Suspension

[Ianmc]

Having researched the various options for some time, the time has now come to "bite the bullet" as I have a broken rear spring and leaking front damper. These are thought to be original; the car has just turned 24 and at 100K miles, so they have lasted well.
Think my decision is to replace with Eibach pro springs and Bilstein dampers (B12 pro kit). Best price I can find is £709.77 (inc VAT) from Eibach shop. Will seek a supply and fit price tomorrow, guessing a couple of hours labour and tracking. Is it worth replacing spring mounts as a matter of course; the car had new ones fitted about 7 years ago?
Also have "slight play in the nearside lower ball joint" and a "split in the offside front lower arm rear bush". Guess its worth having this sorted at the same time.
Grateful for any thoughts/sanity checks on this.

Think the car should take the 25/30 mm drop OK?
Cheers,
Ian

 

[Lee]

Didn’t seem to struggle yesterday in the new forest

 

[Ianmc]

Didn’t seem to struggle yesterday in the new forest

Was I spotted?!!! Did blow a few cobwebs away yesterday on my racetrack!

 

[Lee]

Was I spotted?!!! Did blow a few cobwebs away yesterday on my racetrack!

We were playing the roll of tourists walking on the road. Saw you come down the hill past Roundhill cap site.

 

[Ianmc]

We were playing the roll of tourists walking on the road.

Lots around just now. Hope you had a good day.

 

[Lee]

Just my two pence worth, if you don’t mind the very firm Bilstein shocks they’re great. The OEM Sachs shocks new are firmer than you think, I run the oem and lowering springs

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Plenty of these about https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30034146...del:Z3&hash=item45edbf0d84:g:MFIAAOSwcgNZBZjV if you're getting serious with the suspension.

 

[Ianmc]

Just my two pence worth, if you don’t mind the very firm Bilstein shocks they’re great. The OEM Sachs shocks new are firmer than you think, I run the oem and lowering springs

Bugger! Just when I thought I had made a decision. That setup makes sense and, given the mileage on my current dampers, new OEM should firm things up a lot; assuming Bilstein's would firm it up a bit more. Decisions, decisions..........

 

[Nodzed]

Having researched the various options for some time, the time has now come to "bite the bullet" as I have a broken rear spring and leaking front damper. These are thought to be original; the car has just turned 24 and at 100K miles, so they have lasted well.
Think my decision is to replace with Eibach pro springs and Bilstein dampers (B12 pro kit). Best price I can find is £709.77 (inc VAT) from Eibach shop. Will seek a supply and fit price tomorrow, guessing a couple of hours labour and tracking. Is it worth replacing spring mounts as a matter of course; the car had new ones fitted about 7 years ago?
Also have "slight play in the nearside lower ball joint" and a "split in the offside front lower arm rear bush". Guess its worth having this sorted at the same time.
Grateful for any thoughts/sanity checks on this.
View attachment 185133
Think the car should take the 25/30 mm drop OK?
Cheers,
Ian

Hi Ian, been looking at this kit for the Z4 for a while, I will be very interested in the ride you achieve

 

[Ianmc]

been looking at this kit for the Z4 for a while, I will be very interested in the ride you achieve

Have also been considering this for a while, but it won't wait much longer now. Requested a "supply and fit" price this morning; waiting to hear back. This is likely the "firm and lowered" (said to be 25/30mm drop) option. Have been considering just stock replacements (Sachs dampers and springs) and the B12 kit as above. As i'm aiming to be the oldest boy racer in my village, think B12 is the way to go; might very well regret not taking Lees route though, time will tell.
Will keep thread updated with impressions.
Cheers,
Ian

 

[Ianmc]

Good news is that I made a decision and am going for the B12 kit. Ordered in early June but seem out of stock every where. Good news is the kit has now been despatched from Holland, so should receive next week then have fitted.
My "broken spring" nightmare should be resolved shortly and I look forward to the Lotus Elan type handling and new stance. Time will tell!!

 

[Ianmc]

B12 kit fitted yesterday. For context, reason for "biting the bullet" was I had a broken rear spring and a couple of leaking dampers. Car was somewhat wayward but could be driven OK. Also needed a lower suspension arm and a lower arm rear bush (both sides replaced). A few months ago had tie rods replaced (inner and outer) and ARB bushes. So all in all, the largely original suspension and (most) other wearing parts have now been replaced.
So, initial impressions having driven 40 miles. In two words, bloody brilliant. Car is generally "tighter", very little roll (if any) on some twisty bits and the car seems to firm up nicely above, err, 69 mph! Interestingly, the overall ride is not significantly "firmer" and clearance over a couple of known "sleeping policemen" was fine.
Cosmetically, I was concerned that the car might be too low (a bad experience with H&R on an E36 in the past) but the stance is perfect (for me). Below pictures show the before and after:
Before:

After:

Next upgrade is 17" Type 18 wheels (currently 16") with Michelin Pilot Sport 225/45 and 245/40 tyres. Wheels to be refurbished in shadow chrome.
The B12 kit is by no means cheap but is perfectly matched to the Z3 in my view.
Hope this is of interest.
Cheers,
Ian