Eibach Pro Springs Advice for E86 Coupe.

L

Leadfoot Z

Member
Hi All,

I 'm tempted to upgrade my standard sport suspension for the Eibach Pro Spring Kit and I would like advice from those who have already carried out the upgrade. I think my car only needs about 10-15mm all round - please see photo below.

Will the Eibach kit catch the underside of car on speed bumps?
The front of the car only just clears kerbs when parking nose first in parking bays - so I will need to be very careful.
How is the everyday ride quality when cruising and pushing hard?

If you could post a pic of your Eibach Lowered E86 Coupe or E85 Roadster so I can see the results would be great! :thumbsup:

 
Mine's a 2008 Sport running on the M-Sport shockers with Eibach Pro springs - so right in your ballpark I think!

Here's before - the camera flash overstates the arch gap, but you get the idea.

DSC_0114.JPG

DSC_0116.JPG

And after;

DSC_0121.JPG


I've also spaced my wheels with 12mm front and 15mm rear spacers and have had no issues with rubbing.

I've had no problems with speed bumps, car park ramps etc and just about manage to clear kerbs if I park too far forward - although I'm sure a high kerb will catch me out!

Ride wise, I'd say the car feels less crashy - there's a touch more compliance over ridges and bumps, but the ride is just a little more agitated generally. My plan is to ditch the standard shocks and move to Koni adjustables to see if I can improve the ride further. All in all, I'd recommend it and the car looks better for the slight lowering without looking too aftermarket.
by the seaside.jpg

Jamie's car behind is on H&R's and sits noticeably lower at the rear and just a touch lower at the front
 
z4pilot said:
Mine's a 2008 Sport running on the M-Sport shockers with Eibach Pro springs - so right in your ballpark I think!

Here's before - the camera flash overstates the arch gap, but you get the idea.

DSC_0114.JPG

DSC_0116.JPG

And after;

DSC_0121.JPG


I've also spaced my wheels with 12mm front and 15mm rear spacers and have had no issues with rubbing.

I've had no problems with speed bumps, car park ramps etc and just about manage to clear kerbs if I park too far forward - although I'm sure a high kerb will catch me out!

Ride wise, I'd say the car feels less crashy - there's a touch more compliance over ridges and bumps, but the ride is just a little more agitated generally. My plan is to ditch the standard shocks and move to Koni adjustables to see if I can improve the ride further. All in all, I'd recommend it and the car looks better for the slight lowering without looking too aftermarket.
by the seaside.jpg

Jamie's car behind is on H&R's and sits noticeably lower at the rear and just a touch lower at the front
Click to expand...

Completely agree with this post. Not having M Sport suspension, I'd rely on the above rather than my opinion (I think the Eibach drop is different for the springs which go with M and non-M models, although I could easily be wrong there - been a while since I did mine) - only things I 'd add to z4pilot's views are that I've gone up to 19 inch wheels but still zero rub ever and no issues on speed bumps. Curbs, on the other hand, do require care! Having said that, if you reverse in, there is never any issue - I prefer this method as (IMO) it keeps the quad 'zorst hidden and, in my thinking, less likely to attract unwanted attention that way.

Stevo
 
My last set of Eibach broke a spring on the rear so I wont buy them again. I couldn't claim warranty either which was really annoying. Eibach claim there lifetime guarantee one of the reason I bought them. No such thing as lifetime guarantee or 1000000 miles when I tried to claim. Fitting lowering springs is the poor mans way to lower a car and isn't ideal for the cars handling its more just for looks so is a waste of money i think. All your doing fitting a shortened spring and stressing the shocks quicker as the rebound distance is now different to oem spring bmw rated for your shocks absorbers. People actually think their making the car better doing because its maybe all the see is the brand Eibach and everyone else did it prior. What not understand the difference between lowered spring and coilovers first. coilovers are designed and rated with shock in mind not separate lie springs and coils. Another thing by the time you paid for lowering springs and new shocks absorbers as its pointless fitting new coils to old shocks that's going to make the ride worse. When you add it up your not far off coilover money maybe £100-200 more. It just baffles me all this lower your car on Eibach stuff and people follow like sheep. If members had fitted or driven a car with coilovers you wouldn't be fitting lowered springs after that's for sure. That would be like ordering a burgers when there's steak on the menu.
 
