Installed Bilstein B8 shocks/struts & BMW Performance Springs (With DIY)

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by tock172

Not on the E82 1 Series specifically, but I have done so on various other BMWs of mine, some of which came from the factory optioned with sport suspension.

Sport suspension springs, no matter the manufacturer, are almost always lower than the standard or rough road-package equipment. The fact that Bilstein says to use their B8 Performance Plus damper signifies that the springs are shorter than standard design, because the B8 is specifically designed to cope with the extra force of a lowered suspension.

Not doubting this is true but I wonder if the length of the internal bumpstops is part of it also. At least for the fronts.

[tock172]

Originally Posted by gjm120

Not doubting this is true but I wonder if the length of the internal bumpstops is part of it also. At least for the fronts.

I'm almost certain of it. It's all part of the equation of properly altering suspension geometry.

[Happy Jose]

Originally Posted by tock172

I'm almost certain of it. It's all part of the equation of properly altering suspension geometry.

Thanks for the reply.

I have another question for you. My Mercedes has a very rough ride. I can feel every bump in the road. It has the Sport Pkg suspension which lowers the front by 0.5". Do you think the B8s would soften the ride?

[tock172]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

Thanks for the reply.

I have another question for you. My Mercedes has a very rough ride. I can feel every bump in the road. It has the Sport Pkg suspension which lowers the front by 0.5". Do you think the B8s would soften the ride?

You're welcome, and my pleasure.

What's the current mileage on the Mercedes, and are the struts original?

Installing new dampers will always feel like a night and day transition compared to the old, worn units. Bilstein shocks and struts also use gas pressure dampening, which some find a bit too harsh at times. In my opinion, I found the valving of the Bilstein dampers just right. They could shrug off high speed road imperfections without breaking a sweat, and made for much more compliant handling over poor road surfaces at low speeds, where my car used to tramline and translate every little bump right into the cabin.

[Happy Jose]

Originally Posted by tock172

You're welcome, and my pleasure.

What's the current mileage on the Mercedes, and are the struts original?

Installing new dampers will always feel like a night and day transition compared to the old, worn units. Bilstein shocks and struts also use gas pressure dampening, which some find a bit too harsh at times. In my opinion, I found the valving of the Bilstein dampers just right. They could shrug off high speed road imperfections without breaking a sweat, and made for much more compliant handling over poor road surfaces at low speeds, where my car used to tramline and translate every little bump right into the cabin.

Thanks again.

My Merc, a 2010 SLK 350, only has 15K miles on it. It's kind of a bauble. I've always wanted a 280SL, but by the time I had the coin to afford one, a really nice one would have cost me over a $100K!

The SLK is a substitute for the 280SL. I never drive it in the winter or rain. In fact it's garaged 6 months out of the year, and when parked, it's always put in the garage!

Anyway, the suspension is all original.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Happy birthday!

Thanks

[lostkhan]

Was searching through an alternative for eibach springs that come with B12 Pro-Kit and found this thread. I have been riding on B12 Pro-kit with eibach and the ride, to me is really hard. It's great on the track but I would like to sometimes use this car for road trips too. (Anyone for a trip to Tail of dragon?)
Recently, my driver side rear shock mount blew because of some bad pothole. I have decided, while replacing the the mount, I'll replace eibach with Performance springs.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by lostkhan

Was searching through an alternative for eibach springs that come with B12 Pro-Kit and found this thread. I have been riding on B12 Pro-kit with eibach and the ride, to me is really hard. It's great on the track but I would like to sometimes use this car for road trips too. (Anyone for a trip to Tail of dragon?)
Recently, my driver side rear shock mount blew because of some bad pothole. I have decided, while replacing the the mount, I'll replace eibach with Performance springs.

Almost a year later since this install and I can say I'm still very happy with this setup. Perfect DD/Spirited driving combo!

[hunginator]

Question! I am about to purchase the Bilstein B8 shocks to pair with my factory m-sport package E82 135i w/ N55.

Do I need to purchase bump stops? I heard that they come with bump stops built in for both front and rear dampers. Just want to confirm before I make an order. Thanks!

