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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Bilstein B12 Kit Impressions



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      07-20-2015, 08:00 AM   #1
chatch10
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Bilstein B12 Kit Impressions

I recently had the B12 kit installed because of all the positive reviews on here and I have to be honest when I say it made my car feel worse and more unpredictable. I know there is a 2-3k mile break-in period so maybe I should hold off on my opinion, but the car just doesn't feel as planted anymore. I had new front control arms and the alignment pins removed at the same time along with the ECS install kit.

I'm not concerned about the harshness because I expected that based on everything I've read. My concern is that the rear of the car feels very loose and if I hit a bump it seems to sway left to right. Is this an install issue or is something causing this?

Last edited by chatch10; 07-20-2015 at 12:44 PM.. Reason: Spelling Error
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      07-20-2015, 02:17 PM   #2
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were the alignment specs front and rear able to be hit?
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      07-20-2015, 02:57 PM   #3
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I know it was stupid of me not to get a print out, but yes. I was told everything was fine. The only thing I asked for was more negative camber in the front because I removed the alignment pins. Do you think I should have my alignment checked again?
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      07-20-2015, 07:30 PM   #4
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It is hard to say what is wrong, impossible actually without getting the car thoroughly checked out, but here is what I would do:

1. make sure the correct eibach springs/shocks were put on your car for the type of car, ie 328/335, sedan/coupe/convertible
2. confirm the install was done correctly and everything was torqued correctly
3. ride on the bilsteins about a month to let them break in.
4. get an alignment at a good bmw indie shop or the dealer
5. evaluate further from there
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      07-21-2015, 07:32 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdgatti View Post
It is hard to say what is wrong, impossible actually without getting the car thoroughly checked out, but here is what I would do:

