|
|
04-14-2024, 06:52 PM | #1 |
Private First Class
52
Rep 119
Posts |
New shocks, new struts and new springs
This weekend I kicked off my Z4 upgrades and maintenance.
My Z doesn’t have adaptive suspension so the upgrade path is easy. I chose Bilstein B4 which is supposed to have a similar ride quality to stock. I thought about B8’s but my wife already complains about the “bumpy ride”, and here in Michigan we are known as the pothole state. That’s why I’ve stayed with 18” wheels and dumped the run-flats shortly after buying the car. I did opt for the Eibach sport springs which lowers the front and rear slightly. The new spring install on the rear was by far the most difficult job. Shocks were super easy to swap out. I will install the struts next weekend. All the bits and pieces are new except for the nuts that hold the top shock mount in place. I neglected to order those but no harm done. I also bought a replacement drivers side seat belt and will install it this week. Why? The current belt is frayed along one edge and the seat belt mechanism would not retract consistently. It may be extended for a week, then all of a sudden it would work as it should. A few years ago my local indie shop quoted about $585 for parts and labor. FCP Euro had the seat belt for $150. I will say this… A mid-rise scissor car lift is on my shopping list. I haven’t broached that subject with my wife yet.
__________________
2009 BMW Z4 35i
2009 Infiniti EX35 Journey AWD 2017 Lincoln MKC AWD Last edited by Drummer$Dude; 04-14-2024 at 06:59 PM.. Reason: Photo formatting. |
04-15-2024, 03:28 AM | #2 |
Captain
220
Rep 811
Posts
Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country
|
And the ride is?
Surprised the rear springs were a struggle … Good write up!
__________________
Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport
Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886 |
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2024, 10:09 AM | #3 | |
Private First Class
52
Rep 119
Posts |
Quote:
And B21, I thought you'd like the color of my spring compressor, which by the way makes it super easy to remove/install strut springs.
__________________
2009 BMW Z4 35i
2009 Infiniti EX35 Journey AWD 2017 Lincoln MKC AWD |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2024, 04:18 PM | #5 | |
Captain
220
Rep 811
Posts
Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country
|
Quote:
__________________
Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport
Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-12-2024, 05:17 PM | #6 |
Private First Class
52
Rep 119
Posts |
Hello all. I finally completed the strut install. I’ve had a few weekends filled with family activities so started the strut install last weekend and finished it up today. I put about 30 miles on the road and can report the ride feels balanced and controlled. Shallow potholes are handled with ease, which is important here in the pothole state. No, I don’t make it a habit to run over them but sometimes they can’t be avoided.
Like most people I struggled with removing the old strut from the carrier but after giving it some thought I made a “tool” using a 2x4 about 3ft in length with a cutout on one end so it would fit around the old strut. I then took another piece of 2x4 about 10”-12” long and placed that piece between the carrier and the long 2x4. I was then able to push down on the long 2x4 until the strut popped out the carrier. Also the Schwaben Spindle Housing Spreader Tool worked very well. I’ll draw up a simple diagram and share it tomorrow.
__________________
2009 BMW Z4 35i
2009 Infiniti EX35 Journey AWD 2017 Lincoln MKC AWD |
Appreciate
2
Weaselbeak3.50 B21219.50 |
05-13-2024, 01:36 PM | #7 |
Private First Class
52
Rep 119
Posts |
Here's my "Flintstones" tool. LOL It really did work well.
__________________
2009 BMW Z4 35i
2009 Infiniti EX35 Journey AWD 2017 Lincoln MKC AWD |
Appreciate
0
|
05-13-2024, 01:49 PM | #8 | |
Captain
220
Rep 811
Posts
Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country
|
Quote:
__________________
Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport
Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-16-2024, 09:00 AM | #9 |
Private First Class
52
Rep 119
Posts |
I figured I’d post an update after 100 miles on the new Bilstein and Eibach setup. Yesterday was perfect weather, 80 degrees and sunny so the top was down for about 50 miles at speeds up to 80 mph.
