OEM suspension

mmm-five said:
Beemingallover said:
What's the difference in kerb weight between a ZMC and a ZMR? Some of the posts on this thread are from a ZMC perspective, so I'm wondering whether a weight differential comes into it.
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About 33lbs/15kg extra in the m-coupe over the m-roadster (3230lbs vs 3197lbs) - according to the BMW brochure.

I think the ZMR rides better on OE suspension than the ZMC because the coupe has twice the torsional rigidity of the roadster (due to the additional bracing the roof provides).

But the coupe is closer to 50:50 than the roadster...50.2:49.8 vs 49.3:51.7...so you could say the coupe is a little 'nose heavy' :P

The roadster is also more 'draggy' having a drag coefficient of 0.38 vs the coupe's 0.35.
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Yep, different characteristics then between them. So recommendations from coupe drivers on suspension may not relate to the roadie.
 
Beemingallover said:
Yep, different characteristics then between them. So recommendations from coupe drivers on suspension may not relate to the roadie.
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But the recommendation to get 'adjustable' suspension is valid, as the same suspension can be used on either car - as you can adjust it to your, individual case - be that the car, the road manners, the track manners, etc.

Otherwise, what suits a car with a 60kg driver would be completely unusable on a car with a 90kg driver, or a car where the standard electric seats have been replaced with carbon buckets :poke:
 
mmm-five said:
Beemingallover said:
Yep, different characteristics then between them. So recommendations from coupe drivers on suspension may not relate to the roadie.
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But the recommendation to get 'adjustable' suspension is valid, as the same suspension can be used on either car - as you can adjust it to your, individual case - be that the car, the road manners, the track manners, etc.


Otherwise, what suits a car with a 60kg driver would be completely unusable on a car with a 90kg driver, or a car where the standard electric seats have been replaced with carbon buckets :poke:
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Accepted.
Back in the 1980s (remember those years?) I decided to "upgrade" from a series of Capri 3.0 and 2.8i to an Opel Monza. Lovely motor, the Opel, felt well engineered and solid, 5 bearing main crank, silky smooth straight 6 pot compared with the agri Ford V6. However, did it wallow in corners, after awhile I had fitted adj Konis. Stiffened it up alright but it felt odd, nervy. If anything it was retrograde to fit the Konis. Then Opel brought out an updated Monza GSE (1985?) with firmed up suspension and recaros. I traded in. The Monza GSE then was a very good "drivers" car, handled as it should have done in earlier models.
So, I'm wary of junking oem stuff.
 
I've seen loads of trackday-comparisons between KWV3 and KW Clubsports, but not so much OEM suspension vs. KWV3 - does anybody have one?
 
You'll pick some V3s up for 1700ish with a haggle, obviously fitting and geo on top.
 
Argenta said:
I've seen loads of trackday-comparisons between KWV3 and KW Clubsports, but not so much OEM suspension vs. KWV3 - does anybody have one?
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Do you have any links to the V3 vs CS comparisons?

I went from Eibachs with OEM dampers to KW CS. Along with the anticipated handling improvements such as increased cornering speeds and greater balance at the limits of grip, there was an unexpected marked reduction in braking distances. By eliminating pitch under heavy deceleration, all four tyres contribute to the braking effort.
 
Argenta said:
Yeah I know the KW CS are great on track, was thinking of V3 here, vs. OEM.
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I've got CS on my MR but I've been out in a MC on V3s.

The V3s have more road manners, they are very well damped and soak up the bumps. The CS are very good on the road too just a touch harsher with the linear springs on the front.

I've also ran oem dampers + eibach springs and full oem.

Full oem is utter shite in comparison to the KWs, V3s or CS it doesn't matter they are in a different league.
 
RedUn said:
Argenta said:
Yeah I know the KW CS are great on track, was thinking of V3 here, vs. OEM.
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I've got CS on my MR but I've been out in a MC on V3s.
The V3s have more road manners, they are very well damped and soak up the bumps. The CS are very good on the road too just a touch harsher with the linear springs on the front.

