Bilstein B12 Pro F30 XDrive fitted with Photos

xpro · 07-23-2019, 06:30 AM

So after a few months of research, I decided to modify my 335XD suspension as in the standard form the setup was horrible. Too high, unstable, bouncing and pretty much downgrading such a capable car. After a few high speed drives I just didn't feel safe in my car due to so much waving.

Did my research, B6,B8,Eibach,ACS,KW,H&R and then B12 from Eibach/Bilstein.

I am so glad I didn’t just go for springs only after seeing how much of a let down the dampers are.

The B12 kit compromises of B8 dampers coupled with Eibach Springs 06-22.
The only difference is I choose 05-22 springs from Eibach, which are around 5mm lower. ( Bear in mind this spring is the same as ACS F30 XD spring)

Fitting was easy, it's a direct replacement, no major dramas. Checked the alignment afterwards and it was all as before, no change as excepted and all within BMW tolerance.

Now for the drive, what can I say. This setup is a must!! Why BMW didn’t supply the car like this, I dont know.
The handling is just amazing, the car has a better stance, no more body roll, the steering is tack sharp and most importantly the comfort hasn’t t been compromised. ( this was the only fear I had, as with my previous cars on coilovers, the handling is good but the ride can be pretty tough which is not the case with B12's)

To give you an idea, the comfort level is similar to factory Msport suspension, but with less bounce. These dampers are amazing. The rebound rate is really good, which is greatly felt when going over dips on the road where before the car would bottom out and then bounce on the springs. The standard dampers when compressed take forever to return back up, so essentially you are just bouncing on the springs, while B8's when compressed return to default high almost instantaneously.

Height Drop:

Car was measured before from the bottom rim to the arch of 645mm +/- all around.
Now reads front 625mm and rear 623mm, so overall 20/25mm of a drop.

See photos:

dsc888 · 07-23-2019, 03:18 PM

Wow! It looks fantastic! The F30 with this suspension and M Sport kit is absolutely handsome and now has excellent suspension to boot with the B12 Kit. Thank you for posting the pics and the detailed report of how it handles.

Thormus · 09-04-2019, 02:11 PM

Where did you purchase?

xpro · 09-05-2019, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thormus

Where did you purchase?

https://md-performanceparts.de/

Got them from Germany. Top notch people to deal with.

They have an ebay store or you can email directly. I emailed them and paid via PayPal

Thormus · 09-05-2019, 12:55 PM

I have a 328xd that I want to do this to. Is the rdw kit too low to have a front splitter? I have to go over speed bumps to get into work.

xpro · 09-08-2019, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thormus

I have a 328xd that I want to do this to. Is the rdw kit too low to have a front splitter? I have to go over speed bumps to get into work.

Definitely too low. If you have a front M performance spoiler I would rather go higher then not being able to go over bumps and ramps.

thatBimmerBloke · 01-13-2020, 10:02 PM

Images are no longer available

Did you use the stock rear bumpstops? I think B12 kit comes with bumpstops in the front but we need to reuse the stock ones in the rear? Some people have suggested using the shorter bumpstops in the rear.

FaRKle! · 01-13-2020, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

Images are no longer available

Did you use the stock rear bumpstops? I think B12 kit comes with bumpstops in the front but we need to reuse the stock ones in the rear? Some people have suggested using the shorter bumpstops in the rear.

Since the B12 uses Bilstein front struts (which have an inverted design) they have their own internal bump stops.

thatBimmerBloke · 01-13-2020, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Since the B12 uses Bilstein front struts (which have an inverted design) they have their own internal bump stops.

Is it better to use the stock bump stops or the shorter ones for the rear shocks? I'll be going ahead with B12 kit (5-22 springs) in a couple of months for my F32 xdrive (non-adaptive)
By the way, subscribed to your YouTube earlier, you should make a video about B12 kit too

FaRKle! · 01-14-2020, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

Is it better to use the stock bump stops or the shorter ones for the rear shocks? I'll be going ahead with B12 kit (5-22 springs) in a couple of months for my F32 xdrive (non-adaptive)
By the way, subscribed to your YouTube earlier, you should make a video about B12 kit too

IMO shorter ones to maintain a reasonable amount of damper stroke/compression before engaging the bump stops.

If someone brings me a car with B12s I'll make a video on how I feel it rides lol. If I were to design a B12 kit I'd pick stronger springs than Eibach uses. At least the B12 kits maintain flat ride.

thatBimmerBloke · 01-14-2020, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

IMO shorter ones to maintain a reasonable amount of damper stroke/compression before engaging the bump stops.

If someone brings me a car with B12s I'll make a video on how I feel it rides lol. If I were to design a B12 kit I'd pick stronger springs than Eibach uses. At least the B12 kits maintain flat ride.

