[N8N]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

How did those Lemdorder mounts look? I'm replacing struts and mounts now and ordered the Lemforder front mounts. They come with a little note saying the outer bearing race may be cracked and that it happens during assembly and is perfectly acceptable. Sure enough both of mine are cracked. I installed them anyway, but I'm curious why they say this is acceptable. They're also a lot lighter than the OEM mounts that I removed.

You had to post this now, was going to order all that stuff tomorrow when I get paid.... Interested in responses to this as well

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by N8N

You had to post this now, was going to order all that stuff tomorrow when I get paid.... Interested in responses to this as well

The mounts that I removed were original BMW branded mounts, and the outer races were also cracked the same way as the new Lemforder mounts. Identical Koyo bearings.

[Spooly]

They seemed fine to me. I didn't get a note like that and didn't look closely for a crack, but they are in now and all is well. I trust lemforder, owned by ZF, pretty reputable from what I can tell.

[N8N]

I went ahead and ordered yesterday... no turning back now Really need new suspension badly, just hope I'm not doing it again in a year or two.

[lowrydr310]

For all you guys who recently ordered Bilstein struts, how were they packaged? I only ask because after waiting months for the B6 to be available for my Honda, upon arrival one of the straps holding the strut compressed had come off and the rod extended out of the box and out of the outer packaging box from the retailer. The strut rod got pretty banged up in transit and the retailer sent me a replacement. Even aside from this, both struts were flopping around on their own boxes with tears and holes from the tabs welded on the strut to hold the brake line brackets.

I ordered B4 struts for my E90 from a different retailer and while the boxes were banged up still, it looks like this retailer packed the individual boxes with plastic air pouches so they would be more secure. It was much better than the other retailer however the Bilstein boxes were still scuffed up and had some holes. It seems the retailer receives them this way.

Does Bilstein just not fill their boxes with any padding and just allow the struts to bang around? I've received 4 Bilstein struts and 4 Bilstein shocks now that all had smashed up boxes. I guess I expected better packaging from such a 'premium' brand.

[bluewater328]

No padding. What they have for the MacPherson side is like folded box parts with a set hole for the shaft to go into. So there is basically two box bases within that box to prevent the top and bottom shaft from ever touching the outer box. Shocks are similar but obviously smaller with a lot less to it. The struts had straps over them.

I still have the boxes and will see if I can snap photos later.

As a matter of retailer shipping, ECS put all my strut/shock components in another box and shipped with packing material.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

No padding. What they have for the MacPherson side is like folded box parts with a set hole for the shaft to go into. So there is basically two box bases within that box to prevent the top and bottom shaft from ever touching the outer box. Shocks are similar but obviously smaller with a lot less to it. The struts had straps over them.

I still have the boxes and will see if I can snap photos later.

As a matter of retailer shipping, ECS put all my strut/shock components in another box and shipped with packing material.

Both Rock Auto and Tire Rack packaged the Bilstein boxes in a larger plain cardboard box, but the strap and cap on one strut came off and the rod extended through the box and outside the outer box. I have pictures of all of it which I'll have to find and post.

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Both Rock Auto and Tire Rack packaged the Bilstein boxes in a larger plain cardboard box, but the strap and cap on one strut came off and the rod extended through the box and outside the outer box. I have pictures of all of it which I'll have to find and post.

I can see how that might happen for the shocks as it did that for me after I put my old ones back in. Struts have a very functional setup.

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

I can see how that might happen for the shocks as it did that for me after I put my old ones back in. Struts have a very functional setup.

That's how all b4,b6,b8 are shipped it happens the b14,b16 are much better packaged

[E30saam]

Got my rock auto special bilstein b14s! Ordered some m3 control arms for it too off of FCP! Surprised at how nice the bilsteins look! They were only $750 shipped to my house!

[850CSi]

Guys is B12 pro kit the way to go if I’m trying to convert a non-sport to basically sport suspension height & performance?

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Guys is B12 pro kit the way to go if I’m trying to convert a non-sport to basically sport suspension height & performance?

