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B12 or B4 shocks experience…?

J

john-e89

Lifer
Recently bought a rather nice 3.0si roady, it had 2 mot’s in quick succession before I bought it but both managed to miss a broken rear spring… :roll: :lol: Anyhoo, I’d planned to swap out the standard shocks and springs for some bilsteins with Eibach springs. Having read Mack’s experience on here it sounds like B4’s are the way to go, a little softer than stock which is no bad thing as stock are too harsh. The B12 kit sounds too hard, more equivalent to stock, so not really keen on those. Can’t justify KW coilovers as I don’t know long I’ll keep the car.

Anyone had any experience with either B4’s or the B12 kit…? :driving: :hattip:
 
[ref]john-e89[/ref], is that PVR's old car?
I fitted brand new front shocks, springs, and all the ancilliary parts on it not long ago.
 
john-e89 said:
either B4’s or the B12 kit
Click to expand...
They're two different things.

You had a broken spring, has it been repaired or not? If you don't go with B12 what springs will you use?
 
enuff_zed said:
[ref]john-e89[/ref], is that PVR's old car?
I fitted brand new front shocks, springs, and all the ancilliary parts on it not long ago.
Click to expand...

It is Enuff.

Are the fronts standard springs, it sits quite low for stock, especially compared to the rear…?
 
john-e89 said:
enuff_zed said:
[ref]john-e89[/ref], is that PVR's old car?
I fitted brand new front shocks, springs, and all the ancilliary parts on it not long ago.
Click to expand...

It is Enuff.

Are the fronts standard springs, it sits quite low for stock, especially compared to the rear…?
Click to expand...
Sachs struts
Genuine BMW knuckle bolts
Lemforder top mounts
Febi Bilstein bump stops
Lemforder drop links
Suplex springs
BMW lower spring seat rubbers
BMW upper spring seat rubbers
BMW washers (under the top mounts)
BMW top mount bearing cups
BMW top spring plates
BMW bump stop dust covers

Everything brand new. Built them up at home then took them to PVR’s luxury heated garage and swapped them over.

I don’t think I would be changing them personally but of course it’s your car.

Front springs were for Sports suspension but I had nowt to do with the back end.
 
Not to confuse the matter much more, but I went with B8s all round on my 3.0si with 18 inch wheels. Pretty happy with the ride and the look!

IMG_4145.jpeg
 
enuff_zed said:
john-e89 said:
enuff_zed said:
[ref]john-e89[/ref], is that PVR's old car?
I fitted brand new front shocks, springs, and all the ancilliary parts on it not long ago.
Click to expand...

It is Enuff.

Are the fronts standard springs, it sits quite low for stock, especially compared to the rear…?
Click to expand...
Sachs struts
Genuine BMW knuckle bolts
Lemforder top mounts
Febi Bilstein bump stops
Lemforder drop links
Suplex springs
BMW lower spring seat rubbers
BMW upper spring seat rubbers
BMW washers (under the top mounts)
BMW top mount bearing cups
BMW top spring plates
BMW bump stop dust covers

Everything brand new. Built them up at home then took them to PVR’s luxury heated garage and swapped them over.

I don’t think I would be changing them personally but of course it’s your car.

Front springs were for Sports suspension but I had nowt to do with the back end.
Click to expand...

Right, thanks for that Enuff, now I know, so we have an mis match then, which is not a problem obvs. As you’ve done the fronts as you say makes sense to do the rears to match. :thumbsup: :driving:
 
ryushe said:
Not to confuse the matter much more, but I went with B8s all round on my 3.0si with 18 inch wheels. Pretty happy with the ride and the look!

IMG_4145.jpeg
Click to expand...

Which springs have you got with those ryushe…?
 
john-e89 said:
Which springs have you got with those ryushe…?
Click to expand...
Stock springs, albeit 'new' ones. Replaced the whole set (shocks + springs) around 1 1/2 years ago.
 
Just in case there's any confusion, the b12 kit comprises eibach springs and b8 dampers.

B4 = oe equivalent (they won't be softer than oe, they'll just function - oe Sachs dampers are knackered by about 50k miles which is why everyone fits b4s and raves about how smooth/compliant they are).

