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Suspensions Bilstein B12 Pro shock absorber kit + springs
Bilstein suspensions and Eibach springs are a benchmark both in the world of high-end tuning and in the world of competition, there are many users from all over the world who enjoy the benefits of their Bilstein shock absorbers and every day there are more and more satisfied users. the excellent performance of its suspensions.
Bilstein suspensions have used advanced technology for many years and very high quality materials, the duration of their useful life is so long that many cars do not need to change the suspensions again for the rest of the car's useful life.
F.A.Q. (Frequent questions)
There are many queries and doubts from undecided users that reach our mailboxes daily. Answering these questions in a spoken dialogue is easy, but for sellers it is unfeasible to continually answer in writing and individually to a large number of questions, many of them very repetitive and so frequent.
For this reason we have taken the trouble to compile the most common queries to provide you with the information and so that you get a better idea when deciding to buy one thing or another. Therefore, before sending your query, please, we ask you to take a few minutes to review the most frequent questions that users ask us, with their respective answers.
90% of times your question is answered in this list. If your query is not on this list, in that case please contact us and we will gladly inform you.
1 - I get confused with the ranges of Bilstein B4, B6, B8, B10, B12, B14, B16
2 - Will I have problems in the ITV if I change something in the suspension?
3 - Will I pass the ITV if I modify the height of my car by mounting springs?
5 - If they knock me down on the ITV, what will I have to do?
5 - Are these suspensions hard or soft?
6 - Are all Bilsteins fat stem?
7 - When should the shock absorbers be changed?
8 - My new suspensions leak oil even in the box
9 - Is it true that Bilsteins last forever?
10 - Do I have to change the upper cups?
11 - Can Bilstein shock absorbers be repaired?
12 - Can I mount the suspensions myself to save money?
13 - If I have to approve at the end, what happens if I mount them myself?
14 - When changing the suspensions, do I have to realign it?
15 - Is it really the best suspension kit on the market?
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1 - I get confused with the ranges of Bilstein B4, B6, B8, B10, B12, B14, B16
Which is which and what are they for?
At BBSport we understand that the names of each product range of each brand can be a tremendous hassle for the buyer. We explain it to you to make it clearer.
Bilstein B2 range
The B2 range is the most basic range of black Bilstein shock absorbers, it is the equivalent to the original OEM part and it is the one that is mounted when the original suspensions have reached the end of their useful life and the user wants to mount the closest thing of origin and at the best price. The design is gasless hydraulic twin tube.
Bilstein B3 range
The B3 range is the range of original OEM equivalent springs
Bilstein B4 range
The B4 range is the range of black Bilstein shock absorbers, it is the equivalent to the original OEM part and is the one that is mounted when the original suspensions have reached the end of their useful life and the user wants to mount the closest thing to origin and at an adjusted price. The design is twin tube with low pressure gas.
Bilstein B6 range
The B6 range is the original yellow Bilstein Sport line of shock absorbers of a lifetime, they are shock absorbers with a monotube design and high pressure gas. Ideal for those users who want not replace but improve the suspensions and the behavior in general of the chassis. They are assembled with the original springs of the car (the original height is preserved)
Bilstein B8 range
The B8 range is simply a B6 with shorter stems, to be fitted with lower sport springs, to prevent the shock from bottoming out when the ride height is lowered.
Bilstein B10 range
The B10 range is a pack of standard quality Bilstein twin tube shocks with low pressure gas and 4 standard quality lowering springs. It is a basic package that is only available for the most popular compact and utility applications of small displacement and power. Ideal for tuning posture.
Bilstein B12 range
The B12 range is a pack that is made up of; 4 Bilstein B8 shock absorbers + 4 Eibach Prokit springs. The B12 kit is one of the highest quality products awarded by many specialized magazines for its excellent performance characteristics. Perfectly combines stability with very optimal levels of comfort
Bilstein B14 PSS range
The B14 range is a threaded body suspension which includes 4 monotube design shock absorbers with inverted rods in most applications at the front and 4 shorter springs to adjust the height as a general average up to -60/80 mm with respect to the original height. The shock absorbers are fixed tare.
Bilstein B16 range PSS9 or PSS10
The B16 range is the top range of Bilstein, it is a threaded body suspension in which the setting (hardness) of the shock absorber can be adjusted in 9 or 10 positions (PSS9 & PSS10)
Bilstein Clubsport Range
The Clubsport range is Bilstein's flagship, this is a much more elaborate 2-way B16 range with separate compression and rebound adjustability. It also incorporates rigid cupels with uniball joints and camber adjustment by turrets in McPherson systems. Ideal for enthusiasts of batches and track days on circuits with powerful high-performance cars (Audi RS4, BMW M3, Porsche 911...etc). The closest thing to a street racing suspension.
