Hello all,
Last year I purchased my Zed and I love it. Mine is a 2010 s30i auto (non sport) , I've always been partial to the N52, but honestly I do (at times) think about the 35i/35is instead (maybe one day). I did love driving at speed, but my racing days are behind me. This is my daily driver.
I have a few questions relating to tightening up the suspension just a bit. Mine is low mileage, @ 30k miles, I believe the front springs/shocks are too soft or struts weak). I rarely bottom out at speed, but still is pretty soft. I constantly bottom out as I leave my local grocery store. It doesn't appear to hurt anything, but I feel the suspension hitting the stops fairly abruptly. The 2 exits there are perfect for torturing my front bump stops, at any speed. Annoying at least.
My suspension is soon to see some change, yet I do not desire to stiffen it more than needed. I currently have run flats on the factory 17" wheels, may pick up a set of 18" wheels and non RF tires if I do decide to track it. Our roads vary widely in quality (many great, many not-so great), I fear I'd probably damage rims if I went 19". And, I read of rear spring problems that require replacement.
I wish I could say money was no object, but I can't. Yet, I do not wish to go halfway to getting it right. Was leaning toward just tossing a set of Bilstein B6 struts on her and be done, but that would allow the spring issue to bite me later (are the rear springs that fragile)? Looking at the Bilstein B12 pro kit that is in my acceptable price range, and would drop the car a bit. Living right on the gulf coast, driving a dropped car just doesn't feel smart when water is on the roads (I've mostly driven large pickups the last 45+ years of driving). Dropping the car by an inch really shouldn't hurt, I do pretty much park this car when flooding is local- but lately we flood streets often.
I have held back asking for advice while reading previous threads- I know others have asked these same type questions. I cannot find much on e89 suspension mods. I searched many bimmer boards and found lots of info on the M's, 2's, 3 's, etc and much will apply- not all. If anyone has links to good info that applies, I'd greatly appreciate being pointed in that direction.
I see the various coil over kits, and see prices start at affordable then go up. I find little to no feedback on the lower end kits (like the HR CO kit). Does anyone have experience with these they'd share? Has anyone here just installed a set of Bilstein B6/B8 struts and seen much improvement? Are the rear springs enough a problem that they should be changed as I replace the struts?
Again, I want to see improvement in damping to eliminate/lessen the front bottoming out mostly, lessening body roll would be great also- (but I really don't want teeth rattling stiffness). I would love to track this thing, but the 99% of time not tracking it is where I want to feel the springs. Like people everywhere, I must allow for our roads and potholes. Since the board is a little slow, I figured I'd toss this out there to see what I can learn. I promise I've searched and read all the zed4 areas I'm aware of. I'd appreciate any/all info you guys/gals have, I'd love to learn from others (mistakes and successes). A grand or so is my goal, but willing to raise this some if the benefit clearly outweighs cost. If anyone knows where to find relevant info, or who to ask, I'd be grateful. I really have looked for info, and found lots- just very little that helps in this case. I do most of my own wrenching, so any tips will help. And lastly, I believe all bushings are still solid, but am not opposed to swapping bushes or other parts if needed (altho shocks/struts take dibs). Thanks much.
Edited for grammer and mo' questions... (and this was the short version)...
Last year I purchased my Zed and I love it. Mine is a 2010 s30i auto (non sport) , I've always been partial to the N52, but honestly I do (at times) think about the 35i/35is instead (maybe one day). I did love driving at speed, but my racing days are behind me. This is my daily driver.
I have a few questions relating to tightening up the suspension just a bit. Mine is low mileage, @ 30k miles, I believe the front springs/shocks are too soft or struts weak). I rarely bottom out at speed, but still is pretty soft. I constantly bottom out as I leave my local grocery store. It doesn't appear to hurt anything, but I feel the suspension hitting the stops fairly abruptly. The 2 exits there are perfect for torturing my front bump stops, at any speed. Annoying at least.
My suspension is soon to see some change, yet I do not desire to stiffen it more than needed. I currently have run flats on the factory 17" wheels, may pick up a set of 18" wheels and non RF tires if I do decide to track it. Our roads vary widely in quality (many great, many not-so great), I fear I'd probably damage rims if I went 19". And, I read of rear spring problems that require replacement.
I wish I could say money was no object, but I can't. Yet, I do not wish to go halfway to getting it right. Was leaning toward just tossing a set of Bilstein B6 struts on her and be done, but that would allow the spring issue to bite me later (are the rear springs that fragile)? Looking at the Bilstein B12 pro kit that is in my acceptable price range, and would drop the car a bit. Living right on the gulf coast, driving a dropped car just doesn't feel smart when water is on the roads (I've mostly driven large pickups the last 45+ years of driving). Dropping the car by an inch really shouldn't hurt, I do pretty much park this car when flooding is local- but lately we flood streets often.
I have held back asking for advice while reading previous threads- I know others have asked these same type questions. I cannot find much on e89 suspension mods. I searched many bimmer boards and found lots of info on the M's, 2's, 3 's, etc and much will apply- not all. If anyone has links to good info that applies, I'd greatly appreciate being pointed in that direction.
I see the various coil over kits, and see prices start at affordable then go up. I find little to no feedback on the lower end kits (like the HR CO kit). Does anyone have experience with these they'd share? Has anyone here just installed a set of Bilstein B6/B8 struts and seen much improvement? Are the rear springs enough a problem that they should be changed as I replace the struts?
Again, I want to see improvement in damping to eliminate/lessen the front bottoming out mostly, lessening body roll would be great also- (but I really don't want teeth rattling stiffness). I would love to track this thing, but the 99% of time not tracking it is where I want to feel the springs. Like people everywhere, I must allow for our roads and potholes. Since the board is a little slow, I figured I'd toss this out there to see what I can learn. I promise I've searched and read all the zed4 areas I'm aware of. I'd appreciate any/all info you guys/gals have, I'd love to learn from others (mistakes and successes). A grand or so is my goal, but willing to raise this some if the benefit clearly outweighs cost. If anyone knows where to find relevant info, or who to ask, I'd be grateful. I really have looked for info, and found lots- just very little that helps in this case. I do most of my own wrenching, so any tips will help. And lastly, I believe all bushings are still solid, but am not opposed to swapping bushes or other parts if needed (altho shocks/struts take dibs). Thanks much.
Edited for grammer and mo' questions... (and this was the short version)...
I'll read more...