Sports Suspension

I think BMW used the word sports too freely, I just wanted be sure a prospective purchaser of a Z4 being told “Yes sir it has sports suspension” was getting what he thinks i.e. M sports Suspension.

I guess not many SE spec cars have M sport suspension, and not so easy to tell, but of course the seats are a dead giveaway
 
Yep, definitely using "sports" too freely. Only had a quick jaunt in a non-M suspended Z4, it seemed fine too. The SE or non-M seem to sit a little higher.

I always thought the suspension was a little harsh, but I'm sure it's 99% down to the run-flats.
 
I've driven both and the RFT's do make a difference. I don't mind them at all, it's a nice feel to me, I like bumpy rides. If it were my only vehicle however, I may have a different opinion. I think I'm the only one who likes the RFT's
T.
 
fire-n-ice said:
...I like bumpy rides...
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:P :oops:

fire-n-ice said:
...I think I'm the only one who likes the RFT's...
Click to expand...
I liked them from a safety point of view, and knowing you could drive on without worrying about a puncture. But expensive, when I got a puncture no-one would repair it so I got a new rear for £253, yet I just got a (non-RFT) front repaired on the SLK for £15 which is a big difference.

You're right though, if it's not a daily driver it's far less of a problem, if mine had been a second car I wouldn't have minded at all really.
 
^^^exactly. The peace of mind is nice but replacements are a real bitch to the checkbook. Have I mentioned I love roller coasters?! A thrill seeker who is hard to keep happy in the adrenaline department :D
 
I definitely like the sport suspension as I got it on my '07 3.0si Coupe (as an option in the US), but I knew when I took a car out for a test drive that I would not keep the RFTs along with it. I didn't like the RFT/Sport Package suspension combination at all and I did make sure I gave it a fair trial on a 1300 mile road trip right after I got the car knowing that I loved non RFT Bridgestone RE050s from my last car.

The harsh ride characteristics went away almost immediately after I put on Pilot Sport PS2s and I must also note that this is even more true after installing my new 17" winter wheels/tires a couple of weeks ago. At this point I am still glad I ordered the US Sports Package option for my Z4. My Coupe is my daily driver and even though my daily commute is a short one (less than 10 minutes) it does include a stretch of less than stellar pavement that was distinctly unpleasant with the RFT/Sport Suspension combination.
 
Absolutely still in love with the car...... :sweetheart: :sweetheart:

But no way on the 18" RFTs. :soapbox:

I should add a caveat for the RFTs - I did at least wonder what a 225R45/17 would feel like for ride comfort as opposed to the much lower profile 18"s that came with my car when I was shopping for my winter tires and I honestly do not know if the extra sidewall on the 17" wheels with winter tires would have changed my mind about RFTs. In the end I decided that maybe someday I will get a chance to mooch a ride from someone who has the 17" OEMs and can make a more informed decision but for the moment am sticking with the tire environment I have more experience with.... :oldman:
 
Just been searching for information on M Sport suspension and came upon this thread.
To clarify for me, I have an '03 3.0 Z4, so i have M Sport suspension (as listed in the fantasitic thread on factory leaving spec from the BMZ site (I'll try ro find the link again in a sec)
Here it is http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=32423....
so does that mean I shouldn't be subject to the spring failures reported so frequently on this forum.
Is the M Sport suspension Eibach already, or BMZ OEM?
Thanks
Jon
 
It's BMW OEM. And it is the 3.0i (all are m-sport suspension in the UK), that snaps it's springs.

However, my car has no history of having had rear springs done, and is on 93,000 miles now, and 33,000 of those with me, and I drive it properly, and the springs are still fine.

Common fault but still relatively rare so nothing so serious I'd swap springs to try avoid in future!

Dave
 
Thanks for the clarification. I've got 97k on the clock with only 5k of those by me....don't think I've got enough paperwork with the car to see if the springs have broken already, or for that matter the roof motor (paranoia strikes :!: )
 
The rear springs are a fairly simple visual check for a rookie DIY, why not have a look? :thumbsup:


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Yep, springs tend to crack on the lower part of the 'piggy tail' where it sits in the cup. You'll be able to see if it's cracked/split :thumbsup:


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Adamski said:
Yep, springs tend to crack on the lower part of the 'piggy tail' where it sits in the cup. You'll be able to see if it's cracked/split :thumbsup:


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Mine cracked at the top and lost the last 1" only, so very hard to spot. Wheel off and a real good look.
 
What are the symptoms of cracked/broken springs? Mine seems to "ping" if it goes up a kerb or over a pothole...
 
carl said:
......... Mine seems to "ping" if it goes up a kerb or over a pothole...
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You're lucky, my front bumper cracked when I went over a kerb......... :cry:

Seriously, if it makes any noise at all, then it's worth checking-out. It's a common problem, mine were changed at 55k miles :thumbsdown:
 
carl said:
What are the symptoms of cracked/broken springs? Mine seems to "ping" if it goes up a kerb or over a pothole...
Click to expand...

Definitely worth check. Shouldn't be making any ping noises :?


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carl said:
What are the symptoms of cracked/broken springs? Mine seems to "ping" if it goes up a kerb or over a pothole...
Click to expand...

mine used to do that... and it was a broken spring - better to get that checked :thumbsup:
 
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