B12 Kit for E89

[tiglon]

I know, it's discussed all the time, particularly on a million other car forums, but there's something I can't find an answer to - every listing for the B12 Kit that I have come across that is described as for the 35is also specifies that it is not for cars with electronic suspension systems. Does that mean I can't fit it to a car with adaptive suspension, or just that the adaptive suspension will no longer work?

If anyone has any general opinions/experience on the B12 compared to other options or the stock adaptive suspension I would also be very interested to hear. I'll definitely be going aftermarket when mine needs replacing, and perhaps even sooner (B12 for under £600 seems like a "might as well just do it" kind of situation if it's going to be a significant improvement). I'd like to reduce roll in corners, primarily, lowering a little is fine but definitely nothing more than 20mm (<10mm would be preferable) and I'm not worried if the ride suffers somewhat as a result (as long as not too bad).

I imagine Ohlins and KW would be better, but for the way I drive and the roads in this part of the country I just can't convince myself that 10+% of the cars value spent on damping is worthwhile for me. I am trying though

 

[Pondy]

I am trying though

Yes you are Will,..very! :wink:

Peter's your man for 35is suspension advice. I'm sure I read that fault lights are a pain if you ditch the adaptive, but haven't the foggiest TBH as I don't think mine has any suspension if the ride is anything to go by

 

[B21]

The B12 kit is a B8 damper with Eibach springs

I used the B8 dampers on my 20i E89 to good effect

The potential issue with B12s is that they lower the car by about 40mm…for me that’s too low for the roads I drive down.

B8s with Supplex MSport springs arguably gives you all the benefits plus a normal ride height.

You need to remove the EDC controller which is a 30 minute job then something like Protool to remove the coding.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

It is my understanding that the EDC detection of the struts operates on resistance through the system.

I have seen youtube videos where stock dampeners are replaced with aftermarket, the mod involves wiring a resistor over the EDC connector.

You may even be able to buy these in some corner of the internet. Contextually, I believe they are referred to as ‘cancellers’. They trick the car into thinking it’s all connected.

 

[B21]

It is my understanding that the EDC detection of the struts operates on resistance through the system.

I have seen youtube videos where stock dampeners are replaced with aftermarket, the mod involves wiring a resistor over the EDC connector.

You may even be able to buy these in some corner of the internet. Contextually, I believe they are referred to as ‘cancellers’. They trick the car into thinking it’s all connected.

They don’t always work, several folks report issues with various EDC cancellers and they cost money…£30 a side for the Ohlins version... …just remove the controller and re-code

The EDC controller doesn’t feed any relevant data back to the rest of the cars systems so might as well delete it.

 

[N!co]

I am in the same boat as you (yes, it was like a boat before i disconnected the EDC...)
The adaptive supension is already lower than standard, about 2cm. The B12 will lower 3cm from standard so i think you will only go 1cm down.
I can tell you for sure the 1st of march when my B12 kit is mounted!

At the moment i have the EDC disconnected to get a firmer ride until the B12 is mounted.
I got rid of the error by coding the EDC out with BimmerCode.

 

[tiglon]

Thanks all for the info, very helpful!

[ref]N!co[/ref], does disconnecting the EDC not just mean it's in the sport mode damping setting all the time? I'll be interested to hear your thoughts when you get it fitted.

[ref]B21[/ref], did you go for Ohlins on the 35is because you felt the B8 dampers were not as good as you wanted? Or because the 35is has a heavier nose and you felt needed something better? Or simply because you just wanted the best?

 

[B21]

I’d be happy with the B8s on a 35is..I definitely would get the supplex springs as they weight match them ( I think bmw do as well but I trust Supplex more)..that should address the nose weight…

I went with Ohlins because I could afford the outrageous price, I’ve used Ohlins on many bikes with great results and I had used B8s on my 20i so just didn’t want to repeat exactly the same route…

FWIW I’d get some uprated ARBs…

 

[N!co]

tiglon wrote: ↑14 Feb 2022, 19:40
...
N!co, does disconnecting the EDC not just mean it's in the sport mode damping setting all the time? I'll be interested to hear your thoughts when you get it fitted.

...
It is even harder than sport mode but with half leaking dampers with more dan 70k miles it not too bad on 17'...

I will check the heights with adaptive and B12.

 

[tiglon]

I’d be happy with the B8s on a 35is..I definitely would get the supplex springs as they weight match them ( I think bmw do as well but I trust Supplex more)..that should address the nose weight…

I went with Ohlins because I could afford the outrageous price, I’ve used Ohlins on many bikes with great results and I had used B8s on my 20i so just didn’t want to repeat exactly the same route…

FWIW I’d get some uprated ARBs…

If I'm being honest with myself I probably can't afford the outrageous price, or at least not if I'm adhering to any reasonable sense of priorities. The B12 kit seems to be pretty much the same price as the B8s on their own, so I would probably just go with the included Eibach springs to begin with. H&R ARBs are at the top of the shopping list but I will probably wait until I can do all that at the same time.

 

[B21]

I’d be happy with the B8s on a 35is..I definitely would get the supplex springs as they weight match them ( I think bmw do as well but I trust Supplex more)..that should address the nose weight…

I went with Ohlins because I could afford the outrageous price, I’ve used Ohlins on many bikes with great results and I had used B8s on my 20i so just didn’t want to repeat exactly the same route…

FWIW I’d get some uprated ARBs…

If I'm being honest with myself I probably can't afford the outrageous price, or at least not if I'm adhering to any reasonable sense of priorities. The B12 kit seems to be pretty much the same price as the B8s on their own, so I would probably just go with the included Eibach springs to begin with. H&R ARBs are at the top of the shopping list but I will probably wait until I can do all that at the same time.

Yes very frustrating when you are constrained by budgeting issues

My requirements are complex due to the nature of hooning in Scotland , so as long as you are happy with the ground clearance and the ride comfort then go for the B12s

Nothing wrong with doing one mod at a time and seeing how it impacts things.

 

[N!co]

From adaptive suspension to B12:
Front is about 10mm lower, rear is about the same.

Ride is very comfortable, not harsh at all, even on bad roads it doesnt rattle.
Would not mind if it was a bit harder but still very happy with it!

 

[Marcoose]

At the risk of coming across as the daft answering a question not asked ... the KW V3 has been an enormous leap in performance from the OE and the ill-fitted H&R sports springs over the OE shocks. But it will set you back US$4K-5K. They also run 8-12 weeks behind in stock. Sadly I have no experience with Ohlins or Bilstein. But highly recommend the KW V3. If you ever visit the Bay Area, you're welcome to give it a go.