Bilstein B12 Kit

MAddict · 05-04-2014, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

How would you describe the ride? What I am trying to avoid with lowering the car is that choppy or jumpy or pogo stick like ride. ?

Also how much did the kit lower your car ?

Dack, Mac is right on here and beat me to it, I have the exact same feedback:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaC-N54-E82

The ride is firm but not choppy or harsh. Overall the best word to describe the ride is planted. The install reduced the height on my 135i approximately one inch.

The 135i is more of a luxury coupe than sports car in stock form (in my opinion), this is one step towards bringing the car more towards sports car territory.

c0ris07 · 06-19-2014, 10:25 PM

Has anyone thought about running the kit with swift springs?

I like the idea of the B12 kit but not the idea of dropping by an inch. I think the swifts would drop it slightly less?

TheSt|G · 06-20-2014, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0ris07

Has anyone thought about running the kit with swift springs?

I like the idea of the B12 kit but not the idea of dropping by an inch. I think the swifts would drop it slightly less?

Why not just get the Bilstein struts and run them with stock springs? Factory BMW springs are pretty damn good.

chris82 · 06-20-2014, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Why not just get the Bilstein struts and run them with stock springs? Factory BMW springs are pretty damn good.

Do you currently run them with your TCKs?

TheSt|G · 06-20-2014, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

Do you currently run them with your TCKs?

No, but I would if I was using off the shelf Bilsteins or Konis(like my fiance's ZHP). The TCKs are developed with the springs they use for a comprehensive package. I don't entertain even the slightest thought that I am at TC Kline's level when it comes to suspension development.

Food for thought though, BMW puts enough care into their spring rate choices that individual options change the rates you get from the factory.

chris82 · 06-20-2014, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

No, but I would if I was using off the shelf Bilsteins or Konis(like my fiance's ZHP). The TCKs are developed with the springs they use for a comprehensive package. I don't entertain even the slightest thought that I am at TC Kline's level when it comes to suspension development.

Food for thought though, BMW puts enough care into their spring rate choices that individual options change the rates you get from the factory.

Oh that's very interesting. Now if only they put the same care into strut choices . . . sigh

TheSt|G · 06-20-2014, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

Oh that's very interesting. Now if only they put the same care into strut choices . . . sigh

They used to compared to most. Apparently not anymore though. Amusing recent C&D where the F30 lost a comparo to the E9x thanks to its awful unpredictable suspension.

chris82 · 06-20-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

They used to compared to most. Apparently not anymore thought. Amusing recent C&D where the F30 lost a comparo to the E9x thanks to its awful unpredictable suspension.

Wow

c0ris07 · 06-20-2014, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Why not just get the Bilstein struts and run them with stock springs? Factory BMW springs are pretty damn good.

Because then you wouldn't achieve any drop.

The b12 kit uses the b8 struts? Maybe combined with the BMWP springs it would be a nice setup with a small amount of drop.

GeeRam · 06-21-2014, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Factory BMW springs are pretty damn good.

That's certainly not my experience.

I found the OEM 135 M-Sport to be severely underdamped and over-sprung.

But that maybe the more to do with the nature of our UK roads which BMW clearly didn't design the suspension for.

Fortunately Birds Tuning in the UK had a solution, albeit an expensive one...

TheSt|G · 06-23-2014, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeeRam

That's certainly not my experience.

I found the OEM 135 M-Sport to be severely underdamped and over-sprung.

But that maybe the more to do with the nature of our UK roads which BMW clearly didn't design the suspension for.

Fortunately Birds Tuning in the UK had a solution, albeit an expensive one...

I find most people are surprised how good of a comfort/performance combination they are when combined with a proper strut.

MarkkyyMan · 07-01-2014, 03:04 AM

What size of front tire is everyone running with this kit?

Any rubbing at full lock?

Alignment specs?

Camber plates?

MarkkyyMan · 07-02-2014, 05:28 PM

MaC-N54-E82 · 07-03-2014, 12:31 AM

225 - No camber plates - No rubbing

MarkkyyMan · 07-03-2014, 04:09 PM

Thanks.

dubluv17 · 07-11-2014, 10:49 AM

Soooo....I've had this kit for a little over a year now. And I swear that I got an alignment right after install. Anyways, I've noticed some questionable tire wear lately up front, so I took it into a very reputable alignment shop to get it checked out and possibly aligned. The same shop that aligned it the first time. I just got a call from them saying that the car is too low to do the full alignment. I guess he was able to check the camber and caster up front, but either checking the toe or adjusting the toe is out of the question because it is too low. I'll be getting more details at lunch. Has anyone else run into this issue? This place does a ton of track cars, which is weird because they are usually pretty damn low.

UPDATE:

He said he couldn't get equipment on the front to measure toe and thrust angle. He said he could manually dial toe in, but the thrust angle would be off.

128GP · 07-11-2014, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0ris07

Has anyone thought about running the kit with swift springs?

I like the idea of the B12 kit but not the idea of dropping by an inch. I think the swifts would drop it slightly less?

