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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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Also curious, can you guys tell me what the final change in ride height front/rear vs M-sport after the springs fully settled?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bear From Jax View Post
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.
Thanks, very helpful
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSt|G View Post
Bilsteins always pick up the low speed bumps more acutely than their competition, but that initial turn in they offer...
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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Quote:
Originally Posted by TwinTurboed View Post
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.
I couldn't have put it better.
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
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
At the $1500 price range, I rather go with KW Street Comforts since this car won't really see any track time. I drive 18k/yr, most of it spent on I-95 through NJ/NY/CT. Comfort is key.

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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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
At the $1500 price range, I rather go with KW Street Comforts since this car won't really see any track time. I drive 18k/yr, most of it spent on I-95 through NJ/NY/CT. Comfort is key.

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.
The unfortunate thing is that they are not adjustable...

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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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShocknAwe View Post
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.
Yep, not ideal but I'm prepared to run a 5mm spacer.
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      05-19-2014, 06:48 PM   #13
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Are the bilstein struts really thicker? Are they thicker than koni yellows?
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      05-19-2014, 09:48 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houtan View Post
Are the bilstein struts really thicker? Are they thicker than koni yellows?
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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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSt|G View Post
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.
But I still want a mild drop... can't a guy have it all???
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSt|G View Post
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.
In all seriousness, I may just go Koni Yellows + BMW PS springs.
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      05-20-2014, 09:26 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
But I still want a mild drop... can't a guy have it all???
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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good combo. i have that and my springs are more compressed since i'm in a vert. Still rides good and handles well too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
In all seriousness, I may just go Koni Yellows + BMW PS springs.
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      05-20-2014, 10:11 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Daman View Post
good combo. i have that and my springs are more compressed since i'm in a vert. Still rides good and handles well too.
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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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
In all seriousness, I may just go Koni Yellows + BMW PS springs.
I'm debating between the Koni Yellow's and Bilstein HD's with BMW PS springs. Probably choose between the Koni's and Bilstein's on whichever is cheaper at the time of purchase.
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