Can’t decide on what suspension (decided it’s on, very happy)

R

rays545i

Member
 London
Hi guys and gals
My z4 2004 needs new shocks almost certain they are original
Took off rear one Friday, pushed it down fully think it’s just fully came back up late sat eve !
It’s SE so wouldn’t mind a small drop but not too much
My drive is on a slant
it’s used most days (more fun than my f11)


Option are
Bilstein b4 with eibach lowering springs
Bilstein b4 with suplex springs

Or HSD dueltech coilovers
They look great with so much customisation
But worried might be to harsh on British roads

All options around £650-£700

Would appreciate any input and your experience with any of the above

Thank you
 
Watching with interest as I'm in pretty much hw same circumstances, just about to tick over 100k and on original shocks.

I've decided no coils as think if I just do the shocks and springs ill not need to tell the insurance as they are technically just maintaince items
 
rays545i said:
Would appreciate any input and your experience with any of the above
Click to expand...
The real question is do you want std/similar height, a drop or customisable via coilover?

Once you have decided on that then it's easy, for the springs, just get them and the shocks and fit. For those coilovers I'd do some research just to confirm feedback. Quick search for me comes up with quite a few "good for the money" responses.
You can't go wrong with the springs and shocks, neither will snap like OE, some may say that the B4 isn't really designed for lowering. Sachs are also worth considering, some may say better than B4 and I believe they (Sachs) are the OEM.

Swampy1982 said:
just about to tick over 100k and on original shocks.
Click to expand...
They will 100% be toast!

Swampy1982 said:
springs ill not need to tell the insurance
Click to expand...
I would say only only if the same height, lower it and you could end up in bother. IMHO safest bet would be equivalent suplex and B4/Sachs

For both cases consider doing other rubber bits while you're there. Might as well replace all the top mounts for the money, drop links, ARBs will probably be junk regardless of mileage if original.
 
I am in same position also (not surprising given the age of our cars!) I am 90% sure I am going to stick with OEM sports springs with B4s. I don’t want to go any lower. I think I am going to need at least new rear springs though as I am pretty certain a previous owner replaced with SE when they inevitably snapped!

B4 choice is mainly cost - cheaper than OEM Sachs if you shop around. I believe there will also be a marginal performance improvement. There seems a lot of debate as to whether B4s are ok to use with lowered springs (even 10mm sports), but there seem to be a lot of people happy with this set-up or even lower.
 
In a similar boat and had planned on Bilstein B12 kit. Had a ride in a Z4 so equipped and it felt absolutely fine. Nowhere near as hard as, say, an M4 Comp or M2 Comp. however, the kit isn’t cheap - for the same price, you can get ST STX Coilovers.
 
Thank you for all the input
I think I will go bilstein b4 with eibach lowering springs
Will change all hardware too
Any particular brand I should go for meyle or lemforder ??
Or another brand
Cheers
 
DSGRNMCM said:
Also watching as my rears are original having covered 90k and 14 years old. Manky as hell.
Click to expand...
Well what do you want to achieve? A stock refresh - go with suplex springs and a Sachs or B4 damper. A little lower than sport? The same but with Eibach.
All depends on what you want.
 
If you’re doing bushings while switching shocks and coils what tools will you need? I’m looking to do the same refresh (B4 with suplex) but figure it makes sense to through in new bushes while I’m doing so. The anti roll bar looks in good condition but I realise the parts are one thing but the tools are another. My biggest concern is some of the harder stuff that requires a specialist tool (I would prefer to get the tool of it makes life easier than an improvisation).

Thanks
 
davidmudley12 said:
If you’re doing bushings while switching shocks and coils what tools will you need?
Click to expand...
By far the hardest part is spring compression and getting the top mount off, if you want to reassemble properly you need a cut socket and allen key to torque it up. Spanners and sockets for everything else, unless you're wanting to do anything on the rear arms which need bushing tools.

https://www.newtis.info used to be the place to go, but it got shut down. If you give them some feedback maybe they will reopen...
 
I'm doing this too at the moment, I have ordered Bilstein B4 dampers and i'll probably go with Suplex springs. I called my local BMW dealer and spoke with their parts guy, he was able to confirm my car (2004 3.0i) has M-Sports suspension, he quoted me £598 for 2 front dampers and £397 for the 2 rears!
From the suplex catalog M-Sports springs are 20mm shorter at the front and 3mm shorter at the rear, I think I will go with these.
There is a bit of dubiety as to whether B4 dampers will work with lower springs, some owners are very pleased with the setup and I can't see it being an issue for 20mm shorter springs at the front and definitely not for the rear.

Jim.
 
Where did you get your bilstein b4 from
I took the plunge and ordered mine from AUTODOC yesterday
So cheap
Less then £300 and eibach pro lowering springs £135
Just have to wait and wait for them now
At that price if I find the eibachs to low
I will sell them for not much loss

Can you tell me the numbers for the suplex m sport equivalent springs please
Will get them instead
Cheers
 
rays545i said:
Where did you get your bilstein b4 from
I took the plunge and ordered mine from AUTODOC yesterday
So cheap
Less then £300 and eibach pro lowering springs £135
Just have to wait and wait for them now

At that price if I find the eibachs to low
I will sell them for not much loss

Can you tell me the numbers for the suplex m sport equivalent springs please
Will get them instead
Cheers
Click to expand...

Was that £300 for 4 x shocks?
 
If this is shipped from the EU (as they are only registered for German VAT), did they charge you UK VAT at source, or have they removed their local VAT for you to pay it on arrival in the UK?

I know it's not a lot, but you may end up paying double-VAT, plus any customs/handling fees if/when they arrive.

ETA: just checked and they have registered for UK VAT, so no worries there (just the random customs/handling fees).
 
From the Suplex catalog the M-Sports fronts are part no- 06248 and the rears are 06231, the SE spec parts are front- 06252 and rear- 06228.
Their M-Sports springs are 20mm shorter at the front and 3mm shorter at the rear, I don't know how this compares to genuine BMW springs.

Jim.
 
If using autodoc, Use the mobile app, I found it a couple more percent discount than the website, Also use cashback if available (quidco/topcashback). Got a pretty good deal on a load of stuff when i did mine a while back.

Also never use meyle HD rear top mounts. I read the horror storys but went with them anyway. Sounded like a skeleton having a wank in carboard box in the back of my car. Lemforder are fine.
 
mmm-five said:
If this is shipped from the EU (as they are only registered for German VAT), did they charge you UK VAT at source, or have they removed their local VAT for you to pay it on arrival in the UK?

I know it's not a lot, but you may end up paying double-VAT, plus any customs/handling fees if/when they arrive.

ETA: just checked and they have registered for UK VAT, so no worries there (just the random customs/handling fees).
Click to expand...

Never even thought about any of that
We shall see
 
Thermaltake said:
If using autodoc, Use the mobile app, I found it a couple more percent discount than the website, Also use cashback if available (quidco/topcashback). Got a pretty good deal on a load of stuff when i did mine a while back.

Also never use meyle HD rear top mounts. I read the horror storys but went with them anyway. Sounded like a skeleton having a w**k in carboard box in the back of my car. Lemforder are fine.
Click to expand...

What a wonderful description 😂😂😂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom