Considering Eibach's for my 3.0l SI, before/after pics??

[DanEvs]

As per the title really folks, looking to lower my 3.0 SI with Eibach springs but I'm sceptical on a few points...

1- Is 15mm enough to be noticeable and does anyone have before/after pics of an SI so I can compare?

2- I love the standard ride quality even though it seems to "wallow" a bit in the corners. From posts I've read it would seem that the Eibach's seem to soften the ride up a bit, have you noticed any increase in body roll/ weight shifts when turning in etc?

3- Where is the cheapest place to source them???

Seems I'm getting the tinkering bug back! I was hoping to avoid it with this car but here we go...

...Cruise retrofit, ZHP on order. Still mulling over the sideskirts.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[Wondermike]

Some pics of a11y's car on Eibachs :sweetheart:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19408&p=276963&hilit=eibach#p276963

 

[a11y]

Ah, Wondermike saved me the hassle of posting 8)

Just bear in mind that top pic has a fully-loaded boot with camping gear, etc plus 17st of my mate in the passenger seat

This pic is probably best at showing off the actual ride height on level ground with an empty(ish) boot:


2010-02-18 (10) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

 

[th30d0r3]

This will probably earn me a flaming but I think dropping a Z4 doesn't look particularly great.

That last picture for example make it look like the wheels are too small for the car; the reason I say that is because of the gap between the arch and the wheels is no longer even all round; just looks odd in my eyes.

 

[DanEvs]

Thanks guys.

That looks like more than a 15mm drop to me.

Any input on the ride quality/handling etc? :?

 

[a11y]

This will probably earn me a flaming but I think dropping a Z4 doesn't look particularly great.

That last picture for example make it look like the wheels are too small for the car; the reason I say that is because of the gap between the arch and the wheels is no longer even all round; just looks odd in my eyes.

I'm not going to flame you in the least because part of me agrees with you.

I never intended lowering my Z4 - it wasn't the reason I bought Eibachs. My Z4 had both rear springs broken when I bought it, and rather than replace them with more potentially snap-happy BMW springs I bought/fitted Eibachs instead. Added bonus that they're fractionally cheaper for a set of 4 versus 2 BMW rears. In all honesty I've got no preference for the height before or after - I'd more than happily live with standard height if the snap risk was lower*. I don't think it looks odd though, just different.

* although in all honesty it seems the snapping problem isn't as widespread as I initially assumed when I joined the forum, so perhaps I should've got replacement BMW springs. Hindsight, meh.

 

[a11y]

Any input on the ride quality/handling etc? :?

Now this IS something that makes me glad I went for Eibachs - the ride quality/handling is excellent. Fair do's I had no experience with unsnapped "normal" BMW springs, but IME they smother smaller ridges/potholes slightly better than the standard Sport springs. Obviously you've got 15mm less suspension travel than before so bigger potholes, etc can still be felt. They do ramp up more though in corners, etc when force put onto them, which IMO makes them better than standard springs. And yes, they're absolutely fine using them with standard dampers

 

[aquazi]

I think ally's car looks lower in those pics.. maybe its the angle or if the car is parked on a bank.

I have seen Z4 on eibachs and personally i think they look spot on... i want to get a set for mine.. but as my springs havent broken yet i feel i would be letting bmw off the hook.. so as soon as mine break and bmw replace them i'll be getting myself a set.

 

[Incompatible]

When I dropped my M suspension 07 Si model coupe on Eibachs, the change in height was minimal, less then the 15mm I expected. As ally above mentioned the ride is better then before, the car handles noticeable better, and I don't worry about the oe springs snapping. Rear ride height came down about 6-7mm and the front about 12mm IIRC. Visually you need to look close to see the difference, but it does have the effect of improving the aesthetics, IMO. Looking back, I should have made the change to the Eibachs much sooner.

 

[magicgreg]

Eibach's for me as a thing to do in the spring I reckon, looks far better with that drop.

 

[RichardG]

Following on from previous comments, I like A11y fitted the Eibach's to avoid the apparantly snap happy BMW Springs.
Here is a photo of several Zed's with a mixture of Eibach's and standard springs all fully loaded on our to Skye last year to show the gap around the tyre to arch doesn't really change that much.

And reposting yet again a few more gratuitous shots of mine from both sides on Eibach's with 19"s

Unless a Zed is parked on very flat level surfaces it can play havoc with the way the car sits on the suspension making things look a lot worse than they are.

 

[Exactmax]

I have a 2.2se and want to get the Eibachs fitted, am I right in saying that it will drop the car by 30mm front and back?

 

[monkadill]

Following on from previous comments, I like A11y fitted the Eibach's to avoid the apparantly snap happy BMW Springs.
Here is a photo of several Zed's with a mixture of Eibach's and standard springs all fully loaded on our to Skye last year to show the gap around the tyre to arch doesn't really change that much.

And reposting yet again a few more gratuitous shots of mine from both sides on Eibach's with 19"s

Unless a Zed is parked on very flat level surfaces it can play havoc with the way the car sits on the suspension making things look a lot worse than they are.

Getting my Eibach's fitted this Friday and i hope the ZC looks as nice as yours.

 

[RichardG]

Getting my Eibach's fitted this Friday and i hope the ZC looks as nice as yours.

Thanks for the compliment, even after nearly 7 years of ownership still not bored or tired of it and after years 5 of doing nothing then discovering this forum the last 2 have been a journey that is hopefully nearing its conclusion, my bank balance won't take much more.