A long-term review (4 years / 45,000 mile) of the Bilstein B12 suspension kit for the E36. UK Pothole repair league table: www.fillthathole.org.uk/leagu... Thanks for watching! / pamogriffiths
Here in the US, I have rear B4's and one of them started making an internal clunking sound after less than 1,000kms. Warranty was useless, they told me I should tighten the bolts properly. They know they can get away with that game. I dont have time to argue with them, it costs me money to do that. The mounts are all tightened to specs and I am not a novice mechanic. I replaced the B4's and the noise is gone. To hell with the warranty. Bilsteins are absolute garbage and I will NEVER buy anything bilstein again. Not to mention the morons in their warranty department.
I've got Bilstein B8's with H&R springs that I fitted about 9 months ago on my Volvo S40. I, too, did the full kit (new shock/strut mounts/control arms/alignment) and so far, I am very pleased with the set up. I service my car regularly and will keep an eye on everything. Bilstein has lifetime warranty here in USA (and the vendor from which I bought them offers that on everything they sell) but I would still be irritated if I had to replace a damper after only 9k miles and pretty peeved if I had to do it again at 35k miles.
I know that Bilstien had a real bad batch of shocks, I myself have Bilstien’s B12 kit on my E63, and to be fair they have been spot on and that is in Central Scotland, and as you may know the roads are atrocious up here, and the B12 kit for that was £1350 or there abouts, you may also be able to take the route of taking Bilstien to the small claims court as the product isn’t fit for purpose, this you can be proven because Bilstien has already changed the shocks twice, it’s a route that maybe be open to you
I’m looking to trash my oem shocks and struts. Just the other day my best friend called me and asked what he should put on his car. I told him Bilstien B4. I have been looking hard at the KYB for OE replacement. I live in the U.S.A. In the heart of the south. For me it’s going to be a decision between the B4 and the KYB. I appreciate you sharing your experience. I feel your disappointment when you spend allot of money on a product and it doesn’t meet your expectations. The KYB will serve you well.
I have a 1996 328 sport coupe and had b4's fitted on the rear and eibach springs. Had to replace both shocks after 15k also had a broken spring in November so roughly 4 years of use.replaced with b4's again and Lesjöfors Swedish springs so bit softer this time and handling isn't as good.Thinking I'll just try these KYB's when I replace the fronts in the summer.
I have just swapped out some blown Bilstein shocks in my USA spec e36 M3 1997. I bought used B12 kit with H&R springs, the rear shocks going in are serviceable (for now), but the older ones coming out are ompletely gone. It appears the oil is gone, the gas charge is still present. Hopefully my (new to me) shocks last but I agree, I think these shocks are poor quality.
I’m the ‘friend from Oxford’ with the AP coilovers. Mine have seen some road miles but also track abuse, including surviving a broken suspension arm that nearly saw a wheel come off.
I’ve got the b6 kit on my 46. I run it on estate rear springs and shocks as it’s a vert and they break rear springs and fail the rear shocks. Been in the car for over 6 years and still perfect. I’m extremely happy with them
Nice to see a vid from you even if it is because of a failure. Absolutely stunned to see Northumberland is good at filling holes in that league table, one nearly swallowed my Z3 recently it was that big! Had a bilstein shock top fail on me after about 300miles with some fairly spirited driving round your way, replaced it no problem but took a bit of chasing.
glad i found this video, was going to pull the trigger on the b12 kit. I'm already having a terrible time with the rubbish suspension i have where the sway bar end link mount snapped and blew one of my tires. might look into some quality stuff like KW next time around
Hey! I bought mine in 2014 and had been using them in my track day E36 for 5years, and now they're in my daily E36 (😃). I'm sure they must have done about 80k miles or so. They're still ok (the same result at MOT throughout the years) As far as the ride quality is concerned in case of my set (B12 + eibach anti rollbars) it all depends on what u expect when you buy them - I don't think they're supposed to work good when commuting in town or sth. To me they worked ok at the track but they worked brilliantly at the speed over 100mph on normal road ☺️. I think that stock shocks work 1000 times better for normal, slow commuting, because these (B12) can even cause serious problems with spine if you try to use them for "normal driving"
I caught your video ("BILSTEINS IN THE BIN", 22 March 2022) just as I was about to pull the trigger for a Bilstein (B12) Kit with Eibach springs. Now, I think I will have to do a bit more due diligence and take another look at some of Bilstein’s competitors.
Well done for calling this out! Bilstein have always had a problem with rusting and poor paint on the B6/12, but failing entirely is unacceptable.
