E89 suspension

A

A-minor

Member
 Hants
Having had my E89 for a couple of months now I have to admit the ride is not quite as forgiving as I was hoping for. It seemed a little firm on the test drive before buying, and on good quality roads I have no issues with it. However, there seem to be plenty of 'bumpy' roads in this part of the country and on longer drives it does become a bit tiresome. I've already removed the runflats, and whilst that has taken the harsh crashy edge off the bumps, it didn't make the overall difference I was hoping for.

Now perhaps I'm just getting too old for this sports car malarky, but before arriving at that conclusion I'm considering whether at 113k miles some of the suspension parts are worn and need renewing. Could worn shocks could be give a harsh ride? It's seems counter intuitive but I wonder if an underdamped car results in a 'bouncier' ride, i.e. bumps are felt due to shocks allowing more vertical movement.

Another thought is that I noticed the rear springs were changed at an indie around 18 months ago. The cost was £95 per side including fitting; at that price I'm wondering if they were cheap non-original springs that have affected the ride. The car does look slightly lower at the back, perhaps they were cheap lowering springs? If anyone could help rule this out I'd be grateful, I've measured a vertical distance of 352mm from wheel centre to underside of arch, if anyone can give me a comparison measurement on their car it would be appreciated.
 
I suspect you are also still running the same pressures as the run flats. Try dropping to F36 R38 psi and see how you like it.
 
Fair point. Just checked them today, the rears were 40psi so dropped them a couple, the fronts were down to 32psi so brought them up to 36psi, will see how I get on.

In the meantime it would be useful to get a couple of comparison measurements for the vertical distance measured from the wheel centre to the underside of the rear arch. Mine measure 352mm and looks just a tad low compared to other online E89 pics.
 

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A-minor said:
Fair point. Just checked them today, the rears were 40psi so dropped them a couple, the fronts were down to 32psi so brought them up to 36psi, will see how I get on.

In the meantime it would be useful to get a couple of comparison measurements for the vertical distance measured from the wheel centre to the underside of the rear arch. Mine measure 352mm and looks just a tad low compared to other online E89 pics.
Click to expand...

Hi, just nipped out & measured mine (M-sport suspension)
6E8C03E0-4330-4C68-A134-05CB04738B6C.jpeg
Rob
 
Just measured mine, I have 19 inch rims on and Goodyear Non run flats and the measurement is approx 350mm...

Not sure if mines standard but I'm thinking so. Also its M-sport suspension

Watching this topic with interest. Hope this is of help. :thumbsup:
 
I appreciate the responses, so both me and JimsZ are sitting at least 15mm lower than Rob's.

I have a copy of the original 2009 price list, and the only mention of a suspension option is the 'Adaptive M-Sport' which was an optional extra (code 2VF) for all three models at that time (23i, 30i and 35i). It states this has a 10mm lower ride height.

Mine does not have this option so will just be the standard type suspension. When you guys refer to M Sport, are you saying you have the adaptive setup or were there more options available for the later models?
 
A-minor said:
I appreciate the responses, so both me and JimsZ are sitting at least 15mm lower than Rob's.

I have a copy of the original 2009 price list, and the only mention of a suspension option is the 'Adaptive M-Sport' which was an optional extra (code 2VF) for all three models at that time (23i, 30i and 35i). It states this has a 10mm lower ride height.

Mine does not have this option so will just be the standard type suspension. When you guys refer to M Sport, are you saying you have the adaptive setup or were there more options available for the later models?
Click to expand...

Good question... one I cant answer with out a bit of digging about the cars options list.

In the mean time here is a recent picture of the car so you can see visually how it compares.

2012 plate 28i btw


47851589261_bf01bef3d5_b.jpg


Different angle different day :rofl:



33974226758_4632aa32a9_b.jpg
 
A-minor said:
I appreciate the responses, so both me and JimsZ are sitting at least 15mm lower than Rob's.

I have a copy of the original 2009 price list, and the only mention of a suspension option is the 'Adaptive M-Sport' which was an optional extra (code 2VF) for all three models at that time (23i, 30i and 35i). It states this has a 10mm lower ride height.

Mine does not have this option so will just be the standard type suspension. When you guys refer to M Sport, are you saying you have the adaptive setup or were there more options available for the later models?
Click to expand...

