It has been a long time coming but I finally got myself in gear!
I have run Nitron on 2 cars and 2 motorbikes in the past so I know and trust their product. (Plus the owner is a close friend of mine which I guess I should mention! So yes I have some bias but I will be honest in my reports as I get to know the new suspension better.) There are not many Z4M's out their with this set up but if my first impressions prove accurate I expect it won't be long before more of us are enjoying the experience.
There are basically 3 kits - I went for the base 1-way adjustable set up but specified uprated Eibach springs (similar to the springs used on their lowering kit) and adjustable top mounts. (These allow a far larger range of geometry settings - I think primarily Camber.)
http://www.nitron.co.uk/nitron09/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_60_333
The fitting was quite straight forward and watching Jamie at work made me realise that I should stick to checking tyre pressures and topping up the screen wash! He moved round the car like a cat - every tool had its place, each nut or bolt seemed to slot straight in and everything seemed so easy. A little trim in the boot had to be stripped which worried me a little but it all went back in perfectly which was a great relief (no rattles on the way home). It is good to watch an expert at work. He was even exceptionally polite answering all my stupid questions. Will be a great shame when his band takes off!
I will post some photos of the initial geo readouts later but I was concerned the difference between left and right seemed a little big. How stupid did I feel when Jamie calmly pointed out that the difference between 1.01˚ and 59' was 2' not 42'. Woops!
Anyway - firstly may I apologise for my extremely dirty car. It is a working tool and has done 33,000 miles now. That includes a fair few trackdays and European (Ring) trips. She's no garage queen but is nurtured in everything mechanical. I intend on keeping the car for another 2 years so I have to look after her.
Driving impressions - little too early to say. It was rush hour and snowy on my drive home. However first impressions:
Downside:
Little bit of a thump on larger bumps.
A momentary glance of a front tyre on something. The car was on full lock and very sideways at the time. I am running 245 tyres on 19 inch CSL wheels so a slight tweak may be necessary if that happens again. Nitron are confident this will be easily overcome.
Upside:
Ride is no harder than standard. There are 24 settings but I have not shifted from 10 back from full hard so far. Plenty of room to play.
My main bugbear was the rebound damping - the way the standard suspension bounces the car in to the air was a real hindrance. The Nitrons remove all that bounce making the car ride so much better on a lumpy road. I live on an old Roman road which threw my car all over the place before today. I had to go up and down it a few times tonight just to revel in the super flat ride - sweet!
Ride height. Lowered about 10mm rear and 15mm front. But this is adjustable so I may take it lower.
Too early to say:
Grip/cornering.
Roll.
Dive.
In conclusion - I am very pleased with the purchase and I hope the forecast snow does not appear tomorrow so I can do my track day at Brands Hatch!
Old suspension:
New Front:
New Rear:
Measuring geo:
Setting up geo: {not final settings}
Weight 1440kgs:
Front adjusting knob:
Complete kit:
I have run Nitron on 2 cars and 2 motorbikes in the past so I know and trust their product. (Plus the owner is a close friend of mine which I guess I should mention! So yes I have some bias but I will be honest in my reports as I get to know the new suspension better.) There are not many Z4M's out their with this set up but if my first impressions prove accurate I expect it won't be long before more of us are enjoying the experience.
There are basically 3 kits - I went for the base 1-way adjustable set up but specified uprated Eibach springs (similar to the springs used on their lowering kit) and adjustable top mounts. (These allow a far larger range of geometry settings - I think primarily Camber.)
http://www.nitron.co.uk/nitron09/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_60_333
The fitting was quite straight forward and watching Jamie at work made me realise that I should stick to checking tyre pressures and topping up the screen wash! He moved round the car like a cat - every tool had its place, each nut or bolt seemed to slot straight in and everything seemed so easy. A little trim in the boot had to be stripped which worried me a little but it all went back in perfectly which was a great relief (no rattles on the way home). It is good to watch an expert at work. He was even exceptionally polite answering all my stupid questions. Will be a great shame when his band takes off!
I will post some photos of the initial geo readouts later but I was concerned the difference between left and right seemed a little big. How stupid did I feel when Jamie calmly pointed out that the difference between 1.01˚ and 59' was 2' not 42'. Woops!
Anyway - firstly may I apologise for my extremely dirty car. It is a working tool and has done 33,000 miles now. That includes a fair few trackdays and European (Ring) trips. She's no garage queen but is nurtured in everything mechanical. I intend on keeping the car for another 2 years so I have to look after her.
Driving impressions - little too early to say. It was rush hour and snowy on my drive home. However first impressions:
Downside:
Little bit of a thump on larger bumps.
A momentary glance of a front tyre on something. The car was on full lock and very sideways at the time. I am running 245 tyres on 19 inch CSL wheels so a slight tweak may be necessary if that happens again. Nitron are confident this will be easily overcome.
Upside:
Ride is no harder than standard. There are 24 settings but I have not shifted from 10 back from full hard so far. Plenty of room to play.
My main bugbear was the rebound damping - the way the standard suspension bounces the car in to the air was a real hindrance. The Nitrons remove all that bounce making the car ride so much better on a lumpy road. I live on an old Roman road which threw my car all over the place before today. I had to go up and down it a few times tonight just to revel in the super flat ride - sweet!
Ride height. Lowered about 10mm rear and 15mm front. But this is adjustable so I may take it lower.
Too early to say:
Grip/cornering.
Roll.
Dive.
In conclusion - I am very pleased with the purchase and I hope the forecast snow does not appear tomorrow so I can do my track day at Brands Hatch!
Old suspension:
New Front:
New Rear:
Measuring geo:
Setting up geo: {not final settings}
Weight 1440kgs:
Front adjusting knob:
Complete kit:
