Bilstein B12 Pro Kit - A Review

**FourRingThing** · 08-19-2016 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by CONative

I just installed this kit 3 weeks ago on my Avant - very happy with the results but hope to god nobody has the issues I did...

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so what happened? I have this kit I installed it myself and mine seems like something is loose when hitting bumps, I double checked everything I could get to, except I cannot get to the top of the strut without removing everything anybody else have any issues?

**Caymanite** · 08-22-2016 01:22 PM

@FourRingThing

I just had this kit installed on Saturday on a 15 S4 and I also have that clunking sound when going over bumps. Sounds like something is loose up front somewhere. Going to jack it up when I have some time and take a look to see if I can find anything.

**NLPed68** · 08-22-2016 07:04 PM

I have a new in the box B12 kit for my avant. But after seeing all the issues with the Pro springs, I've ordered the Sportlines for mine. I will use the bilsteins, but I want the even drop like Avantmaniac.

**CONative** · 08-23-2016 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by FourRingThing

so what happened? I have this kit I installed it myself and mine seems like something is loose when hitting bumps, I double checked everything I could get to, except I cannot get to the top of the strut without removing everything anybody else have any issues?

Long story short - both front shocks blew after 2 weeks of driving, and only after I took it to an alignment shop. Bilstein took care of me and expedited replacement shocks before I left on a 750 mile road trip to the Black Hills. A friend helped me do the original install and believe it or not, had a similar noise coming from only the front. I had an Indy do the R&R before the road trip, no more noises.

My best guess - one or more of the four bolts in the engine bay is loose and the top of the control arm assembly is hitting the body - or the nut attaching the shock to the hat is loose. I'm thinking my noise came from the nut as we didn't use an impact to tighten nor did we use channel-locks or vise-grips to hold the rod while tightening the nut - lesson learned.

Are the noises from F&R or just F?

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**Caymanite** · 08-23-2016 07:46 AM

My noise seems to be just from the front and I was thinking the same thing regarding the upper strut bolts. Will have to check them out.

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**NLPed68** · 08-26-2016 03:01 PM

My Sportlines showed up today. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

**CONative** · 08-26-2016 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by NLPed68

My Sportlines showed up today. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

Make sure to post up pics once they're on!

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**avantagg** · 08-26-2016 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by CONative

Make sure to post up pics once they're on!

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+1 very interested to see the difference!

**Grippy** · 08-27-2016 09:47 PM

I'm looking at this kit and I'm really hoping everyone gets sorted. I don't have an avant but the sportline seems more appropriate for the look I've been thinking of.

Since bumpstops are a hot topic here and we're talking about noises, I should mention that my car when new had a clunk in the rear that turned out to be the bumpstops.

They were not installed in the top of the strut all the way and were dangling a bit low, then over the course of the first thousand miles or so the bumps made the bumpstop deformed to where it wouldn't insert all the way up in the cup it sits in, so it sounded like I was bottoming out on quick little bumps.

Dealer ordered new bumpstops (which they call dampers). I though no way will this fix it but that did it.

So I guess, if you're experiencing some sounds and are out of other ideas, check that your bumpstops are trimmed up right and installed ALL the way up in their perches.

Cheers

**BIG_ROOSTER** · 08-28-2016 04:16 PM

Just found this thread I've been running the B12 kit since December 2014 ordered it in September think it arrived in November. Now keep in mind I drove 3000 miles in 2015 and 2500 miles in 2016 so far. I do drive it hard on several mountain roads where I live at and it has performed beautifully. No noises coming from any part of the suspension alignment shows it not terribly out of whack but tire wear definitely shows my camber.

2009 non s line 255/35 r 19

Oops this was stock height

This was taken a few months ago

**Davidx1994** · 08-30-2016 09:03 AM

Here's how mine sits with the kit. It's been about 3 months/ 6k miles since the install.

No complaints other than having to be extra careful to not scrape. I'm used to that with the previous car I had.

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**CONative** · 08-30-2016 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Davidx1994

Here's how mine sits with the kit. It's been about 3 months/ 6k miles since the install.

No complaints other than having to be extra careful to not scrape. I'm used to that with the previous car I had.

