Z3 option code 704 M Sport Suspension: good or bad?

[Sea Ranch]

Greetings! I'm looking at a Nov-1996-build Z3 with option code 704 M Sport Suspension. Can anyone specify what this entails?

I'm after the most comfortable touring Z3 I can get and would like to know how much stiffer this suspension is and how much NVH would be added to the car?

Thanks for your insights and experiences

Randy

 

[NZ00Z3]

No extra NVH, just lower to the ground by 15mm.

 

[Sea Ranch]

Oh . . . . very interesting. Lower, but same springs and shocks you think??

 

[Scooblitz]

Oh . . . . very interesting. Lower, but same springs and shocks you think??

Same standard shocks but slightly shorter springs I believe.

 

[Sea Ranch]

Right. Then they can use the standard strut bodies up front without having to move the perch down. Just shorten the springs. And that approach would work for the rear as well.

So if that's the case, I would expect the ride to be a little stiffer. Wonder if anyone has A-B compared to feel any difference?

 

[Scooblitz]

Unless the car is very low miles and original, it's more than likely these will both have been replaced in the cars lifetime.

Have you had a look behind the wheels to see what they are?

 

[NZ00Z3]

I've done the comparison between by 3 Z3's:
- Normal height suspension with rubber bushings = comfortable ride
- Sport suspension with rubber bushings = comfortable ride
- Normal height suspension with Poly rear subframe bushings = increased NVH

 

[Sea Ranch]

Yeah, interesting. This car has about 70K kilometers/44K miles. Japanese car. Hard to say if suspension has been replaced. And I have not laid eyes on it in person.

BTW, the wheels are 17" BMW style 236 which I believe were introduced long after 1996. So an owner add-on. Don't know the tire profile size.

 

[Sea Ranch]

Thanks, NZ00Z3. Did not see that last post of yours . . .

That would seem logical to me and probably good news because I don't think this car has had poly bushings installed. Just OE style rubber ones. I will enquire further with the owner on that one. Presumably most poly bushings are colored so you can tell visually (gives away the boy-racer cars )

 

[Scooblitz]

Yeah, interesting. This car has about 70K kilometers/44K miles. Japanese car. Hard to say if suspension has been replaced. And I have not laid eyes on it in person.

BTW, the wheels are 17" BMW style 236 which I believe were introduced long after 1996. So an owner add-on. Don't know the tire profile size.

Japanese imports tend to be good condition cars and more often with original parts. The wheels however have been an add on. Plenty of choice out there and z3 specific wheels for an oem look.

The last 7 digits of the vin number at the bottom of the windscreen can be put in a vin decoder to see what originally came with the car from factory.

Good luck

 

[Sea Ranch]

Thanks, Scooblitz. Appreciate the insights.

I will do a newcomer post if we end up with the car

 

[Colinator]

I had the M suspension in a 2000 2.8 but found it was hard on tires so swapped it for standard suspension. No change in ride or handling but easier on tires. I don’t race it so didn’t need the camber of the M suspension.

 

[Sea Ranch]

Ah . . . camber. The change in ride height made it difficult to get a camber that didn't wear the tires unevenly?