E36 BILSTEIN EIBACH B12 SUSPENSION KIT REVIEW (+Brakes Update!)

[@realasmr538]

Your e36 videos are so informative 😊 and love that you are keeping it still oem looking what’s rare to see specially in e36 crowd. Keep up the good work!

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Thank you ! The 36's are great looking cars and I believe in keeping the design as much as possible, just a few tweaks here and there.

[@mikeb2496]

Agree I keep my e36 coupe stock looking, cleaner and tighter looking IMHO.

[@ZoneKei]

Thanks for this video. I was tossing up the B6 vs B8 and wanted to hear that the B8 and lowering springs were worth it. They certainly look the part.

[@iiCRAZIES]

I just bought this same kit for my 2011 328i e90 and I must say I'm very excited to see it on my car now!! Excellent video man keep the content coming!

[@99centstoreful]

How's it riding

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Still the same as when I did my review really.

[@99centstoreful]

@@ManSeeksCivic thinking about doing this for my 06 e90 with H&R springs

[@ManSeeksCivic]

They're good quality shocks. I can't see that being anything other than good 👍.

[@royevans4581]

I have a five pot Focus ST and looking to buy the kit for that. Your review has me sold. I would kill for a nice E46 though............. Great vid mate.

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words. 👍

[@saxon7984]

Hi What was the drop front and rear did you get, didn't notice anywhere where you have said as there are multiple drop sizes and I like how yours sits now

[@ManSeeksCivic]

I went for the 45mm Front and 30mm Rear set. I've not measured it since but am still happy with the height.

[@saxon7984]

@@ManSeeksCivic thank you mate just going to order mine now 👍👍👍🚘

[@bobyluppo]

That’s exactly what I was looking for, thank you!!!

[@rteneycke]

Hey Pamo, i went with the corteco 96+ m3 top hats and installed them in their normal respective locations, everything went well installing these with the rest of the e36 suspension. i had trouble getting the shock to line up with the knuckle so i had to drop the sway bar link out temporarily and then jack that back into place after the fact!

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Nice one Richard 👍. Be interesting to know how it drives after its bedded in.

[@rteneycke]

@@ManSeeksCivic first impression with the m3 top hats: a little darty. i miss my old e36 where i didn't need to be as fussy through corners and it would be more effortless the track the radius.

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Interesting. These things are all preferential. Thanks for the update 👍

[@rteneycke]

@@ManSeeksCivic i noticed since installing this kit i'm getting getting a bit of coil spring bind and pop around the top hat when cranking on the wheel, creating a clunky sound sometimes i corners. any ideas?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Have you got the rubber isolators installed? Mine never behave like this so it's not something I've had to overcome.

[@rteneycke]

hey pamo, do you ever have trouble with the b12 suspension breaking your shock mounts and or maybe strut mounts?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

No, I had previously reinforced the rear body of the car - upper mount plates, subframe mount plates, trailing arm reinforcement and subframe reinforcement.

[@rteneycke]

Hey Pamo, i feel this video has set me on the right track for my new car. what shock mounts did you go with for this setup, i'm considering getting m3 top hats for the additional camber, but i also want a good durable daily driver without any fuss . THANKS

[@ManSeeksCivic]

I'd go with the m3 ones if it's in your budget, the offset nature allows you to tweak a little as you prefer.

[@rteneycke]

@@ManSeeksCivic do i need to worry about the spring perches/spring seats being compatible with the M top hats? or am i going to be good just swapping to 95 or 96 m mounts. another question, did the b12 kit need to use front bumpstops or just rear?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

I'm 99%sure the spring perches will be fine on the m top mounts but haven't tried it so can't be 100%. As for bump stops, the b12 front shocks are actually inverted meaning the bump stops are inside the damper tube at the bottom - so only rear bump stops are necessary.

[@rteneycke]

@@ManSeeksCivic you're the man. i'll report back in about a month.

[@serbancordis3416]

How many kms or miles did you managed to drive since the install? How are the shocks holding up?

[@marcelopalacios3424]

I purchased the Bilstein B6 for my e36, I should have gone with the B8 (the B8 are the same shocks that come in the B12/Eibach kit). With the same springs the car sits 30mm higher with the B6...At least that is my understanding....

[@adamsubtract81]

Looking good!!

[@l34052]

I'm seriously thinking about fitting a set of these shocks and springs to my e92 330i. My only question is whether it will actually be any lower because my car currently has the M Sport suspension which is lower than the standard SE spec already. I don't want to 'slam' my car, it's more about handling and road feel but if I could drop it a bit I would be happy.

