M3 suspension on a Z4M?

E

ed80

Member
 Bristol
Hi all,

I have been looking at a lot of different options for suspension upgrades on the Z4m, since I priced up a new set of OEM shocks and springs at over £1600 from Sytner. It strikes me as a shame that BMW changed the kingpin design so that E46 (including M3) struts won't work on the Z4. Is there any major difference in geometry that would make it impossible to run M3 kingpins and front struts? This would allow a much wider range of front aftermarket suspension to be installed, including the Ohlins R&T which would be my number 1 choice if they made a Z4 version.

Anyway, it's probably not a good idea, but given how many other parts are plug and play between the two cars, it would be interesting if anyone else has explored this option.

Cheers,
Ed
 
I'm pretty sure the Z4m and e36 m3 stuff is entirely swappable.... I'll have a check on realoem for part numbers but I think it's certainly very similar too...
 
ed80 said:
the Ohlins R&T which would be my number 1 choice if they made a Z4 version.

Anyway, it's probably not a good idea, but given how many other parts are plug and play between the two cars, it would be interesting if anyone else has explored this option.

Cheers,
Ed
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It's a very closely related e36m3 front end (stronger than e46m3) and e46m3 rear.
I spoke to ohlins uk distributor many years ago about this and they were happy to produce a kit to suit. I ended up going another way, but the option is there I'm sure.
If you're spending that sort of money I'd also have a close look at the intrax kit, you can spec that to suit your needs.
Whether you can put a e46m3 front spindles/struts etc I'm not sure. It's probably possible but I haven't come across someone going down that road on the platform.
 
I've got intrax 1k2 - tbf they're far more sophisticated than I need and I daresay I'm barely scratching the surface of the potential performance on offer, but they're a lovely bit of kit. Proper adjustable top mounts at the front and trhw rear coilovers with one knob for bump and rebound adjustment, and as to says you can get them valved and sprung entirely to suit your requirements.
 
What about AST 5100 street dampers? I believe they retail a little above £2000 if you can't find a discounted set and gives you 1-way (Rebound?)
damping and height adjustment.
 
just-right said:
What about AST 5100 street dampers? I believe they retail a little above £2000 if you can't find a discounted set and gives you 1-way (Rebound?)
damping and height adjustment.
Click to expand...

The AST 5100 look great and I didn't realise they available in that price bracket, I will add them to the shortlist along with the BC inverted monotube dampers and the PSS10s. I have had KW V3s before, and just find the adjustment too fiddly (especially on the rears). The ideal for me would be combined adjustments for rebound and compression on one knob, preferably at the top of each shock.

Intrax are just a bit too steep now, they are over £3k for a set. I would jump on them if a second hand set come up :)

I'll give ohlins a buzz after Christmas and see if they would mind cobbling together some E36 and E46 bits for a Z4 kit. Aside from that, the BC look like a shockingly good deal if the reviews here and elsewhere are to be believed.
 
^^I was going to say intrax 1k2 are ideal as they have a single adjustment knob to adjust bump and rebound simultaneously at preset increments. Makes life a lot easier if like me you have very little idea what you're actually doing and don't want to make a complete hash of it with high and low speed independently adjustsble bump and rebound! :lol:
 
Does KW v3 for the Z4M have rebound adjustment via a tiny grub screw on the bottom of the damper body? That was the setup on another KW equipped car I used to own, which I found a terrible design as the soft, exposed screw would quickly become jammed from road dirt.
 
Driftworks put Z4M front suspension on their V10 E46 so should be possible to do it the other way around if you wanted to.
 
Mister T said:
Driftworks put Z4M front suspension on their V10 E46 so should be possible to do it the other way around if you wanted to.
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The more I thought of it, the more it seems like it's definitely possible, however given some of the options given here I think probably not necessary. The AST suspension has some spectacular reviews, and if it's available close to £2k then it could be ideal. They also allow custom valve and spring rates, and only supply after an interview about how you want the car to handle. To top it all, I am right around the corner from their UK distributor here in Bristol, so servicing and supply should be easy.

I reached out to them and will report back, have dropped an email to Intrax as well to see what their price comes to.

Cheers for all the suggestions and help, if there is anywhere else I should look, let me know!
 
plenty said:
Does KW v3 for the Z4M have rebound adjustment via a tiny grub screw on the bottom of the damper body? That was the setup on another KW equipped car I used to own, which I found a terrible design as the soft, exposed screw would quickly become jammed from road dirt.
Click to expand...

Yep.

Nothing wrong with the KWs that electrical tape and a chopstick (for the rear rebound adjustment) can’t fix. :?
 
I ended up going for a custom valved and sprung (road focussed) AST 5100 setup, a copy of something Balance Motorsport built for a customer a few years ago. It should be here in 3-4 weeks :driving:
 
plenty said:
Does KW v3 for the Z4M have rebound adjustment via a tiny grub screw on the bottom of the damper body? That was the setup on another KW equipped car I used to own, which I found a terrible design as the soft, exposed screw would quickly become jammed from road dirt.
Click to expand...

True but better that it’s accessible down there than having to pull/tear/cut the rear parcel for roadster owners. That’s the one thing I hated bout my old e85.
 
ed80 said:
I ended up going for a custom valved and sprung (road focussed) AST 5100 setup, a copy of something Balance Motorsport built for a customer a few years ago. It should be here in 3-4 weeks :driving:
Click to expand...

Excellent. Let us know what you think of it once it has been fitted :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
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