Newbie Hello & Suspension Question(s)

J

JVG1985

Member
Hi all,

Long time lurker, (almost) first time poster....

I bought a 2008 Montego Blue Z4 3.0 Si Sport Coupe from a forum member back in March 2014 - I'm sure a few of you will remember. I've always meant to post some pics, write some updates and generally immerse myself in the forum, but a busier than usual last couple of years (wedding, honeymoon, new job and stuff to do around the house) and my inability to embed photos meant I never got round to it. That said, I've still followed the forum - from that somewhat mental custom widebody z4 that attracted praise and criticism in equal measure, Machine Monkey's increasingly impressive metal work abilities and JE's ongoing turbo conversion - been some interested threads with some impressively knowledgable contributions from the community.

After nearly two years of ownership, some great moments and some lows (recently rear ended on the M1 by an HGV) I struggle to find anything I don't like about the car - it hilarious in the twisties, fast enough in a straight line (although parts of me sometimes wish I'd bought an M) and to these eyes, is a better looking car now than it was when they first released it.

I do have one gripe however, one that is getting worse as time wears on. I get an awful lot of play in the steering/front wheels. It tramlines and follows ruts on poor road surfaces far more than I would like, and at anything above 70 on the motorway the steering gets fidgety - you can really feel the wheel pulling at your hands - especially when a small amount of lock is applied. After reading numerous threads on here (and a recent MOT highlighting play in the nearside front bushes) I've decided that I need to invest in a bit of a front end suspension refresh. The car's a 2008 model and is on 72k miles - it's probably about time. The thing I'm not sure of is which components I should change out, and this is where I'm hoping you guys can help :D. I've found this kit on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-Z...361555?hash=item2c873b2613:g:LQoAAOSwjVVVpQWA

does is include everything I need? Or should I just buy the bushes without the wishbones and save circa £140? I've also been reading about RTAB's. Are these the same thing as above? Should I do them also? (clearly my knowledge is a little lacking)

In addition to this, I get a very faint knocking noise from the offside rear at low speed on poor surfaces. Once I get over 30 it's gone. Could this by the top mounts? If so, how would I check? I took it into BMW (whilst still under warranty) and they could find nothing wrong.

Apologies for all the questions and thanks in advance for the advice

James
 
Nothing wrong with lurking for a while!

You probably are due a refresh, bushes are consumable part in reality.
That kit is made up of exactly what I've used - if you have play in wishbone bushes then you might as well do the whole arm. I did the rear lollipops first then ended up buying again to replace the whole wishbones.
While you're there replace your ARB bushes - about £5 each from BMW or poly is an option. Check the tie rods - if they are seized then while you're under you might as well replace them lest your tyres suffer uneven wear. Inner and outer come to about £80 for both sides.

RTABs are on the rear axle, the part of the control arm that goes forward. For DIY it's easier to use poly as you don't have to faff around pre-loading them. £40 from Carparts4less. They are well worth doing and will stop the car wandering under acceleration as they have limiters built in.

Don't forget your rear axle too, there are drop links and ARB bushes to do there too - though they are fiddly without a lift.
A creak could well be a top mount but could also be one of the RTABs. I had a creak that couldn't be found by the pros - not there anymore but I've done all of the above along with shock and spring replacement.

If you're aiming to keep long term then think about the shocks too. A Bilstein B12 kit can be had for about £600 though which is cheaper than OEM - add on all new top mounts and accessories (spring plates, bump stops etc.) for about £100.

Mine feels like new now!
 
Hi Steve

Thanks for the info, most useful.

Regrettably, I don't have the mechanical capability to tackle this myself. I plan to order the parts (including ARB bushes and tie rod ends) and drop it off with A1BN in Stevenage, have used them few times and found them extremely knowledgeable and reasonably priced.

I'll let you know how I get on

Thanks again

James
 
My Z4C had that issue when I bought it last year, so I had the lollipops done.

Huge improvement but it can still be a bit wayward especially on roads with HGV ruts in them - might be the runflats, or maybe more investigation is needed?

Good luck with yours - keep enjoying the N52 engine! :driving:
 
Thanks Mr Tidy, I get the impression that it will always tramline to a degree - probably a combination of the state of the roads and the wide tyres.

Run-flats are gone - running on Eagle F1 Asymmetrics, very good tyre and better than the Falkens they replaced

It is a marvellous engine, puts a smile on my face every time I drive it

Thanks

James
 
thanks Stuart, although it may not be for too much longer. The boss wants a car with 4 seats in the not to distant future some I've just begun investigating the facelifted e90x M3. Although that won't be until spring so I'll still be doing the suspension refresh :)
 
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