Should I refresh's my 2001 Z3 3.0 suspension?

[VtBob]

My 2001 Z3 wanders badly on uneven roads (most are uneven in Vt). It is fine on level smooth pavement.
So I was thinking about getting it realigned come spring (slat off the road). This led me to consider a whole suspension refresh. Pelican parts offers a kit that seems to contain all the right bits.
Second question, which shocks to buy. I want a complaint ride ( pot holed, frost heaved Vt roads), do not want a stiffer, race ready suspension. What are the best shocks for this?

Any other related thought welcome

 

[NZ00Z3]

Yes do the suspension refresh, you'll be surprised by the difference that it makes. As you want a comfortable ride, avoid Poly bushings.

For the front lower control arm bushing, I fit the Z3M bushing, part number 31129069035. It has a lot more rubber supporting the control arm and helps stop the tramlining.

 

[Paulro]

I’m in the process of buying all the parts for a full suspension replacement on my 3.0 sport.
Just back from NY with Bilsteins in my case.
Nearly there with my purchases.
Plenty of help and advice on here.

 

[andyglym]

I gave mine a full refresh, the difference was night and day. Much nicer drive.

 

[Palmetto]

I did it with my E36. Replaced struts and springs all round, and steering arms, roll bar bushes etc. All OEM, not poly. It made a hell of a difference and is a joy to drive now.

 

[VtBob]

Thanks all. I will do the refresh. Now to order the parts. Plan to go for the Pelican "kit". Does that cover every thing?

Also kits seems to come with Sachs struts and shocks. I want a "compliant" (but do enjoy the twisties) suspension. Are they the best or do you recommend something else.

 

[t-tony]

Sachs are OEM Bob.

Tony.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Don't forget the strut top mounts .

 

[Sean d]

Feels amazing once done

 

[the Nefyn cat]

And you can take loads of pictures which keeps people round here happy.

 

[VtBob]

I've order the Stage 1 (stock) suspension kit from Pelican Parts.

Next I'm assuming the Ball joints should be refreshed too. I'm leaning toward Peilican's control arm kit as it gets all the parts and I avoid having to press out the ball joints. Good idea or bad?

Second I'm getting mixed messages about replacing springs, one friend while likely not needed it is easy to do when everything is already apart. Another say don't waste the money. The BMW dealer service guy say get new springs.

What do you guys say?

 

[DrWong]

Good idea, I fitted complete new arms rather replacing a failed ball joint. The cost difference was marginal

If the springs look ok and aren’t seriously corroded I’d be tempted to leave them

Btw, I found new front tyres matching the back ones made the biggest difference to wandering/tramlining

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Plenty of kits around (over here, anyway) with complete replacement front suspension bits, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/for-BMW-...=111518120024aaa0a6091298497d90a0bf969501f255 got pretty much everything you could need. If there's nothing obviously wrong with the springs, leave well alone. And, as @DrWong says, having matching tyres all round helps a hell of a lot with tramlining, sorted it on mine.