How can you tell? Shocks and springs.

Dennis in Colorado

Dennis in Colorado

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
May 30, 2018
Points
43
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Model of Z
2.3
Well, being new to the Z, I believe that I need to get new shocks. I live in Colorado Springs, and we have a lot of hills, and large speed bumps. I never noticed the speed bumps in my lifted jeep. But, the Z is having a bit of a problem. I just assumed that the shocks need to be changed, the last owner didn't change them. Nor did he lower it or knew if any of the other owners lowered it. Apparently, I just can't put shocks in without know this. My build list doesn't show a sports suspension. I don't believe I want it lowered, since it is bottoming out around town. Right now, I just want to put new shocks.

Thanks in advance.
 
Two choices here Dennis, 1) call your local BMW Dealer and get their price for the shocks they list for your car, or, 2) go to Advance or Pep Boys or similar and get a price from them. Compare and decide. If you can fit them yourself that's a bonus, if not I would think the "after market" would be less expensive. If the car didn't come out of the factory with "Sport" suspension you should have no issues in sourcing replacements.

Tony.
 
Yes, I plan to put them on myself, but I need the right sized shock, from my reading. How do I work out if the Z has been lowered?
 
Dennis in Colorado said:
Yes, I plan to put them on myself, but I need the right sized shock, from my reading. How do I work out if the Z has been lowered?
Click to expand...

If you want to fit standard set up Dennis it really doesn't matter if it's been lowered or not? Again you could measure the distance from the pavement up to the top of the wheel arch on all four corners of your car. Then ask members with stock suspension to measure theirs and tell you what the measurements were. If the car has done a lot of miles I, personally would replace the springs as well anyhow, so you would buy all standard (stock) springs and shocks.

Tony.
 
Hi Denis

As you intend to do the work on the Zed yourself, I suggest you buy the Bentley repair manual for the Z3. It covers how to measure your suspension height and what the specs are for the different wheel sizes and suspension types.

Regards

Murray
 
So, I measured the the height and it matches the Bentley book, without load. According to the book, it needs weight put in to measure ride height. I didn't put any weight in it, and it measures up to the levels in the book. So, at least, I know it hasn't been lowered. So, now to get the shocks. I couldn't find a set of monroe, but I found these;

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3659-z3-bilstein-hd-shocks-z3-1923252830-set-of-4/
 
Nice to hear you're making progress Dennis.

Tony.
 
So far I did some tune up kind of stuff, air filter, plugs, new radio, tires. Brakes is in the mail. Still need to change oil & filters and fix the lock on the driver door. At the moment, I have limited time to do these things. I was thinking that I might be lucky and the door lock is a simple fix. But, in reading the book, I now think I will need to change the whole lock.

I'm also getting this; http://www.roadstersolutions.com/page12.html.

I'n not really found of the color, I was thinking of painting it palmetto green as I saw it here on the forum. But, I'm getting some flack from the fam. So maybe I will go with a darker pear or metallic gray. I don't know yet. I was also thinking yellow, but a more brighter one.
 
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