Real life suspension setup?

[inkey$]

On my list for the 2.8 are replacement shocks and springs. Other than reducing body roll I also want to lower the stance slightly.

Nothing too extreme as I live in London which is filled to bursting point with roads that aim to kill the underside of your car.

So, what recommendations do you have for a shock, spring and top mount setup that will improve my handling, lower the car but not drag on the road.

Purchase links and pictures welcome also.

 

[Slam]

It's a compromise living in London as the roads are atrocious with pot holes and speed bumps everywhere. I bought a set of eibach adjuststable coil overs I figure I can reach a compromise on best suited height for looks and road conditions. Not fitted them yet though still in the cellar as I am sourcing uprated brakes, top mounts ect to change all together.

 

[Antm72]

I would agree that coilovers may be your best option so you can dial in what you need. Some spring kits seem to lower alot more than stated so be carefull.
Eibach springs are a good option and alot use them they can be fitted on stock suspension with out issue.
If going for coilovers make sure you allow for all the clearance issues you may have as the suspension bodies drop lower so if you have aftermarket wheels ,clearance strut to rim needs to be taken in to account when fitting as spacers may be required.
Lots of options but as said coilovers may give you flexibility.

 

[5harp3y]

Go for eibach springs and b8 Bilstein shocks also known as a b12 kit

Perfect balance of sporty stance and great compliance.

Or go for koni yellow shocks so you can adjust the damping

Won't be too low, I'm on eibach springs and don't have a problem with speed bumps etc

I don't see the need for coilovers as in my experience you tend to fit them, dial your preferred ride height and then rarely adjust them as getting under the car to adjust the height when you fancy it is a ballache

 

[roadvoyager1]

Whilst you are replacing the springs, shocks and top mounts consider doing the suspension and diff bushes. Unless your car is very low mileage they will probably be well worn and you won't get the full benefit of the new parts unless you refresh the bushes as well.
Opinions differ on how much to polybush. The diff is much easier to fit than OEM so I used the polybush. At the front I also used polybushes on the rear wishbone mount. Other than that I used rubber either BMW or Meyle HD.
With bushes and the suspension refreshed you should be good for many years.

 

[Sean d]

Whilst you are replacing the springs, shocks and top mounts consider doing the suspension and diff bushes. Unless your car is very low mileage they will probably be well worn and you won't get the full benefit of the new parts unless you refresh the bushes as well.
Opinions differ on how much to polybush. The diff is much easier to fit than OEM so I used the polybush. At the front I also used polybushes on the rear wishbone mount. Other than that I used rubber either BMW or Meyle HD.
With bushes and the suspension refreshed you should be good for many years.

I agree with the above, I am doing exactly that, changing the whole lot in one go.

 

[Dino D]

I have BC racing suspension.
For me it had to have adjustable height AND easy adjustable dampening (without a 2k + price tags like KW etc).

The idea being:
Height adjustable - essential to ensure I could get the car low enough to look nice but tweak it to get over the bl@@dy humps outside home and office (this idea paid off and I can clear most but the council decided to re-do some rubber square ones with badly made tarmac humps of variable height and one is now massive so that even a 3 series sport can scrape...not much I can do about that!)

Adjustable damping: damping is a personal thing and really depends where you drive. Being able to easily adjust from stiff to super stiff or to ‘soft’ is very useful for me and easy to do - a knob on top of each shock.

Now I’ve been to London a few times in the Z and I’ve made the damper softer as I’ve gone into town but I would not say ‘comfortable’ is possible in a Z3 on London roads. They are seriously awful. A ride in a new Audi A7 Uber ride with 20inxh wheels felt as stiff as the Z in central London!

A performance air bag with springs set up would be ideal but I don’t think anyone has done a proper one for a Z3 yet...(that is affordable too!)

 

[Sean d]

If you want to keep it simple, Eibach pro springs and Monroe reflex shocks all round, great set up on my last Z and I am in the process of doing the same to the 2.8, decent price too.