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by hunginator

Question! I am about to purchase the Bilstein B8 shocks to pair with my factory m-sport package E82 135i w/ N55.

Do I need to purchase bump stops? I heard that they come with bump stops built in for both front and rear dampers. Just want to confirm before I make an order. Thanks!

Correct - because of the inverted damper design of the Bilstein B8, the bumpstops are integrated/built in. So no need to order external bump stops.

I recommend you replace all the small rubber pads/pieces/seals while you are doing that, they are relatively cheap.

[hunginator]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Correct - because of the inverted damper design of the Bilstein B8, the bumpstops are integrated/built in. So no need to order external bump stops.

I recommend you replace all the small rubber pads/pieces/seals while you are doing that, they are relatively cheap.

Thanks for the answer! I heard recently that only the fronts have bumpstops built in and that rear bumpstops are still required. Correct?

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by hunginator

Thanks for the answer! I heard recently that only the fronts have bumpstops built in and that rear bumpstops are still required. Correct?

Nope - rears are inverted design also, with integrated bumpstops. Everything else in assembly of the front and rear remains the same as factory, except the bumpstops.

[hunginator]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Nope - rears are inverted design also, with integrated bumpstops. Everything else in assembly of the front and rear remains the same as factory, except the bumpstops.

Thanks for the confirmation!

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by hunginator

Question! I am about to purchase the Bilstein B8 shocks to pair with my factory m-sport package E82 135i w/ N55.

Do I need to purchase bump stops? I heard that they come with bump stops built in for both front and rear dampers. Just want to confirm before I make an order. Thanks!

Originally Posted by asbrr

Correct - because of the inverted damper design of the Bilstein B8, the bumpstops are integrated/built in. So no need to order external bump stops.

I recommend you replace all the small rubber pads/pieces/seals while you are doing that, they are relatively cheap.

Originally Posted by asbrr

Nope - rears are inverted design also, with integrated bumpstops. Everything else in assembly of the front and rear remains the same as factory, except the bumpstops.

IDK about the B8 Bilstein shocks... but I just bought a B12 kit(for my 135i) and the rear bump stops come with the rear shocks(beige rubber bump stops). Both front and rear shocks come with dust covers too(blue accordion style).

Maybe asbrr was referring to the front shock bump stops and the shocks being inverted. IDK ???


I bought all new hardware and rubber upper and lower rear shock mounts. Typically the rear upper shock hardware is shot when it comes to replacing shocks.


EIBACH BILSTEIN B12 PRO-KIT...














rear shock Bilstein part number...


rear shocks... they come with the blue dust cover and the white/beige bump stop and the big washer. The other parts, upper rear shock mounts - to the right in the pic... I bought to replace the old worn out parts.

[asbrr]

Argh godammit - sorry guys. It's been a couple of years since my suspension went in, Dackelone is right, the fronts are an inverted monotube design strut. The rears are a standard design - and have external bump stops as his pictures clearly show...

Been a rough few days...sorry!

[Happy Jose]

I have '12 135i with the M-Sport suspension. Just for the heck of it, I had a discussion with Bilstein Technical support. First, the M-Sport suspension is around 20mm, or thereabouts, lower compared to the standard suspension package. BTW, does anyone have the standard suspension on this forum?

Anyway, many of you think the Bilstein B8s are the correct replacement shock/strut for the M-Sport suspension. Well I've got news for you! It isn't. The B6 is the correct part!

Here are the facts. The B8 & B6 are identical in every respect except one. They both have the same physical dimensions and damping, but the B8 has a slightly shorter stroke.

If you don't believe this call or write Bilstein Technical Support. Give them your BMW part numbers, and they will cross reference them to give you correct part.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

I have '12 135i with the M-Sport suspension. Just for the heck of it, I had a discussion with Bilstein Technical support. First, the M-Sport suspension is around 20mm, or thereabouts, lower compared to the standard suspension package. BTW, does anyone have the standard suspension on this forum?

Anyway, many of you think the Bilstein B8s are the correct replacement shock/strut for the M-Sport suspension. Well I've got news for you! It isn't. The B6 is the correct part!