My car doesn’t have the adaptive suspension, just the M-sport set up.
Rob
 
So M-sport suspension and adaptive are two separate things? (I have M-sport adaptive and assumed that you got both or “nothing”)

Cheers
 
ProfCJJ said:
So M-sport suspension and adaptive are two separate things? (I have M-sport adaptive and assumed that you got both or “nothing”)

Cheers
Click to expand...

Yep, they’re 2 different options :thumbsup:
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
JimsZ said:
Mine lowers 10mm when in sport mode I believe so would have adaptive?
Click to expand...

Adaptive doesn’t lower the suspension, it’s 10mm lower regardless of any mode :thumbsup:
Rob
Click to expand...

It does s something to the suspension in sport mode as it feels a lot firmer ride v comfort mode.


I’m learning something new about this car all the time. Love it in the dry, roof down most days 😎
 
JimsZ said:
Smartbear said:
JimsZ said:
Mine lowers 10mm when in sport mode I believe so would have adaptive?
Click to expand...

Adaptive doesn’t lower the suspension, it’s 10mm lower regardless of any mode :thumbsup:
Rob
Click to expand...

It does s something to the suspension in sport mode as it feels a lot firmer ride v comfort mode.


I’m learning something new about this car all the time. Love it in the dry, roof down most days 😎
Click to expand...

It alters the damping, making it feel firmer :)
Rob
 
My 20i Msport has a sports suspension delete, as a factory option.

Ride is pretty nice, though not been in a car with the other suspension options to compare.
 
A-minor said:
Having had my E89 for a couple of months now I have to admit the ride is not quite as forgiving as I was hoping for. It seemed a little firm on the test drive before buying, and on good quality roads I have no issues with it. However, there seem to be plenty of 'bumpy' roads in this part of the country and on longer drives it does become a bit tiresome. I've already removed the runflats, and whilst that has taken the harsh crashy edge off the bumps, it didn't make the overall difference I was hoping for.

Now perhaps I'm just getting too old for this sports car malarky, but before arriving at that conclusion I'm considering whether at 113k miles some of the suspension parts are worn and need renewing. Could worn shocks could be give a harsh ride? It's seems counter intuitive but I wonder if an underdamped car results in a 'bouncier' ride, i.e. bumps are felt due to shocks allowing more vertical movement.

Another thought is that I noticed the rear springs were changed at an indie around 18 months ago. The cost was £95 per side including fitting; at that price I'm wondering if they were cheap non-original springs that have affected the ride. The car does look slightly lower at the back, perhaps they were cheap lowering springs? If anyone could help rule this out I'd be grateful, I've measured a vertical distance of 352mm from wheel centre to underside of arch, if anyone can give me a comparison measurement on their car it would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Well IMHO you have a perfect storm...

If you have not had the shock absorbers replaced than at 115k miles they will be unbelievably shot...

Somebody putting lowered springs with a higher spring rate to compensate will severely compound the problems.

The money spent would not have paid for new shocks...

So I suggest you need new shocks at a minimum...ideally you would do the springs and shocks as a matched exercise..

At least what you could do is go for Bilstein B8 shocks which are matched to reduced height springs..

I replaced my shocks at 40k miles and there was a dramatic difference...

For comfort B6 and OEM length springs would give you the most comfort...

What wheels/tyres are you running?
 
I've also been thinking it might be worth changing shock absorbers as time goes on, I've got no leaks and it doesn't bounce at all if you push down on them but after nearly 10 years and miles of punishment there's no way they can be close to 100%.

I think these cars do just sit quite low at the rear naturally as on mine below, also seems to be common for the drivers side rear to be a bit lower than the passenger side. That's not something unique to the Z4 either, a lot of other BMW's being the same.

40719222953_93acf892b4_h.jpg
 
[ref]A-minor[/ref], Do you have run flat tyres on the car? I just ditched the run flats and went to 4 normal tyres and it made a big difference to the ride quality. It is more more compliant now, especially on poor road surfaces.

Also is the ride just too hard or are you getting noises when you you hit an uneven road surface that is making it seem worse than it is. I was just thinking at 100k+ miles the bushes and suspension mounts might be worn.
 
Pbondar said:
If you have not had the shock absorbers replaced than at 115k miles they will be unbelievably shot...
So I suggest you need new shocks at a minimum...ideally you would do the springs and shocks as a matched exercise..
Click to expand...
I might whip a wheel off at the weekend to see if there are any markings on the springs, but either way I think I am leaning towards the suggestion of doings shocks/springs as a set, it just makes sense at this mileage.

The wheels/tyres are 18" staggered as per stock specification, except for the tyres are non-RFT.
 
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