1998 Z3 suspension/bushings

[antodeco]

Hi all,
Hoping to replace all the bushings and suspension components on the 1998 2.8 on the coming months.

To help spread out th cost of everything, can someone give me a list of everything that I need, and I'll buy them once a month (paid monthly!).

Car is still stock (different wheels). It's a pre-facelift M52

Thanks everyone.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Depends on whether you want to stick to OEM or change to polybushes. Or a combination of the two, some bushes are a lot easier to change if you use poly, others aren't.

 

[antodeco]

What's your recommendation? There's 175000 miles on it. I've owned it for the last 6 years and plan on long term keeping. I won't be changing themz more so my mechanic but want to get ahead of the curve now and order what I can!

It's a road car, so comfort is important, as well as good handling.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Polybushes won't make much of a difference to comfort levels, just a lot easier to fit in some places (front wishbone rear bushes/diff bush). Having tried polys in the rear arm pivots I really wouldn't recommend them, OEM much nicer and no squeaking. Whichever route you take the rear end is going to have to come out, which can start what seems to be a never-ending process, but it will be worth it. New dampers are also pretty much a must-do, unless you've already been that way.
https://www.powerflexsuspensionbushes.co.uk/z3-1994---2002-2769-c.asp shows you what these people do, others are available. Then there's the brake hoses and pipes......................

 

[Sajk]

When I did mine I put oem M roadster front control arm bushes, poly diff beam bushes and oem elsewhere. Coupled with new bilsteins and the oem rear anti rollbar from a z3 non m coupe this tightend things up nicely. New rubber makes a huge difference also of course.

 

[Shoejohn]

I’ve been reading up on this as well and will be following this thread closely as I’m in the same situation. I have a 97 2.8 and purchased this rear bushing kit from Revshift earlier this morning. From what I’ve learned, the rear subframe bushings should be a priority due to the common diff mount fail that can happen on the 6 cylinder cars. (Poor explanation but you can learn more in the forum). I bought the black 80 version rather than the green 95 for a sporty but softer ride.

 

[TriumphZ3]

I'll be following too. Just sailed through MOT this morning (1998 Z3 1.9) but the tester did mention that the rear wishbone bushes were just starting to go and might be worth changing before next year's test. Well used to poly on all my Triumphs certainly in comparison with the original rubber versions but how are the modern BMW versions, original vs aftermarket? Any to avoid, or go for in particular?

 

[Stevo7682]

Problem with this is invariably you will get different opinions on this .
As said poly bushes easier refit just depends on what you are looking for.
Personally my 2 issues with poly bushes is that at some point they will start squeaking and second ( part of this aimed at the non technical members to help explain) there is a thing called NVH
Noise Vibration and Harshness poly bushes are very hard and will not absorb this like rubber ones will so it then gets transmitted elsewhere.
For me if its not a focused track or fast weekend car then if your taking it all apart anyway good quality rubber components would be my first choice ( diff more awkward poly easier to fit with no risk of breaking casind trying to put in unlike the interference fit rubber one )
On the rear of the front suspension arms ( the lollipop bushes) i run 2 of my zeds on a heavy duty solid rubber contol arm bush and am very happy with the steering and braking control upgrade and durability of these ( also easy fit)

Stephen.

 

[Sajk]

I only did poly on the rear beam bushes. Even so significantly more differential noise and the ever present unfixable clunk when changing gears is a bit louder. Happily both are insignificant with the roof down.

 

[DrWong]

Problem with this is invariably you will get different opinions on this .
As said poly bushes easier refit just depends on what you are looking for.
Personally my 2 issues with poly bushes is that at some point they will start squeaking and second ( part of this aimed at the non technical members to help explain) there is a thing called NVH
Noise Vibration and Harshness poly bushes are very hard and will not absorb this like rubber ones will so it then gets transmitted elsewhere.
For me if its not a focused track or fast weekend car then if your taking it all apart anyway good quality rubber components would be my first choice ( diff more awkward poly easier to fit with no risk of breaking casind trying to put in unlike the interference fit rubber one )
On the rear of the front suspension arms ( the lollipop bushes) i run 2 of my zeds on a heavy duty solid rubber contol arm bush and am very happy with the steering and braking control upgrade and durability of these ( also easy fit)
View attachment 271629View attachment 271631

Stephen.

I want to fit these at some point, they seem like a good compromise and are easy fit, as you say. Can you share where you sourced from pls? Last time I looked, the only place I could find them were from C3 BMW.

 

[antodeco]

Thanks for the replies. Will start investigating OEM rubber parts rather than poly. The rear was off about 5 years ago not long after I got it. I got it reinforced and new bushings for the diff at that time too. I want to give the car some loving over the next 2 years, with suspension/handling being the first.

There's new rubber on all 4 corners too, but again, I'll look at replacing them once I see what way the car is sitting. In 5 years the tax comes down from why of €2000 a year to €56 a year (standard to vintage tax) so I'd expect more usage from then, so want to have everything ready! (I don't tax it for the full year to save on tax!)