Eibach Pro-Kit: Brief Impressions ***Updated w/ pics***

How do you lot lower the cars and not smash the front bumper/undertray to pieces?

I've already bottomed mine out and had a few scrapes on the tyre deflectors over speed bumps in just 75 miles driving :driving:

I'd be worried about just smashing the front bumper to pieces on the roads I enjoy driving briskly down... :(

Dave
 
Mr Whippy said:
How do you lot lower the cars and not smash the front bumper/undertray to pieces?

I've already bottomed mine out and had a few scrapes on the tyre deflectors over speed bumps in just 75 miles driving :driving:

I'd be worried about just smashing the front bumper to pieces on the roads I enjoy driving briskly down... :(

Dave
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+1 maybe some people don't live near any speed bumps - no way I could lower mine... some car park ramps are pretty steep too as well :o
 
Woah at all the replies!

Let's see if I can touch on a few issues:

- As far as the practicality concern regarding road imperfections, speed bumps, potholes, etc., I am on a college campus with a copious amount of speed bumps. And, mind you, I'm not referring to the miniscule parking lot jobs, these speed bumps are serious - approximately 4-5in in height and 5-6ft long. I have had no issues, even when approaching head on. Chalk it up to the Z's tiny overhang I suppose.

- Pictures - they're coming, although I have no before pics (camera slipped my mind before they were installed).

- Measurements - right now, I don't have access to a tape measure, though I would estimate the distance from the bottom of the front spoiler to ground to be about 4in (strictly an estimate though).

Thanks all!
-Zach
 
I feel so horrible for not having pics up! It's been horrible weather here and the car is filthy - not to mention my proper camera is at home (I'm at school). We'll see what I can do this weekend! :thumbsup:
 
What effect has changing the springs/lowering the car had on your insurance those who have done it,

after seeing these pics

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8770&start=15

I am very tempted to lower, I know I can call my ins company but would be interested in the general findings.
 
Those lowered pics look fantastic! I lowered my focus with eibach springs to compliment the ST wheels and the ride was firmer but still acceptable :) I think you notice things more because you try and compare it with your memory.
 
srhutch - If I looked at it correctly the link is to a Zed with 19" rims, so in effect there's a 1/2" of lift to counteract the spring drop, unless you fit even lower profile tyres. Of course the larger rims also fill the arches more and give a great look. I do however think then you start to compromise ride quality a lot by the time you put lower profile tyres, bigger rims and a spring change.

I did a quick check on mine tonight and unloaded, the front cannot clear a 3" block under the front wheel arch splash guards (or whatever they are called)
 
I've always been a massive fan of Eibach and have used them on all my cars to date.

Quick question about M Sport vs. Standard suspension. Isn't the difference between M and normal just springs to begin with and therefore the end ride height will be the same on both cars with Eibachs, but the drop will be less on the M Sport? If you see what I mean?

I have a 2.5 but have M Sport suspension and couldnt really go any lower which is a shame, maybe I'll risk it? :driving:
 
Have a set of Eibach Pro springs at home ready to fit when I get the chance, they are to replace the snapping BMW springs, I am concerned about the drop as I'm already running the BMW Sports Suspension with non run flat Falken 452's on a 2004 2.5 with 17"s, and have had issues with it bottoming out on speed ramps and driveways since I bought the car I am also having the wheels refurbished by http://www.alloywheelrepairs.net/ they powder coat the wheels rather than spray them which shouldbe a better finish.
Will post before and after pictures of the car and wheels when I finally have time to do the work, probably March.
 
RichardG said:
they powder coat the wheels rather than spray them which shouldbe a better finish. Will post before and after pictures of the car and wheels when I finally have time to do the work, probably March.
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Powdercoating usually looks worse than a proper spray job... from experience, I'll never use a powdercoater again.

Dave
 
RichardG said:
Have a set of Eibach Pro springs at home ready to fit when I get the chance, they are to replace the snapping BMW springs, I am concerned about the drop as I'm already running the BMW Sports Suspension with non run flat Falken 452's on a 2004 2.5 with 17"s, and have had issues with it bottoming out on speed ramps and driveways since I bought the car I am also having the wheels refurbished by http://www.alloywheelrepairs.net/ they powder coat the wheels rather than spray them which shouldbe a better finish.
Will post before and after pictures of the car and wheels when I finally have time to do the work, probably March.
Click to expand...
You're almost me: I've fitted Eibach springs but haven't yet fitted the FK452s that are sitting in my garage, and am also going to be powdercoating my alloys soon! I'm on 18"s though. Ignore the haters :wink: , the finish is OK (but is a compromise to get better durability IMO) and from my experience if you know of a good place then it's more than OK - the finish on my previous car's wheels was excellent after powdercoating. I posted them somewhere on here in the last few days if you search my username.

Eibachs will lower your sport-equipped 2.5 a further 14mm or so, according to my measurements on mine. Not sure what difference in height 17"s v 18"s will cause though.

I've literally driven no more than 20 miles since fitting the Eibachs, but I have to negotiate one of those big, plastic/rubber, squar-edged speed bumps leaving my street and have no scraping issues. Haven't had a chance to see how they cope elsewhere yet though. Only problem: although my car's now only 14mm lower than it was before (after fitting the springs), I now can't clear the folding bollard to get into my space at work. Dammit!!! Obviously I must've been close to it before but now I catch a lot of the undertray. Time to get the hammer and chisel out again and go at the tarmac/concrete around my post - removing 5-10mm of material depth should sort it LOL.

ETA: see here for height drops: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8763
 
***Update***

Had a chance to really push the car this weekend, and wow did it shine! It's almost hard to explain, but I'll do my best. The car seemed to ask to be pushed harder through the curvy bits, and doing so in such a smooth, composed manner that I was taken aback when glancing at the speedo. Although I noticed no discernible difference in body roll between stock sport and Eibach's, a bit of the "jumpy" character of the stock suspension is gone - it's all buttery smooth. :thumbsup:


Pics below were taken on my un-level driveway so suspension may not appear at accurate height. My subjective measurement tells me there is about 1 finger's worth (3/4") between tire and fender when inserted parallel to ground!
34yzgnl.jpg

2ldvm7p.jpg


Couple artsy pics just for the hell of it.
2l948di.jpg

zmuzo.jpg
 
ElegantSpoon, i'm currently editing pics I took of my Z4 that I lowered on Eibachs last week - should have them uploaded later tonight and will add a link to them. I took some pics specifically side-on and close ups of the wheelarch gaps too...
 
Spoon,
I didn't take any up close shots due to the angle of the driveway skewing the height of the springs. Hopefully, a11y's will better depict wheel gap!
 
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