Bilstein B12 Coilover shocks

[PeterJ]

Dear ZRoadster.org, I have a 1998 2.8 Z3 (engine tinkered up to about 280 BHP) with Bilstein B4's fitted 18 months ago (the OEM one were shot to the extent that the tyres rubbed the inside of the bonnet when cornering!) & the B4's made a huge difference. I have since fitted Powerflex subframe mounts (polyurathane) & have replaced virtually all the bushes I could find. I am looking at upgrading the tyres to Toyo Proxes R888's on 18 inch wheels (225 front, 255 rear). I would like to further reduce roll around corners, so am considering a set of Bilstein B12's...has anyone fitted a set to their Z3? How are they interms of ride hardness (too extreme??) & corner stability? Also, I do not want the suspension lowered significantly if it can be avoided. B12's come in two versions: Pro Kit & Sports line, but am not sure what the difference is?! My car is a 'weekend fun' car for the road, not track, so I don't mind a hard ride, providing it does not split the subframe! The roads here are very good, with almost no pot holes etc & I only drive my Z3 in the dry (top down of coarse!). Any views/experience of B12's on a Z3?

 

[Aceman]

Not sure about the B12's but there are a few people on here that have fitted B8's and have gave very good compliments as the the performance gains they have achieved. Have a look at Swampers S50 progress thread HERE, it is a Z3M of course but principles still apply. You might also be interested in fitting H&R uprated arbs as they are supposed to make a considerable improvement to the handling too although watch what setting you install them at as they are known to split the mounts if put on the hardest setting with reinforcing the mounts first.

The Toyo R888 tyres are one of the best dry weather semi road/track tyre you can get but be warned they are not very good in the wet so if you intend driving you Z in all weathers be warned, not sure what the limate is like out there but woould suspect it is alot dryer then over here in blighty.

Other suspension to think about is coilovers with the KW Varients being the best you can buy and available in 3 versions depending on your budget. You would then be able to adjust the ride hight to suite your preference and lower when you do take the opportunity to do a track day. You might have to check out the clearance with your wheels though as the springs on coilovers can sometimes foul the wheel depending what offsets you are running.

I am sure someone else will be along to offer you even more wisdom I can give but good luck with your modding you have obviously caught the bug. :-bd

Edit; there is a bit more on B8's in THIS thread too which might be of interest.

 

[PeterJ]

Thanks Aceman. The KW's also look interesting...I do not know much about the subject, but can they be easily adjusted while fitted to the car at the side of the road? It seems the car will be lowered by at least 30mm if i fit B12's or KW's (?), but not sure how to check if the clearance will be enough with 18 inch wheels when cornering/bumps...for the rain...haha!, the rainfall out here is much much more than in Blighty, the difference is that when it rains out here, it does it properly and comes down like a months UK rain in one hour :zap :rain( (!), but generally gets it over with quickly...no endless days of endless drizzle :ub) that is so British(!)...but there are far far more blue sky dry days here than in Blighty to more than compensate!..I have boring Toyota saloon car for wet days(!), so I am not concerned with the poor wet handling of the R888's

 

[zedonist]

The B12 reference is to the Bilstein B12 Kit consisting of B8 Dampers and Eibach Springs, I fitted a B12 kit early this year for £500 and the ride is very much improved, if you want to remove body roll then you need to improve the AntiRoll Bars, I have fitted the H&R ARB's and these have made the single biggest difference in regards to body roll.

 

[PeterJ]

Thanks Zedonist...I am ordering som H&R ARB's :-bd