Ride height poll

Poll Poll Please select ride height and experience:

  • Standard and no problems

    Votes: 21 30.9%

  • Standard with occasional grounding

    Votes: 17 25.0%

  • Standard and major issues

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 15mm lower and no problems

    Votes: 12 17.6%

  • 15mm lower with occasional grounding

    Votes: 7 10.3%

  • 15mm lower and major issues

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 30mm lower and no problems

    Votes: 4 5.9%

  • 30mm lower with occasional grounding

    Votes: 6 8.8%

  • 30mm lower and major issues

    Votes: 1 1.5%
  • Total voters
    68
Thanks for all the contributions :thumbsup:

Interesting if not entirely conclusive... seems to be some luck as to where you live and drive. Very surprised to see people having such issues with the standard ride height!

Just looking at no problems and occasional grounding at each height...
Standard - none 41% / occasional 59%
-15mm - none 64% / occasional 36%
-30mm - none 40% / occasional 60%

So, statistically, in this very unscientific survey, my best bet is a 15mm drop with standard ride being equal to a 30mm drop :o

Think I'm going to contact Tein and see what I can do about getting a 15mm drop (only seen full kits from Tein in the UK)... or maybe H&R at 25mm if I'm feeling saucy :P
 
I was always crap at statistics and interpreting data, but that sounds about right :P. I should add, I probably don't have many issues at -30mm compared to others as I don't do much city driving in my Z4 so am probably less likely to encounter speed humps, ramps, etc.

The ideal spring IMO would be:
- same height at sport equipped cars (15mm lower than standard non-sport)
- more progressively wound (like the Eibachs - higher spring rate as they compress, less body roll in hard cornering)
- don't snap like BMW ones have the tendency to...
 
Pawnsacrifice, I see by your sig that we have the same car, when I bought the car I specced it with the M suspension and the 103's, I have since fitted Eibach's (as a11y, pointed out more to get away from snap happy BMW Springs than anythingh else) and 19" wheels so I am now 30mm lower than stanard, I have experienced no more grounding out since changing than I did before and again as a11y pointed out I think the ride did improve slightly after fitting them.

Just watch the fronts if you are going to do this yourself as the the amount of compression on the springs is unreal and the strut disappears into into the shock, normal claw type compressors are no good.
 
RichardG said:
Just watch the fronts if you are going to do this yourself as the the amount of compression on the springs is unreal and the strut disappears into into the shock, normal claw type compressors are no good.
Click to expand...
That's a good point I should've mentioned: the front shocks were a problem for me too, as Richard mentions. We resorted to Kwikfit for my fronts as we got stuck once the strut has disappeared into the shock. They're also difficult to compress the springs because there's so few coils to actually get hold of with spring compressors. Worth it though :)
 
RichardG, A11y, thanks for the added info :thumbsup:

I won't be fitting myself - the guys around the corner that I buy my tyres from are on the Hunter list so I may ask if they can fit and allign.

Tein UK came back and said that their Z4 kit is US only, would be special order from the US and carry no warranty in the UK :thumbsdown: They did get back very quickly though and were helpful.

So I reckon it's going to be H&R or Eibach.

(Just noticed the poll has been updated so my analysis is now incorrect :( )
 
Don't bother with the H&R's on the non-M Z4. Their claimed 1.5" ride height decrease is either 1.5" from the sport suspension, or simply inaccurate. You'll be bottoming out several times a day, every day. There will be zero finger width wheel gap at the back. Your stock shocks will blow really quickly. At least with the Eibach's, you can sort of get away with using stock shocks - if bad ride comfort and the bounciness don't bother you.
 
My eibachs are sat on my kitchen table after arriving this afternoon, will post my findings when installed.

Must give a big thanks for www.motorsportworld.co.uk who had them delivered in mega quick time, very good service and i would recommend them !
 
Thanks easty027, look forward to your findings! Had a look at that site, navigation is not the best, but they seem to cover all the bases... bookmarked :thumbsup:

GP20, thanks also.... I was thinking they were 25mm (which it is for the M) but for the E85, 1.5" / 35mm sounds a lot - I was trying to get closer to 15mm.
 
