Bilstein B12 Pro-kit, is it a valid performance upgrade over stock?

[eurotic]

I have been thinking about doing an upgrade to my S4 (2012, 6MT, sports diff) in the suspension department with a focus on improving on what the car is in stock form. The S4 is my daily driver, I autocross frequently and have hopes of doing hot laps if I can ever get up to the track.

I know that coilovers are the best option however I'm just trying to watch all the dollars I spend and I suspect with all the adjustability of coilovers that I might just ruin everything. I also suspect that I will just set it to something that I think is good and never touch it again. As such I am looking at the Bilstein B12 Pro-kit along with anti-sway bars (H&R), adjustable control arms (034) and x-brace (034).

I have heard unhappy stories of people upgrading to lowering springs on stock shocks and getting a bouncey ride which is something I want to avoid, hence the kit that has upgraded shocks and springs.

So the question is, from a performance standpoint, is the Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit a decent upgrade compared to stock? For those that autocross or track your car, would you upgrade to this kit or just run stock suspension if those were your only 2 choices?


Shawn

[GRUMPY-S4]

Defintely an upgrade over stock. But I think sway bars, the AK and the CR15 are better bang for your $$$


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[MrFunk]

Yes - big improvement.
I'd suggest at least doing the rear sway and AK as well.
I went with HR OE springs and Bilstein B8 shocks.

[eurotic]

Thanks for the confirmation guys. Any reason to think the Eibach springs would be inferior to the H&R OE? I haven't been able to find anything that can tell me spring rates.

For sure sways and subframe brace (although I like the 034 x-brace more than the AK, po-tay-toe po-tah-toe I figure) will be going in too. Plus transmission mount, ECS drivetrain inserts, maybe a short shifter, maybe new wheels with RE-71R's, ... ugh need more disposable income!

[14S4GWM]

I went with HR OE springs and Bilstein B8 shocks.

Im getting those installed in 2 weeks, how do you like them and is there anything else I should get for the install?

[Caymanite]

I just had the B12 kit installed on Saturday and it's definitely stiffer than stock, which I like, and less body roll.

I considered doing the H&R springs but ECS had the B12 kit for $630 shipped so I couldn't say no.

I do have a metallic clunking sound up front but I am assuming this may be an installer issue so I am going to give them a ring.

I am also waiting for the springs to settle before I measure the drop

[fitzydude]

I absolutely love my b12 kit, I've always been a fan of Eibach and progressive springs for all my cars.

Flat in the turns and good for a daily driver with little bounce. Fender to ground height settles a 26" for front and rear.

[kobrian85]

Im getting those installed in 2 weeks, how do you like them and is there anything else I should get for the install?

How many miles on the car? Might consider getting new perches for the front and spring pads for the rear, maybe if you're over 30k miles...? Otherwise, in my limited experience, you should be good - I've only upgraded the suspension on one previous car, and it was done at like 800 miles, so I didn't have to worry about components being worn at all.

[MrFunk]

Im getting those installed in 2 weeks, how do you like them and is there anything else I should get for the install?

Nothing unless you have some worn bits you want to address while at the shop.
I think it's a perfect set up for a Daily modded S4 which will never need height adjustment. It is stiffer than stock obviously but in a good way IMO.

[eurotic]

I absolutely love my b12 kit, I've always been a fan of Eibach and progressive springs for all my cars.

Flat in the turns and good for a daily driver with little bounce. Fender to ground height settles a 26" for front and rear.

So bouncier than stock? Or maybe put a different way, bouncier that coilovers would be? I'm fine with a firm ride (I prefer it to floaty) but I just don't want to be like so many imports I see that get unsettled because they are overly stiff and hop around on uneven roads.

[yjypm]

Is there any spring&shock kit/coilovers gives our car a more comfortable ride? Roads around my area is so bad that even stock suspension rides too harsh for me.

[14S4GWM]

How many miles on the car? Might consider getting new perches for the front and spring pads for the rear, maybe if you're over 30k miles...? Otherwise, in my limited experience, you should be good - I've only upgraded the suspension on one previous car, and it was done at like 800 miles, so I didn't have to worry about components being worn at all.

Im at 16k miles right now

Nothing unless you have some worn bits you want to address while at the shop.
I think it's a perfect set up for a Daily modded S4 which will never need height adjustment. It is stiffer than stock obviously but in a good way IMO.

I bought these as they were recommended by another member.
https://store.034motorsport.com/stru...s5-rs5-q5.html

[waxxonMTL]

save that 400 of the AK and get yourself suspension or sway bar. I barely felt any different with AK.. I bet most feel a difference because its the first thing they add to the car, but if you do coilover first and the CR-15 brace.. the AK offer a minimal difference IMO.

[fitzydude]

So bouncier than stock? Or maybe put a different way, bouncier that coilovers would be? I'm fine with a firm ride (I prefer it to floaty) but I just don't want to be like so many imports I see that get unsettled because they are overly stiff and hop around on uneven roads.

I think should have said the ride is a little firmer than stock and all the floatiness is gone!

I've always had issues with coil over setups be it poor ride quaility, adjustment issues, or premature wear on stock suspension bits. That's why I prefer a good strut and spring setup.

[Vogz]

I think should have said the ride is a little firmer than stock and all the floatiness is gone!

I've always had issues with coil over setups be it poor ride quaility, adjustment issues, or premature wear on stock suspension bits. That's why I prefer a good strut and spring setup.

Totally agree with all of this and I also have the B12 kit. I previously had H&R OE springs and Koni Yellow dampers and the ride was horrible. Way too stiff/bouncy for a daily driver.

The B12 kit rides fantastic and eliminates all of the factory "float". It also drops the car nicely and eliminates much of the stock body roll. This is without aftermarket sway bars.

The price is a steal and leaves plenty of mod cash left over for sways and chassis brace if you want to go that route.

[eurotic]

Thanks everyone, this is exactly the information I was looking for and exactly what I was hoping to hear.

[Donkey Hotay]

With the B12 Pro Kit would you not need get one of those camber adjustment kits as well since you are lowering the car? Sorry for what easily could be a dumb question.

[kobrian85]

I previously had H&R OE springs and Koni Yellow dampers and the ride was horrible. Way too stiff/bouncy for a daily driver.

Don't Yellow's have adjustable dampers? I had Koni Coilovers with Yellows, and I had them turned one-full-turn firm from factory settings and never felt like it was terrible for daily driving. Maybe it's different when paired with the H&R OE Springs?

[kobrian85]

With the B12 Pro Kit would you not need get one of those camber adjustment kits as well since you are lowering the car? Sorry for what easily could be a dumb question.

Not necessary, you're not going low enough to create aggressive camber, and thus chew through tires.

[mmm def]

I have the H&R OE with bilsteins. Love it!!! It's a bit firmer than stock but still comfortable. Drop is perfect for me. Looks and performs great.

[14S4GWM]

Whats the difference between the 12 and 8 kit from Bilsteins?

[damnbiker]

Just for comparison purposes, how does the b12 kit feel compared to ST coils which give the benefit of height adjustability?

[Caymanite]

Whats the difference between the 12 and 8 kit from Bilsteins?

B12 kit contains the B8 shocks/struts and Eibach springs and the B8 kit is just the shocks/struts without any springs

[eurotic]

B12 kit contains the B8 shocks/struts and Eibach springs and the B8 kit is just the shocks/struts without any springs

And go figure, the B12 kit is cheaper than the B8 shocks by themselves.

[Symko]

Can you still utilize the magnetic ride with this kit? How does this kit compare to the KW H.A.S. Or is this not the same type of setup?

Thanks, Dave

[LaCross]

very happy with my b12 kit. best bang for the buck imo

[jran76]

Very happy with the Bilstein B8/H&R OE combo. I'd have no issue also recommending the B12 kit if it fits the bill (been in Fitzydude's car with this setup). I think either is a good option for someone that does not need the adjustability of coilovers. Either way, it blows away springs on the stock shocks or any lower-end coilover setup....

