[D's Bimmer]

Well, after upgrading my stock sport suspension 60,000 miles ago, it was time for a refresh as my front Bilstein B8 damper's were shot. I happened across a guy who bought the adjustable Koni Sport Yellow's while at my mechanic's shop. However, he bought the RWD version instead of the Xi version for his car. Long story short, I picked up these babies brand new for less than cost.

I debated spending the money on the Swift Spec R springs as mentioned on the forum but decided in the end to reuse my linear Eibach Pro kit springs. Added the usual refresh bits and pieces and finally had the new suspension installed yesterday. Used e36M bumpstops up front and also used the Monroe upper mounts on the rear as others have been doing. Very pleased.

Fantastic ride!!!!!! Smooth. Absorbing. Tight!

I would say the Koni's are a little softer than the B8's as I have them set nearly at full soft. The rears are set at 3/4 turn from full soft in the back and a 1/2 turn from full soft in the front.

After about a week, I will put my summer tires on, adjust the front a tad firmer and get an alignment done.

More to follow.....

[snedanator]

Thanks for that op. Was looking for a direct comparison between the B12 and Koni sport/ eibach. Ive been undecided for months still. My priority is comfort over overall handling. And i think these 2 are slightly similar, but 1 offers slightly more handling over comfort. Will be tuning in to hear more from you.

[Fred_Boosted]

I'm on Koni FSD+Eibach. This is the best street set up, very comfortable but has good control feel.

I bet yellow is more tight indeed.

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

decided in the end to reuse my linear Eibach Pro kit springs.

The pro-kit springs are not linear, they are progressive:
http://eibach.com/america/en/perform...prings/pro-kit

This is one of the reason why these springs are so highly recommended for daily driven cars but not track focused builds.

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Volasko

The pro-kit springs are not linear, they are progressive:
http://eibach.com/america/en/perform...prings/pro-kit

This is one of the reason why these springs are so highly recommended for daily driven cars but not track focused builds.

The Eibach springs that I have that came with my B12 kit are linear. I know there has been lots of talk about this topic but my Eibach Springs are listed as linear in the TUV Cert. Visually they are linear and not progressive. When I spoke with Eibach and quoted the part numbers on my springs they confirmed that they are linear. Additionally, they confirmed that I could not purchase these specific springs separately from the B12 kit I purchased.

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

The Eibach springs that I have that came with my B12 kit are linear. I know there has been lots of talk about this topic but my Eibach Springs are listed as linear in the TUC Cert. Visually they are linear and not progressive. When I spoke with Eibach and quoted the part numbers on my springs they confirmed that they are linear. Additionally, they confirmed that I could not purchase these specific springs separately from the B12 kit I purchased.

So they also flat out said 'our springs in the B12 kit are linear' B/c its shown everywhere on their advertising, visually and written, B12 progressive Eibach springs. I'm confused

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Black n54is

So they also flat out said 'our springs in the B12 kit are linear' B/c its shown everywhere on their advertising, visually and written, B12 progressive Eibach springs. I'm confused

Actually, what allot of their advertising says is that the kits gives "progressive characteristics" feel. But for those who have the kit, the springs are linear. The springs that came in my kit specifically are what Eibach calls their "Euro-Linear" Pro Kit springs. Hence the different part numbers compared to buying the standalone Eibach springs. The TUV Certificate that comes with the kit staights that the Eibach springs are linear.

But I do agree with you in that it creates allot of confusion. I spent some time before actually deciding on the B12 kit a couple of years ago and the fact that these specific springs were linear was a key deciding factor for me then and stil now.

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

Actually, what allot of their advertising says is that the kits gives "progressive characteristics" feel. But for those who have the kit, the springs are linear. The springs that came in my kit specifically are what Eibach calls their "Euro-Linear" Pro Kit springs. Hence the different part numbers compared to buying the standalone Eibach springs. The TUC Certificate that comes with the kit staights that the Eibach springs are linear.

But I do agree with you in that it creates allot of confusion. I spent some time before actually deciding on the B12 kit a couple of years ago and the fact that these specific springs were linear was a key deciding factor for me then and stil now.

I beleive that link ^ and these are the same:
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...ro-Kit&cat=Kit

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...nsion-package/

100% progressive

These are TUV certified though, not TUC. I'll start searching but what's the difference

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Black n54is

I beleive that link ^ and these are the same:
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...ro-Kit&cat=Kit

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...nsion-package/

100% progressive

These are TUV certified though, not TUC. I'll start searching but what's the difference

Nope. The Tirerack link shows progressive springs. These are not the springs that came in my B12 kit. I have linear Euro Eibach Springs. I purchased my B12 kit from a European vender so maybe that is the difference. Although a friend of mine had also purchased the B12 kit for his Audi and his springs are linear as well. Very easy to visually see the difference between progressive and linear designs.

