questions for the alignment guru members

M

Midhurstman

Member
 West Sussex
I know that there are endless threads on this and I have read most, this is (I hope) different enough for a new post.

I have had problems with the front end feeling a little less than planted and a little twitchy at high speeds(new non run flats, 18" staggered wheels)

Having renewed all the major suspension parts I had a hunter alignment carried out. Just a month later I decided to fit new Bilstein B8's on every corner and another hunter alignment was booked, which I am just back from. Once home I did what I should have done at the garage and looked closely at the print out, not just glanced at the full complement of green boxes telling me all was now in spec. I had explained carefully that I had factory M-sport suspension but, looking at the top of the sheet, I could now see that they had carried out an alignment to Z4M specs. The major difference is that my rear camber is now at -1deg50mins when M-sport should be -2deg 50mins (give or take a few mins)

The car drove well on the 1 hour journey home so should I just forget it? I would welcome any comments from you experts on effect on handling and uneven tyre wear possibly resulting from this under spec rear camber. I probably should add that the front caster is just a little under spec at 5.00 deg both sides, the front camber is -1deg 04mins and -1deg.00, the front toe is 0deg 02mins both sides and the rear toe 0deg 12mins both sides, I also have RTAB limiter shims fitted.

I would be grateful for any advice.
 
ask Ranski on here as he had the same problem. you need to get it re-aligned as its a different setup.
 
Its their error so they should carry out the alignment FOC. So apart from the time and distance aspect to get the alignmnent redone you may as well get it exactly right.
After all you have spent quite a lot to upgrade the suspension etc.
Just my opinion :thumbsup:
 
Appreciate the advice. I have seen the posts from Ranski. It looks as though his print out, although covered in red 'out of spec' settings, was actually showing settings that were in spec for a non M and were only red because it had been entered in the hunter as an M. I am aware that I have the right to take the car back and get it done again(foc) with the correct input into the hunter for an M-sport as opposed to a genuine Z4M but, as the car seems fine to drive, I was hoping that someone would be able to reply that they also happily run these Z4M settings in a non M car, and their comments as to why they do. Hopefully if I wait a few days I may have enough info to decide if I am going to take the car back for the alignment to be done again to M-sport settings, or to leave it as it is. My main question really is " would the under spec (1deg 50min) rear camber each side be more or less likely to cause straight line instability, compared with 2deg 50 min correct spec."
 
If you're on B8s then your car is lowered right?

In which case I'm not sure either setting is actually correct. Mine is lowered on Eibachs and I asked them to use the Z4M settings as I thought they'd be more appropriate and my car is perfectly planted and solid.
 
If you're on B8s then your car is lowered right?

Correct Stratts, but standard M-sport lowered which I believe is 15mm. Interesting that yours is on Z4m settings and feels good, I assume Eibach's make it even lower than mine though. The car feels much more stable after everything that I have done to it, the alignment was out before being done today and the car was definitely improved by this realignment to the point that I am 95% happy with it. I just can't help wondering if I would have achieved that extra 5% if it had been done to the correct M-sport figures, but I don't have enough geometry knowledge to judge if the rear camber would improve front end stability by having that extra -1 deg added to bring within correct spec and maybe adding a little more front toe, which is down on minimum setting.
 
Got mine done recently as i renewed my RTAB with the added limiter kit and i think they used the Z4M settings as well. I wasn't to worried about camber as I'm running coilovers.
 
If it feels OK I wouldn't worry about it.

Nearly 3 degrees of negative camber on the rear would be a pretty aggressive geo unless for track use. Minus 1 1/2 to 2 is much more reasonable, just checked and mine is set for minus 2 deg 30 and that is for a track setup with sticky tyres.
 
Sorry to hijack the thread but how do you find the B8's?... i've been trying to decide whether to go for B8's or go all out with coilovers. Your opinion would be very welcome. Thanks.
 
Hi No Problem. They were a no brainer at the price I paid new from a German supplier. I was a little concerned that they are considered 10% harder ride than the original M-sport suspension sachs shocks (which, in turn, are a little harder than standard sachs). I even considered fitting new standard springs to raise the ride height back up 15mm allowing me to fit new standard sachs shocks which are readily available in non M-sport spec(I know most people would think I was crazy). No need to have worried, the B8's are fantastic, the car feels so much more positive in the corners and the ride is not noticeably harder to me. Overall, I am delighted with them and still notice the improvement in the handling of the car every time I drive it, particularly when pushing it hard.

I did consider coilovers, and also Koni sports, which would add the adjustment factor, but decided that I would end up finding a setting and then would probably never alter them again.
 
Thanks for the mini review mate, sounds like what i'm after. Could you provide a link for them please?.. much appreciated.
 
This is where I bought them, you have to ask for a delivery price to the UK (he charged me 20 euros) http://www.ebay.de/itm/Bilstein-B8-Sprint-Stosdampfer-BMW-Z4-Satz-fur-vorne-und-hinten-mit-4Stuck-neu-/311307487033?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item487b5f4739. This currently converts to £440 for a full set delivered. Take no notice of the stock photo, this does not show An E85 shock. I received them in 3 days by DPD. I would advise you give him vin last 7 digits for double checking suitability, these B8's are for M-sport suspension Zeds, B6's are recommendedfor standard and are cheaper still.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom