[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by MonkUSMC

So I installed the Bilstein B12 kit (shocks with Eibach springs) and some M3 control arms yesterday. This was coming from non sport. What a major difference. My car feels like it's stuck to the road. The turn in response is really good and absolutely no body roll anymore. My ride height dropped to just below my tread and the bump absorption stayed the same yet was more stiff, if that makes sense.

Installation and parts costed around $1800.

If anyone needs new shocks and controls, then I highly suggest these parts.

How are you liking the B12 setup now? I have had mine on the car for about a month now. It is great 80% of the time. It can be a little harsh over bumpy city street driving. I am hoping that going from winter run flats to summer Michelin PSS's will help with that be getting ride of those super stiff sidewalls.

[WreckerX5d]

I can't give a full ride review until I replace my front sway bar links. I think I am getting slightly more harsh ride because they aren't letting enough travel. Plus the knocking sound is getting annoying lol.

I have softer side walled Pirelli A/S's but I like the tires a lot. They grip well with the M3 controls and shocks. Ride over highway-speed bumps is great, I don't feel them. Low speed bumps are harsher than the non sport, but I was expecting that.

The suspension got a little softer after it's been installed 3 weeks now.

How the kit stands by its self is pretty good.

[cdgatti]

You will definitely notice the swap away from rft. Mine is a non-sport and came with the stock continental 16" rft. On the way home from the tire shop with my new michelin primacy non-rft, my father in law even said, hey your car rides a lot better. Of course to me it was like night and day, but for a passenger to notice when I didn't say anything about the rft and the ride etc, that speaks volumes.

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by MonkUSMC

I can't give a full ride review until I replace my front sway bar links. I think I am getting slightly more harsh ride because they aren't letting enough travel. Plus the knocking sound is getting annoying lol.

I have softer side walled Pirelli A/S's but I like the tires a lot. They grip well with the M3 controls and shocks. Ride over highway-speed bumps is great, I don't feel them. Low speed bumps are harsher than the non sport, but I was expecting that.

The suspension got a little softer after it's been installed 3 weeks now.

How the kit stands by its self is pretty good.

Originally Posted by cdgatti

You will definitely notice the swap away from rft. Mine is a non-sport and came with the stock continental 16" rft. On the way home from the tire shop with my new michelin primacy non-rft, my father in law even said, hey your car rides a lot better. Of course to me it was like night and day, but for a passenger to notice when I didn't say anything about the rft and the ride etc, that speaks volumes.

Thanks Guys!

Makes me want to change over my tires today!!!!!!!

Will post up comments after the change over.

[Ranoz]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

Thanks Guys!

Makes me want to change over my tires today!!!!!!!

Will post up comments after the change over.

+1

But I've only put 14000km on my tyre, what am I gonna do with it?

[Laurus_CEO]

Good to know, I'll keep this in mind for when I'm ready for my suspension upgrades.

[D's Bimmer]

I was able to take a drive in a 2010 e90 with Koni Sports and Swift Spec R Springs this cold Sunday morning. The car is set at almost full soft on the front and middle in the back. My bussy is also on Winter Run Flats as well.

I was able to drive the same roads around my place to get a direct comparion. He car has the same tendancies as mine did which I am glad about as it makes me feel allot better about my B12 kit!!!! His back end bounced around alittle more than mine did.

Can't wait to get my Michelin PSS's on in a couple of weeks.

[jjellyneck]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

I was able to take a drive in a 2010 e90 with Koni Sports and Swift Spec R Springs this cold Sunday morning. The car is set at almost full soft on the front and middle in the back. My bussy is also on Winter Run Flats as well.

I was able to drive the same roads around my place to get a direct comparion. He car has the same tendancies as mine did which I am glad about as it makes me feel allot better about my B12 kit!!!! His back end bounced around alittle more than mine did.

Can't wait to get my Michelin PSS's on in a couple of weeks.

The other aspects of the handling and ride seemed very similar? If so, that sounds very good because the Swift with Koni seems like a great suspension.

[kentgbr]

Originally Posted by Wrecker335d

So I installed the Bilstein B12 kit (shocks with Eibach springs) and some M3 control arms yesterday. This was coming from non sport. What a major difference. My car feels like it's stuck to the road. The turn in response is really good and absolutely no body roll anymore. My ride height dropped to just below my tread and the bump absorption stayed the same yet was more stiff, if that makes sense.

Installation and parts costed around $1800.

If anyone needs new shocks and controls, then I highly suggest these parts.

Just did the same mods to my 335i sedan. Big difference in handling and how well-planted the car feels on the road. Ride height drop was minimal as car had ZSP already. I'm attending a HPDE at Thunderhill (Willows CA) next week. Hoping the car does well with the new suspension.

[jjellyneck]

Originally Posted by kentgbr

Just did the same mods to my 335i sedan. Big difference in handling and how well-planted the car feels on the road. Ride height drop was minimal as car had ZSP already. I'm attending a HPDE at Thunderhill (Willows CA) next week. Hoping the car does well with the new suspension.