B6 = uprated/sport dampers, firmer but suited to standard ride height/springs

B8 = same damping characteristics as B6 but suited to lowering springs ~30mm if memory serves.

Ime fitting the b12 kit to my 3.0si at 60k or so, the b12s were firmer than the oe suspension but not by a lot, and the car felt bloody great to drive on them. I dailied it for over 40k over 4 years plus trackdays, they were the perfect all rounder for me
 
I have the B12 Pro Kit.

30mm lower than the Sport Suspension with Powerflex Top Mounts.

Corners like it's on rails. Very little body roll (practically none).

If you find a smooth road it's fantastic.

If you get the B12 Pro Kit fitted probably best to find the racing line through the pothole maze. 😂😂😂
 
enuff_zed said:
john-e89 said:
enuff_zed said:
[ref]john-e89[/ref], is that PVR's old car?
I fitted brand new front shocks, springs, and all the ancilliary parts on it not long ago.
Click to expand...

It is Enuff.

Are the fronts standard springs, it sits quite low for stock, especially compared to the rear…?
Click to expand...
Sachs struts
Genuine BMW knuckle bolts
Lemforder top mounts
Febi Bilstein bump stops
Lemforder drop links
Suplex springs
BMW lower spring seat rubbers
BMW upper spring seat rubbers
BMW washers (under the top mounts)
BMW top mount bearing cups
BMW top spring plates
BMW bump stop dust covers

Everything brand new. Built them up at home then took them to PVR’s luxury heated garage and swapped them over.

I don’t think I would be changing them personally but of course it’s your car.

Front springs were for Sports suspension but I had nowt to do with the back end.
Click to expand...

Hi [ref]enuff_zed[/ref],
Is this parts list the go to OE parts, and where did you source them from?
This list is a great help. Thanks. I’m looking at Autodoc obviously but is there a danger I’ll be hit with import duties and or vat?
I think I may go B4 rather than sachs though. Again struggling to make sense of uk suppliers for them and who is who.
Also suplex seem to have no uk presence so it’s Autodoc or Autodoc.
 
RMB said:
enuff_zed said:
john-e89 said:
It is Enuff.

Are the fronts standard springs, it sits quite low for stock, especially compared to the rear…?
Click to expand...
Sachs struts
Genuine BMW knuckle bolts
Lemforder top mounts
Febi Bilstein bump stops
Lemforder drop links
Suplex springs
BMW lower spring seat rubbers
BMW upper spring seat rubbers
BMW washers (under the top mounts)
BMW top mount bearing cups
BMW top spring plates
BMW bump stop dust covers

Everything brand new. Built them up at home then took them to PVR’s luxury heated garage and swapped them over.

I don’t think I would be changing them personally but of course it’s your car.

Front springs were for Sports suspension but I had nowt to do with the back end.
Click to expand...

Hi [ref]enuff_zed[/ref],
Is this parts list the go to OE parts, and where did you source them from?
This list is a great help. Thanks. I’m looking at Autodoc obviously but is there a danger I’ll be hit with import duties and or vat?
I think I may go B4 rather than sachs though. Again struggling to make sense of uk suppliers for them and who is who.
Also suplex seem to have no uk presence so it’s Autodoc or Autodoc.
Click to expand...
Everything that says BMW I got from the official BMW eBay store.
Everything else was Autodoc.
They do not charge any import taxes.
Sachs are what the car had originally. Bilstein B4 are the equivalent but usually seem to be slightly more expensive.
If you have a coupe you can’t get Sachs rear shocks, do get B4s. Then you may wish to match at the front but it’s only an aesthetic thing.
 
[ref]enuff_zed[/ref], thank you very much, this thread and another where you listed part numbers has been a huge help.
Just ordered a load of parts from Autodoc including B4 set at a really great price. A fair bit cheaper than Sachs!
Just approaching Cotswolds now for a deal on the bmw parts and to see if they have a repair kit for all the nuts and washers.
Just need springs to be on sale now. Suplex or eibach depending on price and bravery!
 
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