Bilstein B14 Coilover Installation on BMW F30

[@StuffDoing]

THANK YOU! I could not figure out how to tighten the struts in the front until I found your video that mentions a pass trough socket. I don’t understand all these videos that are “how tos DIYs” but don’t explain how to do it. Thanks again. 👍👍👍

[@LenartoGarage]

I’m glad I could help!

[@liemqnguyen]

I just bought this B14 suspension to replace the shitty H&R springs on my 335i. H&R Springs was a mistakes, ride quality is horrible, the springs are not made to work well with oem struts (shocks). I don't mind B14 being stiff, as long the car does not feel like it dipping every time it goes over bumps or low spots on the road. Great video, nice simple and straight forward.

[@LenartoGarage]

liem nguyen I tried dinan lowering spring and then KW Street Comfort on my f30 335i that I have now. I would definitely choose the KWs due to the adjustable rebound. It would go KW SC > B14s > Lowering Springs in my book.

[@liemqnguyen]

@@LenartoGarage how long you have been using the KW ?

[@LenartoGarage]

liem nguyen About 2 months now. I have them on setting 7 out of 16 for the rebound adjustment. Sixteen is the softest setting.

[@LenartoGarage]

I haven’t had time to do a proper video reviewing the coilovers, so I’ll post a quick review here. The ride is certainly more stiff than stock, but it’s not unbearable. Performance is excellent and I haven’t had any issues while they’ve been on the car. If I were to do it over, I may have purchased the B16 coilovers with the adjustable dampening. I’m interested to see if those offer the best of both worlds, performance and comfort. The B14 are still great coilovers and I would still recommend them for most people.

[@omarrahman5532]

Moto Monkeys Thanks for the review I really wanted this for the price but I'm on 20s so that might not be a good idea

[@LenartoGarage]

Just an update I wanted to share with you guys. I have the KW Street Comforts with adjustable rebound on my F30 335i. I prefer them over the Bilstien B14s. Ride quality is noticeably better, even on rebound setting 7 out of 16 (16 being softest).

[@anthonypipia6990]

any luck on the ride height? any tire rub? how harsh is the ride (like sport mode)? Looking to purchase this kit for my f32

[@BimmerMafia]

Just installed on my e90. Love the ridgedness. I dropped mine to the max in rear and about 90% in front.

[@cammgt3rs370]

@@LenartoGarage Ride is better but I bet the KWs also made the car more cart like in handling yes or am I wrong. I may also consider KW V3s for track use. Just so you know Bilstein and H&R both offer horrible ride quality with their kits. I had PSS10s on my 2012 Camaro SS and they sucked. Too soft for track and harsh is heck over bumps or potholes. It's because of Bilstein old school valving.

[@oceang60smith38]

Extremely good simple video. I like how it quickly gave me the facts. I would have added the socket and allen sizes if I were you to help us out. But great video!

[@LenartoGarage]

oceang60 Smith thank you for the feedback! On future videos I will include sizes! Solo Werks Coilovers install instructions helped me during the install. It has some of the sizes and torque specs. solo-werks.com/docs/isheets/S1BW010_020%20v1.0.pdf.

[@peijunli1645]

Hi man, I love your video. Great illustration, straight forward info. But I just have one question. Can I transfer the dust shields from stock struts to my Bilstein struts? Or should I buy an aftermarket one. Cheers

[@LenartoGarage]

Peijun Li Thank you! You can reuse the stock dust shields.

[@cammgt3rs370]

Did these last week. My car is like quarter of an inch lower or just a tad more.

[@LenartoGarage]

Nice, how do you like them so far?