I'm interested in hearing your before and after (suspension) HPDE experiences.

[kentgbr]

Originally Posted by jjellyneck

I'm interested in hearing your before and after (suspension) HPDE experiences.

First time out in this car, so no before and after track comparison unfortunately.

[Shoooter_j]

Reviving an oldie but a goodie - just put on the b12 Prokit and while I still need an alignment, I'm getting clunking from the passenger rear when going over undulating surfaces and of course bumps. Read on the e46 that this was a common problem and one guy even sent it back to Bilstein USA to get it replaced. Anyone else experiencing clunking from the passenger rear?

[mbanks21]

Originally Posted by Shoooter_j

Reviving an oldie but a goodie - just put on the b12 Prokit and while I still need an alignment, I'm getting clunking from the passenger rear when going over undulating surfaces and of course bumps. Read on the e46 that this was a common problem and one guy even sent it back to Bilstein USA to get it replaced. Anyone else experiencing clunking from the passenger rear?

You sure the shock mounts aren't bad or maybe wasn't reinstalled correctly?

[jjellyneck]

Originally Posted by Shoooter_j

Reviving an oldie but a goodie - just put on the b12 Prokit and while I still need an alignment, I'm getting clunking from the passenger rear when going over undulating surfaces and of course bumps. Read on the e46 that this was a common problem and one guy even sent it back to Bilstein USA to get it replaced. Anyone else experiencing clunking from the passenger rear?

I have some similar clunking with mine, but still have the stock sport suspension (for now). The previous owner had hit some road objects, plus the car has its share of miles on it. I can tell that the clunking is slowly getting more pronounced.
My feel is that it's the shock mounts, etc.
So when I install my B12 kit, it'll include all new upper and lower mounts.

[Shoooter_j]

Originally Posted by mbanks21

You sure the shock mounts aren't bad or maybe wasn't reinstalled correctly?

Thanks - thats the first thing I'll get my mechanic to check since I put in a Dinan RUSM kit as well. From the installation diagrams, its easy to flip the spacer included in the kit and won't be obvious unless you're careful.

[Nguyenhu0106]

i would look into changing your swaybar endlinks.. they can go out, and it was the reason why mine was clunking.

[Shoooter_j]

Originally Posted by Nguyenhu0106

i would look into changing your swaybar endlinks.. they can go out, and it was the reason why mine was clunking.

Interesting...thx for the heads up on that one.

[Shoooter_j]

Went in today to get the clunking checked out but also to install the m3 front arms. Turns out the clunking was due to a worn bushing at where the bottom of the rear shock mounts. My Indy installed a washer to remove play in the bushing that allowed the clunking to occur and we seem to be good again.

On a side note, badly need an alignment as my toe is out of whack. However, I notice that bumps are now met with a harsh bang...almost like I'm lowered too much. Hope the alignment also sorts this out.

[WreckerX5d]

Originally Posted by Shoooter_j

Went in today to get the clunking checked out but also to install the m3 front arms. Turns out the clunking was due to a worn bushing at where the bottom of the rear shock mounts. My Indy installed a washer to remove play in the bushing that allowed the clunking to occur and we seem to be good again.

On a side note, badly need an alignment as my toe is out of whack. However, I notice that bumps are now met with a harsh bang...almost like I'm lowered too much. Hope the alignment also sorts this out.

I noticed after a while the B12 kit became too harsh for NY roads, so I eventually swapped out the springs for some sport ones, but kept the shocks in place. I still retained most of the performance value of the original kit, but just added a bit more cushion over bumps. It came to be a great balance between handling and comfort. My ride height increased maybe 3/4".

[Shoooter_j]

Originally Posted by Shoooter_j

Went in today to get the clunking checked out but also to install the m3 front arms. Turns out the clunking was due to a worn bushing at where the bottom of the rear shock mounts. My Indy installed a washer to remove play in the bushing that allowed the clunking to occur and we seem to be good again.

On a side note, badly need an alignment as my toe is out of whack. However, I notice that bumps are now met with a harsh bang...almost like I'm lowered too much. Hope the alignment also sorts this out.

Just an update as I got an alignment this morning. Funky steering (after turning a certain amount, the car would want to go full lock by itself), steering wheel wobbling under braking (worn thrust arms), and the hard crashing over bumps are all sorted (toe was 4.38!!)

Car now drives like a dream - first hard corner impressed the heck outta me

[Jec1]

Originally Posted by Wrecker335d

I noticed after a while the B12 kit became too harsh for NY roads, so I eventually swapped out the springs for some sport ones, but kept the shocks in place. I still retained most of the performance value of the original kit, but just added a bit more cushion over bumps. It came to be a great balance between handling and comfort. My ride height increased maybe 3/4".

That's my exact concern with the B12 kit and the reason for my hesitation about pulling the trigger vs replacing my sport dampers with the set of old performance dampers I have stored away mated with the 2011 linear (rear) sport springs on the car. NY roads are an animal in and of themselves and maybe I'm just getting old but I can't deal with most of the suspension set ups people run here, they are just too harsh for day to day.