Bilstein PSS B14 vs B16 vs Clubsport

[HachiNi]

Updated: I ended up with H&R Perf. Coilovers. Front lowered by 1/2 inch and rear by 1/4 inch.
The rear is rubbing like a mofo because of the aggressive off set in the back.

I'm looking to upgrade from my m sport package suspension on my 09 135.
I got some new wheels recently and now the wheels are lighter, im looking to update the suspension. Last time I bought PSS almost a decade ago, there were PSS and PSS 9. Now I see the designation of B14 and B16. Is B16 = PSS9 ? I used to autox over 10 yrs ago on my E46. Now I just do my long ass commute.. I have non run flat Yokohamas on Rays and I also have BMW Performance Brakes.

[swagon]

B14 PSS is supposedly a great kit for the price (not sure what's the price in the US, but in Germany it is kinda cheap), lots of E82 owners have bought it and are very satisfied with its performance. However, front struts on these tend to knock even after a few thousands of miles. There are people who have never had any problems, there are people who had problems at 50k mls and there are people who had problems at 5k miles.

I would prefer them over KW V1's for sure.

The B16's are PSS10, and are offered in two variants: 20-40mm and 30-50mm. I don't have any feedback on those from 1er owners, but never heard anything bad from others.

It all depends on your budget and what you want to do with the car. If you just commute and drive in the CA canyons, maybe some nice strut & spring combo could be a better choice for you. Unless you want to dial in the perfect ride height.

[HachiNi]

Thanks Swagon for all your feedback.
Can you explain the knocking? I don't think I will be lowering the car by more than 1/2 inch. Budget wise I'm about B16 ish.
Also I should probably change the sway bars while I'm at it? Does Bilstein make those ?

[swagon]

Don't know how to explain it better than that it is a clunking noise. I have never heard it with my ears. IIRC, it happens usually at low speeds.

B16's do not have this problem, though. You'll be fine with the B16's.

What you should do is to address the soft subframe bushings. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=638163

Bilstein as far as I know doesn't make sway bars. Eibach and/or H&R do. More popular are E90/92 and E93 M3 swaysway bars.

[HachiNi]

have you had any experience with H&R coilovers/suspension setups?
I'm also looking for camber plates as well.

Originally Posted by swagon

Don't know how to explain it better than that it is a clunking noise. I have never heard it with my ears. IIRC, it happens usually at low speeds.

B16's do not have this problem, though. You'll be fine with the B16's.

What you should do is to address the soft subframe bushings. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=638163

Bilstein as far as I know doesn't make sway bars. Eibach and/or H&R do. More popular are E90/92 and E93 M3 swaysway bars.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by HachiNi

have you had any experience with H&R coilovers/suspension setups?
I'm also looking for camber plates as well.

Nope, I went from stock M Sport to KW V2. I'm satisfied with them. Made a really big difference on an otherwise stock setup (I'm now contemplating the RSFB's).

Get the best you can that your budget allows, man. H&R, I think, is more on the harsher side.

Search more in this section. Lots information here.

[BratsForBilstein]

I would recommend the Bilstein PSS B14 system. I have had them on my 135i for around 5k miles with no issues. The PSS system allows you to have adjustable ride height with a bit more firm damping characteristic than the Sachs OE. The PSS9 B16 system will do this as well as give you adjustable damping (not independent rebound and compression control though). This is a great system, but how often will you really be adjusting your damping force bypass..? As far as the club sports go, these are the top of the line. Adjustable ride height as well as independent 10-way rebound and compression control (Check out the new Viper ACR track times ). They are linear valves so the difference is quite noticeable between settings. However, if you are planning on daily driving this you had better have a good chiropractor, as they have a much more firm valve code. Not to mention they will cost you your first born child.. Swagon is correct, Bilstein doesnt make sway bars. M3 sway bar FTW.. Also, to those concerned about a knock noise, if this is truly caused by the damper, return it through warranty. Bilstein has a lifetime warranty on AM parts.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by swagon

B14 PSS is supposedly a great kit for the price (not sure what's the price in the US, but in Germany it is kinda cheap), lots of E82 owners have bought it and are very satisfied with its performance.

What is the price in Germany? You have me curious now!

Also... if you don't mind me asking how much were your KW's ?


In the US...