[@cammgt3rs370]

@@LenartoGarage To be honest not stiff enough. I put a 700lbs Eibach 10" spring set in the rear and that made it better but still not stiff enough for me. I now have an 800lbs Eibach race spring 10" length in the rear. The car is now more balanced and more neutral like a true M3 when cornering. The fronts bottomed out and I had to raise it half an inch. I am thinking of selling them and getting Ohliins. Just so you know with the stifer 700lbs spring in the rear the ride became even smoother as well as more planted. I could tell these dampers are too stiff for the Bilstein supplied blue springs.

[@g_enigma5946]

Nice vid. No review yet? I'd like to know your thoughts on the kit.

[@LenartoGarage]

G_ Enigma I actually never got around to making a review video before I sold the car. I wasn’t that big of a fan. A little too harsh. The performance was pretty great though. I have the KW street comforts on my 335i now and I prefer them over the B14s.

[@f3irty278]

Great diy man, but as I’m sure you know by now you’re not going to get anywhere near close to stock ride quality on most coilovers, especially B14’s as they’re dampened/configured for the track.

[@LenartoGarage]

Ben Adams thank you! I was thinking they were going to be a little worse on the street, but they’re not that bad! Raising the ride height to just below the stock sport suspension improved the ride quality and didn’t seem to decrease performance during spirited driving.

[@HeathHerring666]

Looking to buy these. How do you like them?

[@LenartoGarage]

clean_ 335ix they perform great, good build quality, but the ride can be pretty stiff. The ride height actually had a big affect on how comfortable these felt. We put 20” wheels on the car, and had to raise the ride height. The car felt a lot more comfortable with the increased ride height. I’m putting the KW street comfort coilovers (with adjustable rebound) on my F30 this weekend. I’ll post back with feedback on those and how they compare the the B14s. I would recommend trying to get a set of coilovers with adjustable rebound in-case they are too stiff for you preference.

[@Khoolhwhip]

Can you also make a video on preload adjustment and ride height adjustment

[@LenartoGarage]

Khoolhwhip I would suggest taking the car to get it corner balanced if you really want to dial it in. Adjusting the height is just done with the wrench that they provide. Adjust, measure height, repeat. It’s a bit of a pain since you have to lift the car and take off the wheels each time.

[@mupetier]

What is the highest recommended setting for these without damaging? I want to have as stock height as possible.

[@LenartoGarage]

I’m pretty sure they will give you stock ride height or even higher.

[@Amsfxyz]

What height did you settle with in the end? If I get these I'll probably have them on the highest setting, i.e 30mm lowering all around, wondering if they will not be too harsh with that height setup.

[@LenartoGarage]

Aamir I played around the the height. I don’t have the car any longer, but I tried a “medium” drop (not slammed but still lowered a bit) and the ride was a little harsh. I raised it but to barely being lowered, and the ride was a lot better. These were on my 328i, which I sold to my buddy, on my 335i, I have the KW Street Comforts with adjustable rebound. I would definitely recommend the KWs over these. The ride was a lot better. The difference in price is about $700. It’s worth it though.

[@Amsfxyz]

@@LenartoGarage Thanks, I was about to get B14 for my 435ix but thankfully I didn't, I'll probably get Bilstein B8 shocks and pair them with Eibach or Dinan springs. KW SC coils are good but a bit expensive, I've only read good things about them though. If I can't get the desired drop with B8kit then probably my last option will be KW SC or V1.

[@keepforgetting8719]

i find it wild that almost everyone that has coil over install vids say NOTHING about the need for adjustable end links. YOU NEED adjustable END Links or your Sway bar will be pre loaded the whole time

[@LenartoGarage]

I’d have to disagree with you here.

