Hi all, anyone have any first hand experience of the B12s on a VRS? Not overjoyed with the standard suspension (having come from a MK2 Leon Cupra), want something a bit less wallowy and less crashy. Read conflicting reports of the B12s, from "rock hard" to "more comfortable than standard and awesome control".

Also heard good reports on just changing the springs to uprated ones with standard dampers, but a good chunk of the cost of swapping components is the fitting (been quoted around £200 for fitting the B12s + alignment elsewhere) so would rather make a good choice first time round.

Cheers

Paul

I've just ordered B14s for my V50. I have no experience of the B12s but what I do know of Bilstein, they won't be "rock hard".

We're an approved Bilstein supplier, so give us a call for a price if you decide to go ahead

Also heard good reports on just changing the springs to uprated ones with standard dampers,

Would that be possible ? I'm thinking about doin something like that .!

Do a search - there have been lots of threads on suspension and B12 comes up a lot - IIRC someone said they'd ordered a set a few weeks back (in germany?) but not seen any review type posts yet.

From the research I'd done, and having been on this forum on and off for the last 2 years or so I have not seen any first hand octavia experience posted of the b12 kit, yet.

Ive driven a vRS with the Bilstein B12 kit on and IMO it was brilliant. Probably the best balance of handling/comfort of any spring/damper or coilover kit ive tried on a vRS.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/226127-money-no-object-whats-the-best-suspension-for-ride-quality-for-a-vrs/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/233380-springs-and-shocks-or-coilovers-500-700-budget/

Id say the bilsteins matched the ride quality of the FSDs but had better damping. That said im not to sure on what springs were used on the cars with FSDs kits ive had a go in so its not a direct comparison.

http://www.briskoda....lity-for-a-vrs/

http://www.briskoda....500-700-budget/

I have posted on the last thread but have yet to find (despite much searching) of a B12 "review", the first thread just mentions "have heard good things about them".

Cheers

P

I came extremely close to ordering B12s, but it's the same old issue - there were no direct reports of how they performed.

And even then, you really need to go out for a test drive, on the type of roads you commonly use, to see if they suit you.

Also, I see you're fairly local so if you want to try out the Eibach/FSD combo, let me know.

I'm the guy who mentioned buying from http://http://shop.lightning-tuning.de/. I have ordered from them and found them simple to deal with. The chap (Bjorn) speaks great english if you feel the need to speak to anyone, and answers emails promptly.

I will be collecting my car mid May and will fit them myself the day after collection....so bear with me on the review. I will be comparing them with my memory of a standard vRS that i owned up untill 2 yrs ago, and in terms of "firmness" i will be able to compare to my current Clio Cup.

I will be collecting my car mid May and will fit them myself the day after collection....so bear with me on the review. I will be comparing them with my memory of a standard vRS that i owned up untill 2 yrs ago, and in terms of "firmness" i will be able to compare to my current Clio Cup.

You'll have the drive home to compare to..? :p

Good thing with b12 is if you already have eibach springs all you need to buy is the b6 dampers.

I put billie b6's on my 993 with Porsche factory lowered spings - they were a really sweet combo.

Good thing with b12 is if you already have eibach springs all you need to buy is the b6 dampers.

I put billie b6's on my 993 with Porsche factory lowered spings - they were a really sweet combo.

doesnt the B12 use the B8 dampers? I thought the B6 dampers were OEM replacment spec

B6 or B8 Sprint?

B6 - Ideal upgrade for standard dampers, all the benefits of B8, but standard length designed to work with standard ride height and lowering springs up to approx 30mm lowering (please note only a guide the key criteria is to ensure location of spring on droop). Tell me more about B6 dampers...

B8 - Specially designed for lowered sport vehicles. It's a must when sports springs are used

with lowering of 30-40 mm or more. Shortened unit ensures spring is correcly located and gives less droop and more predictable control of over/undesteer and sharper responses. (In some cases only B6 will be listed.)

B12 kit does indeed use B8 shocks.

Edited 26 April, 201214 yr by j0hn

B12 using pro springs should be b6? Ie 20mm lower

B12 using sportline springs should be b8? Ie >30mm lower

According to www.motorsportworld.co.uk

Conflicting info on various sites - looks like two versions of b12 are available - different drops therefore b6 and b8 used

B4 are standard replacement

Only eibach pro kit is available for the octavia IIRC.

Vrsy - it's the b4 that it OE spec.

B8 are shorten versions of b6's.

Well that's what I thought anyway.

Only eibach pro kit is available for the octavia IIRC.

Vrsy - it's the b4 that it OE spec.

cheers pal.

B6 is uprated damper for stock ride height or minimal drops.

B8 is uprated damper for lowered cars

My B12 kit arrived today. Bloody great big box...i wondered if there were two kits in there!

It's so sexy...I swear I'm cornering better already...and that's just walking around the house!

Hopefully only two more weeks wait to get the car.

I'd personally say the B12 kit is one of the best springs and shocks kits available on the market. I've ran it on a few cars now and it's pretty much the perfect combination or handling and comfort.

Damian @ DPM Performance

If I order from Germany and get shipped to the UK (which is around £475 all-in), what's the score with VAT as Germany has a lower VAT rate than UK (albeit 19% instead of 20%). Or can any of you UK suppliers get close to lightning-tuning's price?

Get them fitted Phil!

Paul

Within the EU VAT is payable only in country of purchase on everything except New vehicles where VAT is payable in country of destination. So you can buy anything except a new vehicle from any EU country and get it posted to any other EU country and there is no further tax to pay! So the Lightening-tuning price plus the postage is what you would pay. I'd be surprised if any UK company matched that!

Or can any of you UK suppliers get close to lightning-tuning's price?

I'd be interested in the answer to that myself as I am also looking for a set.

Does the new FL Octavia have any issues like the older pre-FL which could have different strut diameters depending on year of build iirc?

Pretty sure that all the FL have a 55mm strut