eibach or H&R springs? Advice please.

[Rattler]

Hi I'm looking to lower the Z4MC and was about to order some Eibach springs but TWG in Camberley have suggested H&R springs as the Eibach springs would give an extremely hard ride particularly when paired with 19 inch wheels.

TWG have a good reputation on here so desire to doubt them (and they're only fitting and not supplying them, so no specific gain for the either way) any real world experiences of both from members here?

Is there a great difference?

Thanks
Tim

 

[Mister T]

I recall reading that the H&Rs are a little bit lower all round.

 

[TrickyTris]

Interested to see what people say about this, as I'm also looking to get Will to lower my Zed..

Rattler, is there a reason you're not considering coilovers at all? (Besides the price)

Been fighting myself as to what route to go down but unsure of the advantages & disadvantages of each! :?

 

[AZ4MW]

I know I've got eibach springs on the rear of my MR as I had a big clean up under the rear aches (I haven't got round to the fronts just yet) but my ride is quite comfortable on the run not a lot of road noise and also quite sporty when you throw it into the corners all round I'm very happy with them, I must clean and check the fronts

 

[Rattler]

Rattler, is there a reason you're not considering coilovers at all? (Besides the price)

Been fighting myself as to what route to go down but unsure of the advantages & disadvantages of each! :?

Coilovers may be the way to go, I'm not really very familiar with them - they appear to offer adjustability and must offer better control (both as they're newer than the originals and designed to perform better) but given the price difference and my newness to the Z4M I thought I'd try springs first. I figured there'd be a decent aftermarket for the H&R springs if I decided to sell or could these be used with new struts/dampers anyway?

Tim

 

[Rattler]

I recall reading that the H&Rs are a little bit lower all round.

From what I've read - the Eibachs lower ~20mm front and ~10mm rear, whereas the H&R lower ~25-30mm all round - pic below is of z4MC with H&R springs - which looks fine to me

 

[Number5]

Ive had both on previous Zeds.

Eibacks are lower than OEM but look good and still handle well
HR's are even lower and whilst it looks really mean/planted, I'd say a little too hard , especially when a pothole catches you out or you regularly encounter speed bumps.

I could not have driven on HR's as a daily - no way. Therefore I'd say Eibacks are a good option.
HR's if you want to look at it and show it
Eibachs if you want to drive it.

 

[Rattler]

Ive had both on previous Zeds.

Eibacks are lower than OEM but look good and still handle well
HR's are even lower and whilst it looks really mean/planted, I'd say a little too hard , especially when a pothole catches you out or you regularly encounter speed bumps.

I could not have driven on HR's as a daily - no way. Therefore I'd say Eibacks are a good option.
HR's if you want to look at it and show it
Eibachs if you want to drive it.

Thanks but that contradicts what TWG have said :? It does make sense that if the HRs are lower they'd need to be stiffer to allow less movement (and not bottom out)
Are either of these progressive (not have a linear spring rate?)

Also - I'm asuming my OEM springs are not broken and that the hard ride I have (only limited miles so far) is normal for the Z4MC? but I've not checked 8)

Thanks for all the fedback.
Tim

 

[Z4M-2006]

Standard spring rate is hard.....The coil wire is way to thick.

I have tried both on my M cars and i prefer H&R's.....They are a bit lower but i used my car daily. It was fine,compliant suspension isnt a strong point of the M coupe....lol..

Its a thing you learn to live with..

 

[stevo///m3]

I'd go Eibachs. I only have experience of those plus standard springs and, like you, trawled the site for info. If you're going for springs and not the whole turret, I'd recommend Eibachs. Feels beautifully planted.
Stevo

 

[Rattler]

Ah OK - mixed responses then.

As she's not a daily driver and I like the lower look, I think I'm heading the H&R route at the moment.

But happy to have more' views. 8)

Thanks

 

[TomCar]

Interesting and different views, but I think based on my experience of the h&r's on mine that Eibachs are the way to go.
Car looks great but I find the handling a bit soggy and rubbery at the front which just promotes understeer.
By many accounts the h&r are for show not go. Having previously owned more handling focused cars (Elise 135r, 3.2 Carrera & Caterham) I wouldn't say my current ride is too hard for a daily.
I'll be looking to put Eibachs on mine later in the year.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Eibachs get my vote too. I had them on mine before fitting coil overs and the ride was fine for daily use and track days. The side view in my sig was taken soon after fitting them.

 

[AndyBeech]

H&Rs on mine with 19's. No issue here, looks nice and low but not stupidly, ride can be a bit crashy on bad roads but then so was the standard suspension. No issues with speed bumps at all. Turn in seems more precise and direct, car feels generally more planted and stable, RTAB limiters no doubt helps with this as well though. I chose H&R over Eibachs as weighing up the general views on the net at the time with M3's as well, H&R seemed the better bet. Mine's not a daily but even if it was I wouldn't have an issue with the ride, 'tis a sports car after all

 

[alEKs]

If it makes and difference to your decision Eibachs can be had very cheap here on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Lowering-Springs-BMW-Z4-E85-3-2-M-power-Coupe-Convertible-10-20-010-04-22-/281271008371?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Model%3AZ4&hash=item417d0efc73

I ordered from these chaps in Poland and they were spot on, arrived in a week or so. Correct springs, I checked before fitting. Easily £40 cheaper than anywhere in the UK.

 

[Mister T]

If it makes and difference to your decision Eibachs can be had very cheap here on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Lowering-Springs-BMW-Z4-E85-3-2-M-power-Coupe-Convertible-10-20-010-04-22-/281271008371?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Model%3AZ4&hash=item417d0efc73

I ordered from these chaps in Poland and they were spot on, arrived in a week or so. Correct springs, I checked before fitting. Easily £40 cheaper than anywhere in the UK.

Can be had for under £130 delivered from Germany

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Spring-Pro-Kit-BMW-Z4-Coupe-E86-M-3-2-From-Year-03-06-/141650578260?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20fb084b54

 

[Rattler]

Thanks for all the feedback, ive now ordered some H&R springs through Euro Car Parts for around £160. There was a discount code and a reduced price anyway, so hopefully these are a decent price and will arrive soon.

But I can't get these fitted for a few weeks, but will report back once they're done.

Tim

 

[Z4M-2006]

Bloody hell.....

They only take a couple of hours...... I have done that many i can do them in under an hour.

Can nobody do them any sooner for you ?