[@keepforgetting8719]

@@LenartoGarage .. thats fine, but..its just facts. I mean didnt create physics. So any way heres some resources so people can know the totality of what they need so their car can benefit completely from the upgrade of Coil overs or lower their car. Otherwise your anti-Roll bars wont be working as effectively due to always being preloaded. I noticed this on my car. iscsuspension-na.com/resources/informative-articles/what-is-the-purpose-of-adjustable-endlinks-and-how-do-they-relate-to-coilovers/ ls1tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes/964421-shorten-sway-bar-end-links-when-car-lowered.html f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1404774

[@lmh-mv3ec]

Hi, i am on B6 w stock springs and the ride quality is very bumpy causing rattling from areas which the stock suspension don't. I am not impress with the B6 and on the verge of getting them out. Could you advise what could be the issue causing the bumpiness. I've tried playing w tire pressure. The thing i'm guessing is that the stock spring is not compatible at all for B6.

[@LenartoGarage]

I would give a more premium coilover setup a try. You may find that they have more refined dampening and a better ride.

[@lmh-mv3ec]

@@LenartoGarage thanks, i am looking at japanese brands Tein adjustable coilover as these will be within my budget and i've withness their performance on my previous car. If u hv an alternative do share w me for consideration too. Thanks for the insight.

[@THEvedaE]

Hi,I installed b14 on my mk3 audi TT. The rear feels very bouncy and unsettling in undulations. It appears to be a bit soft and poorly damped. The front and rear are lowered by 20 and 15mm. I’ve no complaints on the front. Can you help to get this sorted. My m4 with kw clubsport coilovers feel way better and we’ll damped. Even Mild bumps upset the car too much

[@LenartoGarage]

Usually worn shocks/struts cause a bouncy feeling. Since you installed new shocks on the rear, I’m not sure what would be causing this for you.

[@cammgt3rs370]

This is because H&R and BIlstein are in bed with each other but H&R will deny this. I had H&R street performance on my B8 Audi A4 as well same issue the front was firm with a slightly softer spring for so call comfort in H&Rs eyes. The rear was bouncy to the point that it was dangerous on the highway over bumps. I ended up putting Yellowspeedracing shock and spring in the rear with the H&Rs up frong and that solved the issue. Also if you want a kit for around $1000 and rides great and offers great track handling consider the Yellowspeedracing which I like way better than that BC racing crap. Yellowspeed racing coilovers made the H&Rs feel like crap and handled way better on my Audi.

[@Gearsandco]

I have the same belstein coilovers on my f30

[@LenartoGarage]

Nick Awad How do you like them? I recently got a 335i, installed Dinan lowering springs on the stock suspension, so now I have something to compare the B14 coilovers to. I have to say, the B14 coilovers ride pretty harsh compared to sport suspension with lowering springs. The B14 coilovers perform significantly better of course.

[@Gearsandco]

Moto Monkeys very firm for daily driving but I got used to it and i Learned to love it and it makes me wanna driving it hard on the street or the track

[@Gearsandco]

Moto Monkeys yeah man you can not compare theme to the sport suspension of the stock car it’s m3/m4 Territory

[@hammmernnails1504]

I appreciate your video. It cleared up some questions. Thx

[@trooper_f30]

Did you have edc and relative to edc in sport mode how was it

[@LenartoGarage]

I didn’t have EDC on this car.

[@donbalooga]

these got damper settings?

[@LenartoGarage]

Tristan Smith they don’t

[@trooper_f30]

overall review of them?

[@LenartoGarage]

ArmanMiri pretty stiff, I would recommend getting the kw street coilovers with adjustable dampening

[@trooper_f30]

@@LenartoGarage does it fix the annoying ass body roll of the stock suspension

[@LenartoGarage]

ArmanMiri They definitely do. The car handled very well with them on. Pair them with some good tires and the car grips n rips 🔥

[@trooper_f30]

@@LenartoGarage what would u compare it too

[@trapgodnah9022]

@@LenartoGarage the kw or bilstien got rid of body roll

[@joshdelacruz990]

how were you able to compress the spring next to the shock?

[@LenartoGarage]

Josh Dela Cruz I used a spring compression tool that I rented from advanced auto.

[@bryanvargas7552]

Can these get pretty low?

[@LenartoGarage]

bryan vargas I had it flush and it still had room to go lower