goldbcfc said:
My last set of Eibach broke a spring on the rear so I wont buy them again. I couldn't claim warranty either which was really annoying. Eibach claim there lifetime guarantee one of the reason I bought them. No such thing as lifetime guarantee or 1000000 miles when I tried to claim. Fitting lowering springs is the poor mans way to lower a car and isn't ideal for the cars handling its more just for looks so is a waste of money i think. All your doing fitting a shortened spring and stressing the shocks quicker as the rebound distance is now different to oem spring bmw rated for your shocks absorbers. People actually think their making the car better doing because its maybe all the see is the brand Eibach and everyone else did it prior. What not understand the difference between lowered spring and coilovers first. coilovers are designed and rated with shock in mind not separate lie springs and coils. Another thing by the time you paid for lowering springs and new shocks absorbers as its pointless fitting new coils to old shocks that's going to make the ride worse. When you add it up your not far off coilover money maybe £100-200 more. It just baffles me all this lower your car on Eibach stuff and people follow like sheep. If members had fitted or driven a car with coilovers you wouldn't be fitting lowered springs after that's for sure. That would be like ordering a burgers when there's steak on the menu.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with you - a matched set of shocks and springs is the best way forward. Unfortunately my hand was forced a little as my last MOT threw up a broken rear spring and I had the Eibach's to hand. It has always been the intention to pair them with matched shocks, hence the aforementioned Koni's or possibly the Bilsteins - though I'm tending towards the Koni's as they are adjustable. I stand to be corrected, but a decent set of coilovers will be much more expensive than either Koni's or Bilsteins - although if all you are wanting is to slam the car to the deck, you can pick up cheap coilovers - but you will ruin the handling. Also, aren't the coilovers just on the front struts? The spring arrangement on the back of the Z4 will still give you separate springs and shocks, so you would still in effect have a lowering spring, rather than an infinitely adjustable platform.
 
z4pilot said:
I'm tending towards the Koni's as they are adjustable. I stand to be corrected, but a decent set of coilovers will be much more expensive than either Koni's or Bilsteins - although if all you are wanting is to slam the car to the deck, you can pick up cheap coilovers - but you will ruin the handling.

Also, aren't the coilovers just on the front struts? The spring arrangement on the back of the Z4 will still give you separate springs and shocks, so you would still in effect have a lowering spring, rather than an infinitely adjustable platform.
Click to expand...


Bilstein shocks are about £350-400 front & rear. Add the cost of Eibach for £100+ your total is now approx. £450-500.

BC or GAZ coilovers are about £750+ so 1/3 more but you then have proper suspension that's going to improve both ride height and handling. I've even used those so called cheap coilovers for £350 they were even fully adjustable too. So apart from not being able to adjust the softness of ride and camber settings they still out preform the setup of using a lowered spring from my experience. Alotof people who never had them will say well I dint track and all this rubbish but a Z4 is all about handling so compromising on lowered springs is odd choice. Maybe google about coilovers and have a good read as to how they work im sure people just think its going to be the same. From my experience lowered springs on a car was always a harsh crashy ride compared with coilovers. I think cost is the only main issue, people see £700 and think I will put £100 springs on instead it will be the same. If both were same price lowered springs wouldn't even be an option people would by coilovers. The way I'd look at it is people will want a LSD so weld their diffs up. Yes it has some characteristics of a LSD but will never be as good its a CHEAP SOLUTION just like lowered springs !!!!!!!

Scooba_Steve said:
I've never heard of Z4 Eibach's snapping... unlike the OE springs...
Click to expand...

go on m3 cutters or bimmerforums.co.uk they sure do snap like any other spring will maybe there's less lowered z4's about than other bmw's to report this.........

I spoke with eibach rep at bmw car club annual show about this lifetime warranty he said it was an old thing from early days no such warranty now. So people are still buying them probably on old rep they have. I know their Fords oem brand for their ST and RS cars but I'd personally go H&R and Spax
 
Fair few on here with no reported issues. I know we share the E46 platform but is there a weight, spring rate difference that could account for it? Not saying it doesn't exist but I've not seen it. 30k+, 2 years and track days for me with no issues; I'm sure OE have snapped with less use.

A bit of an unknown but I'm happy to trust them for the cost and I don't take much notice of warranties as I find it's more effective to use the satisfactory quality argument against the retailer. If they are not advertised with a lifetime warranty then it's hardly fair to expect one.
 
its a bit of a sticky one as when I questioned the UK rep he was certain this is an old American thing that's no longer im place but when you google their site they still promise this.

http://eibach.com/america/en/search/node/warranty

as for spring rates yeah your right Z4 is slightly lighter so would have less stiff springs but a z4 isn't really any lighter than say a 3 series E46 330ci with same 3.0i engine. I'm sure its like 50kg heavier that all but z4 would make you think its real light being smaller when its really not that light for a sports car comparing mx5's & lotus elises etc. I found this out at 1/4 mile going against some E46 330ci at recent bmw show. I thought they would stand no chance but at the finish the E46 carries more top end speed so aint nothing between them which really shocked me. Maybe on rolling starts z4 get a car length pull over the E46
 
z4pilot said:
Mine's a 2008 Sport running on the M-Sport shockers with Eibach Pro springs - so right in your ballpark I think!

Here's before - the camera flash overstates the arch gap, but you get the idea.

DSC_0114.JPG

DSC_0116.JPG

And after;

DSC_0121.JPG


I've also spaced my wheels with 12mm front and 15mm rear spacers and have had no issues with rubbing.

I've had no problems with speed bumps, car park ramps etc and just about manage to clear kerbs if I park too far forward - although I'm sure a high kerb will catch me out!

