Went down to the south coast yesterday via the south-west portion of the M25. Lots of concrete slab sections of road surface. These made me realise just how ‘crashy’ the suspension is on my 28i and I started to wonder if I could get an improvement fitted: basically on that kind of road surface I don’t care about corners, I just want to get through it a painlessly as possible. Googled around for an upgrade and Birds seems to be a good start. Also they are local to me. Lots of posts on the LSD - which seems a great option btw - but couldn’t find any discussion on suspension upgrade. Anyone have experience of Birds suspension upgrade on e89, or other recommendations? The difference here is that I’m not asking for track or race upgrades - I’m looking for more comfort as I use the car mostly as a GT-style for longer trips.
E89 suspension - upgrade comfort and control
- Thread starter Aubreyn
- Start date
A
Anonymous
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Is yours an M Sport?
Wheel sizes and tyres? Runflats?
Bilstein B6/B8 are popular for better control and ride at reasonable prices...
If you answer the other questions that will help us help you
Wheel sizes and tyres? Runflats?
Bilstein B6/B8 are popular for better control and ride at reasonable prices...
If you answer the other questions that will help us help you
Attleborough, Norfolk
I'd second that question. If you're on runflat tyres don't waste any more money until you swap them.
The section of A11 from Attleborough to Norwich is the same and my E89 would crash and bang its way up there, feeling like it would fall apart any second.
Drove to Norwich one day, got non runflat tyres fitted (Goodyear Assy 5s in my case, but there are several opinions on which are the best, depending on budget, driving style and (whisper it) kudos).
The drive home was astoundingly different. No crashing about: a smooth, refined ride.
The section of A11 from Attleborough to Norwich is the same and my E89 would crash and bang its way up there, feeling like it would fall apart any second.
Drove to Norwich one day, got non runflat tyres fitted (Goodyear Assy 5s in my case, but there are several opinions on which are the best, depending on budget, driving style and (whisper it) kudos).
The drive home was astoundingly different. No crashing about: a smooth, refined ride.
I'm going to have a Bilstein B16 kit plus bushes etc fitted at the end of next week... I already ditched the out of date run flats and fitted new quality Goodyear tyres...
Once the work is done I'll give you some feedback... I've been promised it will transform the car as the cost with labour is around £2500...
Once the work is done I'll give you some feedback... I've been promised it will transform the car as the cost with labour is around £2500...
Bird's used to look after my E30 325i many years ago and they did a full Hartge conversion to it, engine, suspension, exhaust plus race logic flappy paddle gearbox, in the days well before any type of flappy paddle gearbox existed. That is the only car I regret selling to this day! They really do know their stuff and the suspension kit that they developed for the E89 got rave reviews from the press for ride quality and for sharpening up the handling.
I think they work with one of top suspension companies and had the kit fine tuned to their specification. They are however expensive and right now I can't justify those prices so I have in my list of mods to do the Bilstein / Eibach B12 kit which I have heard very good things about too.
But as others have said if you are on runflats, those would be the first thing to change. Also having smaller diameter wheels e.g. 18" instead of 19" will help as will having the standard suspension as opposed to the M Sport suspension. I would look at these things first before spending big bucks, some of these might be all you need.
If still think you need to do more, you could always call Birds and tell them what your objective is and they should point you in the right direction. Kevin Bird has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to BMWs and tuning.
I think they work with one of top suspension companies and had the kit fine tuned to their specification. They are however expensive and right now I can't justify those prices so I have in my list of mods to do the Bilstein / Eibach B12 kit which I have heard very good things about too.
But as others have said if you are on runflats, those would be the first thing to change. Also having smaller diameter wheels e.g. 18" instead of 19" will help as will having the standard suspension as opposed to the M Sport suspension. I would look at these things first before spending big bucks, some of these might be all you need.
If still think you need to do more, you could always call Birds and tell them what your objective is and they should point you in the right direction. Kevin Bird has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to BMWs and tuning.
Replacing the RF tires with Michelin PS4 made a big improvement in how my E89 drove & rode. The steering was smoother, and the ride was softer, quieter, and handling improved. I'd agree this should be the first step in improving the car on rough road. Honestly this made more improvement than replacing all of the struts, shocks, and towers did at 60k miles.
Do it - the E89 can be a great GT.
Do it - the E89 can be a great GT.
Never heard of birds?
Run flat comments are all valid after that Bilstein/Eibach do great upgrade components.
I do my suspension upgrades ane step at a time to see how I like the change rather than just jumping in for the full lot and then not liking the result.
I fitted the Eibach springs earlier this year to my 35i, difference is excellent, lowered around 1cm all round, smooth and progressive feedback with flat cornering. I will probably add the dampers once I get a failed OEM item, the anti roll bars if I think my car needs them. Hard bushes can make the ride harsh, no experience with any on a Z4 but had them on other cars, over the top for any road car really.
Run flat comments are all valid after that Bilstein/Eibach do great upgrade components.
I do my suspension upgrades ane step at a time to see how I like the change rather than just jumping in for the full lot and then not liking the result.
I fitted the Eibach springs earlier this year to my 35i, difference is excellent, lowered around 1cm all round, smooth and progressive feedback with flat cornering. I will probably add the dampers once I get a failed OEM item, the anti roll bars if I think my car needs them. Hard bushes can make the ride harsh, no experience with any on a Z4 but had them on other cars, over the top for any road car really.
Thanks everyone!
Tyres are Michelin PS4 on 17”. I ditched the run-flats pretty much as soon as I got the car and really enjoyed the improvements - completely agree with those suggestions. The ride and handling on decent roads is good. Took her over to France soon after getting the PS4s fitted and those French roads were a lot of fun. Great trip. Excellent poise and a feeling of confidence on the road. I decided to stay with the ‘stock’ 17” wheels for reasons of the ride quality even though there are some gorgeous 18/19s around. So, in the end, I’m think I’m close to as good as it gets with the types.
I don’t have MSport nor adaptive suspension, just the standard for the vehicle. I checked through the original options list for the vehicle and none of them refer to suspension. I’m hoping that I can find a better suspension setup, to go with the PS4s, that will together absorb the knocks from all the roadworks scars, pot holes and concrete slap joints in road surfaces whilst still maintaining the character of the car. Will definitely be phoning Birds after the bank holiday - thanks for the positive comments!
Tyres are Michelin PS4 on 17”. I ditched the run-flats pretty much as soon as I got the car and really enjoyed the improvements - completely agree with those suggestions. The ride and handling on decent roads is good. Took her over to France soon after getting the PS4s fitted and those French roads were a lot of fun. Great trip. Excellent poise and a feeling of confidence on the road. I decided to stay with the ‘stock’ 17” wheels for reasons of the ride quality even though there are some gorgeous 18/19s around. So, in the end, I’m think I’m close to as good as it gets with the types.
I don’t have MSport nor adaptive suspension, just the standard for the vehicle. I checked through the original options list for the vehicle and none of them refer to suspension. I’m hoping that I can find a better suspension setup, to go with the PS4s, that will together absorb the knocks from all the roadworks scars, pot holes and concrete slap joints in road surfaces whilst still maintaining the character of the car. Will definitely be phoning Birds after the bank holiday - thanks for the positive comments!
A
Anonymous
Guest
IMHO you would be cheaper and as good as geting some Bilstein B8 dampers and a set of M SPort springs..I have that set up and it works very well.. Eibach springs tend to be a bit harsh..I run 17" and 18" wheels and again its as good as its going to be..
I used Birds for my Quiafe LSD..but had it fitted by a guy in Glasgy!
I used Birds for my Quiafe LSD..but had it fitted by a guy in Glasgy!