Here in the US, I have rear B4's and one of them started making an internal clunking sound after less than 1,000kms. Warranty was useless, they told me I should tighten the bolts properly. They know they can get away with that game. I dont have time to argue with them, it costs me money to do that. The mounts are all tightened to specs and I am not a novice mechanic. I replaced the B4's and the noise is gone. To hell with the warranty. Bilsteins are absolute garbage and I will NEVER buy anything bilstein again. Not to mention the morons in their warranty department.
I've got Bilstein B8's with H&R springs that I fitted about 9 months ago on my Volvo S40. I, too, did the full kit (new shock/strut mounts/control arms/alignment) and so far, I am very pleased with the set up. I service my car regularly and will keep an eye on everything. Bilstein has lifetime warranty here in USA (and the vendor from which I bought them offers that on everything they sell) but I would still be irritated if I had to replace a damper after only 9k miles and pretty peeved if I had to do it again at 35k miles.
I know that Bilstien had a real bad batch of shocks, I myself have Bilstien’s B12 kit on my E63, and to be fair they have been spot on and that is in Central Scotland, and as you may know the roads are atrocious up here, and the B12 kit for that was £1350 or there abouts, you may also be able to take the route of taking Bilstien to the small claims court as the product isn’t fit for purpose, this you can be proven because Bilstien has already changed the shocks twice, it’s a route that maybe be open to you
I’m looking to trash my oem shocks and struts. Just the other day my best friend called me and asked what he should put on his car. I told him Bilstien B4. I have been looking hard at the KYB for OE replacement. I live in the U.S.A. In the heart of the south. For me it’s going to be a decision between the B4 and the KYB. I appreciate you sharing your experience. I feel your disappointment when you spend allot of money on a product and it doesn’t meet your expectations. The KYB will serve you well.
I have B4s, no problem, but I totally agree with you, your experience was completely unacceptable
Eibach Pro Street S Coilovers have been fantastic, I live in pot hole county, Wiltshire and they are a perfect comprise in my opinion
I have the B12 sprint setup on my e36 touring and I will 100% be checking my rears this weekend!
I have a 1996 328 sport coupe and had b4's fitted on the rear and eibach springs. Had to replace both shocks after 15k also had a broken spring in November so roughly 4 years of use.replaced with b4's again and Lesjöfors Swedish springs so bit softer this time and handling isn't as good.Thinking I'll just try these KYB's when I replace the fronts in the summer.
I have just swapped out some blown Bilstein shocks in my USA spec e36 M3 1997. I bought used B12 kit with H&R springs, the rear shocks going in are serviceable (for now), but the older ones coming out are ompletely gone. It appears the oil is gone, the gas charge is still present. Hopefully my (new to me) shocks last but I agree, I think these shocks are poor quality.
I’m the ‘friend from Oxford’ with the AP coilovers. Mine have seen some road miles but also track abuse, including surviving a broken suspension arm that nearly saw a wheel come off.
I’ve got the b6 kit on my 46. I run it on estate rear springs and shocks as it’s a vert and they break rear springs and fail the rear shocks. Been in the car for over 6 years and still perfect. I’m extremely happy with them
I literally have that in my cart right now. Springs too. I’m glad I caught this first.
Thanks for the update. I agree with you. My e28 shocks lasted over 30 years (made in West Germany) and only failed due perished dust boots.
I used these KYBs on my 2010 Ford Focus .. the ride was just calm , planted and smooth ..
Nice to see a vid from you even if it is because of a failure. Absolutely stunned to see Northumberland is good at filling holes in that league table, one nearly swallowed my Z3 recently it was that big! Had a bilstein shock top fail on me after about 300miles with some fairly spirited driving round your way, replaced it no problem but took a bit of chasing.
Not me watching this AFTER buying the b12 kit… I’m yet to install it and seriously considering sending them back and getting koni
glad i found this video, was going to pull the trigger on the b12 kit. I'm already having a terrible time with the rubbish suspension i have where the sway bar end link mount snapped and blew one of my tires. might look into some quality stuff like KW next time around
Hey! I bought mine in 2014 and had been using them in my track day E36 for 5years, and now they're in my daily E36 (😃). I'm sure they must have done about 80k miles or so. They're still ok (the same result at MOT throughout the years) As far as the ride quality is concerned in case of my set (B12 + eibach anti rollbars) it all depends on what u expect when you buy them - I don't think they're supposed to work good when commuting in town or sth. To me they worked ok at the track but they worked brilliantly at the speed over 100mph on normal road ☺️. I think that stock shocks work 1000 times better for normal, slow commuting, because these (B12) can even cause serious problems with spine if you try to use them for "normal driving"
I caught your video ("BILSTEINS IN THE BIN", 22 March 2022) just as I was about to pull the trigger for a Bilstein (B12) Kit with Eibach springs. Now, I think I will have to do a bit more due diligence and take another look at some of Bilstein’s competitors.