OEM suspension

[Beemingallover]

I have a ZMR on the original suspension set up and it seems fine, apart from harshness and wobble on some rough tarmac roads, so why do people replace OEM with other set ups?

[mmm-five]

Because it's harsh and jumps all over the place on rough roads.

[Beemingallover]

Because it's harsh and jumps all over the place on rough roads.

So the alternative would be a softer set up but doesn't it lose the sharpness and feel. I find that on smooth tarmac on Continental back roads the present set up superb, pin sharp placement through corners, accurate steering feel. I'll forgive the rough road ride for that.
With the alternatives, say Bilstein, would I lose that smooth tarmac sharpness. And if alternatives are better why did BMW set the car up the way it is.
BTW I run on Michelin PS4 shod 18".

[Matt.13]

I think the reason people move away from oem is because the original sach dampeners are only available from bmw and they are expensive. The bilstein’s b6 shocks are an up grade on oem and compare favourably with regards to price. I have driven both and both ride and handling are improved with the b6.

[GJ1]

I had a similar post. My car runs on m-sport suspension and I was wondering whether to stick with OEM or go over to Bilstein. I am currently favouring replacing with OEM shocks but may buy (slightly) shorter springs.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=125072

[Jembo]

Should you go Bilstein B12 pro kit, the rear Eibach springs are softer & have 90% cured the skipping mmm-five mentioned above on my ride.

However, found the front Eibachs too harsh for U.K. roads, so following a recommendation reverted to stock springs with Bilsteins

[mmm-five]

Because it's harsh and jumps all over the place on rough roads.

So the alternative would be a softer set up but doesn't it lose the sharpness and feel. I find that on smooth tarmac on Continental back roads the present set up superb, pin sharp placement through corners, accurate steering feel. I'll forgive the rough road ride for that.
With the alternatives, say Bilstein, would I lose that smooth tarmac sharpness. And if alternatives are better why did BMW set the car up the way it is.
BTW I run on Michelin PS4 shod 18".

Not softer, just more controlled & compliant. So it absorbs some of the bumps without being squishy, and doesn't act as Buckeroo.

You'll find plenty of owners on here who have replaced OE stuff with decent kits from KW and Bilstein, and the road manners improve significantly on the softer bump/rebound settings, whilst allowing them to crank it up for tracks.

Mine is on Bilstein B16 PSS10, and is run at 3-4 for the road, and 8-10 for the track.

[Simon 3.2M]

I run KW V3’s after running OEM up until recently - if funds allow it is worth investigating. My car now feels completely transformed and far more compliant in all conditions.

[Argenta]

I went from OEM to Eibach Pro springs (more compliant and comfortable on motorways) to KWV3 (in softest setting: even more comfortable and also more control. Needless to say prob outstanding on track too.)

[Beemingallover]

Thanks guys for the inputs. Useful info.

[wspohn]

I will be going to BC Racing when I need to change the shocks. They have worked very well for me on other cars.

[R60BBA]

Not softer, just more controlled & compliant. So it absorbs some of the bumps without being squishy, and doesn't act as Buckeroo.

This ^

A good quality set of coilovers (eg KW) will ride better than OE suspension.

[Beemingallover]

How much would a set of KWs cost?

[BMWZ4MC]

£2 - 2.5k dependent on specific set up

[R60BBA]

£2 - 2.5k dependent on specific set up

That’s crazy because I paid £1,050 for my V2s which were bought brand new from a KW supplier.

Shame they only offer V3s and Clubsports for you guy’s platform.

For £2,000 I would be tempted to go Öhlins.