Steering/suspension parts

[Neil Wilson]

I’m planning on replacing the track control arms, steering rods drop links and anti roll bar bushes on my 2.8. Looking at GSF do I go for drivetec or Delphi or should I be looking elsewhere. Similarly front shocks are gsf Monroes any good or what do others recommend for normal use?

 

[Althulas]

If you want oem Lemforder the make and are at eurocarparts but Meyle are a good make as well. I don’t have any experience with the makes you’ve listed. Hopefully someone else with chip in, Zedshed get through a lot of parts @GazHyde @Lee

 

[t-tony]

Sachs shocks are OEM. We used Delphi parts where I used to work and I don’t recall any particular issues. Meyle are very good.

Tony.

 

[Daz7401]

I will be replacing my suspension and bushes once the weather improves a bit. Gone for PowerFlex Heritage bushes throughout, not decided on springs and dampers yet.

 

[AntStark]

Are the heritage bushes just not bright purple or are they slightly softer ?

 

[GazHyde]

If you want oem Lemforder the make and are at eurocarparts but Meyle are a good make as well. I don’t have any experience with the makes you’ve listed. Hopefully someone else with chip in, Zedshed get through a lot of parts @GazHyde @Lee

We've been fitting Monroe shocks the last couple of Zeds due to the silly prices Sachs are getting to. Quality is fine and don't see why they wouldn't ride well enough.

Meyle or Lemforder for other stuff if you can get them. Most of my Z4M refurb was done in Meyle.

 

[Peewee]

Are the heritage bushes just not bright purple or are they slightly softer ?

Interesting point. Powerflex website is not as clear as maybe it should be, but as I read it, the grey 'Heritage' ones the same spec as the purple 'Road' ones but of a colour that blends in better with modern classic restorations. Powerflex don't actually say they are softer (I'll contact them). Anyone got any better info??
Incidentally, BMW are saying that the rear ARB bushes for Sport suspensions (16mm diameter) are no longer available - and I can't find any aftermarket ones either. Not sure if this is temporary or terminal. Any ideas out there??
Front Sport ARB bushes (25.5mm diameter) are available from BMW and aftermarket though - strange!

 

[Daz7401]

My 2.8 Facelift on sport suspension is 25mm front and 15mm rear. The rears aren’t list on the PowerFlex site for a Z3. You need to order them from the E34 page.

 

[Peewee]

Cheers although mine are definitely 25.5mm and 16mm (2002 3.0 Sport) but agree the need to be imaginative when searching for parts that will fit a particular model. I'm relatively new to this but learning fast!
Powerflex have already got back to me confirming ' The Heritage range are exactly the same shore ratings as the Road series parts but made in our heritage grey, to keep the aesthetic of the original rubber bushes.' - so, exactly the same but a different colour!

 

[Daz7401]

Fitted Powerflex Heritage front ARB, control arm and HD droplinks with poly bushes last weekend. It’s made a lot of difference in how the car drives, probably down to the 25 year old control arm bushes being very soft. I still have the rear to do but that’s a bigger job for when it’s a bit warmer. New dampers, springs and top mounts to do as well but they haven’t all arrived yet.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I still have the rear to do but that’s a bigger job

But there's a lot more scope for painting things.

 

[Ade33]

Cheers although mine are definitely 25.5mm and 16mm (2002 3.0 Sport) but agree the need to be imaginative when searching for parts that will fit a particular model. I'm relatively new to this but learning fast!
Powerflex have already got back to me confirming ' The Heritage range are exactly the same shore ratings as the Road series parts but made in our heritage grey, to keep the aesthetic of the original rubber bushes.' - so, exactly the same but a different colour!

I'm going to change the ARB nushes on my 2002 sport as soon as it looks like it will stop raining for a bit
What bushes did you go for in the end on yours??

 

[Peewee]

I got the front bushes (BMW p/n 31351090268) from BMW. These are the rubber ones. The rears, (BMW p/n 33551136059) are no longer available from BMW and I haven't been able to find any aftermarket ones either. Whether they will be become available somewhere at some future date who knows, For now, I'm stuck. Not planning to need them until much later in the year. Meantime my search will continue. Plan B for the rears will be Powerflex Heritage but not sure if they do them for a 16mm ARB.
Hope this helps.

 

[Ade33]

Thanks very much for the reply.. I'm in the same boat as you as mine is a 2002 Z3 3.0 Sport. If you do manage to source any could you let me know I'd be grateful as I'd like to replace mine over the summer

 

[Ade33]

Thanks very much for the reply.. I'm in the same boat as you as mine is a 2002 Z3 3.0 Sport. If you do manage to source any could you let me know I'd be grateful as I'd like to replace mine over the summer

Just had a quick look.. So you can buy a purple Z3 Powerflex rear ARB bush in 16mm by the looks of it.. What is the difference apart from colour with a heritage version (which they only seem to do in 18mm which of course wouldn't fit)

 

[Peewee]

No technical difference apparently. Poweflex told me that they introduced the Heritage range so that the grey colour was more in keeping with a classic car (OEM) restoration than their purple ones. I guess they had enquiries to do so and saw a market for them. The Heritage range is expanding as time goes by so maybe they will eventually do a 16mm one. Maybe worth asking them if they would consider making some! But there again, no-one is going to see them on a Zed are they?