Buy new adaptive dampers or replace with Coilovers?

K

keving1

Member
I've just bought a 35i which had advisories on all 4 adaptive shock absorbers, when I press the sport button to Sport or Sport+ I can feel no change in the suspension so I guess they are shot.

The dilemma I have do I replace all 4 with adaptive dampers at a cost of roughly £2,100 or do I buy KW V3 Coilovers which are adjustable at a cost of £1600.

Please let me know your opinions and experiences of both types, at the moment I have not experienced either.
 
£2100 is cheap for 4! Where is that from?

Additionally was it a BMW garage that advised this? I was advised that one of my shocks was weak and advised to change it, yet after taking it to 3 seperate indys they all said it was fine and concluded it was BMW talking s**t.
 
sunnydays said:
£2100 is cheap for 4! Where is that from?

Additionally was it a BMW garage that advised this? I was advised that one of my shocks was weak and advised to change it, yet after taking it to 3 seperate indys they all said it was fine and concluded it was BMW talking s**t.
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The £2,100 is just for the dampers only direct from BMW, £650 for each front and £400 for each rear.

It was picked up on MOT earlier this year and then by BMW when in for some other work to be done and they did a full health check. I did not tell them about the shocks and they also highlighted a bulge in one of the RF tyres, bye bye RF's :)
 
Coilovers, do you need the KW V3's though?

If you don't need all the adjustment the V1 or V2 version will be cheaper and may suit your needs better
 
I've never used coilovers on the Z4 but I've had V2's in the past on a different car and they were incredible. V3's are more track focussed (more adjustment) so you can really tune the suspension to your taste. You can most likely make it just as comfortable as the standard suspension but you can also set it up for a proper fast road setup, sacrifice some comfort for improved handling.
 
Hi I have kw3's and I love them - but there are limitations.

The ride is firm - as this is due to the linear springs - so no bounce or rebound will really change that. However after 5 mins, you can make it similar to M-Sport suspension - however, it's linear compared to progressive springs in M-sport setup.

You have not said what you want- in ride quality?

My requirements wanted a firm drive as I am can be a fairly quick driver. However, some might find it uncomfortable.

Adaptive suspension is more flexible - and wife friendly, but if you want the ultimate driving machine than KW3's are the way to go.

The reason why I went for KW3's over anything else was the ability to adjust - however, in reality, I don't really change them that frequent.

As: great for daily driver
Kw3's: great if you want to track - or drive very hard

I think in my next car I will go for adaptive suspension for my daily - as its the best compromise.

And purchase a second car that is more track focused.
 
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