Looking for suspension advice

[Paulro]

My Z3 is nearly 18 yrs old. It’s done 108,00miles.
It’s a 3L sport model with a good BMW history.
I can’t see on the invoices that I have any obvious suspension work and more recently I can hear a knock on the drivers side.
I have no doubt the springs, shock absorbers and other key suspension bits will be past their best.
I’d like to have some work done this year because I’m in my last working year and can afford more this year than I can justify next.
I’d like to keep the car for a few years to come.
Where do I start? Do I use BMW parts?
Which parts should I target for the best/ most noticeable results.
I’d really appreciate your advice.

 

[t-tony]

I'll bet the knock is the beam bush has failed and is sitting on the base plate.

Tony.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Depends what you want, OEM is good if you want an OEM car, poly bushes are popular if you want it a bit stiffer. Ooh er missus. Went for poly for mine, don't regret it, but it's your car and your choice.

 

[Paulro]

Depends what you want, OEM is good if you want an OEM car, poly bushes are popular if you want it a bit stiffer. Ooh er missus. Went for poly for mine, don't regret it, but it's your car and your choice.

Yes good point.
I don’t need an all original car but I need good replacement parts.
I’m getting on a bit so while stiffer sounds good!! I guess the sport suspension is stiff enough?

 

[Sean d]

The problem you have with it being a sport is the springs are 15mm lower then standat and I think they are about £80 each for new ones, If I where you I would swap every part of suspension and geometry in one go, it makes a massive difference

 

[the Nefyn cat]

The problem you have with it being a sport is the springs are 15mm lower then standat and I think they are about £80 each for new ones, If I where you I would swap every part of suspension and geometry in one go, it makes a massive difference

It makes sense to swap all the bits in one go, especially the back end. There's not so much stuff to do in the front end. And it'll definitely be an improvement.

 

[Paulro]

The problem you have with it being a sport is the springs are 15mm lower then standat and I think they are about £80 each for new ones, If I where you I would swap every part of suspension and geometry in one go, it makes a massive difference

Might be difficult to put a figure on it but ball Park what do you think?
I think maybe buy a couple of bits a month.

 

[t-tony]

That would be a good idea, stockpile all the bits and hit it in one go.

Tony.

 

[Sean d]

The priciest parts are springs and shocks, eibach pro springs are great coupled with monroe reflex shocks I did all drop links, steering rack ends anti roll bar bushes, dropped the sub frame and replaced all bushes, I didn't appreciate how good the car is until I took out the 2.8 that I recently bought, its night and day, one feels like a racing car and the other feels like a boat, unless you are doing it yourself your biggest cost will be labour

 

[Sean d]

That would be a good idea, stockpile all the bits and hit it in one go.

Tony.

Agree, hit it in one go to feel the full benefit,