Calling all with Eibach Pro-Kit.

[abbazabba]

I was wondering for those who have the Eibach Pro-Kit springs installed, do you have problems with uneven tirewear? How is the ride? Have you had any problems with them? Are you satisfied? Thanks.

 

[GP20]

The Eibachs will ride pretty comfortable IF you pair them with Koni struts/shocks. If you re-use stock struts/shocks, you'll literally feel like a bobble-head doll as you accelerate and decelerate and the car's weight shifts back and forth. I've experienced this on 2 different Z4's both with Eibachs and stock struts/shocks. One of them was my '04 3.0i - I ended up buying a set of Koni struts/shocks after one week because I couldn't stand it anymore. The other Z4's owner ended up selling his springs for a set of Bilstein PSS9's.

No issues with uneven tire-wear as long as you do an alignment after the install. Get the alignment done after a couple of hundred miles though. The springs themselves will compress and settle very slightly, but more importantly the bushings need to settle as well. But otherwise, the Eibach/Koni combo will give you a very comfortable ride and comparable to stock (probably slightly stiffer).

Make sure you also get the aftermarket rear-shock-mounts. The stock ones are known to crack easily and the rubber would wear out quickly especially with aftermarket suspensions, so you might as well replace them while you're at it and not have to worry about paying for another install/alignment for a while. Rogue Engineering and TC-Kline sell some RSM's of very good quality.

 

[abbazabba]

Thanks gp for the detailed information. People have told me not to do eibach pro-kit with stock shocks, but I have a friend with eibach pro-kit on his lexus is300 w/ stock shocks and its very comfortable. I guess it depends on the car. Its good to have a review on the actual car I have, as people were giving they're opinion about the z4 when they're experience was with e36, e46 etc. Not that they're wrong, but they werent sure either. Also, thanks for the heads up on the rear shock mount, I had no idea about that. I guess i'll just be satisfied with my car until I have a real job and I can lower the car properly with springs, shocks, and shock mounts. Again, thanks for your informative and detailed post.

 

[plowy]

I have on my 3.0, i find the set up is fine, can't dial in to what GP20 is on about to be honest but i am quite happy.. :wink:

 

[GP20]

I have on my 3.0, i find the set up is fine, can't dial in to what GP20 is on about to be honest but i am quite happy.. :wink:

It's alright. Some of us just have different expectations out of our suspensions. I've essentially gone through 9 sets of aftermarket suspensions on my Z4 3.0i and Z4M.

3.0i:
-Eibach's+ stock struts/shocks
-Eibach's + Koni struts/shocks
-H&R's + Koni struts/shocks
-Bilstein PSS9's

Z4M: (H&R/Eibach springs intended for the Z4M are not the same ones for the regular Z4)
-Eibach springs + stock struts/shocks
-H&R springs + stock struts/shocks
-KW V3 coilovers
-TC Kline D/A coilovers Version 1
-TC Kline D/A coilovers Version 2

I'm definitely guilty of being picky when it comes to suspensions. If a set-up doesn't work the way I want, they're gone. What's unacceptable to me might still be acceptable to you and others.

 

[abbazabba]

I have on my 3.0, i find the set up is fine, can't dial in to what GP20 is on about to be honest but i am quite happy.. :wink:

do you have stock shocks?

 

[plowy]

Yes stock shocks, GP20 is right in that we all expect different things, i suppose if i were to get into coil overs and billys on my car etc i would maybe appreciate what he is saying as those set ups would highlight any short comings in the stock set up, but as i have said the car performs great for me and i have no plans to change anything, it rides a bit firmer and harsher but then i expected that so yeh, it's great... :wink:

 

[mlt]

I recently bought an 2003 Z4 Roadster 3.0i which has the eibach pro-kit springs with the original shock absorbers, when I hit big enough bumbs it sounds like the shock absorber is hitting it's bottom (dont know the right term). I think the shocks are so worn out that they dont work anymore with the eibach springs.

I was thinking of replacing them with the original m-sport shocks or changing them to KONI Sport's. I dont know if I'm being ripped of but the koni's cost over 1000 euros, which sounds like coilover money! I also think that the original shocks never work well with lowering springs, or atleast they will worn out sooner.

 

[Stretch_Blanco]

3.0i:
-Eibach's+ stock struts/shocks
-Eibach's + Koni struts/shocks
-H&R's + Koni struts/shocks
-Bilstein PSS9's

I'm definitely guilty of being picky when it comes to suspensions. If a set-up doesn't work the way I want, they're gone. What's unacceptable to me might still be acceptable to you and others.
[/quote]

So do you rate the Bilstein PSS9's as the best setup for Z4 Roadster?