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General => The garage => Topic started by: Ben Lessani on 17 October 2011, 13:21

Title: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: Ben Lessani on 17 October 2011, 13:21

I've been offered a pretty good price for the B12 pro kit (brand new) for my Mini. Not that I really need them, but I was wondering about what people thought.

I don't want to lower it, or infact really deviate at all from OEM. I don't want to make a boneshaking ride like I did in the Golf, plus, the Mini handles well too.

Are they comparable to OEM - or should I just stick with BMWs bits.

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: rob.043 on 21 October 2011, 11:21

Quote from: Ben Lessani on 17 October 2011, 13:21

Not that I really need them

If it aint broke! It may be a good deal, but if its something you dont need, cheapest option is not to buy it

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: Wayne on 22 October 2011, 21:33

You cannot go far wrong with Bilstein's :afro:

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: Ben Lessani on 23 October 2011, 18:41

Quote from: rob.043 on 21 October 2011, 11:21

Quote from: Ben Lessani on 17 October 2011, 13:21

Not that I really need them

If it aint broke! It may be a good deal, but if its something you dont need, cheapest option is not to buy it

It was more from a perspective that the Mini is ~9 yrs old - and with 80k on the current shocks - they could well be at the age to be replaced.

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: tech1889 on 23 October 2011, 18:50

i know my cooper s shocks where wicked standard and i wouldnt have replaced them as no need.. all depends what mini you got and the condition of shocks

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: Ben Lessani on 23 October 2011, 19:09

Cooper S Chilli shocks - the ride is excellent, bit crashy at times - but handling is phenomenal.

But it does feel a bit like the rear shocks are starting to show their age, plus I think a front top mount is on its way out - hence me looking around.

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: DOA on 28 October 2011, 17:42

In a word, yes. I had the BMW Avus sport pack on my old 323 sport which is as good as you got with the E36 models from the factory but fitting B8 dampers with bilsteins cheap springs improved on that (the B8 damper is what they use in the B12 kit and they used to do a budget kit with them in) , fitting Eibach sportsline springs to that made it ideal with improved ride quality and much better body control even with a 50/30 drop on it which I was a touch worried about in case that ruined the ride. IIRC the B12 pro kit comes with H&R springs which are comparable to the Eibachs.

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: Ben Lessani on 28 October 2011, 19:28

The new B12 kits come with Eibach black springs.

All I'm after is comparable comfort as a like-for-like replacement, not much else.

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: DOA on 28 October 2011, 20:53

In that case I personally would go for it, doubt the MINI kit will be much cheaper and the billies are really bloody good IMO. Im not paying though  :tongue:

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: Ben Lessani on 28 October 2011, 22:51

£560 for all 4 corners  :undecided:

Title: Re: Bilstein B12 pro kit - any good?
Post by: Ben Lessani on 29 October 2011, 00:51

Actually, tonnes more reading and the Koni FSD's get epic reviews across the board as an all-round upgrade from OEM without compromise.

Screw the billies, FSD's it is.