coilovers. z3

[darcy]

Hi all. I have a 1.9 z3 1997.
What coilovers have you guys fitted and what work best.
I like to go low. As in the rim of the wheel just about in the arch. I know that handling won't be the best but I like the low and slow approach to life.
Cheers darcy

 

[Shelly]

Morning @darcy
I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help you out

 

[GazHyde]

My advice is not to skimp and buy cheap coil overs. Stay away from the sub £300 kits as they really not suit the Z3, as I've learnt from bitter experience. Bought a set of JOM Bluelines, already switch the rears back to standard and will be sorting the fronts very soon. Didn't get much of a drop with them anyway, and the ride at the rear was appalling.

 

[t-tony]

I would say get the best you can afford, if your budget is low leave it alone until you have more cash.

Tony.

 

[darcy]

I like to go low and the cheaper coilover let you. Had both cheap and expensive on cars before. The top end are fantastic I agree but how bad are cheaper coilover (FK, TA) on the Zed's. It's not going to be a track car as it's only the 1.9. Have another car and van for work/long drives so the Z3 is just a toy. APs look a good price but only a 60mm drop.

 

[Stormy_be]

BC Racing are good value for their money
...they are not the cheapest....but as most of the times, you get what you pay for.

 

[Dino D]

I've played with coilovers a bit now but from a handling point of view, not to go as low as possible but can comment on FK and BC.

I first had FK Silver lines that can with the car and that could go quite now at the back, I think if you fitted it without the the spring adjusters you might get the wheel in the arch.
You can also use thinner spring pads (or even no pads).

The FK's weren't bad but they weren't perfect for me - from a driving on the road point of view. It was low and cornered flat but wasn't as confident as it is today.

I think they get a bit over rated because they have German parts (I think it's Koni shocks) but they were not as good as the BC racing I have now that have no German parts.
If they had adjustable damping they might be better. The set I had was just ride height adjustable.

To go low and drive moderately the FK will probably be more than fine for you. The rear spring is short and is progressive rate but is still very firm so should help counter bottoming out.

The BC racing setup I have now 6kg front and 8kg rear) is just great.
The 8kg rear spring is too long for you to go very low though (I have about 20mm arch gap at the rear with no spring adjuster in, just the spring pads).

I had the 6kg in the rear before that - that spring was shorter than the 8kg and might get you the drop you want.
I didn't get on with them over bumpy roads as the rear swing arm bottomed out with them on typical roads.
On smooth roads no problem or just cruising about you'll probably be fine.
The adjustable damping speed really helps to tune the ride how you like and suit the way your drive/roads you use.
I wouldn't want to be without that feature again.

Hope that helps.

Ps have a look at the US forums - they have plenty of very low Z's. They seem to have more spring choice there though (many use BC struts and Swift springs to get the ride heights they want).

 

[Stormy_be]

Dino, BC would be able to deliver 8kg springs with less height without any problem.
It's a question of how low you want to go....and it will reduce the max damping.

 

[Dino D]

Dino, BC would be able to deliver 8kg springs with less height without any problem.
It's a question of how low you want to go....and it will reduce the max damping.

Good to know, I wasn't offered any thing else but the 8kg standard version you've seen, didn't know that much to ask about varying heights in the same weight.
In any case it's worked out great as its just the height it should be (corner weighted) and not too low.

Good idea for the OP to speak with whichever company he chooses to check all the spring options to get the super low height he's looking for.

 

[Dino D]

My advice is not to skimp and buy cheap coil overs. Stay away from the sub £300 kits as they really not suit the Z3, as I've learnt from bitter experience. Bought a set of JOM Bluelines, already switch the rears back to standard and will be sorting the fronts very soon. Didn't get much of a drop with them anyway, and the ride at the rear was appalling.

Sorry to hear that Gaz.
Grab a ride in mine this Sunday, it's driving even better than when you last saw it now it has 8kg rears and alignment/camber/corner weights.
Looks a bit different too, I've even made extra effort to polish the Supersprint pipes!

 

[g8jka]

I have run the cheap TA Tecnix coilovers for about 8 months now and I don't seem to have any trouble with them, but maybe its just me as everybody else who has fitted them to a zed seems to have problems. Yes, they are a little harder than the previous Eibach springs I had but that was to be expected and I find the handling just as good, if not better, although this is completely my opinion.

I would fit a better kit if my budget allowed, but I thought I would give them a try as they were cheap and they do the job I wanted. I don't track the car, but do drive it daily and I still have them fitted 8 months down the line. I've got the ride height just how I wanted at the front and the handling is spot on for how I drive the car and I can live with the ride being a little harder. The only negative is that the rear springs are not the best as the adjusters don't do a lot, even on there lowest setting they are no lower than the standard ride height.

Like you say, if you like the low and slow approach and are not a spirited driver they maybe suitable. If your not prepared to spend £300 plus on a better set, but want to go low then cheap is your only option as a normal set of lowering spring just might not give you the drop you are after. You are able to buy just the front set up in the cheap kits I believe, then buy a decent set of lowering springs for the rears, as the drop and ride will be better.

@gookah also has a set fitted, complete with 19's and uprated bushes and his does ride fairly harsh, but I don't think he finds them too much of a problem even if he is old and they shake his bones around a little

 

[gookah]

@gookah also has a set fitted, complete with 19's and uprated bushes and his does ride fairly harsh, but I don't think he finds them too much of a problem even if he is old and they shake his bones around a little

I do find them a bit of a bone shaker to be honest, not helped by 30 series 19inch tyres and poly bushes. The rears don't seem to be the best so I may change those springs back to the Eibachs, as the TA springs seem to have the middle coils touching each other.
Also I have vacuumed a lot of my fillings up from the carpet recently not to mention a few new rattles and clonks have appeared. (as well as on the car)
I will keep them on over winter and see in summer if I still have a spine. then decide.

 

[GazHyde]

Sorry to hear that Gaz.
Grab a ride in mine this Sunday, it's driving even better than when you last saw it now it has 8kg rears and alignment/camber/corner weights.
Looks a bit different too, I've even made extra effort to polish the Supersprint pipes!

Sounds good, can't wait to see how far your car has come in since I last saw it.

I need to get a new exhaust before the weekend so will probably end up going to long life in Basingstoke...

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Shame @GazHyde , I've just got a long-life exhaust attached to a 1.9, don't think it'll fit yours

 

[GazHyde]

Shame @GazHyde , I've just got a long-life exhaust attached to a 1.9, don't think it'll fit yours

Sadly not, but thanks for thinking of me! Will most likely be a long life I'll get fitted otherwise I'm going to be very noisy for the cruise at the weekend...