any helpful info for wife's car gratefully received

[geoffd]

hello - not been on forum before but wondering if any advice available for wife's z3
its a 1.9 t reg roadster and the rear suspension is quite harsh - especially over bumpy sections of roads and bends
we dont want sports suspension or lowering kits - just good quality supple but supportive suspension
is any advice available as to best to buy - rear springs and shock absorbers please ?

 

[colb]

Do you know the history of the car, have the shocks and springs ever been changed before or are they originals?
Given the age of the car and if high mileage if they are originals then most probably due for a refresh with new springs and shocks I'm sure someone will be along to advise favoured brands that will provide the ride you seek. Take a look on Carparts4less parts site , Web only side of Eurocarparts but usually cheaper than Europarts for the same parts. Once you sort out the rear take a look at the fronts they will probably need changing as well.

 

[t-tony]

Spot on Colin. It’s just worn out, rubber bits especially. Monroe shocks, or Sachs (OEM) OEM (BMW) springs will be very expensive so aftermarket may be an option. I bet the rear subframe mountings have let go and that makes for an uncomfortable ride. No mention of how many miles it’s done but age is the biggest enemy of rubber suspension parts, ie. Anti-roll bar bushes suspension arm bushes etc. etc.

Tony.

 

[geoffd]

hello - thanks for replies - car has done 76,000 - the shocks were changed about 4 years ago but not the springs
i wondered if there is a favourite brand but i'll have a look at the Carparts4less website aswell- thanks for that

 

[Jack Ratt]

The newest Z3 is over 20yrs old now and It's not so much the shocks and springs, which might seem the obvious culprits for a hard ride but its all the other rubber bushes. At 76k miles they are probably still the originals it left the factory with unless you have records that say they have been changed. Rubber will degrade over time so that's where I would investigate. The rear subframe has 6 rubber bushes plus there are another 2 on the rear anti roll bar. On the front you have 6 rubber bushes plus another 2 on the front anti roll bar. Tyres condition will play a part too

 

[Shelly]

 

[Peter1450]

Hope you have deep pockets! I’ve just done a rear end refresh on my wife’s Z , around £1000 in parts alone , unless you’re lucky and it’s not too corroded but as above these cars have been through 20 British winters.

 

[Zephyr]

The newest Z3 is over 20yrs old now and It's not so much the shocks and springs, which might seem the obvious culprits for a hard ride but its all the other rubber bushes. At 76k miles they are probably still the originals it left the factory with unless you have records that say they have been changed. Rubber will degrade over time so that's where I would investigate. The rear subframe has 6 rubber bushes plus there are another 2 on the rear anti roll bar. On the front you have 6 rubber bushes plus another 2 on the front anti roll bar. Tyres condition will play a part too

Replacing the bushes with polyurethane street version ones is a huge transformation to an old Z. The most time consuming and expensive way to start making it a great performer. Most people think that replacing shocks and springs will fix handling but if the bushes are shot, its like being crippled and expect that wearing a pair of Nike shoes will make you a sprinter…