pHilli0 said:
alanhasanicez4m said:
I am literally having the same thoughts. Toying between V3s and Clubsports. Road vs track. I can't make up my mind lol. I would love to know how, for an amateur but competent driver, V3s would be WORSE on the track than CSs in the real world. OK I get the linear spring argument, and that the CS are a "proper" track focused product. But for me, would I turn up to the track and be disappointed with V3s? How much better than stock and worse than CS are they.
Why don't you make a V3-CS hybrid, like on the normal Z4.
On the normal Z4, the V3 set is also delivered with linear springs.
The only difference between V3 and clubsport are the springs on the front absorbers. Thats it.
The rear is all the same: z4 V3, z4 CS, z4m V3, Z4m CS. Same springs, same valving in the struts etc.
On the z4m the front struts are obviously a little bit different (due to different steering knuckle), but the rest is the same. Both z4m v3 and CS have same valving as normal z4 V3 and CS. And both CS versions have the same spring (70N/mm-170mm). Only with the V3 the z4m version has a progressive spring, and on the z4 it has a linear spring, but a little bit softer than the clubsport (50N/mm-170mm).
So you can easily put a 50N/mm-170mm spring on a z4m clubsport strut and have a linear V3 set. It's that easy.
Also the only difference between z4 and z4m is the initial setting on the front axle due to the heavy s54 engine.
on the normal z4 it's rebound 8 clicks open, bump 12 clicks open and on the z4 it's rebound 8 clicks open and bump 6 clicks open.
Rear settings are all the same (same parts), and there also isn't a difference in initial damping settings between V3 and clubsport.
The linear springs give a more predictible way of compression, but you loose some comfort on small bumps/tyre noise as the progressive spring is a bit softer on the first few mm of compression.
So you can either buy a z4m clubsport set with 2 lighter springs, or a a4m V3 set with linear springs, top spring perc, helper spring and spring spacer. Whatever is cheaper (mind you, afaik clubsport sets don't come with warranty!, because they're 'intended' for track use)
I think a seperate spring from KW is about €70,-, but obviously you can also use a different supplier.
exdos said:
The problem with the Z4M's OEM suspension, particularly the E86M, is the rear springs are way too stiff at 19mm thick and the front springs are way too soft at 11mm thick. Any of the aftermarket adjustable suspensions which have rear springs of around 16mm thick and front springs of around 14mm thick will be a considerable improvement on OEM , especially when you can also adjust the damper settings to suit your purpose. For a "general purpose" Z4M that set a few trackdays, KWV3 or Bilstein B16, with stainless steel dampers, will be ideal.
I don't think the spring wire size is thàt thick
For instance the rear wire size from KW for V3 and clubsport is only 12,2mm and not 16mm, and the front spring is more like 10mm.
But wire size is not the only measure for the stiffness of the spring (number of windings is another one) so brands can vary.
Also the bilstein B16 are not stainless steel but have a zinc coating (probably electropolished) with a seperate top coat (maybe nickelbased).
Only KW and H&R have (afaik) stainless shock bodies on part of their delivery program.
The V3 ride is excellent.
Liverpool