Here are the facts. The B8 & B6 are identical in every respect except one. They both have the same physical dimensions and damping, but the B8 has a slightly shorter stroke.

If you don't believe this call or write Bilstein Technical Support. Give them your BMW part numbers, and they will cross reference them to give you correct part.

The 135i is only available with the M-Sport suspension, at least here in the US.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

I have '12 135i with the M-Sport suspension. Just for the heck of it, I had a discussion with Bilstein Technical support. First, the M-Sport suspension is around 20mm, or thereabouts, lower compared to the standard suspension package. BTW, does anyone have the standard suspension on this forum?

Anyway, many of you think the Bilstein B8s are the correct replacement shock/strut for the M-Sport suspension. Well I've got news for you! It isn't. The B6 is the correct part!

Here are the facts. The B8 & B6 are identical in every respect except one. They both have the same physical dimensions and damping, but the B8 has a slightly shorter stroke.

If you don't believe this call or write Bilstein Technical Support. Give them your BMW part numbers, and they will cross reference them to give you correct part.

I came to the same conclusion when looking to replace my suspension recently. My theory is the B8 shorter stroke is due to the internal bumpstop design. For me this was one of the reasons to go with Koni's. I believe bumpstops are meant to be geared to the springs so when I got BMWP springs also got the correct bumpstops. Also, with external bumpstops, if you got it wrong they can be replaced or even trimmed. FWIW, if I had wanted Bilsteins, would have got B8's for the BMWP springs as they are a further drop from sport springs.

[hunginator]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

I have '12 135i with the M-Sport suspension. Just for the heck of it, I had a discussion with Bilstein Technical support. First, the M-Sport suspension is around 20mm, or thereabouts, lower compared to the standard suspension package. BTW, does anyone have the standard suspension on this forum?

Anyway, many of you think the Bilstein B8s are the correct replacement shock/strut for the M-Sport suspension. Well I've got news for you! It isn't. The B6 is the correct part!

Here are the facts. The B8 & B6 are identical in every respect except one. They both have the same physical dimensions and damping, but the B8 has a slightly shorter stroke.

If you don't believe this call or write Bilstein Technical Support. Give them your BMW part numbers, and they will cross reference them to give you correct part.

Just so I'm reading this right, Bilstein advised that you should pair the B6 dampers with the M-Sport springs on your '12 135i?

I was about to pull the trigger on a set of B8's...

[Happy Jose]

Originally Posted by duder13

The 135i is only available with the M-Sport suspension, at least here in the US.

I don't think that is correct. I've examined Ones w/o the M-Sport Pkg which has the M-Sport suspension. It had a larger fender gap than my car.

[Happy Jose]

Originally Posted by hunginator

Just so I'm reading this right, Bilstein advised that you should pair the B6 dampers with the M-Sport springs on your '12 135i?

I was about to pull the trigger on a set of B8's...

I've followed many threads on various brands like Porsche, Audi, MB, etc. It's a simple matter to check with the manufacturer about what their product fits. Oddly people don't want to do this and take advice from others who don't know either.

I've taken the time to investigate this matter. Here's part of Bilstein's response when I asked B6 or B8 on my 2010 SLK with Sport Pkg and 2012 BMW 135i with M-Sport Pkg:

"We would recommend using the B6 shocks for both cars. The B8 should only be used if the coil springs have been replaced with aftermarket lowering springs. The B6 shock is for the stock coil springs."

Further on in Bilsteins response, they gave the OEM part#s and the corresponding Bilstein part.

The shorter stroke of the B8 won't allow the stock spring to function correctly. Now if you install the BMW High Performance Springs, the B8 might be the correct part. To be sure, just run the part numbers past Bilstein. They can cross reference them.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

I don't think that is correct. I've examined Ones w/o the M-Sport Pkg which has the M-Sport suspension. It had a larger fender gap than my car.

Yep, all 135i vehicles came with the M-Sport suspension standard. The vehicles you measured must have either settled or had suspension upgrades.

p.s. The stock M-Sport suspension did change from progressive to linear springs in 2011, and I’m not aware of any ride height differences, although I guess it’s possible.