B12 Before and after pictures?

[Marcoose]

Thanks, John. Great to have additional feedback. Looking at your sig, you’ve kept H&R in the front, and KWV3 in the rear?

Richard, I reckon that’s my problem. The H&R springs may have busted the OEM shocks. Mismatched ride height, compressions, etc.

Marc

[Pbondar]

Aren't B8 shocks designed for cars with lowering springs only and the B6 are for cars with MSport or SE springs?

I'm in the process of getting some for my 3 series which is already on Eibach springs. I think it may have popped the original shocks prematurely because of the drop in ride height.

B8s are for MSport springs or other ‘lowered’ springs..B6 are for stock ride height aka non sport springs..AFAIK..

You may well have damaged them using the combo cited..

I as stated use B8s and despite the lack of tailoring compared to other options the settings seem to work pretty much perfectly for me on a street oriented car especially with the mix of bumpy and smooth roads we have in Scotland..

[sumotan]

Hi Gents
While we're on the topic of coilovers, are there other brands that works well for road use without costing an arm & a leg for 28i. Was looking into ST but they're only made for 35i. Im in the tropic no rust issues.
Aside from adjustable height me thinks that I can gain some benefit with proper corner weight adjustment.

As always thanks

[john-e89]

Thanks, John. Great to have additional feedback. Looking at your sig, you’ve kept H&R in the front, and KWV3 in the rear?

Richard, I reckon that’s my problem. The H&R springs may have busted the OEM shocks. Mismatched ride height, compressions, etc.

Marc

No Marcoose, KW’s all round, it’s the front anti roll bar thats H&R.

[john-e89]

Hi Gents
While we're on the topic of coilovers, are there other brands that works well for road use without costing an arm & a leg for 28i. Was looking into ST but they're only made for 35i. Im in the tropic no rust issues.
Aside from adjustable height me thinks that I can gain some benefit with proper corner weight adjustment.

As always thanks

Research time for kits for you I guess Sumo. This is purely my view on it, buying cheap quality kits is false economy, buy cheap, buy twice. When researching before I bought KWV3’s I read a lot of owners having all sorts of problems with much cheaper kits, mostly dampers leaking, failing very quickly etc, spring rates too hard, no bump and rebound adjustability. Imho you’re better off with quality springs and shocks than a cheap set of coil overs.

[sumotan]

Thanks John well I'll have to sleep over the KW's Lol. Btw I've read somewhere that the rear coils have binding issues do you have this problem ?

Cheers

[john-e89]

Thanks John well I'll have to sleep over the KW's Lol. Btw I've read somewhere that the rear coils have binding issues do you have this problem ?

Cheers

Not so far no but it does happen with KW’s. There’s a guy on here with them on an E86 and he cured it with cable management sleeves wound around the coils. Tbh I’d forgotten about this issue until you mentioned it. I don’t know how low he has his car, I’m approx 20mm lower than M sport springs so 30mm lower than non M sport. It’s a little puzzling when you see them fitted on the rear, the bottom coils touch for maybe two whole winds, must be a reason for it but I don’t know tbh. Very happy with them though, worth the outlay given how good they are, but I appreciate they're pricey.

[sumotan]

Many thanks again John

[davegt]

Thanks all for the input, defo need to do some more digging.

Shocks haven't been replaced as far as i can tell, figured at 70k it would be worth doing, i'll have the car for a while yet so why not.

[davegt]

Holy two and a half year thread update........Went with a BC Racing coilover Kit in the end, fiddled with the settings and ride height for a while but very happy with the results.

[B21]

Aren't B8 shocks designed for cars with lowering springs only and the B6 are for cars with MSport or SE springs?

I'm in the process of getting some for my 3 series which is already on Eibach springs. I think it may have popped the original shocks prematurely because of the drop in ride height.

B8s on E89s are for MSport or other shorter springs…B6 for non sport springs..best check specifically on other models…

[Number5]

Here are two Alpina’s side by side during my brief overlap of ownership. The left hand car is sat on the B12 kit whilst the right hand car is on standard original suspension.

As a Sunday car the B12 kit handled brilliantly and looked great being slightly lower. If it was a daily I wouldn’t and even with speed bumps in my local neighbourhood, I’m thinking carefully about putting the standard onto the B12 set up this year when I refresh the suspension.

(Ignore the regs as they’ve moved cars between photos !)

[Silverstar]

Holy two and a half year thread update........Went with a BC Racing coilover Kit in the end, fiddled with the settings and ride height for a while but very happy with the results.

The stance looks great! How does this kit perform in terms of handling and ride quality?

[davegt]

I've got the dampers set about half way so the ride is still comfortable, it is stiffer so feels more compliant compared to the 70k OEM set up that was on the car, need to start working through the other suspension components now and replace anything that's getting tired.