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05-19-2014, 11:30 AM | #1 |
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Bilstein B12 - Honest Review by Owners Wanted
Can any owners report long term reviews with this kit? Most concerned with comfort for daily driving. My old VW had Bilstein Sports + Eibachs and the car was way too stiff for my liking. Eventually switched to Koni Sport + H&R OE's and that was great. I briefly looked at H&R OE's for the 1-er but early reviews state the kit lacked real R&D and the rear springs were basically rebadged E9x springs. The end result being uneven drop (fronts way too low, rears way too high). The Bilstein B12 kit, BMW PS and KW Street Comfort coilovers remain my top 3 choices.
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05-19-2014, 11:45 AM | #2 |
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I don't have a 1er, but I can admit that I like it. It's a good middle ground. It's slightly stiffer than my stock sport suspension was, and it gave me a slight lowering. Am I happy with the finished product? Ride wise, yes.... Looks wise... Not 100%. I will be upgrading eventually to a full coil-over package to get the height AND ride exactly where I want it.
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05-19-2014, 11:59 AM | #3 | |
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Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.33]
E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.33] E82 135is (Retired) [9.46] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.33] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.00] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.18] |
Also curious, can you guys tell me what the final change in ride height front/rear vs M-sport after the springs fully settled?
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05-19-2014, 12:22 PM | #4 |
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Bilsteins always pick up the low speed bumps more acutely than their competition, but that initial turn in they offer...
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05-19-2014, 12:42 PM | #5 |
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I definitely second this. Our roads are pretty chopped up here and I don't mind the ride on Bilsteins at all. I know it's subjective and all, but still.
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05-19-2014, 12:57 PM | #6 |
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Had the bilstein b12 on the 135i for two weeks now and really honestly the ride is more comfortable on the highway. Before (48k miles - Msport susp) the car used to feel very loose at high speeds and the wheels felt like they were connected with rubber bands to the chassis. All that is gone now, car is much more planted and direct.
This is how I would put it simply, above 40mph - bilsteins are comfier, below 40mph - they are slightly firmer, but not uncomfortable by any means.
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05-19-2014, 01:11 PM | #7 | |
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05-19-2014, 01:33 PM | #8 |
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OP - Why not look into a kit like TCK SAs or similar?
IMO, the money is in the damper. Throw whatever springs you want, but if you cant effectively dampen that spring it is garbage |
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05-19-2014, 01:45 PM | #9 | |
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I have no doubt the B12's will perform same if not better than KW SC's but just worried about front clearance & ride comfort. If the PS could be had for sub-$1100 I'd probably get those. |
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05-19-2014, 01:49 PM | #10 | |
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Makes sense though, I thought it was going to see some canyon carving or something of the sort. |
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05-19-2014, 02:25 PM | #11 |
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Well here's another thought, Bilsteins run thicker, so depending on the wheels you will be using strut clearance could be slightly trickier. No idea on TCKs or KWs though.
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05-19-2014, 02:32 PM | #12 |
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Yep, not ideal but I'm prepared to run a 5mm spacer.
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05-19-2014, 09:48 PM | #14 |
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That or it could be the perch is bigger.
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05-20-2014, 09:02 AM | #15 |
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For DD comfort I personally would do Koni yellows paired to stock springs. My fiance runs that on her DD E46 ZHP and it is simply an improvement in all respects. Koni still has that nutty sale going on for another 10 days or so too.
Otherwise I would jump straight up to a kit from a company that truly understands strut valving and spring pairing like the aforementioned TCK. Clearly, the cost massively increases.
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05-20-2014, 09:09 AM | #16 | |
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05-20-2014, 09:19 AM | #17 |
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I'm hoping the swift spec r/bilstein b8 are the answer. I have the springs, waiting for the bilstein's (on backorder). I wouldn't mind koni sports but adjusting the rears is a deal breaker and buying the externally adjustable koni rears costs as much as a whole set of bilstein or konis.
Ajusa has a great price on the b8s and bavauto has a great price on the yellows. Got the springs from kamispeed. Total cost was less than 900 for spring and struts. |
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05-20-2014, 09:23 AM | #18 | |
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05-20-2014, 09:26 AM | #19 |
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You could always do Eibach springs while you are in there. My brother just did that combo to his wife's E91 wagon and it came out very well.
Install: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...3&postcount=17 Fully settled with roof rail delete: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...1&postcount=26
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05-20-2014, 09:39 AM | #20 |
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05-20-2014, 10:11 AM | #21 |
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What did you do with the rears? Pick a setting an just roll with it? Or did you have to take if the rears a couple times to adjust the rebound?
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05-20-2014, 10:27 AM | #22 |
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