible and it was humbling to have a suspension company of this caliber supporting our E91 GTS Tribute build with such enthusiasm. Avid followers of the project—especially ones who have inquired about the E9X M3 Clubsport coilovers (48-223539)—noticed that the system had been discontinued for some time. We can confirm that’s true, but for one good reason: the Clubsport coilovers just got even better. Yes, the E9X M3 chassis has become a recipient of Bilstein’s latest technological breakthrough called EVO R. This new-age suspension system is constructed from lightweight aluminum and, via its 10×10 Pro-Click adjustment, offers 100 possible damper settings for rebound and bump. The Evo R sits at the top of the Bilstein suspension range and combines its decades of learning lessons with the latest advancements and real user data. “Way ahead” is how Bilstein describes the Evo R, and after visiting its Competence Center to get an inside look at the system, we can definitely believe it.

A VIEW TO KILL

There was no better way to end the day with Bilstein than to take in the sights on the track. Amidst the ‘Ring action, seeing so many people take in the Pit+Paddock x Bilstein E91 GTS Tribute with such fervor was gratifying. Thank you, Bilstein, for hosting us at your Competence Center and the ‘Ring. It was a proper send-off for our brief time in Germany and another token in our Euro Trip memory bank.

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