Alpina Front Springs - B12s Ordered

[MefiEcosse]

Any views on this kit -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-Alpina-Z ... Swr41XIeJP

[PerryGunn]

Any views on this kit -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-Alpina-Z ... Swr41XIeJP

IMO (for what it's worth), I'd stick with either the Alpina OEM parts or something that's tried and tested on the RS by multiple owners (such as the B12 or the KW V2/V3)

[MefiEcosse]

Any views on this kit -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-Alpina-Z ... Swr41XIeJP

IMO (for what it's worth), I'd stick with either the Alpina OEM parts or something that's tried and tested on the RS by multiple owners (such as the B12 or the KW V2/V3)

Yeah! I'm thinking the B12 kit is the way to go!
Don't really want to be spending that sort of cash just now but might just need to bite the bullet for peace of mind with suspension overall!
Just need to find the right deal for quick delivery!

I'm assuming it's the same kit as the 3.0si?

[MefiEcosse]

Decided to double check the OEM springs with my local BMW this morning -
£152.00 each with discount - not in stock UK or Germany - at least 5 weeks delivery!

[PerryGunn]

Any views on this kit -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-Alpina-Z ... Swr41XIeJP

IMO (for what it's worth), I'd stick with either the Alpina OEM parts or something that's tried and tested on the RS by multiple owners (such as the B12 or the KW V2/V3)

Yeah! I'm thinking the B12 kit is the way to go!
Don't really want to be spending that sort of cash just now but might just need to bite the bullet for peace of mind with suspension overall!
Just need to find the right deal for quick delivery!

I'm assuming it's the same kit as the 3.0si?

markeg fitted the B12 kit to #108 so worth dropping him a PM for advice

[MefiEcosse]

I've got the info on the correct kit from Bilstein,
Unfortunately 2-3 week delivery as Springs need to come from Germany and get fitted to the kit.
Checked with another couple of sellers that said the same.

They also offer 6 months interest free credit which might be useful!

[craig3.2]

I've got the info on the correct kit from Bilstein,
Unfortunately 2-3 week delivery as Springs need to come from Germany and get fitted to the kit.
Checked with another couple of sellers that said the same.

They also offer 6 months interest free credit which might be useful!

Just get them ordered,you know it makes sense Richie.

Looking at anyone who has them fitted to their Alpinas, nobody has a bad word to say about them....also future peace of mind about an existing shock or 2 leaking,meaning more outlay.
At least with the b12 Blstein/EIbachs kit you are saving yourself more potential outlay in the (probably not too distant) future,given the cars probably still on 13year old shocks.

Thinking of doing my shocks and springs In the next year or 2,all round,given its now 10 years old,and nothing like a new set of springs/shocks to refresh the cars driving and handling enjoyment/ability

[craig3.2]

BMW know how to charge,given its over £300 for a pair of front Springs for these,and around £400 for a pair of Shocks!!
Plus fitting of course.

Given you can buy the full b12 kit from as little as £738 delivered,wth 4 shocks and springs,it is shocking,lol

[AlpinaRoadsterS]

In Germany we get no MOT (TÜV) with B12 set.
For a normal Z4 you can use this set, but the Roadster S has higher axle load (because of the heavy E36 M3 engine) - and this axle load is not covered by the papers - delivered with the B12 set.

In UK ist seems to be not a problem - good for you.

To get MOT for my UK Roadster S #203 I had to buy 4 new springs and 4 new shock absorbers, had to change the brake (front original Alpina - back is M3). I also had to redo the entire exhaust system to get german MOT.


Alpina lable with axle load data in the engine bay - this one is from my # 280:

load.JPG (71.6 KiB) Viewed 3875 times

[MefiEcosse]

I was looking at those loadings but having phoned Bilstein they said set 46-181237 is correct for the car!

[MefiEcosse]

BMW know how o charge,given its over £300 for a pair of front Springs for these,and around £400 for a pair of Shocks!!
Plus fitting of course.

Given you can buy the full b12 kit from as little as £738 delivered,wth 4 shocks and springs,it is shocking,lol

Doesn't help when nobody has any of the options mentioned in stock!

[AlpinaRoadsterS]

I was looking at those loadings but having phoned Bilstein they said set 46-181237 is correct for the car!

Here a link to germany ebay with this set # 46-181237.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Bilstein-B12-Pr ... 2116807166

Max load front (VA) = 790
And YES, on phone they say this, but not in writing - so we (germans) get not MOT, because in writing it's only 790.

load2.jpg (76.61 KiB) Viewed 3866 times

[craig3.2]

BMW know how o charge,given its over £300 for a pair of front Springs for these,and around £400 for a pair of Shocks!!
Plus fitting of course.

Given you can buy the full b12 kit from as little as £738 delivered,wth 4 shocks and springs,it is shocking,lol

Doesn't help when nobody has any of the options mentioned in stock!

No,so annoying.....you would think somewhere in the UK would have springs or the b12 kit in-stock for the 3.0/Alpina zeds

I thought M parts were a pita when it's up to 2 weeks for some things.

[zedwheels]

The shocks and springs on the Alpina roadster were, "Sachs" That was confirmed to me by an old Alpina owner named Ade.

Don't suppose you have the Sachs part number Brian?

Sorry Perry I don't anymore I had a clear out of the garage just a month back and only then threw out the ones I removed. I know, bit of usless info really without the part number

[markeg]

Sorry, bit late to the conversation - Rich, you have a pm.

I did have a spare set of Alpina OEM springs, but they went with the car when it was sold - marcusG on here is the new owner.

B12 is a good bit of kit, but as manfred points out, they are for a lower axle rating than the Alpina's front lump. The indy I used (who raced BMWs) stated that unless I was driving at the limit, there wouldn't be any issues with the slightly lower axle rating.

As Alan mentions, they are a good alternative - tbh I found that on decent roads they are better than stock, but the slightly lower stance (whilst helping the handling etc) can make the ride a little crashy on the crappy local roads here.