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Author Topic: Bilstein B12 Pro Kit - first impressions  (Read 1437 times)

Offline flashp

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Bilstein B12 Pro Kit - first impressions
« on: January 25, 2013, 09:36:49 pm »
OK, I'm going to write a bit of an update regarding this.

As well as the B12 kit I also went for the Whiteline WALK kit and Audi S3 wishbones (aluminium and significantly lighter and adds a small degree of castor angle).
Not a very scientific method adding everything at once as I couldn't be sure of what's had the greatest impact but this was decision based on economics and convenience.

I changed from stock setup in the hope that I could improve upon on number of issues I thought important to me. These are:

- Low speed ride quality over broken/poor surfaces.
Has worked out well. Car is firmer, but somehow more compliant or supple. You still notice some of the bumps, but they are 'managed' better and do not come through the car in the same way as stock hardware allows.

- High speed stability.
Much improved. Car is much more agile and will allow you to push on harder, especially on B roads. Motorways remain very similar top stock. There was nothing much wrong here anyway.

- Turn in.
ARB's are both set to softest at present. Rear may be tweaked later, we'll see. However, big improvement. Not too aggressive but willing and will 'urge' you on.

- Behavior under hard throttle on exit.
Maintains traction well, no skipping or traction loss. Very 'connected' at all times.

If I have anything to add by way of an update I will. Even if turns out I've wasted money on some of it!

Here are two pics before and after to show drop. It's only around 8mm at the front and around 15mm at the rear. This has effectively removed the rake from the car, it's now flat.

Before...


After...
« Last Edit: January 25, 2013, 09:52:36 pm by flashp »

Gone but not forgotten :-)

Offline mad_pete

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Re: Bilstein B12 Pro Kit - first impressions
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2013, 09:48:47 pm »
Glad it's improved things. :-)

Offline Top Cat

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Re: Bilstein B12 Pro Kit - first impressions
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2013, 09:48:52 pm »
I Know it is just personal taste, so i dont know why i am bothering to say this, but the Pireli wheels look so much better than the black Monza's, the bottom pic looks like you have knocked about 3 grand off the value.
Runs and hides from the black monza brigade.  :P

Offline flashp

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Re: Bilstein B12 Pro Kit - first impressions
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2013, 09:55:14 pm »
I Know it is just personal taste, so i dont know why i am bothering to say this, but the Pireli wheels look so much better than the black Monza's, the bottom pic looks like you have knocked about 3 grand off the value.
Runs and hides from the black monza brigade.  :P

 :signLOL:
They have winter tyres on. My Pirellis (please note improved gun metal finish :drool:) have the summer tyres on. The Monza's have a mist of silver over the front face which looks ace in the sun.

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Offline Mandy

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Re: Bilstein B12 Pro Kit - first impressions
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2013, 10:03:12 pm »
Those Pirelli wheels do look rather nice, lovely colour. :drool:
................................................
Driving: Tornado Red MK7 GTD, BMW 330e
Drove: Rising Blue Golf 6R, Reflex Silver Edition30 No.1684, Tornado Red Mk5 Golf GTI