Suspension - finally

[mmm-five]

Got linked this cheap german supplier for the today: http://www.ego-autotuning.de/bilstein-b16-gewindefahrwerk-48-141635-bmw-z4-m-e86.html

that's £1400 at today's rates.. bargain?!

I saw some very good prices when I was looking to buy mine. The biggest concern was having to cope with Bilstein stance on 'grey imports' from non-approved resellers and telling you to return them to the foreign vendor if you have any issues, instead of sorting everything out locally.

At least with the way I've bought them (through an authorised reseller/installer) I should have an easier time sorting it all out if something fails due to fitting/manufacturing issues.

 

[jimmybell]

Yep understood. I'd hope there'd be no problems really, if there were - ship them back. that's the tradeoff i guess.

Are yours fitted yet? I'm seriously considering these. I like the idea of sorting out the suspension without significant lowering.

 

[mmm-five]

Yep understood. I'd hope there'd be no problems really, if there were - ship them back. that's the tradeoff i guess.

Are yours fitted yet? I'm seriously considering these. I like the idea of sorting out the suspension without significant lowering.

Booked in for w/c 11-May - 2 weeks before we head off to the 'Ring - so I hope there are no teething problems.

Tried to get it done earlier but the combination of his busy schedule (he's got a couple of e34 M5s to restore, one to make into a track car), a couple of hospital appointments and delays in BMW's parts delivery (up to 10 weeks for some parts) has meant it's going to be right up against the deadline.

Luckily with the mileage I do every week I should be able to give it a good shakedown on the way home

 

[mmm-five]

Suspension refresh now done, and despite the original springs & dampers being physically un-damaged (i.e. no cracks or leaks), the new suspension (and poly bushings, top mounts, etc.) make it feel like a new car.

Initial testing of a few miles shows the crashiness has disappeared, the low speed bumps are now soaked up, and there's a significant reduction in pitching on/off throttle. The delay in the rear following the front has disappeared too, so I'll have to make sure not to compensate for it

Haven't gone extreme on the ride height or settings yet as I want to see his it is before I start tweaking anything. Currently set to as close to standard ride height as I could manage (-5mm rear an -10mm front) and position 5 front & rear for now. Rear will probably stay at 5 with the front changing to a stiffer setting as I see fit. Will only soften the rear if it's torrential rain.

Can't wait to try it in anger at the Ring next week.

Well worth the money

 

[Beedub]

PICS of how she's sitting now days!! your old timer is starting to take a direction in the seriously fast road way now with all these little add-ons your slowly incorporating! bet she feels ACE!!!

 

[dgm]

Thanks for the update, I'm looking forward to hearing your views on this as you get used to it and experiment. I'll be looking to replace mine into next year and this looks like the most promising option for me.

 

[mmm-five]

PICS of how she's sitting now days!! your old timer is starting to take a direction in the seriously fast road way now with all these little add-ons your slowly incorporating! bet she feels ACE!!!

Will do, when it's clean.

Ride height won't look much different though (front about 10mm lower, rear about 5mm lower) - that was the point

 

[mmm-five]

Here we go.



















Plenty of room at the front for wider tyres (235/45r18 or 245/40r18) or spacers.

Rears look fine with the 265/40r18s and there's no rubbing after testing it out on the same corners I'd normally encounter it.

 

[Beedub]

thats perfect!!! looking super clean as well!! ride height is imo totally perfect, will allow you drive this thing properly too.

 

[mmm-five]

thats perfect!!! looking super clean as well!! ride height is imo totally perfect, will allow you drive this thing properly too.

Just got to re-calibrate the driver inputs to proper/working suspension

A long 'Ring weekend will sort that out

 

[ChawenHalo]

I would consider Bilsteins to be a road only coilover at least as they're setup spring rate wise from factory.

I would consider KW V3 more track capable but better road manners than Clubsports.

Intrax are very much track biased with a fully coilover rear and all the downsides of the maintenance etc.

If you're planning some track time personally I would discount the Bilsteins, they make great road suspension but you will be disappointed for track work.

Don't Ohlins make a R&T kit for the Z4? (Sorry to add even more to the mix!)

What is in your opinion the reason the Bilstein B-16/PSS-10 will disappoint on track? Ok the KW Clubsport is better on track, but calling the PSS-10 as disappointed for track work is not true in my opinion.

100% agreed. Also you won't benefit 100% from changing the suspension if you don't do the other bit such as ARBs etc.