I've also ran oem dampers + eibach springs and full oem.

Full oem is utter shite in comparison to the KWs, V3s or CS it doesn't matter they are in a different league.
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A useful appraisal from a Roadie, most comments have been from coupes. If I was to dump oem, with a limited budget what should I go with for road use, national and continental? Bare in mind on trips I'll be fully loaded - 2 pax + bags.
 
Has anyone asked how old your OEM suspension is - as we may be comparing brand new aftermarket suspension with 100,000 mile OE suspension with cracked springs :P

My upgrade was predicated on wanting to do a full suspension refresh once it got past 100,000 miles and went out of BMW Insured Warranty (hence no need to use Genuine BMW parts), and realised the cost of all new, Genuine BMW parts was about what I would pay for the Bilsteins/KWs.

[COUPE CONTENT ALERT]

On my first trip back to Germany, I immediately noticed the high-speed stability was improved, and the front end didn't feel anywhere near as light at very high speeds (above 130mph).
 
Beemingallover said:
RedUn said:
Argenta said:
Yeah I know the KW CS are great on track, was thinking of V3 here, vs. OEM.
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I've got CS on my MR but I've been out in a MC on V3s.
The V3s have more road manners, they are very well damped and soak up the bumps. The CS are very good on the road too just a touch harsher with the linear springs on the front.

I've also ran oem dampers + eibach springs and full oem.

Full oem is utter shite in comparison to the KWs, V3s or CS it doesn't matter they are in a different league.
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A useful appraisal from a Roadie, most comments have been from coupes. If I was to dump oem, with a limited budget what should I go with for road use, national and continental? Bare in mind on trips I'll be fully loaded - 2 pax + bags.
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I'd go for some V3s personally, if you try and go for the middle ground it's always expensive as your never happy with it. While your at it change your tyres for some michy PSS too, they ride very well.

You can raise and lower the car how you wish so don't worry about weight of luggage etc just get it how you want it height wise before you go to get it setup properly.

If it helps my last trip was 3.5k miles 2 up with luggage around Europe on the CS :thumbsup:

Edit to add, good point raised above, I changed to KWs at about 23k miles so I'm not comparing to some tired dampers etc.
 
[ref]RedUn[/ref], Thanks. I run Mich PS4s, found them excellent tyre, grip and turn in. Previously on Contis, not so good.
I see that KW V3s will be about £2k for a set.
 
Good answers, I just put V3’s on and the comfort is great, it’s just I’m worried I may be let down on tracks , Nurburgring etc where I really hope to see some gain.
Last summer I nearly went off on a high speed section due to poor damping/control as I see it. My Eibach springs were almost new but, yes, my OEM shocks are far from new...

I suppose I’ll start with adviced V3 settings the first trackday ’21 and see how it goes.
 
Argenta said:
Good answers, I just put V3’s on and the comfort is great, it’s just I’m worried I may be let down on tracks , Nurburgring etc where I really hope to see some gain.
Last summer I nearly went off on a high speed section due to poor damping/control as I see it. My Eibach springs were almost new but, yes, my OEM shocks are far from new...

I suppose I’ll start with adviced V3 settings the first trackday ’21 and see how it goes.
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The V3s will be fine unless you start heading into semi slicks etc you could always add the H&R arbs, they'll work nice with the V3s and help the body control allowing you run the dampers slightly more relaxed. Perfect for the ring :thumbsup:
 
I needed adjustable drop links to fit H&R ARBs with Clubsports, although I’m not sure if that would be the case running them in combination with V3s.
 
Beemingallover said:
What's the difference in kerb weight between a ZMC and a ZMR?
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Don’t think there’s much in it once you factor in the warm clothing, hats, scissors, shampoo and conditioner etc.
 
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