[ritzzzzzwik]

Hello Forum!

I've been slowly working my way through refreshing my suspension on my e92 335i RWD. At 95K my OEM shocks are pretty much on their last leg.

So far I've upgraded the from control arms with M3 ones, and got whiteline inserts for the rear (along with a new subframe-which is a story for another time). New Wheels, and tires too.

The car is 99% street driven. I have been looking for coilovers/shock spring setup for a while, and narrowed it down to B12 Pro Kit. Until I saw the B14 PSS coilovers. Unfortunately unlike most other coilover configs, I have not found much feedback about the B14 PSS, especially from the E92 crowd.

I am NOT looking for much of a drop, and want an improved suspension overall - Handling, comfort, reliability. I looked at some coilovers but the ones I liked, I could not justify the cost since the car will sniff the track on very rare occasions. So I settled for a b12 pro kit, but apparently there is the B14 PSS, its elder sibling that no one seems to talk about. Its at approximately the same price point and thats what makes it interesting.

Please let me know if any of you are running the B14 PSS, and whats your feedback.

PS: I am not really sold on ST/BC, them being around the same pricepoint. KW V1s are hard to justify for their price, and everything else is an overkill for me.

Thanks,
RD

[ritzzzzzwik]

hmmm..no replies yet...

[_Ryan_]

I've just answered this on the e8x side in a few places. Try searching there.

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by _Ryan_

I've just answered this on the e8x side in a few places. Try searching there.

Thanks!

[anielsen71]

I just Got the B16IRC installed on my e91
Can only recomend it!!
It's a daily driver and it is more smooth than former setup with B8 and eibach springs

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by _Ryan_

I've just answered this on the e8x side in a few places. Try searching there.

You're the person I wanted to talk to. I read all you have posted about this setup, just a few questions.

How is it holding up?
How does it compare to other kits in terms of performance
Do you do any competitive driving, Auto X or Track days and how is its performance there?

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

You're the person I wanted to talk to. I read all you have posted about this setup, just a few questions.

How is it holding up?
How does it compare to other kits in terms of performance
Do you do any competitive driving, Auto X or Track days and how is its performance there?

I haven't known anyone to buy KW v1 or v2- only V3 and CS.
I prefer it to the JDM stuff.
If I were counting every tenth, I would go with PSS10 or higher. The roads I frequent are used for tarmac rallies, it does really well around there
Haven't had it back on the track since the change to linear springs.
Given they have ~60k km, I'll likely rebuild them in around 20k km- could be longer...

[Taskmaster]

Besides adjustability, is the PSS10 valved better than the PSS?

[snaimpally]

I had the B12 pro kit installed a few weeks ago. There is a mild drop with improved handling.

[timot]

I believe that the B14 is on par with the KW V1 except that the latter has a lower spring rate making them more comfortable for daily driving.
Also, the V1 is apparently exactly the same as the ST counterpart - only difference is that the V1 has a better housing quality. So it's better for those in the snow with salted roads.

[ritzzzzzwik]

I almost forgot about this thread

After I started this thread I actually went FSD, had it 50K miles, till they started leaking (car was NOT lowered). They were quite impressive while I had those, but now I have the PSS (b14), and they are everything I wanted them to be. Oddly I actually think they ride better than FSDs. PSS are stiff (er) but not uncomfortable. You get more road feel, but the car remains very well composed when you encounter high speed dips, which the FSDs felt a bit lacking at times. Ive had them on for about 5K miles, and they got a little more compliant with low speed bumps/irregularities once they were broken in. I cant see how another sub $1000 (from some vendors, and you'll have to look) could be better. Quite frankly its as good as KW v1s, which are a tad more compliant ride wise, but I more than cost I wanted longevity. If your maths is any good , you would have figured I've shot up from 95K miles from 2 years ago to over 150K miles. The OEMs lasted me 95K, FSDs 50K; so even if I cant get 95K from the coilovers, I'd like to see over 50K, and having used Billstein on my previous cars, I think they should.

On the Price vs Quality these (PSS b14) cant be beat!

[jwalker87]

Pics? How's the ride height? I'm seriously considering the B14 for my e90, but am somewhat concerned with what I've read/seen regarding rode height, that even at the max setting it is very low. Ideally I don't want any lower than my stock sport suspension, but apparently no one makes a thing like that...

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by jwalker87

Pics? How's the ride height? I'm seriously considering the B14 for my e90, but am somewhat concerned with what I've read/seen regarding rode height, that even at the max setting it is very low. Ideally I don't want any lower than my stock sport suspension, but apparently no one makes a thing like that...

here's a quick snap. could have picked better lighting, but oh well. all they way down in the front, and nothing in the back

[r4dr]

Is that raised all the way up in the front? I'm confused by what you mean with all the way down in the front?

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by r4dr

Is that raised all the way up in the front? I'm confused by what you mean with all the way down in the front?

it's lowered in the front. the coilovers come set to had ride height.

[jwalker87]

OK, thanks! I'd appreciate a better pic of the gaps whenever you have time, but that doesn't look too dissimilar from my stock e90 sport package with 106k, at least in the rear.

[r4dr]

Originally Posted by ritzzzzzwik

it's lowered in the front. the coilovers come set to had ride height.

Ah, thanks for clarifying. I was just confused because I read a review or two that said the ride height was pretty low, even on the highest settings. But your ride height looks about perfect.

[peterparker]

I plan on doing the b14 coilovers as well and I want to be at the factory ride height (sport susp).

Ive heard that this kit goes way too low for some. To prevent this I plan on getting new top hats and top spring pads. I guess these tops hat compress over time and makes the car lower.

And with a car nearing 95k miles, I plan on changing as much as I can; since everything is off. Including the rear spring pads aswell and the top/bottom rear shock mounts. I have a list of part no that I can send over tomorrow.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1390816621

[complexCarlo]

Solid info and feedback guys. Keep it coming, preferably with some pictures

[Amitt]

Originally Posted by ritzzzzzwik

I almost forgot about this thread

After I started this thread I actually went FSD, had it 50K miles, till they started leaking (car was NOT lowered). They were quite impressive while I had those, but now I have the PSS (b14), and they are everything I wanted them to be. Oddly I actually think they ride better than FSDs. PSS are stiff (er) but not uncomfortable. You get more road feel, but the car remains very well composed when you encounter high speed dips, which the FSDs felt a bit lacking at times. Ive had them on for about 5K miles, and they got a little more compliant with low speed bumps/irregularities once they were broken in. I cant see how another sub $1000 (from some vendors, and you'll have to look) could be better. Quite frankly its as good as KW v1s, which are a tad more compliant ride wise, but I more than cost I wanted longevity. If your maths is any good , you would have figured I've shot up from 95K miles from 2 years ago to over 150K miles. The OEMs lasted me 95K, FSDs 50K; so even if I cant get 95K from the coilovers, I'd like to see over 50K, and having used Billstein on my previous cars, I think they should.

On the Price vs Quality these (PSS b14) cant be beat!

Since you've had the B14 for 2-3 years now, how are they?

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by Amitt

Since you've had the B14 for 2-3 years now, how are they?

Absolutely fantastic! used them on the road and at the track.
I've sold the car now. They were still on, at 176K

[Amitt]

Originally Posted by ritzzzzzwik

Absolutely fantastic! used them on the road and at the track.
I've sold the car now. They were still on, at 176K

Originally Posted by ritzzzzzwik

Absolutely fantastic! used them on the road and at the track.
I've sold the car now. They were still on, at 176K

I just installed the new redesigned B14 kit and it's amazing