Spoken to the usual suspects (Site sponsors etc) in the UK. To give them their due some were helpful and did come back with better than their typical UK selling price, although sadly still a good way off the Euro prices.

577 Euro is the best price I've found so far for the B12 kit, which is about £460, plus another 20 Euro for delivery to the UK.

So even if we call that delivery £20, that's still £480. The difference pays for the top mounts, bearings and bolts and other bits I'll need to go with it if I do go B12.

I don't mind a touch more for a trusted UK vendor, but I think anything north of £500 is too much for supply only.

I know Ben at Shark mentioned he might be able to do something for the GB section, but that's not had huge interest, so I probably won't be looking to organise that and just look at my own options.

Edited 7 August, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai

Why do you say that?

The bilstein OEM B4 are expensive for what they are IMHO and the VAG Economy look to me like they are monroe rather than sachs from a bit of digging. The B4 only come with a 2 year warranty also, so are they really that much better that they're worth 2.5 times the cost?

The OEM/B4 route still leaves me needing to consider springs based on their condition too.

Any thoughts appreciated.

The quality of the b4s will be superior to the monroe ones as they are made in Germany and OEM suplier. I've fitted B4s and B6s

to various cars and had no problems with leaks and the components are built to last.

Leave you springs if money is tight and put your cash them towards better shocks.

Well bushes are in, new ball joints are in (What a pain that the old ones snapped) and the springs look ok, but it's hard to tell without taking them apart.

Time to take a long hard think about what to do here me thinks.

Heart says do the B12, do it properly. Head says a couple of shocks will be fine and then you've got money in the bank for other stuff.

Heart says do the B12, do it properly. Head says a couple of shocks will be fine and then you've got money in the bank for other stuff.

Man maths:

Do some research on B16's and KW v3's. These are a lot more money than the B12. Once you've accustomed yourself to the cost of the B16/ KW the B12 will look like quite a considerable cost saving. You can then happily buy the B12 in the knowledge you've saved some cash. In fact, treat yourself to to a couple of beers out of the savings.

It's still a considerable saving on even the B14's or AP's, but it's just a bit of a tough call when I'm getting married soon, so have other things to save for.

Couple of shocks = £60-120, plus other bits = £120 - £180, plus fitting = £220-£280

B12 kit = around £620 inc the top mounts etc = £720-£800

It's a no brainer to do the shock, unless one of the front springs then goes.

Then it's a pair of springs and another couple of hours labour, which is about £220 added to it.

Suddenly the £220-280 becomes £500, plus a second alignment so £560.

Then the rear springs will probably need done not too long after if a front has snapped, so that's another £220 and alignment.

Best case on that then is £780 assuming i don't need another alignment. At that point the £20 say do it right and do it once.

Well ok, so it ended up as man maths in the end

Man maths:

Do some research on B16's and KW v3's. These are a lot more money than the B12. Once you've accustomed yourself to the cost of the B16/ KW the B12 will look like quite a considerable cost saving. You can then happily buy the B12 in the knowledge you've saved some cash. In fact, treat yourself to to a couple of beers out of the savings.

Then get ****ed and decide you got the wrong ones so order the B16s instead.

Well it's certainly not going to be anything more expensive than a B12.

Why is it you think you've got a plan, then you see a nice 3 series coupe?

Hmm you see and this is why I shouldn't waste money on better suspension...

Still tempted though

Edited 10 August, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai