BC Racing Coilovers (fitted on page 3)

[Beedub]

My kWs still look brand new, which id expect as they dont see much use, they have been used in anger many many times however, kw offer great rebuild service with quick turn arounds.

Beedub, do you know what is the approximate turn around time? I’m considering having mine serviced before I ship my car to Aus, simply because it’s going to be ball ache from the other side of the world.

i was quoted 2.5 weeks from when they arrive at the factory, which isnt bad at all imo.... if you need any further info drop a line, im not on the forums very much now days , a new business startup which is taking up all my time .

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Cheers guys
Thought you’d not been around much Beedub. Good luck with the new business.

 

[tjlazer]

What's the verdict on the BCs then OP?

 

[Ed Doe]

Very keen to hear the verdict too on these - I'm coming from B12s and looking at something fairly daily friendly that will work on tracks occasionally. Aware these are more of a budget coilover but as previously the various good reviews from m3/5 owners have to mean something!

Just to add to this having thought at some length this evening - could you set them up full hard and let us know how firm it is :lol: I'd like to know there's enough range of adjustment to manage some track work as well as being sensible for road use if poss!!

Well, tomorrow is the big day. I’m going to fit these bastards!

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Also - in the last pic above, you have the coilovers, and adjustable droplinks and what looks to be adjustable rear camber arms - do these come with the BC Coilovers, or did you purchase from Powerflex or similar? Keen to know as I'd like that additional adjustability too, and it's deffos another big plus for the BC Kit if they come with!

 

[Gustavo7]

The rear camber arms (and the adjustable front end links) were a separate purchase to the coilovers. The rear camber arms are the Powerflex ones.

I have unfortunately been unable to drive and work on the car in the last couple of weeks as I have been recovering from an emergency surgery. There were 75% of chances it would require further intervention. - It does, so I’m now sorting paperwork for a second operation which shall take place next week.
I personally don’t think I will be driving the Z4 before March. And that’s probably the best case.

So bear with me, I will provide all the feedback in the world once I’m fit to drive

 

[abar121]

Hi Gustavo,
Best wishes for the recovery and second operation.

I know how this feels, I was ill pretty much the day I got my zed (actually must have been several months before..) and unable to drive it for several months.

I would love to have a ride in it when all is good. I'm looking at changing my suspension at some stage.

Cheers, Alan.

 

[Ed Doe]

Sorry to hear that chap - wishing you the very best for a speedy recovery!

If it's any consolation I nearly lost my leg below the knee in a climbing accident - 6 ops and 5 months on crutches later I was thankfully able to still drive - feels like forever but its the best feeling in the world when you do finally make it back in the car!

 

[brillomaster]

somewhat tempted by some BC coilovers... I do do trackdays so would likely go for the harder springs, but budget wont stretch much past these. Plus really need something with adjustable front camber, want to be running -3 deg at the front or so.

will be keen to hear how you get on with these when they're all on and set up, wishing you a speedy recovery from surgery!

 

[Gustavo7]

Update:

The Zed is off to Scotts Performance Cars in Dartford to get the rear suspension, powerflex bushes, RTABS and adjustable camber arms fitted together with a 4 wheel alignment.

Any advice on suspension geometry for a road car? I’m inclined to start with the z4m original geometry and play it from there...

 

[Ed Doe]

Go for the E46 M3 CSL alignment - makes for a LOVLEY drive :driving:

 

[Gustavo7]

Ended up going for the standard + 0.5” camber at the rear.






Too early to draw conclusions in terms of handling, but turn in seems to have improved greatly, the ride with all dampers set to 6 clicks from soft is very comfortable, perhaps a tad too soft at the rear.

No noises at all! which was the thing I was most afraid of!

The garage races two M3 both fitted with BC Racing coilovers, they highly recommend these kits.

I will write a proper review once I put a few miles on them!

 

[Gustavo7]

Also got a private plate for the zed...

M25 CUP

Seemmed appropriate since most of its miles are clocked on the m25 :rofl:

 

[Gustavo7]

A few more pics

 

[mc5]

How does it handle pot holes. Is it crashy like its hitting the bump stops at the front?

 

[Gustavo7]

How does it handle pot holes. Is it crashy like its hitting the bump stops at the front?

It’s not crashy at all I’m so impressed, it’s definately less harsh than the stock dampers+eibach pro springs!

Off the 30 adjustment clicks, 0 being very Soft and 30 being very Hard:
I’m now running 9/30 at the rear and 8/30 at the front.
With 6/30 at the rear it didn’t have enough damping to absorb the spring bounce quick enough (spring-y ride).

I need to raise it a bit as it’s too low at the moment and the tires touch the wheel arch liners when pushing hard or going over a pot hole. Alternatively, I could adjust the pre-tension of the springs (yes height and pre-tension are independent), but it’s really too low so I will raise it 1cm all around and that should give the needed clearance.

First impression then is: the car feels more “fluid” everywhere, even off the lights I’m getting more traction. There is definately potential to acchieve the perfect road setup. But it is already better than standard shocks + eibach springs. There is of course more vibration due to the solid top mounts, but that is expected and not at all intrusive or distracting. knocks and other type of noises are inexistent so far.

 

[mc5]

Sounds good. Car looks great. Would love to have a passenger ride if your anywhere near Surrey. See you had a dc2. I had two now that was great from stock

 

[wspohn]

Glad you like them. I love them on my Solstice and have them earmarked for my MC if and when I need them.

 

[Beedub]

your running alot lower than mine, looks great beware of speed humps however!

 

[Gustavo7]

your running alot lower than mine, looks great beware of speed humps however!

I know! The garage dropped it too much, need to raise it a bit!!

 

[ZAR4MC]

Hi Gustavo, whats your verdict so far?

I too have the same BC BR's in my M Coupe with the standard top mounts (no camber plates) and so far I have had a positive experience with them. I've even done a track event shortly after fitting them and in my opinion they are far better than stock and perform great for "cheap" coilovers.