Other Bilstein ranges
There are other Bilstein ranges such as the B1, B6 4100, B8 5100 and other variants, but we do not explain them here because they are not relevant
2 - Will I have problems in the ITV if I change something in the suspension?
ITV regulationsWhat is considered reform and what is not
The ITV stations are mainly fixed in the modification of the height
In the case of suspensions, the substitution or incorporation of the following elements are not considered major reform:
- Shock absorbers: The change of shock absorbers does not imply any modification of the technical characteristics
- Reinforcement bar between turrets: The assembly of a turret bar does not imply any modification of the technical characteristics
- Stabilizer bars: The mounting of thicker stabilizer bars does not imply any modification of the technical characteristics
- Reinforced or rigid cups: They do not imply any modification of the technical characteristics
Yes it is considered important reform:
- Assembly of low sports springs: The marked reduction in the height of the car does modify technical characteristics
- Assembly of reinforced springs that raise the height in a very noticeable way (in all-terrain 4×4)
- Assembly of threaded suspensions: Although the bodywork adjusts to the height measurement that appears in the technical data sheet, the "suspension system modification" reform has already been carried out, so even if it is set to the original height, it most likely will not we will be able to deceive the inspector.
3 - Will I pass or will they knock me down at the ITV if I modify the height of my car by mounting springs?
Many users always ask us this question. ITV stations focus mainly on the noticeable change in height
Each ITV station is a universe and the answer to this question can never be answered by the seller because it does not depend on him but on the criteria of the line inspector who checks the car for us.
Unfortunately for Spanish users, the Spanish ITV have too much authority to decide if our car is tolerable or not tolerable, if it happens or not... This does not happen in most foreign countries, but Spain is Spain.
90% of ITV stations consider a height reduction of up to a maximum of 30 mm "tolerable" with respect to the height shown in the car's technical sheet.
Therefore there is a 10% chance that we will be knocked down in the ITV due to the personal criteria of the inspector, some are more permissive than others and a few are inflexible and are the typical "ballots" who throw you back.
Lowering the height beyond -30mm will increase the risk of unfavorable inspections, so BBSport recommends mounting the Prokit B12 which lowers an average between 25/30mm and not the Sportline Kit which lowers -45/50mm.
4 - If they knock me down on the ITV, what do I have to do?
If the car is knocked down in the ITV due to height reduction, it is not necessary to remove what we have mounted and put the old, they will simply mark us as an unfavorable inspection due to an administrative defect, not a technical one.
In the worst case, all we will have to do is legalize the assembly of that accessory, and in the case of springs, it will be necessary to carry out a technical study signed by a collegiate engineer. There are many certifying engineers that can be found on the internet with various rates.
BBSport can process this service for a reasonable market price, check our rates.
5 - Are these suspensions hard or soft?
Hardness and comfort are personal criteria, the perception of hardness and comfort is not the same for all people, what may be soft for one person may be hard for another person and vice versa.
In general terms, the Bilstein B12 combine comfort and stability in a very successful way, in that sense they are the best on the market, they behave like semi-intelligent suspensions, at low speed they are soft and comfortable while at high speed they progressively harden, providing increased stability in high-speed corners
6 - Are all Bilsteins fat stem?
Some Bilstein models have what is popularly known as a fat stem, which is actually an inverted axle mount, especially on McPherson setups, this is not usually the case on parallelogram suspensions. This design has been shown to be more effective in competitions because it evacuates heat better.
7 - When should the shock absorbers be changed?
The shock absorber is a consumable, as are the tires, the brakes, the oil, the filters... but people don't usually see it that way. A shock absorber is a consumable element that has a certain duration and when it reaches its end of useful life it must be replaced.
As a general rule, they should be checked every 20,000 km or once a year
8 - My new suspensions leak oil even in the box
Some users are alarmed when they unpack the boxes and see oil stains on the shock absorber or on the packaging, in Bilstein shock absorbers this is normal.
This does not mean that they lose oil, it is only a lubricant that is put in at the factory to keep the rods and seals self-lubricated and do not dry out, these stains are simply a surplus of lubricant.
9 - Is it true that Bilsteins last forever?
It is not entirely true because as it is a consumable it therefore has a limited life, what happens is that Bilstein uses very high quality materials that are very resistant to fatigue, giving the shock absorber a very long life, far superior to other brands. of the competition.
The duration depends on the use that the car is put to, but there are some cases of cars that have done perfectly up to 500,000 km with a set of Bilstein shocks.
10 - Do I have to change the upper cups?
When assembling the new shock absorbers it is highly recommended to check the state of the upper shock absorber mounts of turrets or also called cups, in case of doubt replace them with new ones, they are also consumables and have a limited life.
11 - Can Bilstein shock absorbers be repaired?
The Bilstein factory does not provide this service for 2 compelling logical reasons
1 - A shock absorber is made up of several parts, it does not make sense to replace one part when all the others are also worn, a repaired shock absorber will always remain an old shock absorber with the risk of breaking down again in a short space of time
2 - The cost of repairing a shock absorber is usually the same or even higher than that of a new one.
There are some independent shock repair companies, Bilstein does not recommend repairing old and worn shocks.
12 - The workshop charges me dearly, can I assemble the suspensions myself to save money?
There are users who have knowledge of mechanics, the site and the appropriate tools to carry out the replacement without too much difficulty.
Whether or not you have these three things, we recommend that you better take the car to a workshop to carry out the installation
13 - If I have to approve at the end, what happens if I mount them myself?
Keep in mind that if you assemble the B12 suspension yourself and have it approved by the ITV, in addition to the engineering technical study, you will be asked for a workshop certificate, you must look for a workshop that certifies the assembly that you have done yourself. They will surely charge you for reviewing the assembly and issuing the certificate, unless it is the workshop of a friend.
and the installation
14 - When changing the suspensions, do I have to realign it?
Yes, it is imperative to review the steering alignment again and check that the geometry dimensions have not changed. If this is not done the car could have incorrect geometry and be unstable and unsafe.
15 - Is it really the best suspension kit on the market?
The best suspension kit on the market
The basis of the performance of legendary sports cars such as the Porsche 911, Mercedes S-Class, Bugatti Veyron, Audi R8, Nissan GTR to name just a few, is the innovative strength and experience of Bisltein brand engineers.
As a partner in the development of series on many vehicles, in addition to supplying suspensions, they offer the knowledge and experience spanned over many years in motorsport.
With this knowledge, Bilstein is capable of supplying any type of demand to all types of users who require an adequate solution adapted to their needs.
For more than 50 years, Bilstein has been synonymous with experience and maximum performance in suspension technology. Numerous national and international successes in motor sport with Bilstein products and multiple "Best Brand" awards from many specialized magazines and the media that endorse them.
Maximum quality and benefits
The B12 kit is the perfect combination between the best shock absorbers on the market, Bilstein model B8 with the best springs, Eibach. The shock absorbers are high-pressure gas with monotube architecture, double floating piston that separates the hydraulic chamber from the gas chamber to keep the fluid in optimal working conditions in high-demand circumstances.
The most suitable solution for those users who wish to give their vehicle a sportier aesthetic and character than the one it comes with as standard, acquiring excellent handling performance and maintaining very optimal levels of comfort for a sports suspension.
The high-pressure pressurized nitrogen gas chamber prevents the phenomenon of cavitation and avoids fatigue under high-pressure and high-temperature circumstances.
The materials used in the shafts, valves, cylinders, etc... are hardened steel alloys with high resistance to fatigue that provide the shock absorber with a very long useful life, in many cases it is not necessary to change the shock absorbers of the car again due to to the excellent durability benefits they have.
The world's most renowned car manufacturers trust one name when it comes to feel, performance and quality: BILSTEIN.
High quality hydraulic oil
The shock absorber's job is to absorb the irregularities of the road surface and dissipate the energy accumulated in the spring through the fluid in the form of heat, this causes it to heat up to high temperatures and bubbles appear in conventional shock absorbers that use cheap low-carbon oil. quality.
It is very important that the oil used always has a suitable viscosity in a wide range of temperatures. High temperatures degrade the hydraulic fluid and cause it to lose its properties and the shock absorber to lose its effectiveness. For this reason, it is very important for Bilstein to use high-quality hydraulics, to guarantee high performance under extreme stress and delay the onset of fatigue as much as possible.
Installation Tips
Although for the assembly of these suspensions it is not necessary to have advanced mechanical knowledge, it is recommended to assemble the suspensions in a specialized technical service, but if you choose to assemble it yourself, remember that a bad assembly can invalidate the guarantee of the suspensions , as well as misuse, accidents, blows... etc
Remember that it is essential to have the geometry of the axles and the alignment checked once the suspensions have been changed, since the geometry levels may have varied significantly and this translates into instability and erratic behavior in the car, and giving a false perception that the suspensions are not working well, it is also very important to check the tire pressures, an incorrect pressure can also negatively influence the behavior of the car.
Tutorials
See types of shocks and symptoms of faulty shocks
See differences monotube vs twin tube shock absorbers
Mounting suspensions with rigid adjustable cups VS without cups