Suspension advice please

[John_B]

Confession: I fell foul of the classic 'buy cheap, buy twice' cliché last year and bought some cheap lowering springs (x4) when I needed to replace two broken ones (helpfully, one front, one rear ). The car drives fine, but I'm just not happy with how it sits. The back is too low and the front still looks like a startled spider.

I'm looking for coilover recommendations? I'm not going to be taking it to the track or drifting around McDonalds car parks. I just want something suitable for spirited road driving and gives me a lower than OEM stance (and even across both axles!). Something with an adjustable ride height would be perfect, but not essential if it will hit that sweet-spot.

Also, for the rear axle is there any difference/benefit between the type with a separate shock and spring versus the spring-over-shock ones?

Thanks in advance

(I appreciate it probably looks like it's my fat ass that is the problem, but I assure you even when I am not sat in the car this is how it naturally sits! This is just the best pic I could find to show what I mean)

 

[Nodzed]

I have this kit on my e89 and a few on here have the same for the Z3. There's a few writes up on here on this kit. I would certainly recommend it.

@Ianmc @andyglym

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/eibach/1930983

 

[t-tony]

+1 . I had Eibachs on my E 85.

Tony.

 

[Trevor /chedder]

You could try bigger spring pads or some spring adjusters for the back. I've bought some yet to pop on.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

+1 for the thicker spring pads. A damn sight cheaper and easier than coil-overs. Part 15 on here, comes in three thicknesses, and makes a difference if all you want to do is raise the rear a bit.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 2.2i Single components for rear spring strut

www.realoem.com

 

[andyglym]

I've got the Bilstein B12 Pro Kit with Eibach Springs lowered by 30mm on my 2.8, sweet as you like. It's crashy on my staggered 18s but sublime on my staggered 17s. Corners well

 

[John_B]

Thanks all for the feedback. Short-term I'll look for another pair of spring pads to stack on the current ones. Longer term I'll get saving up for a set of B12s!

 

[graeme cook]

quick question , looked everywhere and I cannot find 20mm lowering springs just wand to lower the stance a little still going to use the standard shocks as they haven't been on long .

 

[John_B]

quick question , looked everywhere and I cannot find 20mm lowering springs just wand to lower the stance a little still going to use the standard shocks as they haven't been on long .

For the record, I DO NOT recommend these. I recommend you avoid them!! sorry I can't help with a suggested product, but hopefully can stop you making the same mistake I did

ProSport Lowering Springs 30mm for BMW Z3, 1.8/1.9, Roadster, E36/7, 1996-2003 | eBay

Lowers: 30mm (4 Spring Kit). PRO SPORT LOWERING SPRINGS TO FIT Notes: The lowering effect is less than indicated for cars with factory-fitted sports suspension. NOT for 4 wheel drive models. You may get differences in ride height to that quoted due to many factors for example : Car already has...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[graeme cook]

Thanks very much. Do you reckon 30mm is too low when I find a decent manufacturer that's why I was going for 20mm I am running 17inch wheels staggered.

 

[Lee]

I have a set of 10mm spring pads in my boot. Can chuck them in the post if anyone needs them.

 

[andyglym]

Thanks very much. Do you reckon 30mm is too low when I find a decent manufacturer that's why I was going for 20mm I am running 17inch wheels staggered.

Mine was lowered by 30mm for several years, epic round corners and on decent roads and the stance looked great with either my 18s or 17s on. Just gone to sport springs, must be an age thing.

 

[t-tony]

My E85 was on the original factory sport shockers and Eibach lowering springs. Was only a firm ride and cornered like it was on rails.

Tony.

 

[elevensies]

For the record, I DO NOT recommend these. I recommend you avoid them!! sorry I can't help with a suggested product, but hopefully can stop you making the same mistake I did

ProSport Lowering Springs 30mm for BMW Z3, 1.8/1.9, Roadster, E36/7, 1996-2003 | eBay

Lowers: 30mm (4 Spring Kit). PRO SPORT LOWERING SPRINGS TO FIT Notes: The lowering effect is less than indicated for cars with factory-fitted sports suspension. NOT for 4 wheel drive models. You may get differences in ride height to that quoted due to many factors for example : Car already has...

www.ebay.co.uk

out of curiosity why dont you recommend them?

 

[John_B]

out of curiosity why dont you recommend them?

See my opening comment. It looks like I was permanently carrying breeze blocks and trying to pop a wheelie , barely any ground clearance at the rear and it would occasionally bottom out on larger bumps/potholes

 

[elevensies]

yes i did read this, but for clarity it wasnt ''dont buy because they are dangerous'' reason i hope.

kinda strange how it sits, looks like shocks are on wrong way (back and front should be swapped around) but i know they will be different .
i have never seen this, in 30 plus years of modding vehicles, unless it was the desired look,
your rear looks way more like a 50mm drop, whereas front looks standard ride height, i looked on ebay and they have sold lots, i bet you received the wrong shocks,

anyhooo thanks for pointing to the avoid button

 

[John_B]

No, not dangerous. Apart from the clearance and bottoming out they drove fine. I lived with them for a year.

Just ugly and inconvenient

 

[Nodzed]

No, not dangerous. Apart from the clearance and bottoming out they drove fine. I lived with them for a year.

Just ugly and inconvenient

Are the spring pads still in?

 

[John_B]

Are the spring pads still in?

They were.

To be clear this is an old thread. I am no longer running those springs or even that car! Lol