Which coilovers for track day Z4C?

[Beesza]

Good Afternoon Zedders,

Late last year I dipped my toe into the world of track days with my stock Z4C, loved it and I’m hooked. The first major I want to make is to install aftermarket coilovers to lower the car and provide a more stable ride. I have a loose budget of around about £1k. They need to have damping adjustment and be sprung for the track but still be just about useable on the road. I’m willing to sacrifice road performance.

I’ve been scouring the forum and there are plenty of coilover threads but these are mainly pre-2017 or “for road use only”.

I’m keen to hear experiences from others who replaced their stock suspension.

Gaz GHA and Gold shocks have caught my eye as being reasonable priced, adjustable and can be provided with appropriate springs.

Similarly BC Racing BR or RM series also tick all the boxes.

KW v2’s and Bilstein B16 seem great but I think are beyond my budget.

Any other brands I should be looking at?

 

[TheDan]

I don't have the experience you are after as I am also looking for the same thing and asking the same questions

Another one I am considering that you haven't mentioned is YSR Club Performance 2-Way (as well as Gaz Gold and BC BR Series).

Unless I get any scathing reviews of them I'll probably end up with the BC BR Series.

EDIT: Also considering ST XTA.

 

[Beesza]

Just came across this which I found useful in understanding the GAZ range
https://suspensionsecrets.co.uk/budget-to-premium-coilovers-whats-the-real-difference/

 

[Ed Doe]

Do you have to have adjustable damping? I tracked my Z4c on bilstein b12s, they were less than 500quid for the kit, and performed really well on track as well road. Longevity wasn't great in my experience (a front burst after 3years and 25k) but for the money they offered a great compromise for trackdays and road driving. Otherwise a mate of mine runs the bc coilovers and rates them well.

 

[1536Z4]

Similarly BC Racing BR

After much research I went with the BC racing but they havn`t been tracked yet so cant advise you on that . On the road they are fine and are easy to adjust . I do get some NVH on the fronts but nothing major . Lucas mentioned about it on his post also but as he says the NVH could be getting increased by the strut brace that we both have fitted . https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=115885&start=150

 

[Beesza]

Do you have to have adjustable damping?

Twiddling knobs is just too much fun!

I’ve been a mountain biker all my life and had various suspension forks and shocks. Some which all the adjustments, some with none. Nothing worse than not being about to make the adjustments that you know the bike needs. I’m expecting the car to be similar on track

 

[Beesza]

I’ve decided to take the plunge on a set of Gaz Golds. They responded straight way to my order to collect details on my Z4C and what I wanted to do with it. I’ve gone for a separated rear damper and spring as per the BMW design rather than a full coilover. I can’t find any good reason why a full coilover is better on these cars so I don’t see the need to risk cracking the strut towers which are not designed for the spring loads. (I’m not planning on fitting a cage.)

It’ll take a few weeks for the new shocks to arrive so I’m hoping to fit in another track day so the performance of the BMW sports suspension is fresh in my mind when I try the Gaz’s