Z4MC Suspension Setup

[ess]

Have owned the Z4MC for 7 years now, no mods other than OEM ZF shift knob and OEM Front strut brace.
29k miles since purchase, so now on 42k.

It's a keeper, so ready for some improvements. Thoughts :

1. Evolve Carbon Airbox and Remap : £3K
https://www.evolveautomotive.com/evolve-carbon-fib...

2. KW Clubsport Coileovers : £2.75 + fitting
https://www.kwsuspensions.co.uk/shop/BMW_Z4_CoupeE8603_200601_2009_E86_M_Petrol_252KW_3246ccm_wGBZIDLrYebiboYslvti5g../57/Clubsport

3. Exhaust : Many options : Many prices.
In combination with item 1

Preference likely the KW Clubs Sport's, as more than happy with S54 performance. Z4MC has always been let down by chassis setup.
Weekend car only; not tracked, but could do in the future. KW Clubsport option based on WWW research.

Just wondered if anyone has experience/could recommend for installation and geometry set-up ?

Thanks for your help in advance

S

Edited by ess on Thursday 6th August 20:44

[Mr Tidy]

I've only had my MC just over 7 months, but am having the same dilemma regarding suspension!

It came fitted with H & R coil-overs that were set so low I couldn't get over speed bumps, so I got them set as high as they would go and at least it doesn't ground out any more. But as coil-overs go they are pretty basic as the only adjustment is for ride height - no pre-load, rebound, etc. and the ride quality is pretty poor because the springs are so stiff!

But it came with the set of Eibach springs that came off when the coil-overs were fitted, plus a set of H & R lowering springs that were on the seller's previous MC.

Sadly although I also got 8 OE shocks they all date from 2006 so it doesn't seem worth using any of those.

As my car will never see a track I was thinking of getting the Eibachs fitted along with a new set of Bilstein B6 shocks, but after speaking to my local BMW Indy Will at TWG Automotive in Camberley the other day he said he thought the H & R springs might be better for a road car so now I just need to buy some B6s and see how that combination feels. I'll keep the Eibachs for now just in case.

It's probably worth visiting z4forum.com to see what other options people have tried and how they got on with them, but what people like seems to depend on how they want their car to feel and how they plan to use it, which is why I'm still not entirely sure.

It seems to be a bit of a minefield, so good luck with whatever you decide to go for and I'd love to know how it works out! I'll post an update on my set-up once I've got it done.

Anyway if you are anywhere near Camberley I'd recommend contacting Will. He is ex-Sytner and used to race in the BMW Compact Cup but now races a Legend, so he can also do a full alignment to whatever settings you want.

I've read about intake mods but my car came with Powerflow back boxes fitted and I love how they sound, so for now I've no plans for a Gruppe M, etc.

Above all just enjoy!

[tertius]

I had a Z4MC which had coil overs fitted - Intrax 1K2 - and one thing to bear in mind is that the Z4 was not designed for coil overs at the rear - the standard setup is a separate damper and a barrel spring.

This means two things need to be borne in mind:
1. The strut tower is not built to carry the load of a coil over, only a damper;
2. The strut tower is an awfully tight fit for a coil over and you may get a lot of rubbing/noise - I did - but if the coil over is “narrow” it may well be fine

Eventually I switched it back to a separate spring/damper setup, though still using Intrax kit (which was superb).

[ess]

Thank you both for sharing knowledge/experience. Appreciated.

S

[matty13]

The main mods I have done to mine are as follows,

Vibra technics engine mounts
Bilstein b12
Einesman race exhaust
M track mode
Eventuri intake
Custom alignment

At a push you could get that lot for 3k, it would certainly make a big difference to your car. For me the mods have made it the car it should have been from factory.