Alternative to Suplex Rear Springs?

[TheRealMCoy]

I'm replacing the rear shocks and springs on my E85 SE - the intention to make it more comfortable. I think the shocks are either stiff or hitting the bump stops - whatever is happening, the ride is not only the usual Z4 crashiness, but quite severe too. (By contrast, my lowered MR2, with coilovers, is a stiffer ride but more comfortable insofar as the suspension still takes the hits (instead of my spine!)).

Suplex seems to be the "go to" but I cannot find them in stock anywhere in the UK. I was therefore wondering what alternatives there are that come recommended (for comfort)? I have standard suspension and not looking to lower.

Thanks

 

[Zedebee]

Hard to know what to recommend without a bit more info. If your suspension is knackered (which it will be if on the original regardless of miles, or over 50k miles since last replaced), simply replacing it with standard will make a huge difference. If you still have the OEM Bridgestone Potenza run flat tyres, replacing these with something more compliant will also make a huge difference, and improve your steering. Reducing your wheel size (i.e. 19” to 18”, or 18” to 17”) in favour of more rubber will also deliver a more comfortable ride.

As for springs, I have had no problems with Lesjofors, although I cannot comment on their comfort vs Suplex. Doing the above three things will make more difference than simply changing the rear springs.

 

[TheRealMCoy]

Thank you. I'm not sure when the suspension was last replaced - nothing in the records apart from the front being done. Tyres are all NON run flat Bridgestones on 17" rims. I think my main win will come from the shocks - I was just going to swap out the springs while I was in there. In hindsight, the springs are easy to swap out later on so maybe I'll do the shocks first then decide. Attached a picture of each side - they look in good shape if visual is anything to go by.

 

[enuff_zed]

Yup. If that were me and the springs aren’t snapped then I’d leave them. Fit Sachs or Bilstein dampers, Lemforder top mounts and new bump stops.
Autodoc sell Suplex springs btw

 

[TheRealMCoy]

Thank you. I was going for Bilstein B4s. Do you happen to know whether the Lemforder top mounts come with gaskets? Every time I selected a gasket on Autodoc, the website would change my model to 2.5i. If I changed it back to 3.0Si, the gaskets were not available...

 

[enuff_zed]

Thank you. I was going for Bilstein B4s. Do you happen to know whether the Lemforder top mounts come with gaskets? Every time I selected a gasket on Autodoc, the website would change my model to 2.5i. If I changed it back to 3.0Si, the gaskets were not available...

Lemforder don’t come with gaskets no. But all E85 top mounts are the same so model isn’t that important.


Lemforder are OEM which is why I use them. Steer clear of Meyle HD. Bad design allows metal to metal contact between the inner sleeve and the cup washer so they bang all the time.