Suspension Question....

While you're at it...

I can't answer the questions you've posted but I can recommend that while the entire rear interior of your coupe is torn apart to change the rear shocks, you should install either the Ground Control or Ron Stygar rear shock mounts. They'll allow you to change the rear shocks from the outside of the car, saving you a few hours in tear down and reassembly time.

The replacement shock mounts do a few things for you:

1) Greatly ease changing the shocks at a later date.

2) A number of people have reported that their stock rubber shock mounts have failed on the coupe, some in as little as 10K miles. The urethane bushings in the GC mount (and, I imagine, in the Stygar mount) eliminate that concern. For the record my coupe's stock mounts were fine at 42K miles when I changed to the GC mount.

3) The urethane mounts greatly reduce the "slopiness" of the rubber mount. The ride is a bit firmer because the rubber mount is no longer in place, flexing to absorb small bumps; that's now left to your springs and shocks.

I have the GC mounts, but had I known about Ron Stygar's mounts I would have probably bought his when I went this route. I have seen a report that the bolts on the GC mount aren't sufficiently affixed to the mount plate and can break loose when you try to remove the locknuts from below. If this happens, you'll have to dismantle the interior to gain access to the bolts and continue disassembly.

Mike

Here are some pictures & text

See here:

http://www.z3roadster.net/articles/detailing_shocks_and_springs_replacement.asp

Shawn

When I was thinking of adding koni shocks I considered coilovers. But was asked if I planned on tracking the car. I said no, he then told me to forget about coilovers. If you go with them.

You will have to go to a shop and have each corner of the car balanced. I used the original shocks. I didn't want to lower the car anymore that it already is. I was afraid of hitting the front spoiler on concrete wheel stops or curbs.

If you lower the car more (by using aftermarket springs) you will add MORE negative camber to your rear wheels. You have some already. Just my ideas.

GSXR Drew said:

Guys, it's time to upgrade my suspension in my Z3 Coupe. I want to do the H & R Springs, and Bilstein shocks. I dont really need adjustables, but I was wondering what everyone thought would work well.

My initial thought was to go with Coil Overs, but for $1200, I thought that was a little steep. My second thought would be to buy the springs and the Bilsteins as separates. I think this would save me some money and offer me the performance that I am looking for on the street. I dont plan to autocross the car.

Also what other setups are available?

Where can I get the best pricing?

Are the suspensions in the M coupe/Z3 coupe interchangable?

Are the suspensions in the previous Z3 coupes interchangable as well?

Your thoughts on this would be highly appreciated...

Click to expand...

Coil-overs are already present on your car, of course. I think you should take another look at coil-over kits, because normally coil-over kits comes with shocks and springs that's calibrated together or mated for a better balance. If you get springs and shocks seperately you'll end up paying a lot more.

You should probably look at swaybars first too. They are far more cost effective in improving handling.