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

Nope. The Tirerack link shows progressive springs. These are not the springs that came in my B12 kit. I have linear Euro Eibach Springs. I purchased my B12 kit from a European vender so maybe that is the difference. Although a friend of mine had also purchased the B12 kit for his Audi and his springs are linear as well. Very easy to visually see the difference between progressive and linear designs.

Yes, that's where the confusion is coming from. Every b12 kit in the states seems to be for these progressive springs. So i guess another option is the b12 euro spec, or progressive spec

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Black n54is

Yes, that's where the confusion is coming from. Every b12 kit in the states seems to be for these progressive springs. So i guess another option is the b12 euro spec, or progressive spec

I agree with you. I am aware of several different "versions" of the B12 kit. Way too strange. But in the end a great setup!

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

I agree with you. I am aware of several different "versions" of the B12 kit. Way too strange. But in the end a great setup!

Yea this is the first I'm hearing of different versions, thanks.

[snedanator]

When is the " more to follow " coming.
Looking to a review with summer wheels on.

[Supermoon]

How many miles did you put on your bilstein b8 dampers?
I'm on xDrive b12 as well.
Trying to estimate how long they'll last.
I read somewhere that Bilstein claims 98% damping efficiency at 100,000 miles.
Sounds too good to be honest.

[cdgatti]

my experience with B6 dampers is that with normal driving with oem springs they are easily good for 100k miles. stiffer springs and rougher roads would obviously cut down on this.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Supermoon

How many miles did you put on your bilstein b8 dampers?
I'm on xDrive b12 as well.
Trying to estimate how long they'll last.
I read somewhere that Bilstein claims 98% damping efficiency at 100,000 miles.
Sounds too good to be honest.

Bilstein monotubes are very, very robust. They are notorious for their linearity/longevity (barring failure, which isn't common).

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Supermoon

How many miles did you put on your bilstein b8 dampers?
I'm on xDrive b12 as well.
Trying to estimate how long they'll last.
I read somewhere that Bilstein claims 98% damping efficiency at 100,000 miles.
Sounds too good to be honest.

At 60,000 miles both of my front B8 dampers are shot. The front right is completely dead and the drivers side is leaking. I think allot has to do with driving style and road conditions but in the end for a spirited daily driver I think getting 60,000 miles is all you get before a suspension overhaul is warranted.

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by snedanator

When is the " more to follow " coming.
Looking to a review with summer wheels on.

I picked up my Falken 453's yesterday. My Volk rims will be ready in two weeks. Having them restored. Looking forward to swapping the winters for the summers.

This Koni/Eibach setup is sweet. As mentioned, I am going to stiffen it up a tad in the front. It sits a quarter inch higher in the front compared to the Bilstein setup but it will settle in the next little while.

[snedanator]

What size tires will you be on?
What would you say was the most comfortable of the two suspension set ups. the B12 or the Koni/Eibach?

[tlow98]

Higher with the Koni definitely indicates blown bilsteins.

Side note: I'm past the 65k mark and getting the itch. This boat suspension has got to go soon!

Thanks for the remarks this far, op.

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by snedanator

What size tires will you be on?
What would you say was the most comfortable of the two suspension set ups. the B12 or the Koni/Eibach?

235/35/19 Front

265/30/19 Rear

Allot of the tires I was looking into initially did not have this staggered setup so that limited my choices but from what I have read and in now seeing these Falkens, I am excited to see how they compare to the PSS's that I have always driven on.


For sure the Koni setup is more comfortable based on my "butt" meter right out of the box. I haven't been able to push the car much with winter tires on it still. I think he Koni's with adjustable dampening would appeal to a broader audience of drivers.

I really did like my B12 set up for sure. But now that I have the Koni's, I would not likely go back. The trade off I am reading about is that the Bilsteins have a longer life compared to the Koni's. Time will tell as I plan on getting 60,000 miles out of this setup if possible.

I am also now looking at adding a front sway bar upgrade to further tighten the front end.

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Higher with the Koni definitely indicates blown bilsteins.

Side note: I'm past the 65k mark and getting the itch. This boat suspension has got to go soon!

Thanks for the remarks this far, op.

It's a tough decision as you have to think that once you get north of 60,000 miles the suspension it getting long on its legs. But at the same time, no point refreshing things until needed. This is part of the reason I have totally stayed away from coilovers on my daily driver. The longevity of coilovers in general is much less and thus the long term cost go way up for me as I drive allotted of miles each year.

In my case it was very obvious that my front passenger damper was shot. Made my decision easy and necessary.