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I really only scrape going up and down the driveway - winters should be interesting though. Good opportunity to invest in the aluminum skid plate ECS sells - they had it on sale a few weeks ago but I didn't jump on it

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**A4x** · 08-30-2016 06:48 PM

Anyone know a good place to buy bump stops? Either OEM, or good quality aftermarket? I cut mine after the B12 kit was installed, but the rears are making a clunking noise, I think because they are not staying seated all the way up in the mount. I want to try to buy new ones and slit them down the side so that I can install without removing my shocks. Then to get a shorter length, I will cut out a middle section, and glue the top piece to the bottom. That way it will be shorter, but still mount in the top mount, as well as hold the dust cover on the bottom. Do you think this can work?

Right now the rears make an annoying clunking/clicking over any small bump, because I think they are not fully seated, due to me cutting the top off.

**BIG_ROOSTER** · 08-30-2016 08:33 PM

I'm pretty sure I left mine off on the rear. If they go low enough to bottom out I'd be into the fenders.

**4ringnut** · 08-31-2016 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by A4x

Anyone know a good place to buy bump stops? Either OEM, or good quality aftermarket? I cut mine after the B12 kit was installed, but the rears are making a clunking noise, I think because they are not staying seated all the way up in the mount. I want to try to buy new ones and slit them down the side so that I can install without removing my shocks. Then to get a shorter length, I will cut out a middle section, and glue the top piece to the bottom. That way it will be shorter, but still mount in the top mount, as well as hold the dust cover on the bottom. Do you think this can work?

Right now the rears make an annoying clunking/clicking over any small bump, because I think they are not fully seated, due to me cutting the top off.

That's not caused by the bumpstop. Sounds like your strut bolts aren't torqued. You can keep them in place by installing a zip tie around the top of it, and cutting the tag off. The zip tie will act as the lip you cut off, and keep it in place. Mine have been like that since April 2015.

**A4x** · 08-31-2016 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by 4ringnut

That's not caused by the bumpstop. Sounds like your strut bolts aren't torqued. You can keep them in place by installing a zip tie around the top of it, and cutting the tag off. The zip tie will act as the lip you cut off, and keep it in place. Mine have been like that since April 2015.

I hope it's not the strut bolts. How hard are those to torque down on the rear? Struts have to come off?

I'm 70% sure it's the bumpstops making the noise. Ordered cheap S4 ones from ECS (Hamburg Technic

). I'll find out in 2 weeks or so when I swap them (going to slice them to slip them on, without removing suspension).

To be fair, I didn't use a zip tie to hold them in place, I just wrapped some tape around them to beef them up, and jammed them in the mount. I think they are not staying all the way UP in the mount. See Grippy's post a few above ^^^

**Caymanite** · 09-01-2016 11:28 AM

The rears should be easy as its not a strut so the springs and shocks are separate. The shock has two bolts that you loosen from inside the wheel wheel so you may be able to disconnect the shock at the top and compress it down by hand enough to remove the top bracket and slide the bump stop on.

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**4ringnut** · 09-01-2016 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by A4x

I hope it's not the strut bolts. How hard are those to torque down on the rear? Struts have to come off?

I'm 70% sure it's the bumpstops making the noise. Ordered cheap S4 ones from ECS (Hamburg Technic

). I'll find out in 2 weeks or so when I swap them (going to slice them to slip them on, without removing suspension).

To be fair, I didn't use a zip tie to hold them in place, I just wrapped some tape around them to beef them up, and jammed them in the mount. I think they are not staying all the way UP in the mount. See Grippy's post a few above ^^^

Just put a zip tie around them and push them in place. You don't need new ones dude. The bolts are very accessible. Any shop should be able to torque then in less than 5 minutes.

**A4x** · 09-01-2016 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by 4ringnut

Just put a zip tie around them and push them in place. You don't need new ones dude. The bolts are very accessible. Any shop should be able to torque then in less than 5 minutes.

These 2???

Or this one?

Right, the first 2 look easy. Last one, not so much.

I'll find out the source of the noise soon and report back. Either bumpstops or loose bolts. I'll try the zip tie method this weekend. My new stops won't be in for at least a week ($8 each).

**kiw1** · 09-02-2016 07:40 PM

I finally had my B12 kit swapped out for PSS10 and its great. It's definitely firmer than the B12 but i've raised the front and significantly lowered the rear to match the front. The car feels really planted and fun. I really hope my fellow avant friends find a most cost effective solution. Personally for me Bilstein did nothing and it was really Eurocode that helped me out to ensure that i was happy.

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**4ringnut** · 09-03-2016 02:47 PM

How much firmer would you say the PSS10 ki is compared to the B12 1-10?

