Suspension etc refresh.

[ShineyT]

Afternoon all,

Looking to do some reworking on the suspension and that kind of thing for the M, and just after some advice from the guys that have done some of this stuff before. What is worth doing and what exact parts, and indeed what do they do ?

RTAB Limiters. I keep seeing these mentioned, but what do they do exactly to the setup?
Vibratech engine mounts. Another one I see mentioned a lot. Worth doing or?
Springs. Probably going to go with Eibachs, just want to change the handling/ride a bit from standard as it isn't quite as I would like!

Anything else? Not set on a budget yet so hit me with anything that isn't crazy money

Thanks all.

 

[tertius]

Afternoon all,

Looking to do some reworking on the suspension and that kind of thing for the M, and just after some advice from the guys that have done some of this stuff before. What is worth doing and what exact parts, and indeed what do they do ?

RTAB Limiters. I keep seeing these mentioned, but what do they do exactly to the setup?
Vibratech engine mounts. Another one I see mentioned a lot. Worth doing or?
Springs. Probably going to go with Eibachs, just want to change the handling/ride a bit from standard as it isn't quite as I would like!

Anything else? Not set on a budget yet so hit me with anything that isn't crazy money

Thanks all.

RTAB Limiters. I keep seeing these mentioned, but what do they do exactly to the setup?

> They limit movement of the rear trailing arms (which run rearwards from the shell of the car to the rear wheels). The normal bushes are quite soft and allow significant lateral deflection under cornering, in turn this introduces changes to the rear geometry. Using the limiters means the arm will still move up and down but restricts the lateral movement, making the geo more stable. Definitely worth doing. You can also use stiffer bushes, but the normal solution is standard bushes plus limiters.

Vibratech engine mounts. Another one I see mentioned a lot. Worth doing or?

> Basically much stiffer engine mounts. The engine will tend to move around a little in heavy cornering; this can make gear changes difficult (basically it moves the engine/gearbox out of alignment with the shifter) and you also get a bit of a pendulum effect when the (heavy) engine catches up with the rest of the car. Very definitely worth doing, does introduce a little bit of NVH (as the mounts are less isolating). There are two options with the Vibra-Tech mounts - "street" and "race" - I have street.

Springs. Probably going to go with Eibachs, just want to change the handling/ride a bit from standard as it isn't quite as I would like!
Thanks all.

> No comment on Eibach springs - I have a totally non-standard setup with Intrax shocks and springs.

 

[chris]

Try and replace all bolts and nuts along the way. Annoying finding them all, but well worth it. Two rear bottom shock bolts are well worth it, well if nothing else. And condition all the other parts while your there. Plus clean the drain holes for the roof if you have a roadster.

Shocks if you can, as i will be doing mine in the near future. They are certianly not leaking, but ultimately 8 years old, so always good to refresh them.

Rear brake lines are worth paying some attention to as well

 

[ITAG]

Have a look at our group buy thread!

 

[Rene_Z4MC]

RTAB Limiters. I keep seeing these mentioned, but what do they do exactly to the setup?
Vibratech engine mounts. Another one I see mentioned a lot. Worth doing or?
Springs. Probably going to go with Eibachs, just want to change the handling/ride a bit from standard as it isn't quite as I would like!

I have all 3 mods you mention and would not want the car without them.
Not too costly and all very nice improvements without significant drawbacks.
I bought the Vibratechs to improve the gear change but as an extra bonus they also make the car feel 'as one piece', if you know what I mean.
Do it!