[boosted-lt1]

I Figured I would post a quick write up of my thoughts on the B14 coilover kit for xDrive

I had previously read that some people had issues with the rear sitting low. As well we know the issue with negative rake on these cars.

I’m very happy with this kit and how it turned out. Maybe this can help someone in a similar position trying to decide

Initial setup: Eibach RWD springs and stock shocks. Car sat low enough for me but with some negative rake. Stock worn shocks drove pretty bad in retrospect. Lots of hard bottoming out. The front strut mounts were pretty compressed as well with 100K miles on them

B14: Much more equal drop front to rear. Drives solid. no more bottoming out. I really don’t have anything negative to report

• Bilstein B14 # 47-269095
• Front Top Strut Mount Bearings
• Front Strut Carrier Gaskets / Pinch Bolts
• Rear Spring Lower Shims / Bumpstop Cups / Sealing Grommets
• Rear Shock Mounts Upper (Monroe HD)
• Rear Shock Mounts Lower (Monroe HD)
• Also did Z4 2pc front rotors, pads, painted the calipers, and pressure bleed

Some random pictures below and showing the ride height
** I went full drop in the front and fully raised in the rear

I live in Michigan and most of the roads around here suck. The car is way more forgiving

[TitanLH8]

Thanks for the writeup! I purchased B14s for my 2011 E91 xDrive and waiting for the kit to arrive.

[Jeffman]

How does she drive?

[boosted-lt1]

Originally Posted by Jeffman

How does she drive?

I love it. Soaks up the hits on crappy roads way better then the stock high mileage shocks. Night and day really

I have no negatives considering the car is a daily driver

[boosted-lt1]

Originally Posted by TitanLH8

Thanks for the writeup! I purchased B14s for my 2011 E91 xDrive and waiting for the kit to arrive.

Nice! Are the E91's quite a bit heavier in the rear? Just wondering

[TitanLH8]

Originally Posted by boosted-lt1

Nice! Are the E91's quite a bit heavier in the rear? Just wondering

Yes, from what I've read, E91s are heavier in the rear.

[TitanLH8]

I've been watching a couple of install videos as I'm planning on doing this myself. Did you need any special tools, especially Part B in the front strut diagram? Some videos show a special strut nut socket when installing the coilover. Just wondering if I need to purchase that.

[4 Doors]

Where at in Michigan are you? I'm looking at my options to change up suspension and would love to maybe take a ride.

I'm in the Kalamazoo area.

[fazm]

+1 would like/sponsor/subscribe this kinda content.

[TitanLH8]

Finally got the B14s installed on my E91 last week and I'm loving the ride quality so far! I can feel that it's a tad bit stiffer than stock not much of a compromise for daily use.

[F806speed]

Looks like these are back in stock at summit . I just placed my order 🙂

[roblese90]

Originally Posted by TitanLH8

Finally got the B14s installed on my E91 last week and I'm loving the ride quality so far! I can feel that it's a tad bit stiffer than stock not much of a compromise for daily use.

Definitely plan on getting these for my e91 as well, and plan on adding ground control camber plates to the front to get it dialed in perfectly

[boosted-lt1]

Thought I would post a 2 year update to my original thread as I've had a few questions recently

Regarding feedback from:

Dohc120

ironduke2010

Michigan Winters - I try to keep the car stored mostly when it's snowy and crappy. So I don't have a lot of info on the corrosion resistance, but the B14's still look great. I have a feeling that even in heavier winter driving they would be holding up well

Other observations since original installation - no complaints. I love the way the car sits and rides. I've had no more bottom-outs (like with the blown factory shocks). I still scan the roads and try to avoid holes and bumps. If you are accustomed to lowered cars I think this is normal

Other mods - suspension wise not really. All bushings are factory and tight. If you have any wear maybe replace some of those components while you're doing the shocks. I did do rear subframe bushing inserts but not required I would say. I also replaced front upper strut mounts and rear coil spring shims, bump stop support cup, shock mount sealing grommets, rear upper shock mounts

I also rolled the rear fender lips using an Eastwood roller. However I did this before the B14's so I can't say if everyone would have to do this. My tire setup is 245/35/19 front & 275/30/19 rear and I do not get any rubbing at all.

Overall I would easily recommend this setup, for me it's perfect

Other thoughts - if anyone has a convertible or wagon there could be a possibility that rear will sit even lower still. I believe those cars are heavier in the back but I do not know the extent.

TitanLH8 did his and it looks pretty good

Set up - with the e92 the xDrive I needed to lower the front all the way down. And the rear is all the way up. There is just a little mis-match where the rear is still lower in comparison to the front. If I could raise the back a little more I would do it, but it doesn't cause any problems or rubbing and it's pretty minor.

There is picture in the original post showing my notes written on the B14 manual with min/max range for setting the preload in (mm). I used digital calipers to set those targets at the extremes for front (less preload) and rear (more preload)