**kiw1** · 09-03-2016 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by 4ringnut

How much firmer would you say the PSS10 ki is compared to the B12 1-10?

I don't't feel like I'm bouncing all over the place but its not as comfortable as the B12 kit. In saying that the car feels allot more planted. Going round corners is more fun.

I'm only driving my car in the weekends right now so the sacrifice in ride comfort is worth it for performance.

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**Caymanite** · 09-03-2016 05:39 PM

I can't imagine, or would want, anything more firm than the B12.

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**PBKIDD24** · 09-03-2016 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Caymanite

I can't imagine, or would want, anything more firm than the B12.

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+1 I was under the impression that the PSS10 kit has adjustable dampening and can be made softer then the b12.

**kiw1** · 09-03-2016 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by PBKIDD24

+1 I was under the impression that the PSS10 kit has adjustable dampening and can be made softer then the b12.

It does. I'm running 6 out of 10. I personally thought the B12 was very smooth so the increase in firmness is tolerable.

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**kiw1** · 09-04-2016 02:13 PM

Here is the drop comparison in case anyone is interested.

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**BIG_ROOSTER** · 09-08-2016 11:33 AM

Yeah that's a difference in the back but with my ET 32 wheels and 255's I've already bacon'd 1 fender on the front end.

**Phray** · 09-08-2016 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by BIG_ROOSTER

Yeah that's a difference in the back but with my ET 32 wheels and 255's I've already bacon'd 1 fender on the front end.

Shit really? What size wheels? 19s? And what's your aspect?

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**BIG_ROOSTER** · 09-09-2016 02:34 AM

19x8.5 ET 32 I just switched to 245's to get skinnier

**NLPed68** · 09-09-2016 05:46 PM

Finally installed the "modified" Bilstein B12 kit today along with EC sways/end links, AK brace along with the EBay braces & the CR15, and finally the trans & rear diff inserts. Also installed the 19x9.5 Avant Garde's and alignment.

The Sportlines on the Avant are the PERFECT combo. I'm going to clean the car up and then I'll post some pictures.

The car handles fantastic and I'm very pleased with the stance.

Next up... Brakes.

**Phray** · 09-09-2016 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by NLPed68

Finally installed the "modified" Bilstein B12 kit today along with EC sways/end links, AK brace along with the EBay braces & the CR15, and finally the trans & rear diff inserts. Also installed the 19x9.5 Avant Garde's and alignment.

The Sportlines on the Avant are the PERFECT combo. I'm going to clean the car up and then I'll post some pictures.

The car handles fantastic and I'm very pleased with the stance.

Next up... Brakes.

Awesome- looking forward to the photos!

Sportlines don't really make sense for where I live, but I'm sure they look great!

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**NLPed68** · 09-09-2016 06:02 PM

^^^ On the Avant, they just work. It isn't 'slammed' but the awkward fendergap is gone and I don't have the screwy Pro springs rake.

**kiw1** · 09-10-2016 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by NLPed68

^^^ On the Avant, they just work. It isn't 'slammed' but the awkward fendergap is gone and I don't have the screwy Pro springs rake.

Glad you sorted it mate!

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**NLPed68** · 09-11-2016 03:36 PM

Bilstein's with the Sportlines, and the final verdict is....

**Avantmaniac** · 09-12-2016 04:18 PM

^^^ NICE ED! :)

**NLPed68** · 09-12-2016 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Avantmaniac

^^^ NICE ED! :)

Thanks Ike! I owe you credit for pointing me in the Sportline direction!

**BIG_ROOSTER** · 09-13-2016 04:31 PM

Looking good I need a wagon so bad

**NLPed68** · 09-13-2016 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by BIG_ROOSTER

Looking good I need a wagon so bad

Thanks BIG_ROOSTER, I'm really pleased with how it's turned out!

**Grippy** · 09-19-2016 12:13 AM

So, I'm kind of feeling like the Sportlines on the avant come out just a hair lower than the Proline on the sedan. And it seems like the sportline on the sedan go a little lower still, but it's hard to tell the since most sedan drivers all have the pro kit. Super conflicted which of these to use.

**Caymanite** · 09-21-2016 09:55 AM

My B12 pro kit (sedan) was installed about 5 weeks ago. Front fender to ground measurement is 26" and rears are just under 26.5"

Wheels are 20's with 255/30 tires

Front

Rear

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