Bilstein B4 shocks ok for Msport setup ? anybody got them??

[Rory]

Hi folks, been lurking a long time, still have the zed though and shes running fine.

Only thing is Im getting quite sick of the ride quality, crashing into bumps and bouncing around. Its a 3.0 with the mtec suspension. So last year when a front damper was leaking I replaced the front 2 with koni adjustables. I can feel the front is more compliant.

But heres my question - the back is still very stiff and I think is making the front bob more....

Looking at shocks and dont want to go mega stiff or pay a fortune - do Bilstein B4s fit on mtec springs without raising the car or being too soft? Ive been searching and I know the official line at bilstein is to go B8, but it seems some people have used b4s. Just wanted to see how they got on with them on mtec springs?

Thanks !

 

[Scooba_Steve]

You can go with B4s. I'd at least get a matching set of something all round...

 

[Javizquierdo]

I got it in my 2.0. B4 with Msport and shes running fine.

 

[csl1973]

I too have thought about this, my shocks are getting old but have lowish miles. Not paying silly money for the bmw ones and the b8s are expensive option. Interested for more info from others who are running b4s with msport springs.

 

[Rory]

I got it in my 2.0. B4 with Msport and shes running fine.

How do you find the ride quality with the b4s? Does it bounce around on country roads?

 

[Rory]

I too have thought about this, my shocks are getting old but have lowish miles. Not paying silly money for the bmw ones and the b8s are expensive option. Interested for more info from others who are running b4s with msport springs.

Im in the same position, 53k miles but I think the rear shocks have had their useful life ! The fronts did already as one was leaking.

 

[MACK]

Aren't the M Sport springs themselves though to be the main culprit in the zeds hard/poor ride. Not to mention the issues many have had with broken springs.
Wouldn't you be better pairing some of the highly regarded eibach springs at about £100ish a set with fresh M sport shocks or the B4's etc?

 

[Rory]

Aren't the M Sport springs themselves though to be the main culprit in the zeds hard/poor ride. Not to mention the issues many have had with broken springs.
Wouldn't you be better pairing some of the highly regarded eibach springs at about £100ish a set with fresh M sport shocks or the B4's etc?

The short answer is ... I dont know! If I thought changing the springs only for Eibachs would make a big difference Id do that ... I don't really know what the culprit is.

 

[MACK]

Aren't the M Sport springs themselves thought to be the main culprit in the zeds hard/poor ride. Not to mention the issues many have had with broken springs.
Wouldn't you be better pairing some of the highly regarded eibach springs at about £100ish a set with fresh M sport shocks or the B4's etc?

 

[hopz121]

They will fit perfectly and be an upgrade over OEM too

 

[Rory]

They will fit perfectly and be an upgrade over OEM too

Have you used b4s? Looking for some feedback

I don't want to change springs and lower the car even more. The lack of suspension stroke doesn't help ride/handling as it is.
If I found springs at the same ride height but more compliant than standard I'd be up for those.

 

[hopz121]

They will fit perfectly and be an upgrade over OEM too

Have you used b4s? Looking for some feedback

I don't want to change springs and lower the car even more. The lack of suspension stroke doesn't help ride/handling as it is.
If I found springs at the same ride height but more compliant than standard I'd be up for those.

Nope but I have had b8's

B4's are mega common on the M3 forums and this is what I plan on using for my M3 with standard springs, they have excellent reviews and the build quality is second to none.

Jingle has b4's on his 2.0 from memory maybe worth a pm to him

 

[Ant]

i've B4s on my 3.0i and they're grand yeah

 

[Rory]

i've B4s on my 3.0i and they're grand yeah

Hi Ant, do they ride more comfy than stock? Is that with mtec springs?

 

[hopz121]

i've B4s on my 3.0i and they're grand yeah

Hi Ant, do they ride more comfy than stock? Is that with mtec springs?

It will be firmer than stock as the shocks are new but it will handle better

 

[Ant]

yeah what he said and it's with stock springs

it's better than the stock shocks, but if you think it's going turn it into a comfy ride think again

the Z4 just isn't made for that kinda feedback

 

[Rory]

Yeah I know its never going to be a soft comfy cruiser, its just the only thing letting the whole car down right now is the bouncy / solid ride.

I have an e92 335i with msport suspension, run flat tyres and it rides way better than the zed, on roads I have to just give up on with the zed because of the discomfort / bounce, the 335i can be pushed on.

I think the old rear shocks are the best shout to change as you sit almost on the back wheels in the zed.

 

[hopz121]

Yeah I know its never going to be a soft comfy cruiser, its just the only thing letting the whole car down right now is the bouncy / solid ride.

I have an e92 335i with msport suspension, run flat tyres and it rides way better than the zed, on roads I have to just give up on with the zed because of the discomfort / bounce, the 335i can be pushed on.

I think the old rear shocks are the best shout to change as you sit almost on the back wheels in the zed.

you still on run flats with the zed?

 

[stupot67]

Only thing is Im getting quite sick of the ride quality, crashing into bumps and bouncing around. Its a 3.0 with the mtec suspension. So last year when a front damper was leaking I replaced the front 2 with koni adjustables. I can feel the front is more compliant.

Why not just fit a pair of Koni adjustables to the rear? - I changed my standard sport dampers over to Koni's (Front & rear) a couple of years back, and for a car that's mainly used on the road they are a great improvement over stock dampers.

If you wan't a more compliant ride, a set of Eibachs, Non run flats and new dampers (Preferably adjustable to your own tastes) has got to be the way to go.

Stu.

 

[Rory]

Thanks for input guys.

Non run flats on the z4. My first thought was to complement the front konis with rears- but trying to keep costs down ( it's only a 6k car ) - they are £50 each more than b4s - and you can't adjust them while actually on the car.

I've read a few different reports of eibachs , some have said they are more comfortable on light imperfections but harder on bad surfaces.

I think it's really body control and adding just a little suppleness I'm trying to address.

Just remembered my car has wheels spacers, think about 20mm fitted for looks, I wonder if that could have any influence on the way the suspension performs. The shock must work best with forces coming directly underneath it , rather than diagonally further out. They might be quite heavy which doesn't help, I might have a look to see if I have normal length wheel bolts to take them off.