Suspension refresh

C

cmaza

Member
Hey guys,

Im looking to refresh my suspension with a change of dampers and springs. Iv done a bit of reading and I think im going to go with bilstein b4s (but im open to suggestions). I dont particularly want to lower the car because of the notorious pot holes and speed bumps in london. What springs would you guys recommend?

Most importantly, what are the part numbers of the dampers and springs? When I google bilstein b4 i get a load of different kits and im not sure which ones I need (2004 e85).

TIA
 
philbo909 said:
I went for bilstein b4 and suplex msport springs, was like driving a new car.
Suplex 06248, 06231
Click to expand...

Just bought bilstein B4s as well and I'm about to buy springs. I'm looking into Suplex 06252 & 06228 which -after searching the forum- seem to be the OEM springs.
Are you happy with ride? I want to be able to do spirited driving on b roads (no track days) but want suppleness. When I bought the car, it had horrible AP coilovers but never actually decided which way to go so stuck with them.
Are 06252/06228 too soft? Are 06248, 06231 too firm? What do you reckon?
 
DOOM said:
philbo909 said:
I went for bilstein b4 and suplex msport springs, was like driving a new car.
Suplex 06248, 06231
Click to expand...


Just bought bilstein B4s as well and I'm about to buy springs. I'm looking into Suplex 06252 & 06228 which -after searching the forum- seem to be the OEM springs.
Are you happy with ride? I want to be able to do spirited driving on b roads (no track days) but want suppleness. When I bought the car, it had horrible AP coilovers but never actually decided which way to go so stuck with them.
Are 06252/06228 too soft? Are 06248, 06231 too firm? What do you reckon?
Click to expand...

Remember you have to factor in your choice of wheel diameter and tyres. Sorry if this throws you a curved ball :D
For the record, I run M suspension ( standard) and 18” wheels with Michelin Pilots on. Ride is firm but acceptable on a long run. I also have M seats. Best of luck, let us know the way you decide to go!
 
Thank you!
My beauty's shoes are squared style 108s (even though I just bought a 17inch style 148 winter set; in the process of deciding winter tires) and my tire choice is Vredestein Ultra Vorti 225/40/18.
I recently changed my non-M crappy leather seats for Lotus Elise ones.
 
DOOM said:
philbo909 said:
I went for bilstein b4 and suplex msport springs, was like driving a new car.
Suplex 06248, 06231
Click to expand...

Just bought bilstein B4s as well and I'm about to buy springs. I'm looking into Suplex 06252 & 06228 which -after searching the forum- seem to be the OEM springs.
Are you happy with ride? I want to be able to do spirited driving on b roads (no track days) but want suppleness. When I bought the car, it had horrible AP coilovers but never actually decided which way to go so stuck with them.
Are 06252/06228 too soft? Are 06248, 06231 too firm? What do you reckon?
Click to expand...
I think they're just right, I have no desire to change them
I hated eibach springs - scraping and didn't help the handling.
SE springs gave too much arch gap and a bit too much roll
06248 and 06231 are oem equivalent msport springs though if I remember right, but you could double check with suplex themself?
 
its all things to all men really, i dont worry about arch gap and it looking good when i have to surmount 6 inch speed bumps everyday, maybe i should just buy a range rover :|
 
road warrior said:
its all things to all men really, i dont worry about arch gap and it looking good when i have to surmount 6 inch speed bumps everyday, maybe i should just buy a range rover :|
Click to expand...
I never scrape speed bumps with my new ish msport suspension :thumbsup:
 
philbo909 said:
road warrior said:
its all things to all men really, i dont worry about arch gap and it looking good when i have to surmount 6 inch speed bumps everyday, maybe i should just buy a range rover :|
Click to expand...
I never scrape speed bumps with my new ish msport suspension :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

would you like my speed bumps ? i feel you need a challenge :) :rofl:
 
philbo909 said:
I'd imagine your problem lies in the struts having failed, not the speedbumps themselves
Click to expand...
philbo909 said:
I'd imagine your problem lies in the struts having failed, not the speedbumps themselves
Click to expand...
i accept that, but i would still like to shove my shagged strut up thr arse of the well meaning but misguided local official/counciller who thought it was a good idea to turn burton into a ramp jungle while ignoring the shitty roads they cant afford to repair cus they have built speed ramps instead. :fuelfire:
 
I'm running Bilstein B4's and Suplex springs. There are lots of Suplex springs for the Z4 which based on SE or sport, auto or manual, four or six cylinder etc. Phone Suplex UK and they will you find the right numbers.
 
Going to throw a spanner in the works here but I would actually avoid Suplex springs.

I fitted some rear springs to my E46 M3 as mine were cracked and the ride height actually increased, despite them being a like for like swap.

In terms of ride comfort they do the job, but following the increase in ride height I've decided to replace the entire suspension with the Bilstein B12 Pro Kit (B6 dampers with Eibach springs).

I would suggest either OEM or the Bilstein kit equivalent for the E85.
 
I refreshed my first Z4MC with B6's and retained the stock springs. LOVED that setup. Will eventually do the same with my current coupe.

Aren't B4's intended for a stock springs, not lowering springs? Even the superior B6's are not intended for use with lowering springs. Proper application when lowered would be B8's.
 
ok look, will someone please explain in simple terms wtf is a b4 ?
and while im at it, whats the point of a coilover, is it just to be pretty, is it better ? is it just for lowering ?
 
happy birthday!! mine is in 2 days time!!
Bilstein B4 is OE suspension replacement for UK's SE models, the plain one.
Differences between B4 & B6 can be found here:
https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/blogs/news/39943361-whats-the-difference-between-bilstein-b4-and-bilstein-b6
 
All the best RW :thumbsup: B4s are OEM replacement shocks except they are gas pressurized not oil filled, which is better :D This is the set I got from a German Ebay seller last April20190106_194801.jpg
Here : https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F332852757852 :thumbsup:
 
As stated B4s are slightly better than the original fitment. They are not particularly firm though so good if you like a comfortable ride. Remember Z4s have a harsh ride to start off with. I have B4s on my three road BMWs.
B6s are firmer. You will feel the potholes more, but might be right if you want a firmer ride and better handling. I have B6s on my road/track BMW. On the track I could happily go even firmer, on the road it is still just about tolerable ride comfort. A good compromise.
B4s and B6s will be fine on SE or M-Sport ride heights, the difference is not that much anyway. Extreme lowering will need B8s.

Suplex offer a lot of different springs to allow for differences in weight between auto and manual gearbox etc. You need to therefore get the right part number. Eibach just give a range that the springs will lower by and so you are not sure what it will be until fitted.
 
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