Front suspension

[Drakman]

Hello all, again,

I did mention in my intro that I would have a lot of questions. Please bear with me I am learning, or trying to.

My car front suspension bottoms out if I drive over some road irregularities, mostly at speed, hey it's an M roadster, it has to go fast sometimes.

I have taken some pictures of the car and under the guard, can anyone tell me if the ride height looks about right. From what i can see of the front springs and shockers there is not a lot of travel.

I have looked for Bilsteins and Eibach springs but all i can fined is lowered springs and shocks to suit. I don't want the car any lower, Aussie roads aren't that good, where can I buy standard M roadster height Bilsteins and good standard height M roadster springs? I am not worried about a firmer ride.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Eddie Zedder]

This should help.

 

[Drakman]

Thanks Eddie, I will get out and measure it up tomorrow and se where i am with it. Do you know if Bilstein or Eibach make standard height components for the Z, M cars?

Cheers
Dave

 

[Nodzed]

Ms are 15mm lower that standard zeds so take that into account when measuring. I think you may struggle with standard height springs unless OEM and they are bloody expensive. I dropped my M by another 15mm that I think looks better than OEM height always found the Ms looked a bit high, and fitted Bilstein B8 sport short throw shocks.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Thanks Eddie, I will get out and measure it up tomorrow and se where i am with it. Do you know if Bilstein or Eibach make standard height components for the Z, M cars?

Cheers
Dave

Sorry, can't help with that, but I'm sure some M owners will be along to help.

 

[Althulas]

Most likely original shocks are past it or possibly none ///M springs on with a softer rating but most likely the dampers. Sachs are Oem https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332959782251 but check the part numbers I can not comment on aftermarket shocks as not got round to that yet. Others have used Monroe shocks as oem replacements as well but not sure if they do for ///M as well.

 

[Drakman]

Thanks Guys,

All very helpful information.

I just noticed in the above chart (17 inch wheels) for the front heights it lists the standard suspension as being lower than the M. I guess that is because the standard springs are softer? so they compress more with the 350lbs load applied. Whereas the M springs being firmer wouldn't compress as far for the same load?

Ok, so I measured my car and the fronts come in with the car unloaded at 640 mm for both sides at the front, should be 664 mm loaded. Rear measured, unloaded, drivers side 595 mm and passenger side 597. I don't have any way of loading the car at the moment, my wife is interstate and I'm sure my life would turn to misery if I said I needed 160 kg in the car and asked her to get in.

So I am starting with the car 24 mm lower at the front and the rear 8-9 mm lower. The stance of the car looks good. I was worried that buying Eibach lowered springs and Bilstein shocks would lower the car further but it seems they will just restore the ride, (no more bottoming out) and maintain the stance/look of the car.

Thank you all for your help.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Drakman]

Hello Again,

Has anyone tried this suspension kit from Turner Motor Sport in the USA.

Z3 M Coupe, M Roadster Bilstein/H&R Sport Suspension Package

Z3 M Coupe, M Roadster Bilstein/H&R Sport Suspension Package

www.turnermotorsport.com

Looks like a good deal.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Drakman]

Hi Guys and Girls,

I decided to go with the above shock and spring set from Turner Motor Sport, WOW what a difference, I can't recommend this kit highly enough. It is amazing how well the car turns in now.

I have a rear tower strut brace fitted and I am going to install a butt strap. Does anyone on here have a good front strut brace to suit the S50, B32 engined 1999 M roadster that they would sell?

Cheers
Dave

 

[Nodzed]

Hi. Front brace will make zero difference IMHO, once I sorted the suspension it added nothing and make no difference taking it off.

 

[Drakman]

Hi Nodzed,

I have heard that the jury is still out on what if anything a front strut brace does to aid rigidity and or handling with these cars. I recall reading about someone that loosened one side of their front strut brace and there were no witness marks to show any movement of the strut towers. I am hoping to pick one up cheap and see how it goes. I might have to make my own and delete the pivot points where the bar meets the tower mount section and see if that makes a difference.

Cheers

 

[Andyboy]

I might have to make my own and delete the pivot points where the bar meets the tower mount section and see if that makes a difference.

The pivot points pretty much negate what a strut brace is trying to do. The cheap one piece ones (Ultra Racing for example) are far better. I don't think they make a huge difference though.

 

[Drakman]

Hi Andy, I agree with you, pivots on a brace seem to negate the idea of a brace to stiffen anything up, i assume they put the pivot bolts through so that the bar can be lifted for work on the engine.
Do you know of any braces that are triangulated, across the engine strut tower to strut tower, with bars going back to the firewall from both towers?

Cheers

 

[Andyboy]

I don't -that's a custom job.