Eibachs still the go to spring?

[SaltyNC]

I've bee doing some research, and it sounds like the Eibachs were very popular as a replacement for when the springs break on the Z4.

For a non-autocrossed, non-tracked Z4M roadster, where I simply wanted to replace the stock springs to avoid future breakage, are the Eibachs still the go to spring -- knowing that it will also lower the ride height slightly -- or has anything better come along? I don't want a stiffer track suspension.

Thanks!

Salty

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by SaltyNC

I've bee doing some research, and it sounds like the Eibachs were very popular as a replacement for when the springs break on the Z4.

For a non-autocrossed, non-tracked Z4M roadster, where I simply wanted to replace the stock springs to avoid future breakage, are the Eibachs still the go to spring -- knowing that it will also lower the ride height slightly -- or has anything better come along? I don't want a stiffer track suspension.

Thanks!

Salty

Do you have a broken spring or just looking for a lower ride? Mileage on current suspension?

If you're at 40k or thereabouts the original OEM shocks are almost certainly toast. In that case I'd recommend going with H&R Coilovers, or replacing both springs and shocks. H&R may be the ticket you're looking for given the desired application (street, stock ride or better, lowering capability).

[SaltyNC]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Do you have a broken spring or just looking for a lower ride? Mileage on current suspension?

If you're at 40k or thereabouts the original OEM shocks are almost certainly toast. In that case I'd recommend going with H&R Coilovers, or replacing both springs and shocks. H&R may be the ticket you're looking for given the desired application (street, stock ride or better, lowering capability).

Finnegan, I haven't had a chance to look at the spring, but I'm having some symptoms. I'm really not interested in lowering it, though slight lowering is OK. I have 32K miles on the current suspension.

I had heard the H&R springs are a bit rough for street use. Are the coilovers good for street driving?

Thanks for the info!

[DEG]

Originally Posted by SaltyNC

I've bee doing some research, and it sounds like the Eibachs were very popular as a replacement for when the springs break on the Z4.

For a non-autocrossed, non-tracked Z4M roadster, where I simply wanted to replace the stock springs to avoid future breakage, are the Eibachs still the go to spring -- knowing that it will also lower the ride height slightly -- or has anything better come along? I don't want a stiffer track suspension.

Thanks!

Salty

I have the Eibachs. Lowered it approximately 3/4" in the front and 1/2" in the back. I can't give you an apples to apples comparison on the ride because I paired the Eibachs with Bilstein HD's. But...they will lower your car as stated above.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by SaltyNC

Finnegan, I haven't had a chance to look at the spring, but I'm having some symptoms. I'm really not interested in lowering it, though slight lowering is OK. I have 32K miles on the current suspension.

I had heard the H&R springs are a bit rough for street use. Are the coilovers good for street driving?

Thanks for the info!

Paired with stock struts the H&R springs alone are, IIRC, more harsh than stock.

H&R Coilovers (new springs and paired new shocks) are considered to provide a better ride than stock (less harsh) as long as you don't lower too far. These are height adjustable, so you don't have to go for a big drop.

More info below. I really recommend changing both springs and shocks given age/mileage of the car. I'd check the end links and top hat while your at it too.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=620737

[Twixboy]

I was in the same position as you - I had a broken rear spring and was closing in on 60k miles. I decided to get new springs and shocks at the same time so I didn't have to do the work twice. I went with Eibach springs and Koni shocks because I didn't want a big drop and I wanted to retain a softer ride for street use. So far so good - my new setup actually feels more comfortable than my stock M sport suspension did on my 3.0i with the broken spring. The Koni's are adjustable so you can choose a softer setup if you want.

[3GFX]

I'm still looking into options for the spring.

I'm now debating, KSport coils as I've seen a lot of posts (on other car forums) about H&R's blowing out.

I've run B&G RS2 full coils in my jetta wit ha fairly aggressive setup and they lasted well but were very stiff.

There are so many options on www.ECStuning.com for good prices I'm having a tough time to decide. But doing the springs and struts already get's you into the price of some basic coil over systems.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by 3GFX

I'm still looking into options for the spring.

I'm now debating, KSport coils as I've seen a lot of posts (on other car forums) about H&R's blowing out.

I've run B&G RS2 full coils in my jetta wit ha fairly aggressive setup and they lasted well but were very stiff.

There are so many options on www.ECStuning.com for good prices I'm having a tough time to decide. But doing the springs and struts already get's you into the price of some basic coil over systems.

I'm not sure if I recall correctly but the H&R may have Bilstein shocks. If there's a concern (I haven't seen that here) then those might need to be avoided as well.

KW V3s usually get panned by the Z crowd as "too soft" even relative to stock.

