BMW Performance Coils + Bilstein HDs (B6s)

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by dojk

mmmmm strange how this works.

Bilstein is selling the B6 and B8 with the same valving, but the B6 is suited for the M-Sport springs and the B8 for the M performance springs which are shorter and higher spring rate.

So will that mean the Bilsteins are a compromise between the 2 different springs?

Over damped for the M-sport and under damped for the M performance.

B6 = 0-30mm
B8 = 30mm+

I highly doubt they are under damped for the BMWP springs.

[Olgeezer1]

Using the B6's with stock MSport springs. Very happy with the results.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by Rainier42

Greetings all! Acquired a 2011 BMW 128i with sport suspension in early March and am new to the forum. Auto is a DD but also doing some track days. To date have have installed M3 rear subframe bushings and Michelin PSS square tire set-up. Am looking to firm up the suspension just a little to improve handling and am considering BMW Performance coils with Bilstein HDs (B6 variant). Some information about this on this site but not too much. Anyone running this setup and, if so, what's the good, bad, etc?

Im using BMW performance springs and Bilstein HDs for about a year and 15k miles. I love the setup. I dont have any complaints. Search for my build thread and you can read my review and see pics. I've never once bottomed out or had any issues driving in the streets of LA. So don't believe the naysayers about bmw perf springs being too low for these dampers. I did months of research and spoke with bilstein and this is the proper match. The built in bumpstops on the B6 pair just fine with the bmw performance springs. Just make sure you get the proper set of springs as BMW has different varieties based on your cars setup.

[cbl117]

Heres my writeup

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=13

[Dekdo]

I know this is an old thread, but I am planning to go with this B6 + performance springs setup

[hunginator]

Originally Posted by Dekdo

I know this is an old thread, but I am planning to go with this B6 + performance springs setup

If you go ahead with this, please let me know where you end up finding the full set of the B6's. They seem to be out of stock everywhere... at least the rear shocks!

Thanks,
Andrew

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by hunginator

If you go ahead with this, please let me know where you end up finding the full set of the B6's. They seem to be out of stock everywhere... at least the rear shocks!

Thanks,
Andrew

Can you buy from TireRack in Canada? They show them in stock.

[Papa Popov]

Originally Posted by hunginator

If you go ahead with this, please let me know where you end up finding the full set of the B6's. They seem to be out of stock everywhere... at least the rear shocks!

Thanks,
Andrew

Willing to bet that COVID has something to do with that. I ended up buying the B12 kit, but decided that the Eibach springs might be a bit much for my usage. Ordered BMWP springs to install with the B8s. There is no straight answer for the B6 vs. B8 discussion, but it seems like you can't go wrong with either. Will update once I get them installed.

[Esteban]

My understanding is the B8s go with lowering springs, which are everything from Eibachs to BMW Performance springs, etc. Also included are the M Sport suspension springs, which are considered lowering springs as well.

I had the B8s with the Perform. springs and everything fit fine. About as low as the BMW Perform. suspension (I had this before the B8s) which is less than 1/2" lower than the M Sport suspension.

Thought the B8s were a little stiff and uncomfortable for daily driving. Better at higher speeds in absorbing bumps and soaking up road imperfections. Not so great for everyday driving imo. There are some people who are happy with the B8s, so maybe I just have a soft butt.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by Esteban

My understanding is the B8s go with lowering springs, which are everything from Eibachs to BMW Performance springs, etc. Also included are the M Sport suspension springs, which are considered lowering springs as well.

I had the B8s with the Perform. springs and everything fit fine. About as low as the BMW Perform. suspension (I had this before the B8s) which is less than 1/2" lower than the M Sport suspension.

Thought the B8s were a little stiff and uncomfortable for daily driving. Better at higher speeds in absorbing bumps and soaking up road imperfections. Not so great for everyday driving imo. There are some people who are happy with the B8s, so maybe I just have a soft butt.

I concur with the above. B8s are great, and would be perfect on smooth German roads. For broken pavement they can be harsh for a daily driver. I know for some roads with "dips" but smoother pavement, they are fantastic in how well they control the body and how quick they react. Frost heaved pavement / broken pavement is where I feel they are a bit off for a daily.

You can mitigate somewhat by choosing a more comfortable tire (softer sidewall), play with pressures etc, but there is some harshness on broken pavement.

Last note OP - B8s are usually cheaper than B6s don't ask my why...if you have M-sport springs you can probably go with either. Anything lower than M-sport definitely go B8.

[500AF]

Originally Posted by Dekdo

I know this is an old thread, but I am planning to go with this B6 + performance springs setup

Did you ever get this done? I have wanted to do the same thing. I did not want to lower the car, are the springs the stock ones or did you order them?

Thanks!

[Olgeezer1]

Originally Posted by Lmw160

Has anyone used Bilstein with the stock m springs?