I’m very happy with the suspension. It’s firm but comfortable, handles corners well. Because I bought my Z used I can’t compare the original suspension to what I have now. Once I get the wheel spacers installed I’ll post a few photos.
__________________
2009 BMW Z4 35i
2009 Infiniti EX35 Journey AWD 2017 Lincoln MKC AWD |
Appreciate
0
|
06-16-2024, 04:25 PM | #10 | |
Captain
220
Rep 811
Posts
Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country
|
Quote:
__________________
Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport
Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-16-2024, 05:29 PM | #11 |
Private First Class
31
Rep 117
Posts |
what are the obvious signs of bad shocks without taking them out?
__________________
2012 E89 35i Mineral weiss M sport,2011 ML 350 CDI
ex: E93 335i alpine white M sport,2010 black/beige M6 V10 6MT,2008 D3 S8,2002 D2 S8,2013 X166 |
Appreciate
0
|
06-16-2024, 09:39 PM | #12 |
Captain
627
Rep 654
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-17-2024, 05:28 PM | #13 |
Private First Class
52
Rep 119
Posts |
For my Z it started with the right strut leaking and when hitting bumps at speed the wheel would skitter rather than absorbing the bump.
__________________
2009 BMW Z4 35i
2009 Infiniti EX35 Journey AWD 2017 Lincoln MKC AWD |
Appreciate
0
|
06-30-2024, 10:36 PM | #14 |
Private First Class
31
Rep 117
Posts |
who had b4 b6 and b8?
my rear shocks appear to be done at 208kkm,i like spirited driving so not sure if i should go b6 or b8,btw they are not cheap at all,for my e93 they were lot cheaper
__________________
2012 E89 35i Mineral weiss M sport,2011 ML 350 CDI
ex: E93 335i alpine white M sport,2010 black/beige M6 V10 6MT,2008 D3 S8,2002 D2 S8,2013 X166 |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2024, 03:10 AM | #15 | |
Captain
220
Rep 811
Posts
Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country
|
Quote:
https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/bl...nd-bilstein-b8
__________________
Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport
Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2024, 06:36 AM | #16 | |
Private First Class
31
Rep 117
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2012 E89 35i Mineral weiss M sport,2011 ML 350 CDI
ex: E93 335i alpine white M sport,2010 black/beige M6 V10 6MT,2008 D3 S8,2002 D2 S8,2013 X166 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2024, 04:00 PM | #17 |
Captain
220
Rep 811
Posts
Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country
|
If you have non adaptive dampers
__________________
Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport
Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886 |
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2024, 03:29 AM | #19 |
Captain
220
Rep 811
Posts
Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country
|
__________________
Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport
Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886 |
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2024, 08:48 AM | #20 |
Private First Class
31
Rep 117
Posts |
i think you are wrong,b4 and b6 will fit but b8 should fit only lowered springs lower than stock m sport,
b4 twintube fits my vin according to parts store so i ordered them,b6 is monotube but out of stock everywhere also ordered new upper and lower rubber spring pads from bmw because i couldnt find them anywhere else
__________________
2012 E89 35i Mineral weiss M sport,2011 ML 350 CDI
ex: E93 335i alpine white M sport,2010 black/beige M6 V10 6MT,2008 D3 S8,2002 D2 S8,2013 X166 |
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2024, 03:51 PM | #21 | |
Captain
220
Rep 811
Posts
Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country
|
Quote:
__________________
Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport
Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2024, 03:53 AM | #22 |
Private First Class
31
Rep 117
Posts |
ok ill measure old and new shocks when i take them out but on my e93 m sport i was able to install black sachs which is equivalent to b4 2 years ago
__________________
2012 E89 35i Mineral weiss M sport,2011 ML 350 CDI
ex: E93 335i alpine white M sport,2010 black/beige M6 V10 6MT,2008 D3 S8,2002 D2 S8,2013 X166 |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|