What happened to the Bilstein B12's??

asiflicious · 10-20-2017, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtl

I had the B12 kit on my car before I put the KW V2s in.

The B12 kit was a mistake, the shocks I quite liked, but the Eibach springs were rubbish. Slammed the car up front and the spring rates were only maybe like 5-10% stiffer than stock. This made the car scrape and bottom out very easily and caused the front springs to continually sag, I think I must have lost 20-30mm throughout my ownership of the shocks. I had them for around 40,000kms, all four shocks were fine when I took them out, rear springs were good, front springs were totally rooted.

Do it right the first time and just get coilovers, people get scared of coilovers because they think itll be too stiff. Butmost of the coilovers available for these cars have pretty soft rates (e.g V1,2,3 have 200 pound/inch front, 450 pound/inch rear) and are quite comfortable.

See this is what I'm talking about. Every time I think I finally made a decision about which suspension setup I want to go with I come across another post like this that scares me away! Haha man it shouldn't be this difficult

Esteban · 10-20-2017, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiflicious

See this is what I'm talking about. Every time I think I finally made a decision about which suspension setup I want to go with I come across another post like this that scares me away! Haha man it shouldn't be this difficult

I know what you mean. I bought the BMW PS after waiting and trying to decide, and then finally bought it and waited a year to install it because of things I read and I just wasn't sure. And then in the end not 100% happy with it.

It's a F**king nightmare!! Haha (just kidding)

asiflicious · 10-20-2017, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiflicious

See this is what I'm talking about. Every time I think I finally made a decision about which suspension setup I want to go with I come across another post like this that scares me away! Haha man it shouldn't be this difficult

I know what you mean. I bought the BMW PS after waiting and trying to decide, and then finally bought it and waited a year to install it because of things I read and I just wasn't sure. And then in the end not 100% happy with it.

It's a F**cking nightmare!! Haha (just kidding)

What did you not like about the PS? I remember you were the one that convinced me to go with the B12 over the PS

swagon · 10-20-2017, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

Incorrect. You can have them rebuilt stateside. Bilstein has a facility in Poway, California. Roughly 20 minutes from where I live in San Diego.

I am not Murican so sending them to California might make even less sense, I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

I haven't seen this thread or run Bilstein dampers on a 1-series, but I have used them on several other BMWs. At this point, even though they aren't perfect, I'll take them over the other junk out there.

In hindsight, I should've gotten the Alpina D3-spec Bilsteins. Or OEM again. Got KWs on the 1er and they're still ok.

Esteban · 10-20-2017, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiflicious

What did you not like about the PS? I remember you were the one that convinced me to go with the B12 over the PS

Is this the thread where I "convinced" you? Also in this same thread I discuss why I'm not thrilled with the BMW PS.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...3#post22113963

My advice is to take the opinions you read here as just that; someone else's opinion. Ask away and we will be glad to share them with you, but you know what they say about opinions, right?

Edit: I will add that I think the opinion here with the most merit is Harold's at HP Autosport (check my link) because his is a professional opinion.

asiflicious · 10-20-2017, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiflicious

What did you not like about the PS? I remember you were the one that convinced me to go with the B12 over the PS

Is this the thread where I "convinced" you? Also in this same thread I discuss why I'm not thrilled with the BMW PS.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...3#post22113963

My advice is to take the opinions you read here as just that; someone else's opinion. Ask away and we will be glad to share them with you, but you know what they say about opinions, right?

At this point I just have to drive someone else's car and see how like it haha. Might even ball out and get ohlin r&t's if it comes down to it

PDXE82 · 10-20-2017, 06:39 PM

My indy suggested the H&R with Bilstein sport springs. Is there something horrible about H&R? It's what I had on my E39 540i and they always seemed a nice balance between performance and comfort.

Esteban · 10-20-2017, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiflicious

At this point I just have to drive someone else's car and see how like it haha.

That would be really great if you could do that.

asiflicious · 10-20-2017, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXE82

My indy suggested the H&R with Bilstein sport springs. Is there something horrible about H&R? It's what I had on my E39 540i and they always seemed a nice balance between performance and comfort.

That's standard advice Indy shops give for all cars. At least that was what they recommended for all my cars: E36 M3, 128i, 335i. The latest Indy I went to suggested the B12's however

swagon · 10-20-2017, 08:10 PM

Just gotta remember everyone's butt dyno, experience, tires, road network, etc. are different. And if a car has lots of miles and still original components, even installing fresh OE stuff (e.g. struts, bushings) will make a noticeable difference.

OneTwenty8i · 10-20-2017, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadillac2000

I've put nearly 30,000 miles on my Koni STR.T shocks and Eibach Pro-Kit springs and they still feel like brand new.

I was not a fan of the Bilstein PSS9 coilovers I had on my E46 M3 back in the day. Sold them after a few months for a set of TCK DAs.

