Suspension upgrade

[Babw]

I did have B12's and now have V3's. I would say the B12 were more comfortable and as of yet the V3's haven't been corner weighted or settings adjusted therefore the B12's also appear better tuned for the car out of the box.

Really strange to hear people having bad experiences with the B12's. I've owned 3 cars with B12's and even on my 1000+bhp GTR I have Bilsteins with Eibachs and they handle the hefty forces perfectly.

[Bodyboarder]

..... another thing to consider then . The b12’s then are more than likely more road compliant but not as good on track .

How are the b12’s more comfortable in your opinion?

[BMWZ4MC]

I had Eibachs with standard dampers and found it improved the handling.
With OEM springs, I found that aerodynamic front end lift at speeds over 120mph made the car frankly terrifying. With Eibachs, this was abolished and the car felt controlled up to Vmax.
Eibachs reduced (but not resolved) turn in understeer on the track and markedly reduced pitch and roll.
However, the combination of Eibachs, an OEM strut brace, CSLs and pulling the camber pins made the front end tramline like mad on poor surfaces.
I changed to KW Clubsports to improve handling on the track at the expense of comfort on the road. For me this transformed the car but mine sees more track than road use. I wouldn’t recommend the Clubsports unless you drive on glass-smooth tarmac most of the time.

[MrPT]

Yes heard someone else say about spacers being needed to clear the springs .... any more info on this?

10mm needed to clear front CSLs (or reps in OEM sizes).

Not sure that the V3s would be more “comfortable” than the B12s, but the ride is good in the technical sense - they keep the rear in contact with the tarmac on our B roads and aren’t unsettled by shallow potholes taken at speed. They will still shake your fillings out over cobbles, of course, and the maximum height they go to is still lower than stock.

Have you considered the Bilstein PSS10? They also get good reviews. The only concern I’d have is that they don’t have individually adjustable bump and rebound damping, and I think you probably need a lot more of the former than the latter for the Z4M rear (that is where I have ended up with the V3s, anyway).

You could also go to 265/35 rears, which will give you more comfort and still be a decent match for a 245/35 front.

[Bodyboarder]

..... still none the wiser then

Thanks for all the input

I’ll try and find a passenger ride with the kw’s fitted and go from there , as it’s not a small amount of money to just try them out !

Not really looked into the Bilstein pss10’s as I’m not sure anyone pics them over the kw’s .

[exdos]

Bodyboarder,

When I bought my Z4MC in 2012 hardly anyone on this forum swapped the OEM suspension because at the time, most were raving about how great OEM suspension and handling was! I intended to change the OEM suspension to adjustable suspension from the outset. At the time I bought my car, a former owner off this forum was selling a set of AC Schnitzer Racing suspension on Pistonheads when he sold his car and the suspension had only done a couple of thousand miles. The suspension remained unsold for about 2 months so I decided to make a ridiculously low offer for the suspension and it became mine. The suspension was like brand new.

I have KWV3 on another car and although I would've preferred to fit the same to my Z4MC, the ACS Racing suspension has been superb. It's made by Bilstein to ACS spec. If you can pick up Bilstein PSS10 for a considerable saving on KWV3, then I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

If you're wanting the car to perform best on the road, then I would advise to set the dampers at almost their softest settings at the rear and around their mid-point at the front. For track you can go as stiff as you like.

[DMC63]

I've got the B12 kit shocks and springs. Love it. Corners better and generally handles and sits better. A tad more solid and a more 'lively ride', not recommended for those with neck or back problems...if that's the case get a Toyota Prius

[Bodyboarder]

!Calling all people with b12/pss10 /kw suspension!

any chance of a meet up and a quick passenger ride to determine if it’s the set up I’m after ?

I’m in Southampton but obviously willing to travel

[BMWZ4MC]

How far are you willing to travel? I’m in Sydney

[exdos]

He'll meet you midway...

[Bodyboarder]

How far are you willing to travel? I’m in Sydney

..... could do with a holiday !

[Beedub]

i have Clubsport track spec stuff... its really awesome , its just very stiff! lol. On track is blows my mind, and a smooth road it blows my mind, when its bumpy its kinda scary. i personally wouldn't recommend these given your intended use. These have turned it from a average handling car to something very special.

[Rally]

We need to meet one evening I have kwv3 fitted to mine more than welcome to experience them I'm in Southampton too.
They transformed the ride and handling had h&r and eibach springs with standard shocks before them.
Pm me you number bud easier to talk through WhatsApp.

[Bodyboarder]

Ah that’s great Rally

[Bodyboarder]

Thanks Rob ( rally) for the very kind passenger ride in your lovely MR running the kw’s ..... now comes the hard part , justifying it in my mind that they are worth it for my needs