Shocks are shot, Bilsteins time?

[Mittens]

Hi,

My front two struts are likely to fail the MoT at the end of January so I'm going to replace them in the new year.
Since the stock ride on the Z4 is often criticised and Bilsteins (on a Z4) often praised, it seems like a no brainer.
I've done my reading so I'm sorry this is retreading a lot of ground, but need a few pointers:

1) I believe I have the sports pack (5 spoke wheels, [sport] button) and so my suspension is lower than standard? dose this mean I need the Bilstein B8s on my springs?

2) I was going to stick with the factory springs since navigating the local manatee-esk speed bumps is already fun enough of a morning commute. Is this sensible, or would I really be better off going to eibach route?

Cheers.

 

[Steve84N]

B8 is for lowered springs, I believe you want B4.

 

[hopz121]

Either go B4's and standard springs OP or a B12 kit which is B8 shocks and eibach springs

 

[Ed Doe]

B4s = OE replacement
B6s = uprated dampers for standard ride height
B8s = uprated dampers for lowered ride height

I have b8s, they are sufficiently low that with an m front bumper I have to be pretty careful with speed bumps. If you're concerned I'd opt for B6s if you want an upgrade but to maintain standard ride height....

 

[Mittens]

Thanks all.

I have b8s, they are sufficiently low that with an m front bumper I have to be pretty careful with speed bumps. If you're concerned I'd opt for B6s if you want an upgrade but to maintain standard ride height....

Looking further into it B8s would drop my car by an additional 10-15mm (assuming I'm on -15mm sports package springs). Every so often I scrape my nose coming down off the speed bumps, so I best avoid that. (Though the scraping could be, in part, due to the knackered shocks)
So it looks like B6s are the way forward for an upgrade that doesn't leave me stranded on my street.

I'm looking at the demon tweeks website and they have two B6 shock absorbers:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/perfo...4/bilstein-b6-sport-shock-absorber-front-left - BLS22-104885

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/perfo...bilstein-b6-sport-shock-absorber-front-left-2 - BLS35-124092

I can't see any mention of the difference apart from the price and code though. :?

 

[maxman]

Strange one ,they have 3 listed ,price range £103 -£175.
I would give them a call to see why the difference .

 

[Sandy]

I've just fitted the Bilstein/Eibach kit with Meyle HD wishbones and revised alignment, a massive improvement all round. It's lost the initial smoothness of the ride, but doesn't suddenly jerk on the second rate, like it does on the originals, which I prefer.

 

[Ed Doe]

Have a gander at Bilsteins catalogue - should confirm the correct part numbers. I bought my kit through a German ebay company - when the euro was weak mid-2015, think it was about £450 back then.... Worth shopping around though

 

[Rassi]

The B12 kit is really not too low or too harsh - mine was an SE so obviously the lowered ride is more noticeable but no problems with speed bumps or steep parking entrances. May be different with an M front bumper, though?

 

[Mittens]

Looks like that website (demon tweeks) is wrong, and thier codes are internal rather than the bilstein ones.

Bilstein do front Mono-tube and Twin-tube and rear twin-tube designs in the B6 range. The B12s are twin tube, which seems to be the newer and superior technology, though firmer.

I'm slightly concerned that you have to have twin tubes on the rear with B6s, I'd have through you'd want to keep everything the same.

For those with B12s, how is the "long" distance driving? I occasionally have to do 150 mile trip (300 mile round trip over a few of days) - For reference I'm on 18" wheels with proper tyres (non run flats)

[youtube]vrUuESt2Q9I[/youtube]

 

[MDUBZ]

I guess that will depend on the type of roads you're likely to be using on the long trips and the type of drive you want: what is the concern?