There are other ways to go, but it's the best solution for a more sportier feel with decent drop. To go lower you'd need the B14.

If you wanted just the sport feel, get OE sport springs with B6. That's the OE replacement. B4 was the non-sport.

I have a B12 kit and like the more connected feeling.

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Guys is B12 pro kit the way to go if I’m trying to convert a non-sport to basically sport suspension height & performance?

I mean yea but b14 is the same price if not cheaper

[850CSi]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

There are other ways to go, but it's the best solution for a more sportier feel with decent drop. To go lower you'd need the B14.

If you wanted just the sport feel, get OE sport springs with B6. That's the OE replacement. B4 was the non-sport.

I have a B12 kit and like the more connected feeling.

Thanks. By decent drop you mean from non-sport height, right? My understanding is that eibach pro kit springs are roughly the same height as OE m sport, perhaps a hair lower?

It seems that the kits are a better value than buying the struts and springs separately — B12 and B14 can be had roughly for what it would cost to do B6 and OE springs.

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

I mean yea but b14 is the same price if not cheaper

Hmm you’re right... Is there any advantage to the b12 with its use of the eibach springs? I would be running the b14s at max height and even then they might be too low if I’m looking for OE sport height?

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Thanks. By decent drop you mean from non-sport height, right? My understanding is that eibach pro kit springs are roughly the same height as OE m sport, perhaps a hair lower?

It seems that the kits are a better value than buying the struts and springs separately — B12 and B14 can be had roughly for what it would cost to do B6 and OE springs.

Hmm you’re right... Is there any advantage to the b12 with its use of the eibach springs? I would be running the b14s at max height and even then they might be too low if I’m looking for OE sport height?

Correct on the height I'm planning on installing b14 over the break at max height also. I'm coming from oe sport spring with b8

[850CSi]

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

Correct on the height I'm planning on installing b14 over the break at max height also. I'm coming from oe sport spring with b8

Interesting. Is there something specific that led you to from B8+OE sport to B14? Seems like a pretty similar setup especially if you're not looking to drop?

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Thanks. By decent drop you mean from non-sport height, right? My understanding is that eibach pro kit springs are roughly the same height as OE m sport, perhaps a hair lower?

It seems that the kits are a better value than buying the struts and springs separately — B12 and B14 can be had roughly for what it would cost to do B6 and OE springs.

Hmm you’re right... Is there any advantage to the b12 with its use of the eibach springs? I would be running the b14s at max height and even then they might be too low if I’m looking for OE sport height?

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Interesting. Is there something specific that led you to from B8+OE sport to B14? Seems like a pretty similar setup especially if you're not looking to drop?

Assuming you're paying retail for the OE and not harvesting, sure...well, actually I dont know how that could be possible. B12 is like $900. B14 is roughly the same.

B8 has better valving than the B14. I think Eibachs settle a bit more than sports, but not as low as H&R (which people tend to pair with Koni IIRC). B14 is basically if you need coilovers -- your ride will suffer a little, but value wise, sure, and its still better than a few coilover solutions. If you're looking for value, you could also look at the ECS branded coilovers that are being released that come with new end links. Pretty nice kit if you just need coilovers -- no testimonials yet, obviously.

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Interesting. Is there something specific that led you to from B8+OE sport to B14? Seems like a pretty similar setup especially if you're not looking to drop?

Yea no drop it's prolly higher than factory tbh, but i had b8 with H&R sport springs but it was too low and stiff for my liking so i went with factory sport springs, and as for as b14 go it's just b8 with adjustability.

[850CSi]

Cool thanks guys. I have no need for coilovers, so probably just going to stick with the B12s as I like what I'm reading about the eibach springs.

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by WantsToBuyA335

I think the front sits slightly lower when the car isn't parked on an angle.

Hey did u install them yourself

[unrulyteach]

Iil bit from max height and i think it's still too low
As the rear wheel rubs the fender/bumper when coming off driveway

[Ozzie335i]

The B12 kit, along with the Eichman sway bars is just right.