1. make sure the correct eibach springs/shocks were put on your car for the type of car, ie 328/335, sedan/coupe/convertible
2. confirm the install was done correctly and everything was torqued correctly
3. ride on the bilsteins about a month to let them break in.
4. get an alignment at a good bmw indie shop or the dealer
5. evaluate further from there
Thanks! I'm fairly certain everything was done correctly because this is a pretty reputable shop that also sets up BMW race cars and the guys were very knowledgeable when I spoke with them. I'll just wait it out for a few weeks to see if anything changes and if not I'll have them look everything over again.
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      07-21-2015, 10:04 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chatch10 View Post
Thanks! I'm fairly certain everything was done correctly because this is a pretty reputable shop that also sets up BMW race cars and the guys were very knowledgeable when I spoke with them. I'll just wait it out for a few weeks to see if anything changes and if not I'll have them look everything over again.
Ask someone from the shop to drive it and give their opinion. I was very pleased with the handling improvement after the same modifications as you.
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      07-21-2015, 01:12 PM   #7
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Usually when you tighten everything up on this car the rear subframe bushings become even less capable of doing their job.... slippery slope you're on haha but I'd get some subframe bushing inserts or M3 bushings, mine helped a lot
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      07-21-2015, 02:21 PM   #8
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+1. Rear subframe bushings are what this sounds like. pulling hard to one side upon hard acceleration, and the rear feeling squirmy. i had a similar thing on my eibach springs and struts/shocks, and when i got aftermarket firmer subframe bushings, it was gone. car feels great now. Look into picking up some Powerflex, whiteline, AKG, turner motorsport, or even Oem E9X M3 subframe bushings. they will help significantly.
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      07-21-2015, 04:13 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stucks
+1. Rear subframe bushings are what this sounds like. pulling hard to one side upon hard acceleration, and the rear feeling squirmy. i had a similar thing on my eibach springs and struts/shocks, and when i got aftermarket firmer subframe bushings, it was gone. car feels great now. Look into picking up some Powerflex, whiteline, AKG, turner motorsport, or even Oem E9X M3 subframe bushings. they will help significantly.
which do you run? Right now I'm on 300F/600R ft/lbs springs with just powerflex inserts and think I need something stiffer but I hate dropping the subframe
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      07-21-2015, 04:18 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spxxx View Post
which do you run? Right now I'm on 300F/600R ft/lbs springs with just powerflex inserts and think I need something stiffer but I hate dropping the subframe
I run the akg 95a black subframe bushings. If i could do it again, id prob go for something slightly stiffer, like the turner metal/delrin, or the akg 75d delrin. Robc1976 really likes his turner ones iirc.
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      07-22-2015, 08:03 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kentgbr View Post
Ask someone from the shop to drive it and give their opinion. I was very pleased with the handling improvement after the same modifications as you.
I had them do that, but probably didn't push the car as hard as we should have. I'm going back there soon for some other mods so I'll have them drive it again to see what they think.
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      07-22-2015, 08:08 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spxxx
Usually when you tighten everything up on this car the rear subframe bushings become even less capable of doing their job.... slippery slope you're on haha but I'd get some subframe bushing inserts or M3 bushings, mine helped a lot
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stucks
+1. Rear subframe bushings are what this sounds like. pulling hard to one side upon hard acceleration, and the rear feeling squirmy. i had a similar thing on my eibach springs and struts/shocks, and when i got aftermarket firmer subframe bushings, it was gone. car feels great now. Look into picking up some Powerflex, whiteline, AKG, turner motorsport, or even Oem E9X M3 subframe bushings. they will help significantly.
Thanks guys! I was thinking it might be something like that because the car never felt like that before the install. I'm planning on getting the M3 RSFB and ECS front and rear sway bars as my next suspension mods.
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      07-22-2015, 08:54 AM   #13
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I will be installing the same setup on my xi tonight. I have bilstein b8 xi shocks and eibach pro kit "i" springs. I believe this is the same as the b12 (except with "i" shocks obviously) so hopefully I'll like it. I couldn't stand the floaty xi ride anymore.
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      07-22-2015, 01:45 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spxxx View Post
Usually when you tighten everything up on this car the rear subframe bushings become even less capable of doing their job.... slippery slope you're on haha but I'd get some subframe bushing inserts or M3 bushings, mine helped a lot
This.
I had the same issue after switching to B12 PRO-kit. Installed the M3 subframe bushings and all is well.
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      07-22-2015, 04:33 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bjorkman77
Quote:
Originally Posted by spxxx View Post
Usually when you tighten everything up on this car the rear subframe bushings become even less capable of doing their job.... slippery slope you're on haha but I'd get some subframe bushing inserts or M3 bushings, mine helped a lot
This.
I had the same issue after switching to B12 PRO-kit. Installed the M3 subframe bushings and all is well.
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      07-23-2015, 06:54 AM   #16
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Could be too much minus toe on the rear as well.
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      07-24-2015, 12:53 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bjorkman77
This. I had the same issue after switching to B12 PRO-kit. Installed the M3 subframe bushings and all is well.
Looks like I'll be getting some new M3 RSFB soon then.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjn77
Could be too much minus toe on the rear as well.
I will have them check this out too and make sure to get a print out this time.
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      07-24-2015, 07:27 PM   #18
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So along with the issues mentioned above, today I was driving around town and at lower speeds (under 30mph) I noticed a squeak/rattle coming from the rear passenger side. I got under my car and I noticed that one of the bolts for the lower shock mount was missing. Could this because causing all of my issues? Does this make the car dangerous to drive?

First pic is the driver side and everything looks fine. Second pic is the passenger side and this is what I'm concerned with. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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      07-24-2015, 11:48 PM   #19
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That can't be good. Need to get that missing bolt replaced ASAP.
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      07-25-2015, 07:26 AM   #20
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that missing bolt holds the lower shock bushing to the control arm. Stop all your upgrade ideas and get that bolt put in there. Check the rest of the install and the torques like was previously recommended.

I am surprised your only complaint was "but the car just doesn't feel as planted anymore".
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      07-25-2015, 03:16 PM   #21
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I'm betting you didn't do the install yourself. This is exactly why i prefer to do everything myself lol
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      07-25-2015, 03:24 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jin
I'm betting you didn't do the install yourself. This is exactly why i prefer to do everything myself lol
Yes. You are correct. This is why I'm hoping to start working on my car so these issues don't happen. I just need the tools and the knowledge first. Haha.
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