Stiffening

[Ashbandicoot]

After reading the articles by Mike

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-subtly-stiffening-a-z3-by-mike-fishwick.44/

https://zroadster.org/articles/basic-bmw-z3-suspension-modifications-by-mike-fishwick.41/

What is going to be my best option for sourcing a rear ARB 17mm as suggested or would I be better off buying the H&R kit?

I've been looking at the Strong strut rear and body brace - but at £500 plus shipping - am I mad? lol

I'm not after a track setup but where I live is full of twisties and I like cornering at speed

Any advice would be appreciated

Cheers


Ash

 

[Brian H]

H&R is a good choice and a simple choice to fit but I would also make sure all the bushes around the car are well sorted. The rear brace does add some rigidity but at the expense of clearance under the car. Is your car running at standard height or is it lowered?

 

[Dino D]

That strong strut apparently mounts to points that are rigid anyway this not actually doing much according to some posts I've read on .net.

500 towards new shocks and springs will give you a night and day difference...

Have you done your rear beam bushes yet?

 

[Ashbandicoot]

I bought some bush inserts from @Brian H for the subframe rather than replace.

Is there alot to be improved on OEM shocks and springs? The dampers have been replaced with aftermarket parts but not necessarily improved.

Ash

 

[Dino D]

Did you feel any change when inserting them?

In my opinion definitely ditch the OEM springs and shocks and get something that can keep up with your engine mods!

I never found the Z3 suspension much good in standard for, even the 'M'arketing sport suspension.
Too much squat, dive, floatiness at the rear at speed for me. Nice as a GT for a cruise but not for having fun on typical A and B roads.

Have a drive in others cars when you can an see what to like and don't like suspensions wise.

Be aware that front on these cars are 'coilovers' already, just not adjustable.
The rear 'coilover kits' are just uprated telescopic dampers and separate springs.

There is so much choice, I'd suggest having a go in a few of our cars that have different suspension and see what you like. I recall you don't want to go to low which is easily avoidable with adjustable a or by buying a non adjustable kit which states the drop it will give.
The BC's that I and @Brian H have lower the car but I have plenty of clearance, so much so I have just had the front lowered a touch.
It can be set plenty high enough if you wish, Brian can probably tell you how much as he's busy with his set now..

For non adjustable know @zedonist has a non adjustable set up he likes and so does @Lee

 

[KevinMac]

So I have a question....Does anyone have a recommended manufacturer for performance front struts? Was on Bilsteins website and couldn't find anything for the Z. How about the rear suspension? Was sitting looking at the strut towers and was engineering in my head a cross brace. Is one already available? Got my perf. cross drilled and slotted rotors yesterday and new front end is on the way!

 

[t-tony]

Plenty of options for a front strut brace Kev, most recommend would likely be the "Strong" type. Not cheap though.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

As per T-t's post, and if you can view their website without inducing vomiting have a look! http://www.strong-strut.com/

Would be my preference, but we get hit with international shipping and import duty on top

 

[5harp3y]

@Anthony Cherry makes some very nice looking braces for reasonable money (and made in the UK)

 

[Anthony Cherry]

Cheers for the shout. @5harp3y
I do front and rear strut braces. And a rear lower brace also.
They have performed well. And I have had some great feedback from the guys on the forum.
Take a look at my website.
I currently have a few grey front ones left. But am moving over to all black front and rear braces.
Let me know if you are interested @KevinMac

www.bertinigt25.com/z3-braces.html

 

[KevinMac]

Cheap parts have always induced the gag reflex when you realize you screwed up and could have payed a few more bucks for the good stuff.....Thanks fellas lots to look at!

 

[KevinMac]

Anthony I looked at what your offering and would rather support people here on the forum. I was noticing that the offerings didn't list the 1.9L 4 cyl. Are they compatible? Cost of a full kit black shipped to S.A. Tx? 78245 USA ( no import fees, tariffs, taxes to pay here). 98 Z3 Roadster Convert. 1.9 L 4 cyl. Thanks Kevin

 

[Anthony Cherry]

I own the strong strut front brace and the motivation to design my own was to make a product that was as good as theirs on this side of the pond. So i can offer good value for a great product... But for me quality is king. I don't make much money out of this. It is a passion, very much like my Bertini Z3 body kits.
The braces are a fully welded rigid solution that does not have flex points like many front braces. My rear upper brace is unique to the Z3 market and the lower brace offers a lower profile solution to the rear loose feeling.
@Brian H and @Rha have a prototype of my rear lower brace fitted to their cars. They also have my rear strut braces fitted. Brian regularly takes his to the track.

 

[Anthony Cherry]

I am developing a front strut for the 1.9 as we speak. Probably about a month away from a finished product.

The strong strut is a great product. And might offer better value if you are over in America. (Well the rear butt strut anyway). But I don't think they do a front brace for the 1.9. So I would hang on a few weeks and you can be one of the first to get the new 4cyl front braces.

 

[Anthony Cherry]

The shipping is a real killer @KevinMac. It costs about £100 to ship three braces to America. Argh!
I think it's about £60 shipping for the two upper strut braces. So I would wait for the 1.9 front brace to be developed. And then buy my two upper braces. But you might be best off with the butt strut from string strut as the cheaper postage will make it better value.

 

[KevinMac]

Thanks Anthony, as you can probably tell I am knuckles deep in this car,lots of parts here and on the way. This is going to end up being a winter build and paint to make its debut in the spring( not there is really much of a winter here) Looking forward to the intro of the new brace and would be proud to sport it over here. Let me know about it and we'll make arrangements for purchase and shipping Thanks for your time Kevin

 

[KevinMac]

Man it's just like Christmas around here........... The UPS man just keeps dropping off presents

 

[t-tony]

I like that feeling Kev, it also happens at our place in Orlando twice a year. I'm like a big kid even though I know what's in most of them !

Hope they keep on coming.

Tony.

 

[KevinMac]

Still waiting for some direction on struts,shocks, springs. Just talked to a neighbor and his son is an engineer at Lockheed Martin and is a BMW freak that races in the Austin Texas circuit. Can't wait to network with this guy.

 

[t-tony]

Still waiting for some direction on struts,shocks, springs. Just talked to a neighbor and his son is an engineer at Lockheed Martin and is a BMW freak that races in the Austin Texas circuit. Can't wait to network with this guy.

Please keep us in touch with that Kev.

Tony.