Agree, the website is garbage, but they offer a friendly service when i called them after ordering. I think A11y was the one who sent me the link, so its a thanks for him really.
 
Yeah, the motorsportworld website is crap - too compartmentalised in my humble opinion - but they're spot on for customer service, price and general dealing with. Good range of stuff they sell too.
 
Hello all.

I was pointed to your forum by a member yesterday. I am pleased to see we are regarded well and our service is noticed. I have picked up a few comments and wonder if i may reply :)

easty027 said:
My eibachs are sat on my kitchen table after arriving this afternoon, will post my findings when installed.

Must give a big thanks for http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk who had them delivered in mega quick time, very good service and i would recommend them !
Click to expand...

Thank you for the positive feed back :thumbsup:

PawnSacrifice said:
Thanks easty027, look forward to your findings! Had a look at that site, navigation is not the best, but they seem to cover all the bases... bookmarked :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Further to our e-mails this morning, we believe we have fixed the problems you were having. Can you try our site again and let me know if it all works as it should :)

easty027 said:
Agree, the website is garbage, but they offer a friendly service when i called them after ordering.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the positive feed back. Its nice to see our work being noticed :)

Can i ask you to elaborate on how we may improve our website? I guess because we see it all day every day we can look over any problems or draw backs with it. As you have found out we pride ourselves on our service so its a shame to see the site not working for us.

Any input would be greatly appreciated if you have a spare moment :thumbsup:

a11y said:
Yeah, the motorsportworld website is crap - too compartmentalised in my humble opinion - but they're spot on for customer service, price and general dealing with. Good range of stuff they sell too.
Click to expand...

Again, thank you for the positive feedback. If you have a moment could i ask the same of you also?

I hope this is okay and look forward to ready any comments and suggestions you may have, good or bad.

Kind Regards

Garry Curley
Sales Manager
Motorsport World
 
I choose "15mm lower with occasional grounding". This only happened a couple of times when i was going too fast for the random dip in the ground (i wasn't actually going fast, but the dip was huuuge)! :headbang: :thumbsdown:

I personally think you should stick to just 15mm lower unless you plan to upgrade the suspension.
 
Wondermike said:
Think the tyres make the difference - 225/45 and 255/40 as opposed to 225/40 and 255/35 - raises the whole car up 10mm or something?
Click to expand...
I calculate those changes (staying on 18") would raise by 11.25mm at the front and 12.75mm at the rear

which would be nice for me (although 5mm might be enough), as I have a grounding problem with my driveway every time I go on or off.
I have found a route with minimal grounding (like piloting a ship into harbour) but would like more clearance.
2006 3.0si sport Coupe, so currently standard -15mm

Is just increasing the tyre size viable, or would it foul on something inside the wheel arch?
Otherwise, I suppose I'm looking at raising the suspension or messing about with the driveway.

any ideas?
 
nicko said:
Wondermike said:
Think the tyres make the difference - 225/45 and 255/40 as opposed to 225/40 and 255/35 - raises the whole car up 10mm or something?
Click to expand...
I calculate those changes (staying on 18") would raise by 11.25mm at the front and 12.75mm at the rear

which would be nice for me (although 5mm might be enough), as I have a grounding problem with my driveway every time I go on or off.
I have found a route with minimal grounding (like piloting a ship into harbour) but would like more clearance.
2006 3.0si sport Coupe, so currently standard -15mm

Is just increasing the tyre size viable, or would it foul on something inside the wheel arch?
Otherwise, I suppose I'm looking at raising the suspension or messing about with the driveway.

any ideas?
Click to expand...

I think you will find by changing the tyre size you will also change the gearing which may or may not be a good thing.
 
noxas said:
I think you will find by changing the tyre size you will also change the gearing which may or may not be a good thing.
Click to expand...

...and consequently introduce speedo inaccuracy, likely with the effect of under-reporting your speed
 
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