Springs.... or Springs and Dampers?

L

laurahenley

Member
 Devon
Our springs have gone and we are looking to replace them. I'm not sure if we should just go for stock springs or spend a bit more on dampers and springs to sort it out completely rather than hoping not to hear the CLONK noise in another 30,000 miles. I've had a search and it looks to me like most go for Eibach springs with Koni dampers if they replace the lot. We'd prefer not to lower as the roads and lanes around here are pretty bad and need the clearence as much as possible.

What options that work well on the Z4 3.0i are there and where's good to buy from in the UK?

Cheers!
 
I just did mine yesterday (assuming you mean rears) and there's a separate thread running on it. I went through the same mental process to decide if to replace or enhance.

Frankly on a 3.0i you have ///m sport suspension and if you don't want to lower it do as I did and just put OEM springs back on. All aftermarket will lower it and as far as I can see make the ride slightly harder (but that is very subjective).

You'll also have to change fronts too and that a slightly bigger job and more costs

Rears is a 1 hour DIY (tops having just done it in 30 minutes for the pair)
 
I'd personally do what CJ did - just replace the rears - You can probably get the pair for around £120 and anyone fit them in 30mins to an hour

As opposed to £400+ outlay and 3 hours labour plus tracking :)
 
Ok, I'll go the route of swapping over the springs. I've got some spring clamps in the garage so it shouldn't take me too long.

Where's the best place to buy them from?
 
No need for spring clamps whatsoever for the rear.

Lift vehicle, remove the wheel, drop off the bottom shock mount (1 bolt) press /lever the hub down taking care of the brake hose and pull out the spring.

Clean up the top and bottom pad and refit in reverse.

Not professing to be an expert as I only did it for the first time on the Zed yesterday, but very quick job to do.

I purchased OEM over the counter and avoided any Taiwan replicas.
 
Yeah, if you really don;t want to go lower then stock springs appear to be your only option: Eibachs lower the car a further 14mm lower than an ///M suspension'd car. I can cope with it but in all honesty was happy with the standard ride.
 
Just ordered 2x rear springs, came to £166, need to go and pick them up Wednesday - looking forward to seeing how the ride changes with decent springs on there. :)

@a11y - Living in the countryside, every last mm is gold dust for me, taking a wrong turning down a particulary bad lane can be a nightmare! :o
 
OEM's may well have been fixed now... a bad batch/process early on maybe?

Anyone had replacements snap yet?

Dave
 
Mr Whippy said:
OEM's may well have been fixed now... a bad batch/process early on maybe?

Anyone had replacements snap yet?

Dave
Click to expand...

From what I have read rear springs snapping is a very common problem on BMW's and other makes, so I would say it's only a matter or time before they go again.
 
Thing is, if BMW and other makes are snapping, potentially again, then it would be interesting to see how many aftermarket ones are going too.
I can't believe OEM's make snapping springs, but aftermarkets don't... hmmmm...

We need a poll: Replacement oem springs snapped?
 
Yep, I've heard broken springs are getting more and more common on all car brands - possibly to do with the state of the roads here in the UK?

I think we need a different poll: anyone with a Z4 who's still on its original set of springs?! :lol:
 
a11y said:
Yep, I've heard broken springs are getting more and more common on all car brands - possibly to do with the state of the roads here in the UK?

I think we need a different poll: anyone with a Z4 who's still on its original set of springs?! :lol:
Click to expand...

Me for one - and I don't take the smoothest routes either :thumbsup:
 
I think its also to do with the pressures of reducing un-sprung weight... Gone are the pig iron beasts, moving to lighter weight alloys?
 
Got my rear springs today and have one of my rear wheels off, just scratching my head now as I'm not sure how to proceed! Is there a how to guide floating around?
 
laurahenley said:
Got my rear springs today and have one of my rear wheels off, just scratching my head now as I'm not sure how to proceed! Is there a how to guide floating around?
Click to expand...

Make sure it's on an axle stand and really secure.
Undo the bottom shock bolt.
Press the hub down taking care not to stretch the brake hose and pull the spring out
Clean the top and botom pads and fit hem into the new spring noting which is top and bottom
juggle the spring back in while pressing the hub down
Rotate to ensure it's properly seated
Lift the hub with a jack and refit the shock bolt
Fit wheel and stand back to admire, put kettle on
torque wheel bolts and start other side :)
 
Thanks cj but you know what? Looks like my springs are actually fine. How stupid do I feel! I diagnosed the problem by the rattling sounds coming from the rear. I'm not sure if this is good or bad now as there's rattling coming from somewhere and it's not the srpings!

Also, saw that my rear tyres are worn to the canvas on the inside, so looks like it's going to be staying in the driveway until new ones arrive. :(
 
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