Bilstein b12
- Thread starter mc5
- Start date
I've done this conversion. It's a much better ride IMHO, but definitely firmer. A lot firmer.
I (non-M) got all the bits and assembled off the car so the new ones could just go straight in. Not a lot more and speeds up the process.
On the ZM the b8 is not available, the b12 comes with b6 shocks. I think the ride quality is defo firmer and a little more crashy especially with the upgraded rear top mounts. But handling is much improved and so much more stable. Did the upgrade last year at about 68k miles. Worth replacing all the rubber bits on front and rear shocks while your at it.
Ive got Eibachs and B12s on my Alpina. Yes it's a firm nice ride and not at all uncomfortable.
it's perfect for smooth tarmac or a second/Sunday car but I dont think I'd want this set up on a daily/about-town car. Saying that, the Alpina also runs on 19" wheels, so they will be less forgiving too, when it comes to potholes
it's perfect for smooth tarmac or a second/Sunday car but I dont think I'd want this set up on a daily/about-town car. Saying that, the Alpina also runs on 19" wheels, so they will be less forgiving too, when it comes to potholes
mc5 said:
I kept the front mounts oem. The rears I went for rogue engineering ones which are a really good piece of kit. I'd defo recommend the b12 and they do perform a lot better on bumpy roads at speed. It's the slow speed in town crashyness that drives me crazy but maybe I'm more sensitive to it.
In my opinion the car sits perfectly on eibachs.
So what's the view on the best option/set up for a daily?
I found the ride better than on OE shocks and springs.
lordgrover
Member
Surprises me. I had B12 kit on my GT86 and it was leagues ahead of the stock setup for both handling and comfort.DMC63 said:mc5 said:
I've had the B12 kit on for about 6 months. Very firm ride. Unforgiving on bumpy roads. But great fun
Argenta said:
Never experienced the b12 kit but my KW V3s are an incredible bit of kit. Car has never felt so good since fitted and I love being able to adjust them easily to suit what ever you need. Upgrading the ARBs and fitting the RTAB kit makes a big difference too. The rear end feels as good as I could want.
lordgrover said:Surprises me. I had B12 kit on my GT86 and it was leagues ahead of the stock setup for both handling and comfort.DMC63 said:mc5 said:
I've had the B12 kit on for about 6 months. Very firm ride. Unforgiving on bumpy roads. But great fun
My E85 didn't have the sport suspension, it was standard. The springs and shocks were longer, therefore giving more 'comfort'. The B12 dropped the car at least 35mm both ends and It's like a shopping trolley over bumpy roads. The handling's been transformed though. I guess when making 'comparisons' it helps to compare two identical models of car, or two of the same car. Comparing kits on different cars doesn't really carry any weight for me. The cars are completely different to start with.