I'm interested in the Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit for my 2004 350z. It has 130k miles and the suspension is stock.

The stock shocks are completely worn out. My main concern is ride height with the new system and avoiding major camber issues.

As far as I understand, when the suspension is shot, the car sits lower. How much lower I don't know. I've heard a lot of people simply switching their old shocks with the Bilstein B6 shocks (or other OEM replacements) and being disappointed that the car rides higher because it's back to stock height.

I'm assuming that using the Bilstein B12 kit, which lowers the ride height by 30mm, should keep the car at it's current ride height with the worn shocks. Does this sound right or am I completely off base?

The tires are 225/40 and 235/40 which makes it sit a tad lower than the stock 225/45 and 235/45 respectively. Pic is of how it sits now.

 

Don't get why Bilstein claims 30mm lowering. With the 'Steins and Eibachs, your net drop will be about half that. Serious. I've done before after measurements (on three different Zs) and it's -15mm with Bilstein (they do raise the car a bit), -19mm with Koni. And that's it.

Oh, and to your point about worn suspension sitting lower.... ehhhhh, maybe a fraction due to spring fatigue but shocks have NOTHING to do with the lowering - that's a spring function - but Bilstein can/likely will RAISE it up.

 

Awesome, thanks for that info. Ordering up the B12 kit.

 

I just had this setup installed on my 2008 enthusiast. I'm not sure how much it lowered my car exactly, but my shop was able to get everything into alignment with otherwise all stock suspension.

 

Which kind of tells that the B12 ProKit goes no lower than roughly 3/4" or 19mm.

 

Did you need any parts beyond what came with the kit for the install? I think this kit uses the stock mounts if I remember correctly...

 

Update: Had the full Bilstein B12 kit installed. What a difference. Precise handling without being too sharp or rough. Feels brand new again and then some!

However, the rear is now negative cambered more than I thought it would be. Rear left is -3.7 and rear right is -3.3.

What's the best way to compensate for this? New adjustable lower A-Arms to pull it 2 degrees inward?

I attached the alignment specs.

 

Adjustable camber arms. Done and done.

Like: https://conceptzperformance.com/spc-...050_p_4355.php

 

Ended up going with these: http://eibach.com/america/en/product...t-kit/5.72050K

 

Oh, I guess I did go with SPC. Eibach box, SPC stamped product. I hate when manufacturers do that. Incredibly misleading. Come up with your own design and cheap Chinese factory.