My GTi with Bilstein B12 pro kit

[Shoduchi]

You can call it Sportline because that's what you have.

BILSTEIN B12 Pro-Kit
http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/products/sport-and-threaded-ride-high-adjustable-kits/bilstein-b12-pro-kit/


BILSTEIN B12 Sportline
http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/products/sport-and-threaded-ride-high-adjustable-kits/bilstein-b12-sportline/

[flashp]

I really don't have a Sportline kit.
Have a look here:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,80062.msg831878.html#msg831878
See photo of John_o's car. He has the same kit and drop as me. Bilstein changed the spring spec that was originally supplied.

I'll grant you that it looks more like the current Sportline kit but they weren't.

[Panthera]

I am not sure why there is that much rake - the front sits lower than the rears.   Since, those pictures where taken I have had the front wishbone bushes changed  - Powerflex. 

These are the actual shots of the suspension kit that i have fitted..... B12 Sportlines

Bilstein 2 by Darren Hughes, on Flickr

Billetin 1 by Darren Hughes, on Flickr

[Panthera]

Just thought I would update you all on how I was getting on with the Bilstein B12 Sportline after a further month and a half of driving.  They have settled in nicely and the ride is more supple and compliment over the bumps, but still firm and feels pretty good- read that as - liking it!  The only thing I don't really like is the rake the car is standing at - front sits lower than the rears.  I would presume that the only option is different springs, VWR, H&R as the Eibach Pro-Kits springs are not available anymore??

[Shoduchi]

Eibach springs are like that, that's why I changed from Sportlines to H&R -30 mm. Pro-Kits have the same rake.

[CarlW]

Just thought that i may chuck a spanner in the works as weren't the blisteins once sold with H&R and then dropped to be used with eibach springs? Must have been some reason behind this surely? So just wondered why anyone would swap out the Eibach springs for H&R just for the sake of appearance...Would swapping from Eibach to H&R not have any other effects in terms of ride stiffness etc etc?..

Not sure if i'm right or wrong with this statement but i was certain from memory that i have read this elsewhere.. Someone may be able to correct or confirm this?...
"weren't the blisteins once sold with H&R and then dropped to be used with eibach springs?"

[Panthera]

I know that the Bilstein B8 with the Eibach springs (=B12 kit) have been engineered to work together, so if by changing the springs to H&R or other, would one notice any difference as Carl has mentioned in ride? 

Just researching/reading on Audi-Sport.net about Bilstein Dampers (B8) and springs. The most popular combo is B8's with H&R sport springs, but for what I can tell they also have a rake much like the Eibach. But I have had a look on H&R web site and there is more than one option on sport springs?? 


On a side note, The paint on the Bilstein B8's is it supposed to be matt/satin yellow paint finish or more glossy yellow?   

[Shoduchi]

Just thought that i may chuck a spanner in the works as weren't the blisteins once sold with H&R and then dropped to be used with eibach springs? Must have been some reason behind this surely? So just wondered why anyone would swap out the Eibach springs for H&R just for the sake of appearance...Would swapping from Eibach to H&R not have any other effects in terms of ride stiffness etc etc?..

Not sure if i'm right or wrong with this statement but i was certain from memory that i have read this elsewhere.. Someone may be able to correct or confirm this?...
"weren't the blisteins once sold with H&R and then dropped to be used with eibach springs?"

I don't know what used to be, at the moment Koni sells kits with H&R springs and Bilstein sells with Eibach springs. I have Koni Sports dampers, H&R springs and sway bars. The handling and comfort of my ride improved a lot coming from still like new OEM dampers, Eibach Sportlines and OEM sway bars. That's my personal experience.

H&R only makes 1 version for GTI, which is blue. For lesser petrol versions and other diesel there are black springs similar to Eibach Pro-Kits and red springs similar to GTI blue version and Eibach Sportlines. That's in Europe. You can order from the USA other versions.

[Bernhard30]

Just for info. I had a B12 kit on my Ed30. First with H&R Springs then the Red Eibachs...as I was trying to soften the ride and gain some compliance over bumps/rougher surfaces.
Neither worked and don't think i'd ever use Bilstein again..personally think they are designed for smoother roads than here in the UK. It had too much vertical bounce and jarring for this 40 something..But that might be my age.

Took all that off and bought Ohlins R&T which are sublime.
But that said they are in a different stratosphere in terms of pricing..so whilst it was a slight punt into the unknown it seems to have worked.
And as I've mentioned elsewhere on here it was cheaper buying Ohlins that a new Mk7 R, as was pretty fed up with the rock hard Bilstein set up..so by default was fed up with the car..for just that one issue.

That said everyone is different and one man's 'too harsh' is 'nice and comfy' to others.
But knowing what I know now..there is only one suspension set that combines handling with ride quality..due to dual valved dampers I think.

[Shoduchi]

Just for info. I had a B12 kit on my Ed30. First with H&R Springs then the Red Eibachs...as I was trying to soften the ride and gain some compliance over bumps/rougher surfaces.
Neither worked and don't think i'd ever use Bilstein again..personally think they are designed for smoother roads than here in the UK. It had too much vertical bounce and jarring for this 40 something..But that might be my age.

Took all that off and bought Ohlins R&T which are sublime.
But that said they are in a different stratosphere in terms of pricing..so whilst it was a slight punt into the unknown it seems to have worked.
And as I've mentioned elsewhere on here it was cheaper buying Ohlins that a new Mk7 R, as was pretty fed up with the rock hard Bilstein set up..so by default was fed up with the car..for just that one issue.

That said everyone is different and one man's 'too harsh' is 'nice and comfy' to others.
But knowing what I know now..there is only one suspension set that combines handling with ride quality..due to dual valved dampers I think.

I wouldn't mind having Öhlins in my car too.

[Panthera]

My previous two cars had Ohlins/Monroe CEX system (aka Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (4C)) on Volvo S60R's and they are outstanding - at the touch of a button I could go from confront to 'track' stiffness at the touch of a button.  I know the Ohlins Road and Track don't have this exact feature, just a dial on each strut to adjust the stiffness, they are the best made suspension fun the world - market leaders along with Monroe. 

I too would love to have a set on my car, but they are slightly out of most peoples price range