Bilstein B12's = $759
http://www.ajusa.com/2010-BMW-135I-B...it-acb089.html

Bilstein B14's = $1,024
http://www.ajusa.com/2010-BMW-135I-B...727cq67a9.html

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

What is the price in Germany? You have me curious now!

Also... if you don't mind me asking how much were your KW's ?


In the US...

Bilstein B12's = $759
http://www.ajusa.com/2010-BMW-135I-B...it-acb089.html

Bilstein B14's = $1,024
http://www.ajusa.com/2010-BMW-135I-B...727cq67a9.html

David,


B14 PSS through a vendor on a 1erforum.de is €735; B12'sfrom the same guy are €549.

Cheaper than in the US.

KW V2 cost me (well, not me actually) €1,149. KW had €300 discounts on several vehicles and on all coilovers except KW Street Comfort earlier this year. So normally they are €1,449.

[_Ryan_]

B16- PSS10 has a redesigned adjuster compared to PSS9
B14- PSS don't have any adjustment

My PSS with camber plates and linear springs made it around 70k km before I decided that the compression on the front end is unacceptable, they'll get revalved/rebuilt shortly.
I haven't been gentle with them...

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by swagon

David,


B14 PSS through a vendor on a 1erforum.de is €735; B12'sfrom the same guy are €549.

Cheaper than in the US.

KW V2 cost me (well, not me actually) €1,149. KW had €300 discounts on several vehicles and on all coilovers except KW Street Comfort earlier this year. So normally they are €1,449.

Is that US$735? If so that is an excellent price! Do you know if he ships international? I assume he's a recognised vendor & the lifetime warranty will still apply through Bilstein..

[swagon]

Originally Posted by OzJustin

Is that US$735? If so that is an excellent price! Do you know if he ships international? I assume he's a recognised vendor & the lifetime warranty will still apply through Bilstein..

It's Euros.

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by swagon

It's Euros.

That's AUD$1100 which is still a very good price considering the horrible exchange rate over here.

Do you know if he ships international? I would likely need a translater to arrange the order haha.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by OzJustin

That's AUD$1100 which is still a very good price considering the horrible exchange rate over here.

Do you know if he ships international? I would likely need a translater to arrange the order haha.

I have no idea. Shall I PM him and ask if he ships to Australia?

[_Ryan_]

nh-tuning.de will ship to AU

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by swagon

I have no idea. Shall I PM him and ask if he ships to Australia?

Don't go out of your way for me but I would be keen to know as I've been considering B14's for a future purchase. That is the best price I've seen.

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by OzJustin

Don't go out of your way for me but I would be keen to know as I've been considering B14's for a future purchase. That is the best price I've seen.

For reference, these should be under $AU1400 to your door.
http://www.nh-tuning.de/Suspension-t...08_165312.html

Not sure what shipping is for the other vendor, but that's where I got mine from and they were great to deal with.

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by _Ryan_

For reference, these should be under $AU1400 to your door.
http://www.nh-tuning.de/Suspension-t...08_165312.html

Not sure what shipping is for the other vendor, but that's where I got mine from and they were great to deal with.

Thanks for that store. That price doesn't look to include shipping though?

I'm also aware that Redline360 in the US sell the B14 for US$979 which is a similar price. I believe shipping would be approx AUD$300.
http://www.redline360.com/bilstein-b...35is-47-120471

Sorry to derail your thread OP. I hope that this discussion assists you with prices should you decide to go with B14's though.

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by OzJustin

Thanks for that store. That price doesn't look to include shipping though?

I'm also aware that Redline360 in the US sell the B14 for US$979 which is a similar price. I believe shipping would be approx AUD$300.
http://www.redline360.com/bilstein-b...35is-47-120471

Sorry to derail your thread OP. I hope that this discussion assists you with prices should you decide to go with B14's though.

true, it includes their tax which isn't applied for those in Australia(create an account to see it removed). From memory shipping is approx. 100 euro.

[HachiNi]

I ended up getting H&R for the same price as B14

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by HachiNi

I ended up getting H&R for the same price as B14

What did you see to be the advantage of that?

[HachiNi]

Originally Posted by _Ryan_

What did you see to be the advantage of that?

To be honest with you, I had PSS on my old car and I just wanted to try H&R.
So far so good other than the rubbing in the rear because of my aggressive offset for the rear.