[@ManSeeksCivic]

I'm afraid I can't comment on the 92 but you should be able to get an idea by comparing the difference between standard e90/92 and sports oem ride heights. Then compare this difference to the listed Bilstein lowering height. I would think it'll be less dramatic than you expect.

[@MrPatrick617]

Hello I need to replace mine but I'm just not too sure what's set to get I don't want to lower the car too much I know this is stupid but I just want to get it right the first time there's the Sportline and then there's the pro if I'm right the Sportline lower is it more than the pro and that the pro lower it equally front and back which is what I like I don't mind if anyone just wants to help out here

[@user-xk7pk7wq1x]

My 328i came with Coilovers that are doing my head in! Over certain road humps it scrapes the car from underneath. Very painful to hear. I've adjusted them but it still happens. The bilsteins are quite expensive but the koni streets are cheaper.. Are the konis any good?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

My mate has Koni orange on his car and they are pretty good also. Id say there's not much between them day to day. The springs make the main difference. He bought a kit - It ended up riding higher than intended so Id recommend researching which spring shock combo works best to your taste before buying them separately. (Bear in mind the MTech suspension on a coupe is lower than the stock suspension on a saloon). Use an online VIN decoder if you're not sure what yours was originally.

[@user-xk7pk7wq1x]

@@ManSeeksCivic I have a genuine 328i coupe SPORT. The koni Street kit from larkspeed lowers the front (H & R springs) by 40mm and the rear by 15mm...is that good? Don't want it too low and at the same time don't want too much arch gap.. They also sell a H & R kit. www.larkspeed.com/shopper/i/22310052/BMW-3-Series-E36-Saloon-Coupe-6-Cylinder-H-R-Cup-Suspension-Kit

[@ManSeeksCivic]

@@user-xk7pk7wq1x My Eibach Sportline spec is : Front lowering: 45-50 mm Rear lowering: 30 mm. Slightly lower but it doesn't scrape - well the chassis doesn't...cant say the same for my front mudflaps :)

[@user-xk7pk7wq1x]

@@ManSeeksCivic what car has your mate got with koni orange?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

@@user-xk7pk7wq1x It's a coupe 323i e36. Basically the same setup as my 328i. Same original shocks and springs, same weight. For all intents and purposes the same vehicle.

[@rteneycke]

anybody else planning on doing this kit, don't forget to clean your lower strut bolts with acetone and use blu loctite, and 78 Ft/Lbs torque, preferably with some load under them with another jack while tightening!

[@stevie1rock]

Good review mate, sounds good to a fellow Scot. I'm looking at dropping my A3 and was thinking Pro kit but this might have changed my mind. I'm on Sport set up just now on Sline but too much roll. The Pro kit might not be enough. Sounds good results on your set up.

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Its now settled to feel a little stiffer on the road. Slightly lower but all round just what I wanted.

[@becomematrix]

Seems like a good investment. Have you put any poly bushes on the car at all? They really transform the car.

[@ManSeeksCivic]

I have just bought a set for subframe, diff and trailing arms ....watch this space!

[@becomematrix]

awesome!

[@iliovecaRS]

Can I use the old rear top mounts? Or do I order new stock ones??

[@ManSeeksCivic]

You can use them but if they've never been changed there's a good chance they need it. I used all new ones (I'm not normally that lavish) and don't regret it.

[@giddyupgazboy1]

I fitted new sachs mtech shocks with those eibach springs lowering 30/15 and I feel the car is still boaty and front could've been lower at the front still.

[@giddyupgazboy1]

Looking at your before / after pics and mine is not as low at the front. I may have something different then I need to investigate

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Was yours a coupe, did it have the Mtech Suspension from the factory, had the shocks/ springs been replaced before?

[@neill6879]

were these B12 kits adjustable in any way?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

No they are set spring rate, dampening and height.

[@batchmotors]

Have you had any experience with just using Eibach lowering springs on stock shocks for E36? Looking to just do springs and do shocks later

[@ManSeeksCivic]

mugg lord Im afraid not mate. Went straight to the whole setup.

[@batchmotors]

ahh fair enough. only one way to find out I suppose!

[@marcelopalacios3424]

Go with the B12 kit...See my comment above...If you already have the lowering springs, you can buy the Bilstein B8...they are the same shocks that come in the B12 kit.