I have the Bilstein B8's paired with swift springs. Rides and looks great.

andrey_gta · 07-11-2014, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128GP

I have the Bilstein B8's paired with swift springs. Rides and looks great.

Photos, Links or GTFO LOL

128GP · 07-11-2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Photos, Links or GTFO LOL

this will have to do for now. Still havent had a chance to take a full shoot

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=987716

MarkkyyMan · 07-22-2014, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubluv17

Soooo....I've had this kit for a little over a year now. And I swear that I got an alignment right after install. Anyways, I've noticed some questionable tire wear lately up front, so I took it into a very reputable alignment shop to get it checked out and possibly aligned. The same shop that aligned it the first time. I just got a call from them saying that the car is too low to do the full alignment. I guess he was able to check the camber and caster up front, but either checking the toe or adjusting the toe is out of the question because it is too low. I'll be getting more details at lunch. Has anyone else run into this issue? This place does a ton of track cars, which is weird because they are usually pretty damn low.

UPDATE:

He said he couldn't get equipment on the front to measure toe and thrust angle. He said he could manually dial toe in, but the thrust angle would be off.

What machine are they using for alignments?

dcaron9999 · 07-22-2014, 04:53 AM

Im running stock linear springs and struts on my 2011 135i, camber plates and M3 control arms. I track the car a lot and use a square style 261 wheel and 255/35R18 tire setup and 10 mm spacers in front.

Would my tire setup clear the B12 kit with no rubbing?

Garabins · 07-23-2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcaron9999

Im running stock linear springs and struts on my 2011 135i, camber plates and M3 control arms. I track the car a lot and use a square style 261 wheel and 255/35R18 tire setup and 10 mm spacers in front.

Would my tire setup clear the B12 kit with no rubbing?

Thats hard to answer, depends on your wheel offset and how close you are to rubbing right now.

06-19-2014, 10:25 PM	#68
c0ris07 Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 216 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: South Australia iTrader: (4)	Has anyone thought about running the kit with swift springs? I like the idea of the B12 kit but not the idea of dropping by an inch. I think the swifts would drop it slightly less?
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07-01-2014, 03:04 AM	#78
MarkkyyMan Captain 38 Rep 701 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 128i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana, U.S. iTrader: (0)	What size of front tire is everyone running with this kit? Any rubbing at full lock? Alignment specs? Camber plates? __________________ http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=968996
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07-02-2014, 05:28 PM	#79
MarkkyyMan Captain 38 Rep 701 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 128i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana, U.S. iTrader: (0)	__________________ http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=968996
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07-03-2014, 12:31 AM	#80
MaC-N54-E82 G82 Love 397 Rep 404 Posts Drives: 2023 M4 Competition xDrive Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M4 Competi ... [10.00]	225 - No camber plates - No rubbing __________________ MAC Current: 2023 G82\|BG over BLK Prior: 2008 N54 E82\|AW over CR Also: FJ60, Volvo Recharge
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07-03-2014, 04:09 PM	#81
MarkkyyMan Captain 38 Rep 701 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 128i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana, U.S. iTrader: (0)	Thanks. __________________ http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=968996
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07-11-2014, 10:49 AM	#82
dubluv17 Private First Class 11 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Millcreek, UT iTrader: (0)	Soooo....I've had this kit for a little over a year now. And I swear that I got an alignment right after install. Anyways, I've noticed some questionable tire wear lately up front, so I took it into a very reputable alignment shop to get it checked out and possibly aligned. The same shop that aligned it the first time. I just got a call from them saying that the car is too low to do the full alignment. I guess he was able to check the camber and caster up front, but either checking the toe or adjusting the toe is out of the question because it is too low. I'll be getting more details at lunch. Has anyone else run into this issue? This place does a ton of track cars, which is weird because they are usually pretty damn low. UPDATE: He said he couldn't get equipment on the front to measure toe and thrust angle. He said he could manually dial toe in, but the thrust angle would be off. Last edited by dubluv17; 07-11-2014 at 02:17 PM.. Reason: Update
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07-22-2014, 04:53 AM	#87
dcaron9999 Major 157 Rep 1,409 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M package Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mirabel, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Im running stock linear springs and struts on my 2011 135i, camber plates and M3 control arms. I track the car a lot and use a square style 261 wheel and 255/35R18 tire setup and 10 mm spacers in front. Would my tire setup clear the B12 kit with no rubbing? __________________ 2011 X3 35i with M pack + 2011 135i w/6SPMT \| 255 square tire setup \| Quaife 3.46 LSD \| Diff lock down bracket \| Bilstein B8+Swift SpecR springs+H&R FSB \| CDV delete \| BMS Oil Tstat bypass \| ER FMIC & CP \| N54Tuning DP \| GC Street Camber Plates \| M3 FCA +guide rods+RSFB's+Tranny mounts \| Manzo toe arms \| Cobb Stg2 agressive tune \| Hawk DTC70 brake pads \| RB SS brake pistons \| Goodridge SS brake lines \| Custom brake cooling ducts Last edited by dcaron9999; 07-22-2014 at 05:02 AM..
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