E91 ZSP w/ 100K miles

roundle · 09-29-2015, 04:28 PM

Hi All,

I bought my E91 ZSP new back in 2010. After 5.5 years and 99K miles of reliable service, I--quite literally--get the feeling that the suspension is due for refreshing. Here's why:
*Since about 92K miles, suspension has felt "busy" and too-quick to move around
*Rear is sagging just a bit, maybe .5 inch (springs tired, perhaps tired shocks playing a role here)

I want to restore all factory ZSP (Sport Package) characteristics; however, I want everything to last as long, if not longer, than the factory stuff.

I am leaning towards the Bilstein B12 Pro kit. Here's why:
*Bilstein shocks should last ages--at least 100K miles.
*B12 sprigns (Eibach pro) will not lower car much more than factory ZSP, retaining factory look and usability
*Things will be firmed-up a bit without changing car completely
*Roads here in Netherlands / Germany are like glass, so no worries about dodging potholes etc

Couple of questions:

*Anyone install the B12 Pro kit on an E91?

*In addition to B12, anything else that I should be considering?

Thanks!

Bilstein B12 Pro details: http://www.bilstein.de/en/products/s...n-b12-pro-kit/

cdgatti · 09-29-2015, 04:43 PM

b12 would be great for your goals. also refresh the mounts.

anielsen71 · 10-03-2015, 06:58 AM

Or go B16 IRC as I did.
You can control the ridehight and damping as you please. I had eibach pro and Bilstein B8's before.
B16IRC is much better. More comftable in std setting and firmer in sport setting. Best from both worlds.

PichaDis11 · 10-03-2015, 10:58 AM

Not a pro at this suspension thing at all. (disclaimer) I am in the process of trying to locate a replacement setup for my car as well and to what I've read is that the norm is to replace top hats/ mounts as well to give a full refresh.

andrey_gta · 10-04-2015, 12:19 PM

Be sure to get e91 spec springs, e90 would be lower than expected

roundle · 10-05-2015, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anielsen71

Or go B16 IRC as I did.
You can control the ridehight and damping as you please. I had eibach pro and Bilstein B8's before.
B16IRC is much better. More comftable in std setting and firmer in sport setting. Best from both worlds.

I'm not looking for a "drop", so had no considered this setup.

How many miles have you driven on the B16 IRC?

Part of the reason I am interested in the B12 is the simplicity, and (probably) long-lasting nature of the setup.

roundle · 10-05-2015, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Be sure to get e91 spec springs, e90 would be lower than expected

Roger that -- B12 has different springs for the various E9X models.

anielsen71 · 10-06-2015, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundle

I'm not looking for a "drop", so had no considered this setup.

How many miles have you driven on the B16 IRC?

Part of the reason I am interested in the B12 is the simplicity, and (probably) long-lasting nature of the setup.

Ive been running aprox 3000 miles on it now.
And regarding the drop, you can choose how much drop you want. From aprox the same as the Eibach pro and then a lot lower than that.
Mine is now lower than before but much more smooth to drive I automatic damper setting. Its highly recommendable!!

Spitfire007 · 10-06-2015, 02:36 PM

I would go with B12 setup. It's firm and reliable. It will install easily and last a long time, especially on quality European roads.
I went with B6s here in NYC and non-run flat tires for NYC, (kept the stock ZSP springs.) and couldn't be happier. Did not want to lower but wanted a tight controllable ride without any jarring.
I've got it.

Efthreeoh · 10-07-2015, 06:32 AM

Good post. I have the same questions.. and a few more. So does the B12 kit come with the rubber spring isolaters that fit between the spring and the spring seats (top and bottom), or do you have to purchase them separately?

Thanks

roundle · 12-23-2015, 04:52 AM

Efthreeoh,

The B12 kit comes with the spring isolation thingies but not much more.

What mounts/bushing should be refreshed while the springs/shocks are out?

Most of by BMWs (in New England) ate through control arms every 30-40K miles, probably due to the crappy roads and pot holes. I have no such wear on the E91. It's probably a more robust suspension than the E36/E46 but also the smooth European roads are playing a role...

davidwarren · 12-23-2015, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundle

Efthreeoh,

The B12 kit comes with the spring isolation thingies but not much more.

What mounts/bushing should be refreshed while the springs/shocks are out?

Most of by BMWs (in New England) ate through control arms every 30-40K miles, probably due to the crappy roads and pot holes. I have no such wear on the E91. It's probably a more robust suspension than the E36/E46 but also the smooth European roads are playing a role...

The B12 kit does NOT come with the spring pads. You will have to order those separately. Luckily, they are very inexpensive.

The B12 is springs and dampers. Nothing more.

09-29-2015, 04:28 PM	#1
roundle EXPAT 67 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	E91 ZSP w/ 100K miles - Bilstein B12 Pro? Hi All, I bought my E91 ZSP new back in 2010. After 5.5 years and 99K miles of reliable service, I--quite literally--get the feeling that the suspension is due for refreshing. Here's why: Since about 92K miles, suspension has felt "busy" and too-quick to move around Rear is sagging just a bit, maybe .5 inch (springs tired, perhaps tired shocks playing a role here) I want to restore all factory ZSP (Sport Package) characteristics; however, I want everything to last as long, if not longer, than the factory stuff. I am leaning towards the Bilstein B12 Pro kit. Here's why: Bilstein shocks should last ages--at least 100K miles. B12 sprigns (Eibach pro) will not lower car much more than factory ZSP, retaining factory look and usability Things will be firmed-up a bit without changing car completely Roads here in Netherlands / Germany are like glass, so no worries about dodging potholes etc Couple of questions: Anyone install the B12 Pro kit on an E91? In addition to B12, anything else that I should be considering? Thanks! Bilstein B12 Pro details: http://www.bilstein.de/en/products/s...n-b12-pro-kit/ Last edited by roundle; 09-29-2015 at 04:48 PM..
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09-29-2015, 04:43 PM	#2
cdgatti Colonel 260 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: KY iTrader: (4)	b12 would be great for your goals. also refresh the mounts. __________________ OEM Black grill and Blackline tails - LCI halogens with Lux V2 coded as DRL - 3M Crystalline - BMS PBX - OEM Euro Airbox with K&N - Hardwired CTEK - Bilstein B6 w/OEM springs and SP perches - Conti DWS06 - HiFi-Helix DSP - JLAudio HD/XD-Morel - CD changer trim - AE optical out
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10-03-2015, 06:58 AM	#3
anielsen71 Lieutenant Colonel 638 Rep 1,526 Posts Drives: F36 435xd Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Behind the wheel iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW F36 435d [8.67]	Or go B16 IRC as I did. You can control the ridehight and damping as you please. I had eibach pro and Bilstein B8's before. B16IRC is much better. More comftable in std setting and firmer in sport setting. Best from both worlds. __________________ Brgds Allan ‘15 F36 435xd Gran Coupé Ex: E46 330d, E91 330dA
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10-03-2015, 10:58 AM	#4
PichaDis11 Colonel 296 Rep 2,214 Posts Drives: E90 N52 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	Not a pro at this suspension thing at all. (disclaimer) I am in the process of trying to locate a replacement setup for my car as well and to what I've read is that the norm is to replace top hats/ mounts as well to give a full refresh. __________________ Retrofits: 322, 609, 6FL, 6NR, 6VC, 2TB.. Upgrades: Bilstein B8 Eibach Spring kit
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10-04-2015, 12:19 PM	#5
andrey_gta Brigadier General 318 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	Be sure to get e91 spec springs, e90 would be lower than expected
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10-06-2015, 02:36 PM	#9
Spitfire007 Captain 192 Rep 684 Posts Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i [0.00]	I would go with B12 setup. It's firm and reliable. It will install easily and last a long time, especially on quality European roads. I went with B6s here in NYC and non-run flat tires for NYC, (kept the stock ZSP springs.) and couldn't be happier. Did not want to lower but wanted a tight controllable ride without any jarring. I've got it.
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10-07-2015, 06:32 AM	#10
Efthreeoh General 19201 Rep 19,727 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Good post. I have the same questions.. and a few more. So does the B12 kit come with the rubber spring isolaters that fit between the spring and the spring seats (top and bottom), or do you have to purchase them separately? Thanks __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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12-23-2015, 04:52 AM	#11
roundle EXPAT 67 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Efthreeoh, The B12 kit comes with the spring isolation thingies but not much more. What mounts/bushing should be refreshed while the springs/shocks are out? Most of by BMWs (in New England) ate through control arms every 30-40K miles, probably due to the crappy roads and pot holes. I have no such wear on the E91. It's probably a more robust suspension than the E36/E46 but also the smooth European roads are playing a role...
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