Suspension advice please as I am confused!

D

devil505

Member
Hello,

I am new to the forum so please be gentle.

I have just bought a 2005 Z4 3.0i SE but the ride height is way too low as it catches on the smallest of speed bumps so I want to restore it to factory height but I am not sure which springs I should be looking at. It has 18" BBS factory alloys. I can just about get a finger in-between the tyre and the arch.

The previous owner said it has Eibach springs fitted that were already on the car and said its about 15mm lower than factory. The car has the sports button and m-sport seats but the range of springs available are for "sport" or with "m-technology" or neither, I have no idea which are the correct ones.

Any advice please would be much appreciated.

z4.JPG

Thanks in advance
 
You can check what your car came originally specced with by cross referencing the chassis number/VIN:
https://decoder.bvzine.com/
Then establish whether it still has the original shocks for which you can then obtain the appropriate springs.

For reference, mine came specced with the M-tech suspension and it sits on standard spec springs.
While some consider it to ride too high, for me and esp over here in NL it clears (most) speedbumps easily which is more important than making it look chavvy.

Not the best photo as the back wheel is resting in a bit of a dip making the gap look bigger than it usually actually is, but you get the idea.
IMG_20190804_122229_HDR.jpg
 
The suspension takes a hiding on our cars. You may want to check the struts too, maybe you dont have enough compression damping which is why you are grounding. I dont ground on speed bumps and I'm running a b12 kit ( includes eibach lowering springs)

Are they original? mileage? Mine were fooked at 75K
 
Thank you both...

Car has done 81k. The previous owner said to me that the previous owner before that had it lowered with Eibachs and it took it down 15mm so I really don't have a lot of information at all.

I am not the best when it comes to hands on with the car.

Ah I see, I just looked on the https://decoder.bvzine.com/ and its says m sports suspension but my car is the SE according to the log book.
 
devil505 said:
It has 18" BBS factory alloys.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that BBS RS2's are a factory option...

The factory BBS wheels are the 5-spoke 108's (same as on Chris_D's car)

The wheels in the image you shared are RS2's - came on a couple VW/Audi's I believe but not in concave form. Are they flat faced or concave?
 
devil505 said:
Thank you both...

Car has done 81k. The previous owner said to me that the previous owner before that had it lowered with Eibachs and it took it down 15mm so I really don't have a lot of information at all.

I am not the best when it comes to hands on with the car.

Ah I see, I just looked on the https://decoder.bvzine.com/ and its says m sports suspension but my car is the SE according to the log book.
Click to expand...

My car is also an SE but you could spec Mtech suspension if desired. If the VIN decoders state Mtech suspension then that's what it was delivered with.
 
The guy who I bought it off said the wheels were factory but i guess not then. Looking at them, they could be slightly concave
 
Chris_D Does your have Mtech springs? Do you know if it is any good in comparison to it being on the lowered Eibachs? I am only wanting to go back to the Mtect for height reasons. I am wondering if it will give me much of a boost in height
 
devil505 said:
The guy who I bought it off said the wheels were factory but i guess not then. Looking at them, they could be slightly concave
Click to expand...

I'm positive they're not factory - they are great wheels though! I've got a set for mine but awaiting a refurb - I have the superconcave ones though. Yours look like they're probably RS2 700's (8.5j ET22), they have a slight concave and should be a nice stance on the front, maybe not far from the arch on the rear.

Just as a recommendation if you're going to raise the car I would opt for a the factory size tyres (255/35R18) this should give you a bigger sidewall and look a bit more balanced.

Alternatively if you considered selling the wheels let me know, I might be interested in them for the right price.
 
ok thanks kic_Mike.. I really do like these wheels and thanks for the tip about the tyres. If it doesn't look right will certainly send you a message :)
 
They're a beautiful wheel - just be careful and look after them! Also make sure the previous owner gave you the centre cap removal tool and the valve - if you haven't noticed already they don't have a standard valve - one of the split rim bolts bolts is actually threaded and you should have a small valve that threads into it to inflate the tyres.

The centre cap removal tool is almost like a sunglasses case - or sometimes you get ones that are like a large plastic spanner. You'll need this to tighten & loosen the centre caps - you definitely don't want to loose one! The badges alone (just the plain black & gold ones) are around £50 a cap - for genuine ones anyway, but fakes are easy to spot!

Feel free to PM me if you've got any questions about them etc.
 
After having a conversation with someone at autodoc.co.uk they said these are compatible with my car. Can anyone help decipher this to return it to option S704A M Sports suspension?

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/31336760622?search=OEN+31336760622&supplier%5B1%5D=16&supplier%5B2%5D=253&supplier%5B3%5D=253&supplier%5B0%5D=129&supplier%5B4%5D=16&supplier%5B5%5D=129
 
I definitely used the valve but I am not sure about the tool the centre cap tool. I better go check now, I hope its there!
 
Nope, no spanner. Previous owner said he undone them by hand. I presume I will have to buy one of these as I can't undo them with my hands

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-BBS-RC-RS2-Wheel-Cap-Removal-Spanner-Audi-TT-Vw-Golf-Mk4-Anni-89-10-025/111811098724?epid=1523285170&hash=item1a0875f864:g:iksAAOSw5ZBWNJTl
 
I'd personally avoid Autodoc like the plague. I ordered disc's back in Feb (based on reg and listings for my car) and had to return them after they didn't fit - 6 months later and i'm still trying to get a refund, possibly ok when everything goes well but their customer service when things go wrong is terrible from my experience, currently £175 out of pocket.
 
The stock springs on z4's are a known weak point, I believe it's the rears that snap?

Eibach springs aren't that much lower than the Sports springs that came with your car. Many would consider them a desirable improvement.

When it comes to changing out the stock springs they are often fitted with Biltstein shocks at the same time, which are an improvement on the Sports shocks - which are usually knackered by the time you come to replace them anyway.

B4's are meant to be the most comfortable (least harsh) Bilstein shocks, certainly no less comfortable than worn OEM sports shocks, and although not strictly recommended for the z4 are widely fitted and compatible. The B6 and B8 by Bilstein are the recommended replacements, but stiffer, and more expensive. The z4 ride is already quite unforgiving from the factory so you might want to weigh all that up, depending on the kind of roads you plan on driving on.

So IF you have the correct Eibach springs fitted, your next step might be to go with a fresh set of Bilstein shocks. Also take a look at your tyre sizes.

I'm no expert. :)
 
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