B12, 108s, non run flats & poly bushed: I drove to Le mans and it was no probs; in fact i was a hoot. It can be a bit crashy on a poorly surfaced road but tbh you're in a sports car, you didn't buy it to waft about in did you

 

[Ed Doe]

I've driven to cornwall and back with the wife last summer (300+miles each way). No issues at all. As above, on more broken road surfaces it is a bit crashy, but it's a riot when you're driving for pleasure - mum much better body control. I daily mine - I've probably done 15k with the Bilsteins and polybushes and will continue to do so

 

[Mittens]

I've driven to cornwall and back with the wife last summer (300+miles each way). No issues at all. As above, on more broken road surfaces it is a bit crashy, but it's a riot when you're driving for pleasure - mum much better body control. I daily mine - I've probably done 15k with the Bilsteins and polybushes and will continue to do so

I guess that will depend on the type of roads you're likely to be using on the long trips and the type of drive you want: what is the concern?
B12, 108s, non run flats & poly bushed: I drove to Le mans and it was no probs; in fact i was a hoot. It can be a bit crashy on a poorly surfaced road but tbh you're in a sports car, you didn't buy it to waft about in did you

The worse is the length of the A34. You've put my mind at rest, my concern was I'd loose too much of the cars GT credentials.
I once saw a couple of people in old TVRs trundling along in the left hand lane not looking very comfortable, I just don't want to be those guys.




Found the B12s at Lark Speed for £671 (plus a tenner for P&P), seems decent?
http://www.larkspeed.com/shopper/i/...0i-3-0-si-Bilstein-B12-Pro-Kit-Suspension-Kit

 

[Scooba_Steve]

The B12 kit is no worse than stock IMHO. I actually found it less crashy, it absorbs initially a bit better than stock though of course it is firmer overall.

 

[Steve84N]

http://www.regalautosport.com/shop/...MW_Z4_E85_PN_46-181237.html?search=B12 bmw z4

My cut is just half your saving.

 

[DMC63]

Hi,

My front two struts are likely to fail the MoT at the end of January so I'm going to replace them in the new year.
Since the stock ride on the Z4 is often criticised and Bilsteins (on a Z4) often praised, it seems like a no brainer.
I've done my reading so I'm sorry this is retreading a lot of ground, but need a few pointers:

1) I believe I have the sports pack (5 spoke wheels, [sport] button) and so my suspension is lower than standard? dose this mean I need the Bilstein B8s on my springs?

2) I was going to stick with the factory springs since navigating the local manatee-esk speed bumps is already fun enough of a morning commute. Is this sensible, or would I really be better off going to eibach route?

Cheers.

B12 kit will lower the ride 30mm at least and shake your fillings out. Fitted to mine 6 months ago.

 

[Mark-Z4]

If you get the B4 or B6 I'd be interested to know your thoughts on them

 

[Mittens]

People seem to upgrade their top mounts at the same time, is it best to grab the rogue engineering top mounts? Heck while I'm at it are there any other parts of the strut area which should be replaced?

http://www.ca-int.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9pZD0yNTU3JmNhdF9pZD0xMTEmY29tcF9pZD0xNg==.html

http://www.regalautosport.com/shop/...MW_Z4_E85_PN_46-181237.html?search=B12 bmw z4

My cut is just half your saving.

Cheques in the post, I trust the postman will be able to find you solely from your use ID. Cheeky bonus: I don't live far from Southampton.

B12 kit will lower the ride 30mm at least and shake your fillings out. Fitted to mine 6 months ago.

If you get the B4 or B6 I'd be interested to know your thoughts on them

I've thrown caution to the wind, and I'm going with the B12s.

 

[markeg]

I went with the B12 kit (thread here) and sourced through the eBay shop from a German distributer. Unfortunately the €/£ rate was better then, so its not as cost effective now... btw ignore that its in the Alpina section, the B12 kit is common across the E85 chassis (the Alpina being a variant on the 3.0i chassis).

I also replaced the top mounts at the same time - rogue were a good option for the rears For the fronts it depends on budget, but with adjustables you'll get more ability with the 4-wheel alignment

Regarding ride, I am on 19" with the pro kit, which has lowered the car by about 30mm overall. Its a bit harsher on the crappy Lincolnshire B roads, but no different on major A roads. Road handling ability is vastly improved. Speed bumps (and the repeated lumps for traffic calming) aren't an issue as long as I'm going slower than 30mph; I've not experienced damage on the front spoiler or bottoming-out yet, and no damage to the wheel arches

 

[DMC63]

I bought BMW oem new mounts for front and back. Fitted the kit myself and took it to Blackboots and had the 4 wheel laser alignment done. Also fitted an Ali strut brace to the front struts. Car handles nice. All it needs now is the supercharger.