Yup, B6's with the stock Sport Pkg./MSport springs. All BMW springs including Sport Pkg./ MSport and Performance are fine with B6's since drop is 25mm. or less. Beyond that you want B8's. You might find them a little "sharp" over low speed bumps but for me not enough to be an issue. They're great as the road winds and speed picks up.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Olgeezer1

Yup, B6's with the stock Sport Pkg./MSport springs. All BMW springs including Sport Pkg./ MSport and Performance are fine with B6's since drop is 25mm. or less. Beyond that you want B8's. You might find them a little "sharp" over low speed bumps but for me not enough to be an issue. They're great as the road winds and speed picks up.

I disagree. I had the B8s with BMW Performance springs and everything fit just fine. I was not completely happy with the B8s, however. As I've said before, thought they were a little stiff and uncomfortable going over bumps at low speed driving, very happy with them at faster speeds in absorbing bumps and soaking up road imperfections, though.

This is similar to how others have described the Bilsteins, including your statement above except it didn't really bother you and it did me. To each their own. I believe the B6s are good with the standard springs and the M Sport springs, anything lower, I say go with the B8s.

Edit: earlier posts in this thread say go with the B6s while others say go with the B8s for the BMWP springs. One post says they had a conversation with Bilstein and they said 30mm or less go with the B6s. The great debate continues. lol

[Dekdo]

Originally Posted by 500AF

Did you ever get this done? I have wanted to do the same thing. I did not want to lower the car, are the springs the stock ones or did you order them?

Thanks!

No I decided I’m going with B4 sports and stock m sport springs.

[hunginator]

Originally Posted by Dekdo

No I decided I’m going with B4 sports and stock m sport springs.

What’s your feedback on the B4 sports?

[Olgeezer1]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I disagree. I had the B8s with BMW Performance springs and everything fit just fine. I was not completely happy with the B8s, however. As I've said before, thought they were a little stiff and uncomfortable going over bumps at low speed driving, very happy with them at faster speeds in absorbing bumps and soaking up road imperfections, though.

This is similar to how others have described the Bilsteins, including your statement above except it didn't really bother you and it did me. To each their own. I believe the B6s are good with the standard springs and the M Sport springs, anything lower, I say go with the B8s.

Edit: earlier posts in this thread say go with the B6s while others say go with the B8s for the BMWP springs. One post says they had a conversation with Bilstein and they said 30mm or less go with the B6s. The great debate continues. lol

Well we don't disagree by much. These debates are pretty much like who makes the best oil. Fitment of B8's w/ any BMW springs will not be a problem, the issue will be life expectancy which will take some time to show up. My conversations w/ Bilstein said 25mm or less = B6. Like you, I've also seen 30mm or less quoted. At any rate, this would include ALL BMW springs. To add to the confusion, different callers to Bilstein seem to get different answers. At the end of the day, if you're on that 25-30mm borderline you could probably go either way without consequences. As to ride quality, as you say, a matter of personal preference.

[kaputt]

FWIW I emailed Bilstein on May 4th about this and got this following response:

"Yes indeed the B8 product would work best with the vehicle you have and the suspension that is currently on the vehicle. You can purchase from such retailers as Summit Racing, ECS Tuning or FCP Euro if you require a recommendation. Thanks for reaching out, have a great day."

I had let them know I have the BMW Performance Springs on the car currently.

[hunginator]

In case anybody was interested in what I decided to go forward with and having them installed tomorrow...

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...6&postcount=36

[500AF]

Originally Posted by hunginator

In case anybody was interested in what I decided to go forward with and having them installed tomorrow...

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...6&postcount=36

I have installed the B6's on a stock 135, I am going to install the bmw performance springs. I am confused however, this should not lower the car at all correct?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 500AF

I have installed the B6's on a stock 135, I am going to install the bmw performance springs. I am confused however, this should not lower the car at all correct?

According to BMW, the Performance springs are supposed to lower the car by 10mm, which is a little over 3/8 inch, or 0.39370 inches. It's a small amount, and with the B6s instead of the OE shocks and struts you probably won't notice any difference.

[500AF]

Originally Posted by Esteban

According to BMW, the Performance springs are supposed to lower the car by 10mm, which is a little over 3/8 inch, or 0.39370 inches. It's a small amount, and with the B6s instead of the OE shocks and struts you probably won't notice any difference.

I had a lot of issues ordering these as there are different spring numbers, Turner said these were correct:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...front-springs/
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...g-e82-e90-e92/

Is that what you used?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 500AF

I had a lot of issues ordering these as there are different spring numbers, Turner said these were correct:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...front-springs/
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...g-e82-e90-e92/

Is that what you used?

No, mine were different, but it depends on how your car is equipped. Did you give them your VIN?