Ride wise, I'd say the car feels less crashy - there's a touch more compliance over ridges and bumps, but the ride is just a little more agitated generally. My plan is to ditch the standard shocks and move to Koni adjustables to see if I can improve the ride further. All in all, I'd recommend it and the car looks better for the slight lowering without looking too aftermarket.
by the seaside.jpg

Jamie's car behind is on H&R's and sits noticeably lower at the rear and just a touch lower at the front
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great feedback, looking at your before and after shots the lowered springs make a nice subtle difference. Your car looks great and sits really well. :thumbsup:
From the photo of my car, it already appears low, especially the front, but the springs are standard? :?
 
Do it and you wont regret it. I've just come back from some time out on the track and moutain driving, My coupe on eibach springs was up there with the big boys running 2k's worth of coilovers.

Lee
 
Joycey said:
Do it and you wont regret it. I've just come back from some time out on the track and moutain driving, My coupe on eibach springs was up there with the big boys running 2k's worth of coilovers.

Lee
Click to expand...
This is the typical example I was on about when people try compare lowered springs to coilovers ?

Did you actually drive their cars to compare?. The ride is much more harsh on lowered springs compared to coilovers its just a cheap way to lower your car and you don't need £2k coilovers HSD monopro are known as being one of the best and are £800 you can alter damping/camber settings manually u cant on lowered springs so how can they be up there you cant have driven a car on coilovers before to say something like this maybe

once you go coilovers you dont go back to lowered springs again that would be a like settling for adele when you could have beyonce
 
Decent coilovers might be better but springs are good enough for most and will allow you to drive at a similar level to those on coilovers until you also get a better driver in the coilover car and you are really on the limit. You don't need to be able to alter settings to get a good result, in fact in many cases adjustment will result in a worse result as the user doesn't know what they're doing. Also, coilovers maximum height is often lower than springs and many don't want that much of a drop.

In other words they both have their place.
 
For me the real benefit of coil overs is that ability of having different settings

1) Miss Daisy: When lee is in front and want a comfortable ride and not really have an opportunity of putting your foot down :rofl:
2) Track Day: Forget comfort go for full on -

I know a few people use coilovers as they wanting an much lower ride - but to me they are tarts :fuelfire:

I am changing my settings to original to track, then I will try out street

Orginal Street Track
Front rebound TOP 9 clicks from full hard 9 clicks from full hard 7 clicks from full hard
Front Compression LOWER 8 clicks from full hard 7 clicks from full hard 4 clicks from full hard
Rear rebound TOP 7 clicks from full hard 12 clicks from full hard 10 clicks from full hard
Rear Compression LOWER 9 clicks from full hard 4 clicks from full hard 4 clicks from full hard

If you mainly fast road - then springs and sway bar would be my route
 
goldbcfc said:
Joycey said:
Do it and you wont regret it. I've just come back from some time out on the track and moutain driving, My coupe on eibach springs was up there with the big boys running 2k's worth of coilovers.

Lee
Click to expand...
This is the typical example I was on about when people try compare lowered springs to coilovers ?

Did you actually drive their cars to compare?. The ride is much more harsh on lowered springs compared to coilovers its just a cheap way to lower your car and you don't need £2k coilovers HSD monopro are known as being one of the best and are £800 you can alter damping/camber settings manually u cant on lowered springs so how can they be up there you cant have driven a car on coilovers before to say something like this maybe

once you go coilovers you dont go back to lowered springs again that would be a like settling for adele when you could have beyonce
Click to expand...

I wasn't comparing eibach springs to coilovers this was purely a statement relating to the original question. I have been through most brands of coilovers and totally agree with your statement comparing the two methods of lowering.

Lee
 
Joycey said:
goldbcfc said:
Joycey said:
Do it and you wont regret it. I've just come back from some time out on the track and moutain driving, My coupe on eibach springs was up there with the big boys running 2k's worth of coilovers.

Lee
Click to expand...
This is the typical example I was on about when people try compare lowered springs to coilovers ?

Did you actually drive their cars to compare?. The ride is much more harsh on lowered springs compared to coilovers its just a cheap way to lower your car and you don't need £2k coilovers HSD monopro are known as being one of the best and are £800 you can alter damping/camber settings manually u cant on lowered springs so how can they be up there you cant have driven a car on coilovers before to say something like this maybe

once you go coilovers you dont go back to lowered springs again that would be a like settling for adele when you could have beyonce
Click to expand...

I wasn't comparing eibach springs to coilovers this was purely a statement relating to the original question. I have been through most brands of coilovers and totally agree with your statement comparing the two methods of lowering.

Lee
Click to expand...
yeah im same I used to only use lowered springs to save on money then when I started using coilovers I realised how good they were to just springs.
 
just found this after searching for threads about e86 lowering springs. Good to see you here joycey, however completely unsurprised to see Mr Goldie here arguing with everyone as he does best.
 
What an odd thread. :o

You guys do realise coilovers are just dampers with the spring seats mounted on the damper body?

you can buy adjustable dampers which are a straight swap for the standard dampers on the rear and which mount standard springs on the front.

If your getting a better ride on the coilovers, that will be the spring rates coupled with your damper settings, if you use say a 300lb front spring on a coilover and a 300lb coil spring on the standard mount you will get exactly the same wheel rate, the only difference is you can adjust the ride height on the spring collars of a coilover!
 
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