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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

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InterlagosZ4MR
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by InterlagosZ4MR » Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:07 pm

I had a B12 kit fitted to by Z4M this week, and the pins from the front struts removed. I haven’t had an alignment don’t yet but I’ll probably go with a CSL set up. First impressions are that it’s much ‘dartier’ and the turn in much better. It handles much better, and there’s less dive. But it’s not nearly as good over bumps as I’d hoped - almost feels broken at the front end over bumps. I guess those are the dangers about going for aftermarket stuff. I’m going to change the continentals to pilot sports, but that probably won’t help the crashiness. Anyone else had this?

mc5
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by mc5 » Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:24 pm

I have the same kit and although a good improvement on my tired oem on eibachs it's far from perfect and hate the crashiness going over bad potholes and drains almost like it runs out of suspension travel.

I've never really had this on any other car and would be surprised if this can be solved. B12 is a good improvement maybe a full kw coilover would be better.

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Yorkie Z
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by Yorkie Z » Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:34 pm

Clearly this is the part nobody talks about. Good to know OP. Hope you have some luck making it better :thumbsup:
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philbo909
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by philbo909 » Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:36 pm

InterlagosZ4MR wrote: Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:07 pm I had a B12 kit fitted to by Z4M this week, and the pins from the front struts removed. I haven’t had an alignment don’t yet but I’ll probably go with a CSL set up. First impressions are that it’s much ‘dartier’ and the turn in much better. It handles much better, and there’s less dive. But it’s not nearly as good over bumps as I’d hoped - almost feels broken at the front end over bumps. I guess those are the dangers about going for aftermarket stuff. I’m going to change the continentals to pilot sports, but that probably won’t help the crashiness. Anyone else had this?
The turn in will be better as the lowering has created toe out on the front wheels I think, that's what happened on my si. As for crashiness, I think that's just the nature of lowering
Sapphire black z4 coupe 135,000miles young

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Peter-E36
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by Peter-E36 » Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:01 pm

Thank you for your honesty! Greatly appreciated :thumbsup:
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by andystone » Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:29 pm

Plan on this myself on my e85 2.5.
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aquarianone
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by aquarianone » Wed Mar 14, 2018 11:14 pm

I think it's just the nature of the beast, mine is pretty similar on the e86, and I've refreshed pretty much all the the bushes and control arms, track rod, tie rods, rtab limiters on std 18s with mps4 and spacers.

It's definitely firmer at low speeds but much more controlled at higher speeds, brilliant fun and very chuckable, but definitely not a magic carpet ride...just don't think it's in this cars dna :D
Midnight blue, 3.0si sport coupe, champagne nappa leather, piano black trim, stubby, DLV exhaust and a bunch of other stuff :thumbsup:

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MrPT
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by MrPT » Wed Mar 14, 2018 11:56 pm

What size rims/tyres are you running, OP?
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

InterlagosZ4MR
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Bilstein B12 kit fitted - first impressions

Post by InterlagosZ4MR » Thu Mar 15, 2018 7:19 am

18s - definitely not going 19!

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