New Suspension Choices?

[andyglym]

Oh s***, read all the posts and I am totally confused now......
I have also been on various websites.........why is every part I need, so bloody difficult to select

Choice seems never ending.
I just want replacement spings and shocks front and back ( assuming mine are originals, twenty years old, and need swapping) to put it back to standard.
I did check the ride height measurements and none of them are as per factory set up or tie up with figures in Bentleys manual, so can assume that the parts have worn over the years.

I can understand that those on this forum that know about all this stuff will think what is my problem, but while I can learn and understand how to unbolt stuff and refit new parts, the actual selecting of the best/right/correct/standard parts is a nightmare.

Please dont let me be the only duffer on this forum

I'd go to my local BMW dealer and order shocks and springs, you'll just get standard stuff then, which is what you want.

Oh, I'm in the same boat, if it's shiny it must be better is my motto

 

[g8jka]

This forum can actually save money, as well as cause me to spend it......

I'll help you spend it.

You can take mine out if you want, Eibachs and Sachs shocks. Rental cost starts at £100 plus VAT per hour. Which may end up costly as you probably won't bring it back.

 

[DrWong]

Oh s***, read all the posts and I am totally confused now......
I have also been on various websites.........why is every part I need, so bloody difficult to select

Choice seems never ending.
I just want replacement spings and shocks front and back ( assuming mine are originals, twenty years old, and need swapping) to put it back to standard.
I did check the ride height measurements and none of them are as per factory set up or tie up with figures in Bentleys manual, so can assume that the parts have worn over the years.

I can understand that those on this forum that know about all this stuff will think what is my problem, but while I can learn and understand how to unbolt stuff and refit new parts, the actual selecting of the best/right/correct/standard parts is a nightmare.

Please dont let me be the only duffer on this forum

Don't worry about it mate, I was in exactly the same situation a couple months ago when my front spring snapped. I read all the posts on the forum and wider internet and was pretty overwhelmed at first. If you get really stuck just do what I did and start a thread

If you want to keep it standard it simplifies the situation a bit. For a true factory set-up it's Sachs dampers and BMW springs from, er BMW. BMW springs are crazy expensive though. I was quoted £130 each. I put Suplex springs on mine which cost £40 a pair from ebay. The car looks fine and drives great so I'm happy with my choice. KYB springs are also meant to be a good shout as a replacement for standard.

So basically if you want to keep it original: Sachs dampers and BMW springs (if money is no object); or Sachs dampers and aftermarket spring such as Suplex or KYB (if you want to save a couple hundred quid)

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Oh s***, read all the posts and I am totally confused now......
I have also been on various websites.........why is every part I need, so bloody difficult to select

Choice seems never ending.
I just want replacement spings and shocks front and back ( assuming mine are originals, twenty years old, and need swapping) to put it back to standard.
I did check the ride height measurements and none of them are as per factory set up or tie up with figures in Bentleys manual, so can assume that the parts have worn over the years.

I can understand that those on this forum that know about all this stuff will think what is my problem, but while I can learn and understand how to unbolt stuff and refit new parts, the actual selecting of the best/right/correct/standard parts is a nightmare.

Please dont let me be the only duffer on this forum

Bear in mind that knackered rear beam bushes can make your car sit wrong, all to do with the way the rear arms pivot around the springs. If the beam isn't being held at the right height to start with the car won't be sat at the right height either. If you've already changed the bushes, or they're in good shape anyway, ignore this.

 

[Mario]

I have tried both the eibach and bilstein B8 and H&R and Bilstein B8 combo on two different cars and I am very happy with the comfort vs handling combination - I also had another car with "cheap" TA Technix coilovers and it went really really well on firm roads, better than the previous combos I mentioned, but a bit too harsh on uneven roads which unfortunately is the norm in the UK

 

[Nodzed]

B8s and Spax on the M, wouldn't use Spax again but the B8s are just about perfect

 

[chrisjw]

I have the same dilemma and have come up with the following kit. What does the forum feel about this for a Z3M I want to enhance the ride performance without over compromising the ride? The blurb says this will achieve my objective? https://www.cartech-one.co.uk/en/se...Complete suspension B12 Pro-Kit/bmw-3-chassis

 

[Mnbrennan]