The other option out there some folks seem to like for street--at the lower end of the price scale--are the base version of Fortune Coilovers. These have bearing options and spring rate options too. I'm down to that or H&R for a suspension refresh for my wife's ///M that sees street duty only, but where she wants a firmer than stock set-up (spring rate options lean me towards Fortune).

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=821246

[3GFX]

Anyone have any luck with Megan coils?

There seems to be many options but no consistent winner for price, reliability and performance.

List of Brands I've come across:

• H&R Coils ($1500) - Some have blown struts, but performance, height and price are good.
  
• ST ($980) - Made by KW, but has fixed damping (no corrosion protection)
  
• Megan Racing ($700-900) - Two options (cheap) haven't heard much
  
• Bilstein ($1800)- Good height and performance mix for price versus KW, but have shock blowing issues.
  
• KSport ($950) - Seem to be good all around, but haven't seen any reviews.
  
• KW ($1600-2500) - V1,V2,V3 most expensive, best all rounders and quality.
  
• Eibach Spring and Strut Kits ($600-900) - Good ride, good quality, good price, but no height adjustment. Depending on the damper you choose you may have adjustment there.

[Steeler]

You get what you pay for when it comes to coil overs IMO.

Can't go wrong with a good dropped coil and shock/strut combo.

Think about it, how many times are you going to "adjust" your ride height?

[3GFX]

Once...after I get wheels.

But it better ride damn near perfect after that height is set to the milimeter

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

You get what you pay for when it comes to coil overs IMO.

Can't go wrong with a good dropped coil and shock/strut combo.

Think about it, how many times are you going to "adjust" your ride height?

It's not how many times you adjust your ride height as much as it is getting it to the right height. With coilovers you get a bigger range of ride heights and once you get the right setting you can leave it. Also as 3GFX noted you can change the height based on the wheels you have on the car. If you daily drive it in the winter (it does snow in the mountains in NC, but I'm not sure where saltyNC lives) then you can raise the height to the max, then drop it down again in the summer. These considerations don't matter to most people, but they're worth mentioning in case any of them apply to the OP.

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

It's not how many times you adjust your ride height as much as it is getting it to the right height. With coilovers you get a bigger range of ride heights and once you get the right setting you can leave it. Also as 3GFX noted you can change the height based on the wheels you have on the car. If you daily drive it in the winter (it does snow in the mountains in NC, but I'm not sure where saltyNC lives) then you can raise the height to the max, then drop it down again in the summer. These considerations don't matter to most people, but they're worth mentioning in case any of them apply to the OP.

My point was that cheap coilovers will ultimately let you down(see what I did there). Whereas a comparatively priced coil and shock pairing will be of high quality and deliver quality performance.
Now if you are just after the slammed look fill your boots.

[SaltyNC]

Thanks everyone for the info.

[3GFX]

Chime in on your results and findings when you choose your setup!

[Bossdog]

My 2006 MR has 40K mikes. Anyone have experience auto Xing on the H&R coilovers? I'm not looking to go to nationals, just a good blend of good street ride and "competent " autocross capabilities.

[Vanne]

the H&R spring combo with Billstein HD shocks is a great combo, ride is better than stock and you get a little bit lower..

[Bossdog]

Originally Posted by Vanne

the H&R spring combo with Billstein HD shocks is a great combo, ride is better than stock and you get a little bit lower..

How about Body roll? More or less than Stock?

Are the Stock springs on the MR linear or progressive?

[Vanne]

not sure, my car had close to 130k miles on it when i re-newed the suspension, if it was the original, it was pretty shagged, 2 rear struts leaking slightly and a very annoyingly squeaking rear spring.

after the swap, my car was transformed, that said, i did replace pretty much every rubber bushing under the car. but yeah the car was like it was on rails, very very, very little to no body roll, i remember quantifying it versus my old Z3, which was like a wet blanket compared to the FOUR after the suspension swap.

I can't comment on versus stock as my car had a lot of miles on it when i got it, and lets just say that it did make night and day difference after the swap. Nfi if the stock springs are linear or progressive.

[Bossdog]

I read in the "Blogs" that stock springs were progressive. I have not officially confirmed that.

[Forbes]

Nope, standard non-m springs have a linear compression rate. Eibach springs have a progressive compression rate. It took about a 500 miles before my Eibachs were worn in.
I paired them with koni sports. Together, the ride is really good for street driving, maybe a bit soft. I have the fronts adjusted to firm. My only regret is that I left the rears at medium. They should also be firm.
As it is, potholes aren't no big thing and the car sits down nicely at 90 on the freeway and doesn't budge.

[Vanne]

I just wanna chime in that if your just going to replace the springs (H&R or Eibach), you'll probably get a harsher ride than stock as the stock struts are valved for a certain ride height, run the car lower and it will be harsher.. not only that, but you'll wear out the stock strut quicker than when using the correct stock spring with the stock strut.