Softer springs

[flybobbie]

My Z4 has been daily driver for over 10 years now.
My route is country lanes.
Is it possible to get softer springs for a 23i, not lowered but to try and make it run straighter.
Compared to the Berlingo i drive on the same roads bumpy, Berlingo runs like on rails or autopilot.

 

[therealmc]

Would softer damping instead of or as well as be something to consider?

 

[flybobbie]

Tried softer dampers.
Cars ok on "normal" roads just my daily is half country lanes and some days car is hard work.
Some days take Berlingo for a rest from the giggling around the Z does.
Certainly not a long distant car.

Colleague said same about her car, got rid after 12 months.

Have some replacement front suspension parts had for year or 2 fitting today, also grease up some poly bushes, see how that goes.

 

[Busterboo]

Er ... lower tyre pressures?

That said, you're not still on runflats, are you?

 

[brillomaster]

Also when was the alignment last checked?

 

[flybobbie]

Tried all pressure on non rft from 32 to 42.
Even after alignment still same, just seems compromised chassis.
Also the steering i find heavy no matter what fiddling i do.
And minor things like the steering wheel neutral position needs moving more right than left for same response, no matter how tracking set.
Love the car but often wonder what daily driving might be like in say Porsche, F type or dare i say MX5.
Rode as passenger in MX5, like pedal car.
I keep saying i will keep till either it or i go.
But do i spend rest of life wishing i had something else.

 

[flybobbie]

Could i just be bored with cars, just become a tedious washing machine?
What's the most fun car anyone has driven, a drivers car.

 

[Busterboo]

Tried all pressure on non rft from 32 to 42.
Even after alignment still same, just seems compromised chassis.
Also the steering i find heavy no matter what fiddling i do.
And minor things like the steering wheel neutral position needs moving more right than left for same response, no matter how tracking set.
Love the car but often wonder what daily driving might be like in say Porsche, F type or dare i say MX5.
Rode as passenger in MX5, like pedal car.
I keep saying i will keep till either it or i go.
But do i spend rest of life wishing i had something else.

A very useful list. Thank you.
That said, the last two lines will certainly condemn you to just what you don't want.

 

[brillomaster]

What size wheels do you have? Bigger is definitely not better for ride.

The best driving sportscars ive driven have been on 17s... e85 z4 and a 986 porsche boxster. A nissan 350z was decent too... that was on 18s, but with big chunky 45 profile tyres.

So in summary... i like not overly wide tyres, with chunky sidewalls. A 225/45/17 will steer and ride sooo much better than a 255/30/19.

Also... its ok to go off overly sporty cars. Hence jaaags and mercedes...

Whats not ok is sticking with a car you dont like. Life is too short. If you dont like your z4, sell it and get something different.

 

[flybobbie]

Well removed anti roll bar front, one polybush was stuck on.
So all cleaned, put some ptfe tape on bar, silicone greased and see how that goes.
Also had knocking around some replacement arm, what they call radius rod. Tried once in the past but removed, give another chance.
Has a more solid rubber bush.
Also discovered another oil leak, can't see where that's coming from.

 

[flybobbie]

Driven today, seems lot more stable.
The original links where the front bush has triangle insert is seem to have lots of play, like 2 inches at end of a 1 foot screw driver inserted.
New i would say about half an inch. New have round bush, can't remember were i got them from.
I see lots of poly bush versions out there now.