Bilstein B12 Kit - Thoughts?

SMOKEY · Post by **SMOKEY** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:23 am

Hi guys

I'm looking at suspension options. My P/S/F strut is starting to weep and will need to be replaced eventually.

Ideally like to get a small drop, but still maintain decent ride quality

Vehicle is a 3.0d with coil springs on all four corners (no air).

I'm tossing up between BC Coilovers and this Bilstein B12 kit with Eibach springs Unfortunately KW V3's are out of my budget.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121427590501?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

From the little info I have been able to find, everyone who has commented on both options have said they're very harsh and stiff, not that nice on anything that isn't billiard-table-smooth.

Has anyone got any experience with either options?

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:43 pm

I've run both the KWs and the Bilstein kits. Currently on Bilsteins and tbh they are great. I'm unsure why anyone would say they are harsh. The KWs were stiffer for sure but then that is more the nature of coilovers. The Bilstein kit is quite progressive and offers a great firm (but not uncomfortable) ride. Certainly has removed the wallow and bus like feel when travelling on both motorway and normal roads.

SMOKEY · Post by **SMOKEY** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 3:44 am

Thanks for the response, Raj

Are you running the exact setup in the link I posted? The B12 shocks with Eibach springs?

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:20 pm

[quote="SMOKEY"]
Thanks for the response, Raj

Are you running the exact setup in the link I posted? The B12 shocks with Eibach springs?
[/quote]

Yup sure am.

SMOKEY · Post by **SMOKEY** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 11:25 pm

Ripper, thanks Raj.

Did you find you were able to pull everything into spec with the 30-40mm drop? Camber etc?

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:58 am

[quote="SMOKEY"]
Ripper, thanks Raj.

Did you find you were able to pull everything into spec with the 30-40mm drop? Camber etc?
[/quote]

Read camber doesn't have the adjustment I bring right back in to spec. A little more negative camber even at the minimum but I don't mind it as it's not majorly aggressive.

All others are in spec though.

SMOKEY · Post by **SMOKEY** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:41 am

Didn't quite understand that, Raj?

Are you saying you did as much as you could with the stock adjustment - not quite back in to spec - but acceptable?

Options I can see are K-Mac camber and toe adjustment which is basically an eccentric bush....

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:33 am

[quote="SMOKEY"]
Didn't quite understand that, Raj?

Are you saying you did as much as you could with the stock adjustment - not quite back in to spec - but acceptable?

Options I can see are K-Mac camber and toe adjustment which is basically an eccentric bush....
[/quote]

Damn stupid predictive text and not reading it back lol.

Using the oe adjustment available the rear camber is the only thing I could not bring back into oe spec so I am running slightly more negative camber on the rear. But tbh it's not a massive amount out and I actually prefer a little more negative camber (hence why I've actually dialled a little negative camber into the fronts too).

I had the K-Mac rear camber adjustment bushes when running the KW V3's and they did help to bring everything back in but as is usually the case with poly bushes they did creak quite a bit after a while and I didn't need them really for the Bilstein kit so went back to OEM bushes.

SMOKEY · Post by **SMOKEY** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:41 am

Thanks Raj, that's what I was after. I have run cars with pillow top coilovers, solid bushed adjustable upper a-arms, etc....it all just equals noise and harshness. I don't want to introduce any of that kind NVH into a car as nice as the BMW, it's not becoming of the marque! I'll install and try get back in spec, if nowhere near close, have found someone who makes rose joint camber and toe arms....

Have you got a pic of your ride height?

briankerrys47 · Post by **briankerrys47** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:07 pm

[quote="SMOKEY"]
Thanks Raj, that's what I was after. I have run cars with pillow top coilovers, solid bushed adjustable upper a-arms, etc....it all just equals noise and harshness. I don't want to introduce any of that kind NVH into a car as nice as the BMW, it's not becoming of the marque! I'll install and try get back in spec, if nowhere near close, have found someone who makes rose joint camber and toe arms....

Have you got a pic of your ride height?
[/quote]Excuse me could you reword your last Paragraph!!!!!!

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:34 pm

Which is why I have PT turned off!

SMOKEY · Post by **SMOKEY** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 1:02 pm

I'm new, not sure I'm following you guys.....

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 1:31 pm

Predictive text keeps messing up the typing meaning wierd sentences keep appearing. It's confusing me too...

Richard

SMOKEY · Post by **SMOKEY** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 1:44 pm

Got ya. My sentence made sense, to me at least, maybe we use different terms for suspension components in Oz.

Pillow ball, rose jointed, solid bushing, NVH (noise vibration harshness), camber/toe arm.....lol - I could understand how a non-car person would read that and be overwhelmed!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bamberjim · Post by **bamberjim** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 4:19 pm

would be interested to see how these B12's sit.. Any pics of your car Raj?

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