[@SiggsGBR]

Good solid choice there, I had the same Eibachs on my last E36, sensible drop for a road car. Saying that, you've got to go pretty low to run into issues on the Ring. The bumps are never in tight corners, even taking into account the Karussell. I run a fairly aggressive fitment on mine and it was perfectly fine. Infact the only time I duffed an arch was a pothole at work last month -__- Just...don't hit the curbs :P

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Good advice there Ross...stay off the kerbs is a mantra I shall live by! Thanks.

[@SiggsGBR]

Also I have the same size feet, and have the same issue on the pedals. The top hinge brake and bottom hinge gas on an E36 makes conventional heel-toe very hard. I do the same as you, I call it side-foot rev matching :P

[@SiggsGBR]

haha no problem! There are only two curbs that you can cut over quite significantly, but I'd say just avoid them all unless you know which ones they are. Have you guys been before?

[@csalmon4406]

Hey I recognise these places in your vids I'm in Ringwood myself. Love a fellow E36 fan

[@otacon4065]

We need to meet up with him!

[@rossd3nnison]

Ringwood Hants ?????

[@rossd3nnison]

still got the 36 ??

[@batchmotors]

Great video man. What wheels are you running and what size/fitment?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

They are standard 16" E46 style 42's. 205.55.R16 tyres soon to have a little spacer action to get them snug.

[@1richbish]

I'm about to install b12 on my e46... I got the Pro kit... Hopefully it will sort my arch gap but I'm kinda thinking I should have gone for the sport line arghh!!

[@MrPatrick617]

what does the pro kit lower front and back i am thinkin of get the pro

[@ikjij8943]

How did it turn out?

[@1richbish]

Install was fine, really well made to be fair... Rise is great... Ride height... Barely any difference unfortunately, could do with 10mm more at the front but Eibach don't do any lower springs for the e46 convertible at all

[@ikjij8943]

@@1richbish was the handling any better than stock?

[@1richbish]

@@ikjij8943 well... Yes. But my rear struts had collapsed so anything would be an improvement 😂 I don't do any track driving just fast road. Handles very well but I think I need to refresh bushes next! I'd say it's worth it, soley for the build quality

[@fjunk2]

I have had terrible luck with Bilstein B8 shocks. I got the B12 kit (eibach springs and B8 dampers) and in 40k km/25k miles i have had both front shocks go bad twice! 2 shocks has lost all compression, the other 2 had the chrome flaking off the piston rod which in time made them sieze up. Warranty is 2 years so this 2nd set that has given in will probably be replaced with anything else than the absolute shit Bilstein sells. Too bad, because I really liked the Bilsteins in all other aspects. Top mounts were fitted new ones etc before the first set of shocks got put on the car.

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Interesting, another bad experience story. Fronts rather than rear though. Shouldn't ever have the chrome flaking off, that's just bad quality control. After my rears have been replaced I've not had trouble but maybe time will tell.

[@fjunk2]

@@ManSeeksCivic Yeah it's super weird. I work in manufacturing of hydraulic cylinders and see the same issue sometimes at work when we receive really poor quality blank piston rods from China.

[@ManSeeksCivic]

@@fjunk2 Suitably qualified to have a good opinion then my man. Why doesn't it surprise me that the far Eastern metal isn't quite as good as it should be 🤔

[@Rekt-M8-v4]

Hey I’m pretty sure these Bilsteins have lifetime warranties, check the warranty specs again.

[@Handleitlol]

Whats the verdict after a year?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

8/10. 1 failure, replaced under warranty. Still riding well and holding up to daily driving successfully.

[@RaulRACOTEA]

@@ManSeeksCivic can you describe the failure? I am looking to purchase this kit for my S5 2008, thanks.

[@ManSeeksCivic]

@@RaulRACOTEA Rear drivers side stated weeping oil, quickly escalating to a completely unfunctioning shock. Replacement has been fine so far.

[@nvl2691]

@@ManSeeksCivic 2 years later then?

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Standing up well. The car was dailied for a while and the shocks were great. I'd still reccomend 👍

[@CoolOutSessions910]

What size wheel and tires do you have

[@ManSeeksCivic]

Style 42 wheels. Tyres 205 55 16. I think. They need to be bigger....

[@CoolOutSessions910]

@@ManSeeksCivic nah. I think their straight

[@Magicstockton]

🏆

[@zlajo1964]

I hope you visited the doctor. You breathe like you’re climbing the Himalayas, and you just walk around. Thanks for video!

[@ManSeeksCivic]

How did you know I'd just scaled the North face of the Eiger just before I filmed this video 😅?