[LA_S4]

B12 is totally worth it! It rides way better than stock. First thing i noticed, brake dive was almost eliminated compared to stock and it soaked up bumps like nobody's business. Firm, sporty yet comfortable. Very good for everyday driving.

[lowjonathan]

Just to check B12 versus our stock electronic suspension in dynamic mode

i find electronic suspension with H&R super sport spring are kinda too firm for the uneven roads.
in comfort mode, it was just kinda of floaty

how does this B12 fare in term better ride? absorb the bumps better?

I thinking to ditch away my elect suspension for B12

Has anyone ditch anyway their electric suspension for B12?

[snowmuch]

Defintely an upgrade over stock. But I think sway bars, the AK and the CR15 are better bang for your $$$


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What is AK?

[yjypm]

What is AK?

Eurocode Alu Kruez
Or a Russian rifle if you are interested :D

[yjypm]

B12 is totally worth it! It rides way better than stock. First thing i noticed, brake dive was almost eliminated compared to stock and it soaked up bumps like nobody's business. Firm, sporty yet comfortable. Very good for everyday driving.

How does it compare to stock on bad/bumpy roads? Stock suspension is very uncomfortable on a very bad road near my house.

[Caymanite]

It is definitely more bumpy than the stock suspension so if you have bad roads you will feel the bumps more.


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[LaCross]

id say the b12 shocks are firm, but smooth

[eurotic]

For those that have the B12 kit installed but do not have adjustable control arms, what were your alignment specs after the B12 install? If you know what you were before the B12 install that would be awesome to know too.

My car stock has about -1.2 degrees of camber and I want to get more. I know lowering will increase it but it would be great to know by how much as it might be enough to not also have to do adjustable control arms.

[mmm def]

It is definitely more bumpy than the stock suspension so if you have bad roads you will feel the bumps more.


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+1. On bad roads you really need to do a good job at dodging the potholes.

[Vogz]

Can you still utilize the magnetic ride with this kit? How does this kit compare to the KW H.A.S. Or is this not the same type of setup?

Thanks, Dave

No, this is dampers AND springs, so magnetic ride would be eliminated.

[Vogz]

Don't Yellow's have adjustable dampers? I had Koni Coilovers with Yellows, and I had them turned one-full-turn firm from factory settings and never felt like it was terrible for daily driving. Maybe it's different when paired with the H&R OE Springs?

Yes, but you have to completely disassemble them to adjust. I had mine set one turn from factory too and they were crazy stiff. I wasn't going to spend hours taking them apart and putting them back together to probably be disappointed with the ride again so I went with the B12 setup where I knew that the spring rate would be matched to the dampers.

I'm assuming that the spring rate on the H&Rs wasn't a good match for the Koni's.

[kobrian85]

Yes, but you have to completely disassemble them to adjust. I had mine set one turn from factory too and they were crazy stiff. I wasn't going to spend hours taking them apart and putting them back together to probably be disappointed with the ride again so I went with the B12 setup where I knew that the spring rate would be matched to the dampers.

I'm assuming that the spring rate on the H&Rs wasn't a good match for the Koni's.

That's interesting about taking them apart to adjust the dampening. On my Sportwagen I could adjust them from the strut tower, no disassembly required for the front. The rears did require disassembly, but that was like a 10 minute job.

Good to know about the spring rates, because I was considering staying with Koni's because of my prior experience with them.

Thanks for the info!

[Vogz]

That's interesting about taking them apart to adjust the dampening. On my Sportwagen I could adjust them from the strut tower, no disassembly required for the front. The rears did require disassembly, but that was like a 10 minute job.

Good to know about the spring rates, because I was considering staying with Koni's because of my prior experience with them.

Thanks for the info!

No problem. The Koni Yellow design for the B8 is stupid. You have to get them out of the car and completely compress the piston and then rotate it. Total pain in the ass. They have to do it this was because there is no access to the top of the piston while they are installed in the car, and at least in the front there is no way to put a knob on the bottom since it slides into the hub carrier.