E90Post
 


Extreme Powerhouse
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Review: B12 Pro Kit and M3 Front Control Arms



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-02-2015, 10:23 PM   #1
snaimpally
Major
United_States
136
Rep
1,192
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i MT
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Review: B12 Pro Kit and M3 Front Control Arms

Just got my car back after getting the B12 Pro kit and M3 front control arms installed.

Car is still settling in - rear has dropped a bit but front hasn't done much. Surprising considering the weight of the engine is on the front. Should look nice once it settles.

Ride seems slightly harsher - road imperfections seem to be more noticeable. Not sure if this will improve once the suspension settles in.

Handling/cornering - wow! I thought the car handled pretty well before but I was wrong. I had m-sport and even then there was a fair bit of body roll. I took a fairly curvy road at high speed today and the car felt like it was on rails. No body roll at all. It doesn't hurt that I already have an LSD.

Not sure how much difference the M3 control arms made since I had the garage do both the control arms and the B12 at the same time.

One thing I wish I had done was bought the install kit: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...its/ES2622813/


Overall, I am very happy with the results.
__________________
PTF Map, Pure Turbo Stage 1, GFB DV+, Mfactory LSD, AA FMIC, B12 Pro Kit, M3 FCA, AR DP and
Dynavin N6, Mosconi AS100.4, AS100.4, AS200.2, Micro Precision tweeters & woofers, Esotar2 1200

Last edited by snaimpally; 06-03-2015 at 06:00 PM..
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 11:44 AM   #2
Jaronbwall
Driving cars and riding bikes really fast
Jaronbwall's Avatar
United_States
285
Rep
1,002
Posts

Drives: 2009 335i
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

I wish I had the money for m3 control arms and subframe bushing... I've read over and over again of how big difference they make in corners.
__________________
335i, sport pkg, 3 pedals, Blacked out, LED markers, OZ Ultraleggera wheels, Firestone Indy 500s, x-pipe, vibrant 1792, PE mod
MHD stage 2+, BMS DPs, ARM charge pipe, Tial BOV, ARM FMIC, dual cone, CSF radiator, M3 control arms, sways, HAWK pads.
https://www.strava.com/athletes/8309149 Follow me on Strava

Last edited by Jaronbwall; 06-03-2015 at 12:13 PM..
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 01:49 PM   #3
FCobra94
Guest
0
Rep
n/a
Posts

Drives:


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarronbwall View Post
I wish I had the money for m3 control arms and subframe bushing... I've read over and over again of how big difference they make in corners.
It's true; just from a camber standpoint even. The lack of camber from the factory on these cars is really pathetic.
Appreciate 1
      06-03-2015, 05:15 PM   #4
snaimpally
Major
United_States
136
Rep
1,192
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i MT
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarronbwall View Post
I wish I had the money for m3 control arms and subframe bushing... I've read over and over again of how big difference they make in corners.
I got the TRW control arms - exact same ones (TRW makes them for BMW) but just with the M logo ground off. Nearly half the price.

You might look into doing the TRW control arms and the Whiteline bushing inserts - less than $400 total for the parts.
__________________
PTF Map, Pure Turbo Stage 1, GFB DV+, Mfactory LSD, AA FMIC, B12 Pro Kit, M3 FCA, AR DP and
Dynavin N6, Mosconi AS100.4, AS100.4, AS200.2, Micro Precision tweeters & woofers, Esotar2 1200
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 05:57 PM   #5
snaimpally
Major
United_States
136
Rep
1,192
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i MT
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335i  [0.00]
FYI, I bought the Bilsteins from BavAuto. Price with (free) shipping was significantly cheaper than anyone else. TRW control arms came from FCPEuro.
__________________
PTF Map, Pure Turbo Stage 1, GFB DV+, Mfactory LSD, AA FMIC, B12 Pro Kit, M3 FCA, AR DP and
Dynavin N6, Mosconi AS100.4, AS100.4, AS200.2, Micro Precision tweeters & woofers, Esotar2 1200
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 09:16 PM   #6
cdgatti
Colonel
cdgatti's Avatar
255
Rep
2,547
Posts

Drives: e90 328i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: KY

iTrader: (4)

the harshness of the bilsteins (almost felt brittle to me) will go away after a few weeks, then it will be just solid support.
__________________
OEM Black grill and Blackline tails - LCI halogens with Lux V2 coded as DRL - 3M Crystalline - BMS PBX - OEM Euro Airbox with K&N - Hardwired CTEK - Bilstein B6 w/OEM springs and SP perches - Conti DWS06 - HiFi-Helix DSP - JLAudio HD/XD-Morel - CD changer trim - AE optical out
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 10:26 PM   #7
Dan Bilzerian
Major
Dan Bilzerian's Avatar
355
Rep
1,192
Posts

Drives: E90 325i 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Edmonds,WA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarronbwall View Post
I wish I had the money for m3 control arms and subframe bushing... I've read over and over again of how big difference they make in corners.
Read the thread that I posted this morning "Found this gem", they're not that expensive.
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 10:38 PM   #8
ritzzzzzwik
Captain
ritzzzzzwik's Avatar
232
Rep
723
Posts

Drives: SO M4 MT
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NOVA

iTrader: (0)

Awesome review, and great timing!
I'm about install the M3 control arms, and Whiteline inserts. B12 Pro is next in line.
I've been thinking about coilovers vs B12 for the longest time, but for a car thats probably not going to see more than a couple track days a year I think the B12 should suffice.
Appreciate 0
      06-04-2015, 12:26 AM   #9
WreckerX5d
Warrant Officer
WreckerX5d's Avatar
United_States
375
Rep
1,341
Posts

Drives: Deezul
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (4)

I've had mine for over a year. The shocks still feel awesome. I swapped the springs out for a stock sport version, but only to adsorb the bumps better. Cornering ability was slightly reduced, but I was content with the minor loss.

If you live in an area where road maintenance is unheard of, the Bilstien shocks, M3 controls and some sport springs made for a great combination.
__________________
Deleted, ATM I/C and tuned by B.R.R.
Appreciate 0
      06-04-2015, 06:43 PM   #10
snaimpally
Major
United_States
136
Rep
1,192
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i MT
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdgatti View Post
the harshness of the bilsteins (almost felt brittle to me) will go away after a few weeks, then it will be just solid support.
Thanks! That is good to know.
__________________
PTF Map, Pure Turbo Stage 1, GFB DV+, Mfactory LSD, AA FMIC, B12 Pro Kit, M3 FCA, AR DP and
Dynavin N6, Mosconi AS100.4, AS100.4, AS200.2, Micro Precision tweeters & woofers, Esotar2 1200
Appreciate 0
      06-04-2015, 06:49 PM   #11
snaimpally
Major
United_States
136
Rep
1,192
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i MT
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattle(206) View Post
Read the thread that I posted this morning "Found this gem", they're not that expensive.
Correct. Don't need to do all of them - just the front. The other thing is that the TRW arms are half of the OEM arms - same arms but with the "M" ground off.
__________________
PTF Map, Pure Turbo Stage 1, GFB DV+, Mfactory LSD, AA FMIC, B12 Pro Kit, M3 FCA, AR DP and
Dynavin N6, Mosconi AS100.4, AS100.4, AS200.2, Micro Precision tweeters & woofers, Esotar2 1200
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:53 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST