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Eibach Pro Street vs Bilstein B14?
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04-16-2024, 06:07 AM | #1 |
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Eibach Pro Street vs Bilstein B14?
I've narrowed my suspension search down to either Eibach Pro or Bilstein B14's.
Can anyone with experience with either/both give any advice considering I'll only be using them for street and country road use. Obviously there's a significant price difference, but if I were to go for the cheaper B14, I'd like to have them be decent for my purposes. Comfort isn't paramount, handling is. |
04-17-2024, 10:08 AM | #2 |
scotthilly
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I'm sort of a broken record with this but I'd HIGHLY recommend checking out the birds b3 kit - https://www.birdsauto.com/parts/L9031878134 - they use custom valved b14's and mix both comfort and handling by using valving that ensures better handling over all road surfaces. They're based in the UK.
One of my friends had it fitted (only a couple hundred more than the bilsteins shipped) and it is absolutely amazing. Not only is the handling great, which you said you care about, but there's added comfort as a side bonus. The biggest area is exit grip especially on uneven roads. With that said if you have glass roads it might not be worth the extra money - but considering you said street, I bet you don't lol. |
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04-17-2024, 10:44 AM | #3 | |
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04-18-2024, 06:38 AM | #4 |
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I'm not sure anyone will have direct experience of running the two very similar sets of coilovers on their car. I ran the B12 kit on my 130i and enquired to Bilstein about the B14 at the same time. They said that the B14 kit was stiffer, which you can see when comparing the springs between the two. The B12 kit was decently judged for my needs and I think you could feel confident that the B14 would do a decent job.
I'd advise replacing related top/bottom mounts and other relevant parts at the same time. |
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04-18-2024, 06:50 AM | #5 | |
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04-18-2024, 08:31 AM | #6 |
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The Bilsteins would be the better kit IMO. Bilstein only makes dampers, all day, and they're excellent quality. They also have stiffer compression damping which the Eibach springs need, as they're very soft.
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04-25-2024, 04:08 AM | #9 |
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yeh it came on 17 inch wheels when I bought it, hated how it looked. I've accepted now that I'll just have to keep a keen eye out for potholes
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Malteser_wfj68.00 |
04-25-2024, 05:38 AM | #10 |
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I’ve bought the B14s, will report back
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wrevilo74.00 Jaronbwall294.00 |
04-25-2024, 09:25 AM | #11 |
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04-25-2024, 09:26 AM | #12 |
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04-25-2024, 11:33 AM | #13 |
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I have a shopping cart full of suspension parts including the B14 kit. I just need more $$$ for my money pit... Looking forward to your review.
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04-25-2024, 11:38 AM | #14 |
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I’ll likely do a bit of adjustment and testing before posting, try it at different height adjustments. I live in rural UK with the worst roads on earth so it’ll be good stress testing
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Jaronbwall294.00 |
05-08-2024, 05:38 AM | #15 | |
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Ride quality hasnt taken much of a hit considering the car is probably an inch lower, handling has definitely improved. Only real criticism would be that the rear adjustment is a pain in the arse, once you compress the spring with the adjuster ring to a certain point, the threads will spin with the ring because of the tension being put on the threads by the spring, so you have to adjust out of the car which gets tiring when youve done it 3-4 times on either side, hey-ho, the fronts are easy to adjust on the car, if you have small hands you could do it without taking the wheels off. Probably the best coilovers for the price range IMO. |
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05-09-2024, 04:03 AM | #16 |
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That's good feedback and I look forward to more.
I am running the ST Suspensions Sports kit at present, which is a set of non-adjustable springs and dampers. At the time the price was too good not to take a punt on and I have been generally happy with the amount of lowering and the ride quality/handling balance it provides. However, I can see that some adjustability and maybe going stiffer would be more appropriate for my desired outcome of the car as more of a fast road car than simply an all-rounder. |
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05-09-2024, 04:15 AM | #17 |
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If that’s what you’re after you’re probably best with this kit then, I have a 40 mile commute to work, mixed motorway and country driving and these have been great so far, really good corner holding, and while they’re definitely not OEM ride quality it’s hardly spine breaking. I’ll attach photos of before and after on general
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05-09-2024, 04:21 AM | #18 |
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So this is the before and after, personally it’s a bit low but I had to just make it drivable for work and will change it this weekend, but even this low it’s comfortable enough and handles great.
Would definitely recommend if you want looks/handling and don’t want to break the bank. |
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05-09-2024, 05:22 AM | #19 | |
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05-09-2024, 05:25 AM | #20 |
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05-10-2024, 04:05 AM | #21 |
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Car looks really purposeful, but I agree it probably is a bit too low at present particularly at the front. It will be great to see the ride height you settle on!
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Malteser_wfj68.00 |
05-16-2024, 12:28 PM | #22 |
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This is extremely encouraging. Really appreciate the photos because height adjustment is the only reason to upgrade to a B14 kit. Well that and the cost savings.
The rear suspension adjustment looked easy with the crowbar and wrench method.
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335i, sport pkg, 3 pedals, Blacked out, LED markers, OZ Ultraleggera wheels, Firestone Indy 500s, x-pipe, vibrant 1792, PE mod
MHD stage 2+, BMS DPs, ARM charge pipe, Tial BOV, ARM FMIC, dual cone, CSF radiator, M3 control arms, sways, HAWK pads. https://www.strava.com/athletes/8309149 Follow me on Strava Last edited by Jaronbwall; 05-16-2024 at 12:45 PM.. |
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