But right now the 6-22 springs is the best option to use for the kit? I've seen you suggesting it a few times.
Thanks.

FaRKle! · 01-14-2020, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

But right now the 6-22 springs is the best option to use for the kit? I've seen you suggesting it a few times.
Thanks.

That depends on your car and weight. You'd definitely want a stiffer front spring with the extra weight of the 6cyl engine vs my 4cyl. You might even consider seeing what kits/spring rates they have for the F33 (which is the heaviest F3x).

thatBimmerBloke · 01-15-2020, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

That depends on your car and weight. You'd definitely want a stiffer front spring with the extra weight of the 6cyl engine vs my 4cyl. You might even consider seeing what kits/spring rates they have for the F33 (which is the heaviest F3x).

One last question

I'm running 255/40 R18 square setup with APEX ARC-8, 18x8.5ET38 for summer. I don't experience any rubbing whatsoever. Will lowering with B12 kit(06-22 springs) result in any issues at the front? Seems like for the rear I should be fine as I've seen people running wider tires without any modifications and similar offset as mine.
Maybe alohasurftoad can chime in too

andino · 01-15-2020, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

One last question

I'm running 255/40 R18 square setup with APEX ARC-8, 18x8.5ET38 for summer. I don't experience any rubbing whatsoever. Will lowering with B12 kit(06-22 springs) result in any issues at the front? Seems like for the rear I should be fine as I've seen people running wider tires without any modifications and similar offset as mine.
Maybe alohasurftoad can chime in too

That's a pretty conservative wheel and tire spec. I doubt you'd have any issues even if your slammed your car.

07-23-2019, 06:30 AM	#1
xpro Lieutenant 170 Rep 468 Posts Drives: 335XD Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Emerald iTrader: (0)	Bilstein B12 Pro F30 XDrive fitted with Photos So after a few months of research, I decided to modify my 335XD suspension as in the standard form the setup was horrible. Too high, unstable, bouncing and pretty much downgrading such a capable car. After a few high speed drives I just didn't feel safe in my car due to so much waving. Did my research, B6,B8,Eibach,ACS,KW,H&R and then B12 from Eibach/Bilstein. I am so glad I didn’t just go for springs only after seeing how much of a let down the dampers are. The B12 kit compromises of B8 dampers coupled with Eibach Springs 06-22. The only difference is I choose 05-22 springs from Eibach, which are around 5mm lower. ( Bear in mind this spring is the same as ACS F30 XD spring) Fitting was easy, it's a direct replacement, no major dramas. Checked the alignment afterwards and it was all as before, no change as excepted and all within BMW tolerance. Now for the drive, what can I say. This setup is a must!! Why BMW didn’t supply the car like this, I dont know. The handling is just amazing, the car has a better stance, no more body roll, the steering is tack sharp and most importantly the comfort hasn’t t been compromised. ( this was the only fear I had, as with my previous cars on coilovers, the handling is good but the ride can be pretty tough which is not the case with B12's) To give you an idea, the comfort level is similar to factory Msport suspension, but with less bounce. These dampers are amazing. The rebound rate is really good, which is greatly felt when going over dips on the road where before the car would bottom out and then bounce on the springs. The standard dampers when compressed take forever to return back up, so essentially you are just bouncing on the springs, while B8's when compressed return to default high almost instantaneously. Height Drop: Car was measured before from the bottom rim to the arch of 645mm +/- all around. Now reads front 625mm and rear 623mm, so overall 20/25mm of a drop. See photos:
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07-23-2019, 03:18 PM	#2
dsc888 Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 240 Posts Drives: 2017 340ix ///M Sport Join Date: May 2016 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Wow! It looks fantastic! The F30 with this suspension and M Sport kit is absolutely handsome and now has excellent suspension to boot with the B12 Kit. Thank you for posting the pics and the detailed report of how it handles.
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09-04-2019, 02:11 PM	#3
Thormus New Member 3 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2016 Bmw 328d x-drive m sport Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Meridian/ID iTrader: (0)	Where did you purchase?
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09-05-2019, 12:55 PM	#5
Thormus New Member 3 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2016 Bmw 328d x-drive m sport Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Meridian/ID iTrader: (0)	I have a 328xd that I want to do this to. Is the rdw kit too low to have a front splitter? I have to go over speed bumps to get into work.
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01-13-2020, 10:02 PM	#7
thatBimmerBloke Major 873 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Midwest iTrader: (5)	Images are no longer available Did you use the stock rear bumpstops? I think B12 kit comes with bumpstops in the front but we need to reuse the stock ones in the rear? Some people have suggested using the shorter bumpstops in the rear.
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