Bilstein B14 vs BC BR series coilovers vs.... something else?

ricardofors68 · 04-14-2018, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoeRahman

Did you have to replace your front and rear mounts when installing the bc Coilovers?

No

thatBimmerBloke · 02-18-2020, 11:53 PM

Leaning towards B14 again after reading this thread.

CitrinF30 · 02-19-2020, 02:03 AM

I use the Billstein B14 and nothing but good to say about them

thatBimmerBloke · 02-19-2020, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitrinF30

I use the Billstein B14 and nothing but good to say about them

How's the ride as compared to stock suspension? For how long have you had them?

CitrinF30 · 02-20-2020, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitrinF30

I use the Billstein B14 and nothing but good to say about them

How's the ride as compared to stock suspension? For how long have you had them?

There was a difference but it was a good difference, ride quality though is really good.. and people still get in my car and are surprised at how it rides. I've had them for probably 6,000km now

Supr3me · 02-22-2020, 12:01 AM

As the OP, pretty interesting to see that this thread is still active after this much time lol. In case anyone's interested, I ended up going with KW V1s and the experience has been terrific. Over 50K miles so far...
In my opinion they've been worth the extra $$.

thatBimmerBloke · 02-22-2020, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sµpreme

As the OP, pretty interesting to see that this thread is still active after this much time lol. In case anyone's interested, I ended up going with KW V1s and the experience has been terrific. Over 50K miles so far...
In my opinion they've been worth the extra $$.

Is the minimum lowering of V1 too much? Any pics?

Supr3me · 02-22-2020, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

Is the minimum lowering of V1 too much? Any pics?

If I understand your question, depending on your wheel/tire setup, yes the V1s have plenty of travel to lower and raise the car. I can't get anywhere near the lowest setting without rubbing.
On the other hand, I drive the car year round and I can easily raise the car for winter driving. I think at it's highest setting its probably comparable to stock ride height. I'll try to upload a couple of pics but I hate the photo upload rules on this site lol.

thatBimmerBloke · 02-22-2020, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sµpreme

If I understand your question, depending on your wheel/tire setup, yes the V1s have plenty of travel to lower and raise the car. I can't get anywhere near the lowest setting without rubbing.
On the other hand, I drive the car year round and I can easily raise the car for winter driving. I think at it's highest setting its probably comparable to stock ride height. I'll try to upload a couple of pics but I hate the photo upload rules on this site lol.

KW claims even at highest setting they lower the car 1.4" at the rear. If you have any pictures at highest setting please try to post them, would be interesting to see how it looks.

Supr3me · 02-22-2020, 11:02 AM

See if these work.

Supr3me · 02-22-2020, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

KW claims even at highest setting they lower the car 1.4" at the rear. If you have any pictures at highest setting please try to post them, would be interesting to see how it looks.

I don't have any pics at highest setting.

thatBimmerBloke · 02-22-2020, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sµpreme

I don't have any pics at highest setting.

That looks good, but a bit too low for Wisconsin, specially in winters. Any idea how much you can raise them from this setting?

Supr3me · 02-22-2020, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

That looks good, but a bit too low for Wisconsin, specially in winters. Any idea how much you can raise them from this setting?

Ha, I live in South Dakota. I'd say the front lip and side skirt extensions I have on right now are more of a limiting factor than the coilover ride height. Here's the car as it sits now on stock rims and rubber. You can see I'm at about the middle of the height adjustment right now for the rears.

thatBimmerBloke · 02-22-2020, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sµpreme

Ha, I live in South Dakota. I'd say the front lip and side skirt extensions I have on right now are more of a limiting factor than the coilover ride height. Here's the car as it sits now on stock rims and rubber. You can see I'm at about the middle of the height adjustment right now for the rears.

Nice. Looks like there's still room for it to be raised 20-30mm.

Supr3me · 02-22-2020, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

Nice. Looks like there's still room for it to be raised 20-30mm.

Honestly I'd say go for it. Last year before I put on the CF lip and side skirts there was only a few days a year I couldn't drive the car and let's face it, I wouldn't have been able to drive anything besides a truck/SUV on those days. This year I've been more limited but it's because of the lip and skirts.

thatBimmerBloke · 02-22-2020, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sµpreme

Honestly I'd say go for it. Last year before I put on the CF lip and side skirts there was only a few days a year I couldn't drive the car and let's face it, I wouldn't have been able to drive anything besides a truck/SUV on those days. This year I've been more limited but it's because of the lip and skirts.

What made you go for V1 over B14? Right now I've pretty much made up my mind on B14 but haven't ruled out V1 completely. I also have 18" non-runflats for summer so that should also help with the comfort in case B14 is a bit stiffer than desired.

Supr3me · 02-25-2020, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

What made you go for V1 over B14? Right now I've pretty much made up my mind on B14 but haven't ruled out V1 completely. I also have 18" non-runflats for summer so that should also help with the comfort in case B14 is a bit stiffer than desired.

It's been a really long time since I bought them but it came down to quality and reputation. I heard a lot of negatives about BC and a few about Bilstein but never even one complaint about KW.

For me, pinching $300 on suspension costs for a car I just spent $50K on didn't make sense.

View Poll Results: Which coilovers for a daily driver?
Bilstein B14	85	69.67%
BC BR series	16	13.11%
Something else	21	17.21%
Voters: 122. You may not vote on this poll

02-18-2020, 11:53 PM	#46
thatBimmerBloke Major 873 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Midwest iTrader: (5)	Leaning towards B14 again after reading this thread.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2020, 02:03 AM	#47
CitrinF30 Private 23 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 335i xDrive 8AT Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I use the Billstein B14 and nothing but good to say about them
	Appreciate 1 thatBimmerBloke872.50 Quote

02-22-2020, 12:01 AM	#50
Supr3me Captain 551 Rep 684 Posts Drives: Your mom crazy Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Sioux Falls SD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3M CURRENT [0.00] 2016 BMW 340i BEAST [0.00] 2011 BMW 335i RIP [0.00] 2003 BMW 330i SOLD [0.00]	As the OP, pretty interesting to see that this thread is still active after this much time lol. In case anyone's interested, I ended up going with KW V1s and the experience has been terrific. Over 50K miles so far... In my opinion they've been worth the extra $$. __________________ 2020 X3M MG Flasher; Wedge Performance E50 tune MSS Urban; Rohana RFX11
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2020, 11:02 AM	#54
Supr3me Captain 551 Rep 684 Posts Drives: Your mom crazy Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Sioux Falls SD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3M CURRENT [0.00] 2016 BMW 340i BEAST [0.00] 2011 BMW 335i RIP [0.00] 2003 BMW 330i SOLD [0.00]	See if these work. Attached Images __________________ 2020 X3M MG Flasher; Wedge Performance E50 tune MSS Urban; Rohana RFX11
	Appreciate 2 thatBimmerBloke872.50 Quote