Bilstein B8

///Mobbin wrote

L4ces wrote

It's almost year and Bilstein hasn't produced any stock... I can't get a replacement for my broken shock.

Have you considered having the shock rebuilt or re-valved if that might be an option?

The shop said it would replace both rears since it happened just a few weeks after their warranty. I didn't think about it any more and was expecting shocks to be available in weeks and not a year! I will ask the shop about rebuild.

Thanks for the food for thought.

L4ces wrote

It's almost year and Bilstein hasn't produced any stock... I can't get a replacement for my broken shock.

Maybe buy the B12 kit and sell the eibach springs separately on here?


https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Bilstein&model=B12+%28Pro-Kit%29&group=B12+Pro-Kit&partNum=46-180698&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=M3+Coupe&autoYear=2012&autoModClar=Standard+Model

That looks like a good option. I think I may end up going that way

The really sucks that we're all waiting on B8's for the E90 M3... ?

GeorgeA wrote

I wouldn't recommend these for the M3.

I would...

JoePcone wrote

Maybe buy the B12 kit and sell the eibach springs separately on here?


https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Bilstein&model=B12+%28Pro-Kit%29&group=B12+Pro-Kit&partNum=46-180698&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=M3+Coupe&autoYear=2012&autoModClar=Standard+Model

That's an excellent idea & wish I would've thought about that earlier.

Were you:

(1.) Happy with the drop of the Eibach springs compared to the factory ride height?
(2.) And, do you like the ride quality with the new Eibach springs... ?

Kevin_The_Clean1 wrote

JoePcone wrote

Maybe buy the B12 kit and sell the eibach springs separately on here?


https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Bilstein&model=B12+%28Pro-Kit%29&group=B12+Pro-Kit&partNum=46-180698&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=M3+Coupe&autoYear=2012&autoModClar=Standard+Model

That's an excellent idea & wish I would've thought about that earlier.

Were you:

(1.) Happy with the drop of the Eibach springs compared to the factory ride height?
(2.) And, do you like the ride quality with the new Eibach springs... ?

absolutely, I'm more than happy with them for both categories

Has anyone paired these shocks with Swift springs? If so, any feedback?

What size, rating and how do swift sizes and ratings differ from comparable ones from other brands like H&R?

mikejnc wrote

Has anyone paired these shocks with Swift springs? If so, any feedback?

I ran this setup for a month, the damping was not up to par in my opinion. The rear would move around too much. I switched to Ohlins and it is miles better, both ride quality and handling.

How much more do ohlins cost than the bilsteins?

GeorgeA wrote

I ran this setup for a month, the damping was not up to par in my opinion. The rear would move around too much. I switched to Ohlins and it is miles better, both ride quality and handling.

Bummer. Thanks for the feedback.

pbonsalb wrote

How much more do ohlins cost than the bilsteins?

They are 2350 I believe. Bilsteins with swifts come around 1300 together. That 1k is definitely worth it though. I called Bilstein and spoke to them about the B8 dampers lacking proper damping for M3s and they just brushed it off and told me there is nothing they can do about it. Definitely would not recommend.

My stock EDC dampers with mileage would work better than these would.

I would echo that. It’s better than stock shocks but the Swift’s drop the car pretty significantly and these do not have the damping to deal with more frequent bumpstop hits. Stock height they’re a nice improvement.

JoePcone,

Glad to hear that you're happy with them & I greatly appreciate your help. My B12 kit arrived today from the Tire Rack & I'm going to sell the springs & front dampers just like you said. I only needed the rear B8 shocks to complete my 335i to M3 conversion.

I definitely owe you one man... !

GeorgeA wrote

They are 2350 I believe. Bilsteins with swifts come around 1300 together. That 1k is definitely worth it though. I called Bilstein and spoke to them about the B8 dampers lacking proper damping for M3s and they just brushed it off and told me there is nothing they can do about it. Definitely would not recommend.

My stock EDC dampers with mileage would work better than these would.

George - I'm trying to follow you here. Are you saying that:

- The Billy B8 (sport) dampers are no good with Swift springs?
- Or the Billy B6 (heavy duty) dampers are no good with Swift springs?
- But you think the B12 kit (B6 + Eibachs) is a good kit?
- And that the RT was better than which combo, exactly?

Thanks.

(I really want to believe the RT hype but I ran that kit on my 46M and comfortable was not the word that came to mind. The biggest problem with that kit was that it forced a really low ride height and I like to run my cars at near-OE height. That *shouldn't* be an issue here as they are separately height/preload adjustable.)

I bought a used set of B8 for about $200 from someone here a couple of years ago. I use them with H&R springs, which I previously had on my stock shocks. I figured they would be an improvement over my stock shocks, which were about 8 years old at the time, and I think they are. Plus they have shortened internals so I can use unmodified upper bearing assemblies. I like them. Would prefer Ohlins, but would not spend $2k more for them.

EricSMG wrote

(I really want to believe the RT hype but I ran that kit on my 46M and comfortable was not the word that came to mind. The biggest problem with that kit was that it forced a really low ride height and I like to run my cars at near-OE height. That *shouldn't* be an issue here as they are separately height/preload adjustable.)

Someone would have to pay me to install a coilover on my car expecting street manners from it.

SYT_Shadow wrote

Someone would have to pay me to install a coilover on my car expecting street manners from it.

Haha, totally. That's why I roll my eyes when someone says "as comfortable as stock".

The B12 is actually in stock at Tire Rack. Hmmm.

I have B8's paired with Dinan springs, the ride and handling kit, monoballs, and toe links. The car is street driven only and Chicago roads aren't the best.

The car definitely rides much firmer, but not too much so. I also would recommend them.

EricSMG wrote

Haha, totally. That's why I roll my eyes when someone says "as comfortable as stock".

The B12 is actually in stock at Tire Rack. Hmmm.

People have surprisingly subjective opinions on things like drone, nvh, etc

jmeek83 wrote

I have B8's paired with Dinan springs, the ride and handling kit, monoballs, and toe links. The car is street driven only and Chicago roads aren't the best.

The car definitely rides much firmer, but not too much so. I also would recommend them.

You didn't happen to have the Dinan Stage 1 with the B8s before the monoballs/links were added, did you?