Z4m on CSL alignment vs standard

[Dablk]

is simpson motorsport still going?.. A friend drove his z4mc there from glasgow many years ago to have all this done. with anhost of other bits.

 

[RedUn]

If you mean pulling the camber pins, I’d suggest outside your house :wink:
It’s very easy to do, but sure you mark the starting position in case you want to reduce the negative camber back to OEM again.
It does improve turn in and reduce understeer, however, it also made mine tramline like a pig on furrowed motorways and A roads when coupled with 19” wheels and Eibachs.

I suspect he means trying to get an alignment done to 'CSL' spec (not that that is entirely possible with a Z4m, but let's glos over that small detail) or in fact anything different to what the computer says is correct for a z4m is beyond many alignment shop capabilities these days sadly. Asking them to set something outside the 'correct' range gets a confused face in return I've generally found.
Look for a decent race shop that can do your alignment as you wish, afraid I don't know of anything in your area.

Sorry, should have clarified, yes I mean this
I've had a similar experience where I've asked my local garages and they've been bewildered as to why I'd want to put another car's geometry on mine!

BMW have been known to put CSL geo on for you, if you ask really nicely... It's rather cheap too.

I doubt they would go full custom for you though

 

[TomK]

is simpson motorsport still going?.. A friend drove his z4mc there from glasgow many years ago to have all this done. with anhost of other bits.

Yes, I take my car there and will do anything you like with the geo. Fair old schlep for the op from leamington though, I'd have thought there would be somewhere closer that can do this.

BMW have been known to put CSL geo on for you, if you ask really nicely... It's rather cheap too.
I doubt they would go full custom for you though

Being pedantic it's impossible to put the CSL geo on a Z4M. You can get the camber/toe settings alright but the caster will be greater than a CSL due to the eccentric lollipop bush we have and is not adjustable on both cars.
So our cars will create more effective camber on lock than a CSL and there's nothing really you can do about it (nor might you want to).
effective camber = (static camber) - (caster x sin(wheel angle))
EG with -2.5 degrees camber and 7.4 (Z4M) or 6.5 (CSL) caster you get
Wheel angle Effective camber (Z4M) Effective Camber (CSL)
0 ----------- -2.5 ---------------------- -2.5
10 ----------- -3.8 ---------------------- -3.6
20 ----------- -5 ---------------------- -4.7

 

[RedUn]

Indeed to be technically correct

Not a bad thing I guess

 

[TomK]

Not a bad thing I guess

I've no real idea to be honest! Upon first appearances you might think so, but like so many things in suspension design one thing generally trades at the expense of another. It's an interesting nuance between the two in any case and I think the eccentric bush mod is/was popular with the m3 lot for the reason I explained above.

 

[Vanne]

Can anyone recommend a good place to get this done in Warwickshire? Standard alignment places won't do this and I'd prefer them to know what they're talking about too

If you mean pulling the camber pins, I’d suggest outside your house :wink:
It’s very easy to do, but sure you mark the starting position in case you want to reduce the negative camber back to OEM again.
It does improve turn in and reduce understeer, however, it also made mine tramline like a pig on furrowed motorways and A roads when coupled with 19” wheels and Eibachs.

I suspect he means trying to get an alignment done to 'CSL' spec (not that that is entirely possible with a Z4m, but let's glos over that small detail) or in fact anything different to what the computer says is correct for a z4m is beyond many alignment shop capabilities these days sadly. Asking them to set something outside the 'correct' range gets a confused face in return I've generally found.
Look for a decent race shop that can do your alignment as you wish, afraid I don't know of anything in your area.

Lol.. this is sooo true...

 

[synthedup]

Coincidence, I have asked my alignment to be set to the CSL spec. Mine is a non -M though but running coilovers. Will this be ok?

 

[RedUn]

Yes of course it'll be OK, just get used to it once it's setup, it'll be much more lively than before