Bilstein B12 Mini Review

[VWNCC]

hahaha....no....after I wrote back to you I got told I had to go to The Bahamas for the rest of the week with work but believe it or not I was a bit gutted cos I couldn't pick up the car!! lol. My wife had to....she came to get me from the airport yesterday night in it....drove it again this morning to work....still feeling it out.

First impressions....nice drop....feels more in control....over bumps before I felt the road like a blindman on his knees....now its noticeably better at soaking everything up.....feels even more comfortable, but at the same time tighter. Will give it some beans on the way home around some twisties, but I suspect its going to scare the pants off me how much faster I can go round them now.

My only niggle so far is that I can still hear a slight knock/tap sound going over small bumps, which whilst more pronounced before upfront, was (I thought) due to the front strut mounts going....now its harder to tell where its coming from (still front-ish I think, just fainter....but still there ). It sounds like something is loose after the shocks rebound. I very much doubt its my mechanics fault....but will have to get him to take a look at it with me.....I just can't believe it cos we replaced literally everything....

Glad you like it!

It is tighter, but yet more comfortable! It should get a bit smoother after a few thousand kms or so.

Regarding that noise, could it be the aftermarket strut mount? Like it is made with harder plastic or do you think that sounds more metallic?

 

[PanamaS3]

Glad you like it!

It is tighter, but yet more comfortable! It should get a bit smoother after a few thousand kms or so.

Regarding that noise, could it be the aftermarket strut mount? Like it is made with harder plastic or do you think that sounds more metallic?

The sound, and situation when it happens, is the same as before....just not as loud now. It sounds metallic...so after you hit some uneven surface/small bumps at fairly slow speed you can hear a slight clunk/knock, like the suspension is going back to normal and metal on metal occurs. Its not a creak....but a knock. I used the 034 street density mounts and bearings....not the racing ones, so yes they are less forgiving than stock, but I think something else is up. Might be my oil pan protector again, so gonna check to see if thats loose....failing that I really don't know

 

[VWNCC]

The sound, and situation when it happens, is the same as before....just not as loud now. It sounds metallic...so after you hit some uneven surface/small bumps at fairly slow speed you can hear a slight clunk/knock, like the suspension is going back to normal and metal on metal occurs. Its not a creak....but a knock. I used the 034 street density mounts and bearings....not the racing ones, so yes they are less forgiving than stock, but I think something else is up. Might be my oil pan protector again, so gonna check to see if thats loose....failing that I really don't know

Hope you can find the culprit! I hate rattle, creaks, and etc...

 

[PanamaS3]

UPDATE: Nope....still not found the culprit....in my mind/head its been getting worse....driving me nuts in fact....anyway, first the suspension:
I couldn't deal with the 10mm drop on Panama roads, so had to put my OEM springs back on. Initial thoughts were great....soaked up bumps a lot better....but now I have got used to it again....and maybe because of the damn rattle I'm just not so in love driving the car these days.....SO....I'm away for a few days soon and I'm going to leave my car with my mechanic to drive and find the source of the rattle....if nothing can be found then I'm going to look to change the car sooner....if it can be I will keep another year or more and if so may try to pick up a bargain on full coilovers (B16)....maybe.....but am going to test drive the new RS3 in Oct/Nov....so we shall see

 

[perazzi]

How are you guys getting the Bilstein B12 kits for your S3s?

I can’t get Bilstein UK (or anyone else for that matter) to supply the B8 damper (what’s in the B12 kit) to suit an S3, 3 dr 8v model.

@PanamaS3 – Did you find the ride on the Eibachs too severe? A 10 mm drop seems quite minimal and I thought they improved the daily ride…

TIA

 

[PanamaS3]

How are you guys getting the Bilstein B12 kits for your S3s?

I can’t get Bilstein UK (or anyone else for that matter) to supply the B8 damper (what’s in the B12 kit) to suit an S3, 3 dr 8v model.

@PanamaS3 – Did you find the ride on the Eibachs too severe? A 10 mm drop seems quite minimal and I thought they improved the daily ride…

TIA

I really think I'm in a minority over what I did....or maybe the roads here just suck more....a 10mm drop isn't much but don't forget the S3 is already dropped more than A3 and I also have 19" wheels....on smooth roads I loved the setup and the car was a perfect drop for my wheels....but going down fast changes in inclination (ramps off viaduct) I would hit bottom (not going crazy fast but maybe a little too much) and the thought of babying the car around in certain situations put me off the drop. I didn't feel such a huge jump in damping quality but definitely better than OEM. The springs just had to be changed back to OEM for me and my roads etc., but what changed the ride for me was the dampers not the springs...

 

[VWNCC]

How are you guys getting the Bilstein B12 kits for your S3s?

I can’t get Bilstein UK (or anyone else for that matter) to supply the B8 damper (what’s in the B12 kit) to suit an S3, 3 dr 8v model.

@PanamaS3 – Did you find the ride on the Eibachs too severe? A 10 mm drop seems quite minimal and I thought they improved the daily ride…

TIA

I have just driven 10k+ km with the B12 kit now and am loving it more and more. I agree with PanamaS3, the best part about the setup is probably the shocks. They are no doubt better than the OEM ones. I am totally fine with the ride height. I don't really baby it, I still drive over speedbumps like normal without issues.

 

[perazzi]

Thanks VWNCC, and Panama - appreciated.

My main problem is that Bilstein UK (along with other suspension suppliers) tell me that there isn't either a B12 kit, or B8 dampers on their own, available for the 8v S3 in the UK - Howzat??

I think I read on one of the numerous posts on the subject that someone (VWNCC?) had part numbers for the dampers and springs - whoever it was, you wouldn't still have a note of them...??

Alternativly, can anyone point me in the right direction to LOSE THE ****** BOUNCINESS?? Pre-facelift, 3 door, hops about a bit when pressed.

Just to add something; earlier this year I had a trip to the Nurburgring (another story) and during one afternoon there was a period of around two hours when the track was closed (sadly a double fatality, although we didn't know this at the time) and me and pal went for some spirited driving around the surrounding countryside. We couldn't put a foot wrong, every turning we took put us onto an even better driving road than the last one - it was bliss, but here's the thing. I stepped out of my car that afternoon in awe at how it had performed on perfectly flat, smooth, twisty unmarked asphalt, it was a genuine revelation and I understood then how they had set the car up.

Unfortunately our roads take a bit more taming...

Any help appreciated.

 

[VWNCC]

I think I read on one of the numerous posts on the subject that someone (VWNCC?) had part numbers for the dampers and springs - whoever it was, you wouldn't still have a note of them...??

The Eibach prokit springs for the S3 3-door (8V) is E10-15-021-12-22. You can also confirm on the Eibach International online catalogue.

https://eibach.com/de/en/products/street-performance/international-partners


The B8 shocks for the saloon are as follows. Knowing that these are shared between Mk7 Golf, TT, they probably should work with the 3-door S3.
The front = 35-229919
The rear = 24-229937

 

[PanamaS3]

this is where I got mine @perazzi :

http://www.tunershop.com/Eibach_Sus...(Audi)_x200_220_223x_p1067963_h3_m112719.html

 

[perazzi]

Thanks guys (VWNCC & PanamaS3) I'll contact Bilstein on Monday and report back.