Koni yellows are adjustable to suit your preferences. Bilsteins are not. Both are high quality and arguably an improvement over the stock (Sachs probably) dampers. I run my Koni yellows on full soft and they’re very comfortable.
I love my Koni yellows but I do drive them on their softest setting.
I struggled with the same decision for my 2002 325i, We've used Bilstein sports for many years but always for sportier cars +/or track use. On the E46 decided to go with Koni Sports (yellow) which are adjustable. Ride is less harsh the Bilsteins, more comfortable and well controlled - no regrets. I also installed H&R sport springs FYI.
I love my Koni active reds, swapped to them from bilstein b8s and won’t look back, smoother ride and 4 years on them they haven’t sagged or blown. I run them on my daily e92.
I installed it on my RF and there are no issues.
I'd consider the KONI STRT if available for the 2012.
Some one already said it but I recently did koni yellows and HR OE sport springs for mine. On the koni "stock ride hight" setting it sits nice and is a very comfortable ride since the HR springs lower it to a classy level without bottoming out ever.
I've been using Koni Orange's for nearly as long as I've had my FiST and I like them, but I don't think they are the best option if you plan to track or autox (Koni Yellows would be a better fit for that). I like them because they are more comfortable with the oem springs than the oem shocks.
I think it really depends what you pair them with though. I did try them with eibach springs but I didn't like them there (I found out later because eibachs are softer springs and seem to pair better with bilsteins B8s) . The oranges are intended for oem springs, however I've heard of others liking them lowered with swift springs (which are stiffer than the eibachs)...but I don't have personal experience with the swifts.
These seem like great value compared to the non-adjustable Koni Active Select’s I just self-fitted to my MY22 MIC Y ($1250 AUD). Same high speed wallow you mention and mismatch with the stiff springs.
Replacing the shocks with Konis voids your drivetrain warranty. I had a local shop do this same swap on a new 24 MYLR. A month later the front motor stripped the splines off of both half shafts. Not only did Tesla rule that just the presence of the Konis voided the motor/half shaft warranty, they wouldn't do the repair unless they replaced the Konis with OEM shocks. I appealed up the chain but no luck. An $8K learning experience. Really rides well, though.
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