I have the same dilemma and have come up with the following kit. What does the forum feel about this for a Z3M I want to enhance the ride performance without over compromising the ride? The blurb says this will achieve my objective? https://www.cartech-one.co.uk/en/search/v-5114/n-4654/t-Eibach Bilstein Complete suspension B12 Pro-Kit/bmw-3-chassis

I think these are for a 3 series

 

[chrisjw]

Ok more confused now I will check with the supplier. What is the view in principle

 

[Dino D]

I have the same dilemma and have come up with the following kit. What does the forum feel about this for a Z3M I want to enhance the ride performance without over compromising the ride? The blurb says this will achieve my objective? https://www.cartech-one.co.uk/en/search/v-5114/n-4654/t-Eibach Bilstein Complete suspension B12 Pro-Kit/bmw-3-chassis

Check out ‘Autodoc’ - a German website. I found Bilstien stuff there cheaper than uk sites (it is German after all so makes sense, apparently German eBay is good too - just need to use Google chrome for the translation feature)

 

[Mnbrennan]

That site doesn't have anything listed. Bilstein B8 plus H&R / Eibach springs are well rehearsed if you don't want coilovers

 

[gookah]

Well in the end I went with new Sachs gas Struts and Eibachs

The Eibachs were from Poland, came very quickly and were only £157.
The struts cost front £133 for the two
Rears £90 for the two including new Meyle heavy duty top mounts

Meyle front top mounts x two cost £40

I then changed the front spring pads, washers, MSport bump stops, spring plates, and sleeves etc, which cost another £84 from BMW.
All in cost £504.










Now a bit more body roll, but certainly more forgiving over bumps.

 

[2DunnsZ3]

For what you guys use your cars for I would stick with the Eibachs or H&R with Sachs shocks. Save your money unless you have plans for it. It’s how I have Sams zed setup. Fits the bill perfect for some moderate fast road and track play.

Do the sachs have different stiffness or is there just one

 

[Lee]

Do the sachs have different stiffness or is there just one

for the Z3’s up to 3.0 they’re the same rate.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

And remember, any new dampers will be far far better than the original ones, if that's what is on the car. Was true for mine, I'm sure they were the ones it floated out of the factory on, things got vastly better just fitting new ones.

 

[DrWong]

And remember, any new dampers will be far far better than the original ones, if that's what is on the car. Was true for mine, I'm sure they were the ones it floated out of the factory on, things got vastly better just fitting new ones.

Absolutely this. I was shocked by the how much better mine drove when I recently changed the original springs and dampers at the front. It's like a totally different car (in a good way)

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Now try a few new bushes, if you haven't already done so. Seems like a new car, wonder why? I've never bothered changing suspension bits before unless they've been broken or an MOT failure, but it seems worth it on the Z. I'm a tw@ to myself.

 

[DrWong]

Funnily enough, new drop links and ARB rubbers this weekend. Similarly only changed stuff if it broke or failed, which has only been at the front thus far. But plan on giving the back-end some proactive attention soon (oooh-errrr )

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Funnily enough, new drop links and ARB rubbers this weekend. Similarly only changed stuff if it broke or failed, which has only been at the front thus far. But plan on giving the back-end some proactive attention soon (oooh-errrr )

Think that calls for a "fnaar fnaar."

 

[Foggy]

Oh s***, read all the posts and I am totally confused now......
I have also been on various websites.........why is every part I need, so bloody difficult to select

Choice seems never ending.
I just want replacement spings and shocks front and back ( assuming mine are originals, twenty years old, and need swapping) to put it back to standard.
I did check the ride height measurements and none of them are as per factory set up or tie up with figures in Bentleys manual, so can assume that the parts have worn over the years.

I can understand that those on this forum that know about all this stuff will think what is my problem, but while I can learn and understand how to unbolt stuff and refit new parts, the actual selecting of the best/right/correct/standard parts is a nightmare.

Please dont let me be the only duffer on this forum

Hi, I am on a similar quest, my car is for everyday usage and I also need to replace front suspension ( Z3 2.2i 2002 ) and am also confused from the ridicules £36 to crazy £300.00 what do you choose, I just want the car as it was when I bought her new in 2002?
So do not be disheartened I am another duffer on this forum, Got any sensible suggestions ? Foggy