I'm was thinking about pulling the trigger on this Koni Str.t and eibach springs set up but I couldn't find one review of the set up for the 1er which made me hesitant. How are you liking it so far?

gjm120 · 10-20-2017, 10:57 PM

A little off topic, but, I wish someone could explain why Koni Sports or Str.t are recommended for everything from non-sport to lowering springs. Yet there is this Bilstein B6 or B8 question depending on the spring height. Could there be something about the monotube design that makes it more important to pair with the correct springs?

Suhb · 10-21-2017, 12:58 AM

I bought the B12 kit from AJUSA. They had and probably still have the best price and best customer service I’ve ever experienced. Period.

Had the kit installed around 70k. Front left shock blew out at 105k. Complete loss of fluid. Sway bar end link also snapped as a result.

Warranty process required me to buy another shock for $165 and ship the old shock back, which cost me $50. Car is my daily so I found a shop to reinstall the new shock same day for $260, alignment on top for $100.

Suffice to say, I’m not satisfied with the lifetime warranty on bilstein. Which for me, was less about the actual warranty and more about standing by your product so much that you’d warranty it for life. I never would have thought it would blow in 2 years/40k miles.

This happened two weeks ago and has caused me a real headache so it’s still fresh for me. YMMV

Matticus91 · 10-21-2017, 07:47 PM

Seeing all these posts about blown shocks is a bit disconcerting... Really hope it lasts more than 20-40k miles, especially on these DC roads...

02Pilot · 10-21-2017, 08:13 PM

I've had good experiences with Bilsteins generally. The set in my 2002 has been there for going on 20 years and are still working just fine. I had them in my E39 for maybe 7 years or so with only one problem - rust on the tops of both front pistons, which did not affect operation, but which I found disconcerting - which Bilstein replaced with new units shipped to me free of charge.

Hopefully the set in my E82 will be similarly reliable, but if not I've been pleased with Bilstein's corporate support in the past.

asiflicious · 10-29-2017, 04:26 PM

When are we getting a review??

Matticus91 · 10-29-2017, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiflicious

When are we getting a review??

When they arrive and I install them lol

10-20-2017, 06:39 PM	#29
PDXE82 Private First Class 123 Rep 123 Posts Drives: AW 2013 135i PPK/PE/Dinan S2 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Portland OR iTrader: (0)	My indy suggested the H&R with Bilstein sport springs. Is there something horrible about H&R? It's what I had on my E39 540i and they always seemed a nice balance between performance and comfort.
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10-20-2017, 08:10 PM	#32
swagon Major General 13521 Rep 8,165 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Just gotta remember everyone's butt dyno, experience, tires, road network, etc. are different. And if a car has lots of miles and still original components, even installing fresh OE stuff (e.g. struts, bushings) will make a noticeable difference. __________________
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10-20-2017, 10:57 PM	#34
gjm120 Colonel 2183 Rep 2,806 Posts Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: East Texas iTrader: (1)	A little off topic, but, I wish someone could explain why Koni Sports or Str.t are recommended for everything from non-sport to lowering springs. Yet there is this Bilstein B6 or B8 question depending on the spring height. Could there be something about the monotube design that makes it more important to pair with the correct springs? __________________ E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
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10-21-2017, 12:58 AM	#35
Suhb First Lieutenant 119 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Coupe 6-Speed Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: PA iTrader: (3)	I bought the B12 kit from AJUSA. They had and probably still have the best price and best customer service I’ve ever experienced. Period. Had the kit installed around 70k. Front left shock blew out at 105k. Complete loss of fluid. Sway bar end link also snapped as a result. Warranty process required me to buy another shock for $165 and ship the old shock back, which cost me $50. Car is my daily so I found a shop to reinstall the new shock same day for $260, alignment on top for $100. Suffice to say, I’m not satisfied with the lifetime warranty on bilstein. Which for me, was less about the actual warranty and more about standing by your product so much that you’d warranty it for life. I never would have thought it would blow in 2 years/40k miles. This happened two weeks ago and has caused me a real headache so it’s still fresh for me. YMMV
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10-21-2017, 07:47 PM	#36
Matticus91 Brigadier General 3475 Rep 3,722 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	Seeing all these posts about blown shocks is a bit disconcerting... Really hope it lasts more than 20-40k miles, especially on these DC roads... __________________ "Tobias" 2013 135i ///M-Sport 6MT • Pure Stage 1 • XDI 35 HPFP • 404whp/440wtq IG: msteelio91
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10-21-2017, 08:13 PM	#37
02Pilot Malcontent 188 Rep 305 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I've had good experiences with Bilsteins generally. The set in my 2002 has been there for going on 20 years and are still working just fine. I had them in my E39 for maybe 7 years or so with only one problem - rust on the tops of both front pistons, which did not affect operation, but which I found disconcerting - which Bilstein replaced with new units shipped to me free of charge. Hopefully the set in my E82 will be similarly reliable, but if not I've been pleased with Bilstein's corporate support in the past.
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10-29-2017, 04:26 PM	#38
asiflicious Captain 691 Rep 968 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Winchester, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	When are we getting a review??
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