Airlift - SEMA

[TriAdX]

So, I was at SEMA this year and stopped by the AirLift booth and noticed they had a TON of performance set ups.

I was always under the impression that air set ups were NOT good for handling and performance... but after talking to an airlift rep.. he mentioned that they had an independent firm run track tests vs other performance set ups... and they came back with better times.

Does anyone have ANY REAL info on this? Real life testimonies?

I as asked him about the Z4M's and he said they had a set up for the M3 (although I cant find it on their site) and I assume that a suspension for the M3 can work on our z4mcoupes?

anyway, is a kit I found on their site.
http://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/95746/

Air vs coilover video:
http://player.vimeo.com/video/78528697?autoplay=1

http://player.vimeo.com/video/51467775?autoplay=1

[angelr]

I'm actually in touch with them regarding a z4m fitment. They need more info on what comprises our suspensions. I thought it was e36/z3m style up front and e46 rear. They didn't think that to be the case...

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by TriAdX

I assume that a suspension for the M3 can work on our z4mcoupes?

No. You'll need the front end from an E36 M3. If they make an E36 M3 kit that might work, except the strut travel on the MZ4 is shorter than the E36 M3, so you may not be able to go as low as you wish with an E36 M3 kit.

Years ago (okay, it was more like nearly a full decade) I had the opportunity to test out Bridgestone's Praxxis air suspension system on an E46. Unlike most air suspension at the time, the Praxxis kit is designed with performance enthusiast in mind, first and foremost, and the "dope drop" bag enthusiast wasn't even in their marketing material.

The kit they produced were comparable with entry level brand name coil overs, specifically the PSS-9s at the time. What was interesting, was the variable ride-height on the fly and how spring rates actually change as ride-height change on their air suspension. However, the problem with the kit, is the need for a nearly 50 lbs weight penalty vs. other high-end coil-over systems available, plus the air suspension can't match high-end suspension's ability to handle much higher spring rate for track only purposes.

The other problem was obviously the cost of entry. Praxxis air suspensions for the E46 were 2-3x the cost of a Bilstein PSS-9 type suspension for roughly the same performance gains.

I think, when properly developed, it could be a good system for a car that sees mostly street driven miles with half a dozen days at local tracks sprinkled in, for an enthusiast that isn't at the track for the last 1/10th second per lap. Unless there are drastic improvement of the system in the last 10 years, I still can't fathom it as a replacement for high-end coil overs, mainly those with 3 way adjustable, remote reservoir shocks that handle spring rates upwards of 600+ lbs/in.

As for the video comparison, I commented on another threat on the E90 board, but I suspect that the results are "fixed." It wouldn't be too difficult to produce said results from change in environment (temp, mostly) AND the fact that the tires are heat cycled out from testing on the air suspension first. In true comparison fashion, it would be better to do the coil over first, then the air suspension to show the "improvement," but they choose to run the air suspension first, then the coil overs.

By the time you put the coil over equipped car on track, it would be hotter (higher ambient temp = lower HP = lower lap time), plus the track may potentially be hotter leading to less grip in tires, AND the tires would have seem some serious whoopin' and performance degraded.

[angelr]

At least one of the engineers that worked on this airlift system is a former Praxxis engineer. I remember watching the development of that kit with some interest so this caught my attention as well.

[dubsesd]

There is a smokingtire review on YouTube wth an s4 and air suspension. He was also impressed with the performance. The s4 was using an accuair kit

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by angel@forgemotorsport.com

I'm actually in touch with them regarding a z4m fitment. They need more info on what comprises our suspensions. I thought it was e36/z3m style up front and e46 rear. They didn't think that to be the case...

The non M Z4s use the front and rear suspension from the E46, verbatim. The M versions use E36 M3 front suspension with shortened springs and strut travel, the rears are taken from E46 M3. The E36 M3 and E46 M3 rears are similar enough that parts are near interchangeable for springs and shocks, but the valving and shock travel are different.

You can make an E36 M3 suspension work on the MZ4 Coupe as long as you understand that you can't lower the front too much. The rears will bolt up but will require a lot of fine-tuning of shock settings to get it right.

[TriAdX]

Interesting. I am looking at my options for a full replacement (my suspension is completely shot from having to drive over literally 17 speedbumps a day in my neighborhood)....

What is the best bang for the buck on a full suspension?

[angelr]

They're going to send me a front and rear setup to test fit. I'll report back with results. If all works out I'll have it on track at roebling end of jan to shake it down. I have no doubt that a set of motons, jrz's, nitron's etc would be better but if it can match a mid level setup like pss10 or v3's I'll be happy. It's my daily and having the height adjustment would be welcome even though my cars are rarely very low, splitters don't like speed bumps and driveways.

[angelr]

For those curious everything initially supplied by airlift fit just fine. The only exception being the front camber/caster plates being oriented incorrectly. That should be relatively easy for them to correct so very soon they should have a ready made kit assuming the road and track testing go well.

[dubsesd]

How is the ride/handling? Where did you mount the tank and hardware? Any issues running the lines?

[angelr]

Haven't driven it yet. Should do that today more than likely. Tank and compressor were mounted on a plate that is mounted on rubber isolators and can be quickly removed via 4 bolts. All lines were run through existing grommets so the only holes drilled were the 4 that mount that plate. It can all be easily reversed although I hope not to have to resort to that.

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by dubsesd

There is a smokingtire review on YouTube wth an s4 and air suspension. He was also impressed with the performance. The s4 was using an accuair kit

http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/1...ir_suspension/

[angelr]

I've done about 200 miles on the airlift setup over the weekend. Initial impressions are good. I've not got many height presets worked out yet but the three I have input have already proven very useful. The wife and I took a trip to a local farm on saturday to buy some vegetables, eggs, chicken etc and if it hadn't been for the ability to enter 4x4 mode we would have had to turn around to go get her mk6 gti. Seems to handle pretty well in my limited time with it on the street, loads up the outside rear very quickly, but that could just be my imagination. Controls roll very well and is still quite compliant over dips and ruts.

I'll update further after the track event end of the month.

[angelr]

A pic I found on flicker from a show two weeks ago.



I have about 2500 miles on it now and some track time. Absolutely loving it, flexible, comfortable and handles very well.

[SHOR3N]

Thanks for reporting on the test fit.

Are the tank and compressor mounted in the trunk? How much space does it take up? And can I assume that no issues with speed bumps have been encountered?

Thanks
H.

[Small Yellow]

Quick thread jack. Why, for the M models, use e36 suspension and not just e46 M3? Id imagine e46 M3 would be better since newer design?

[M-Power M3]

Did not see this thread until now. It's good to see some M owners exploring Air.

I am currently running AirREX struts and Airlift management (v2). I had a full airlift kit on my previous car and I've owned both e46 non M's and an e46 M3 with different aftermarket suspension setups.

The airlift kits are very nice and perform very well but the AirREX kit is as close to coils as you can get IMO.

I drive 400 miles a week to and from work, through wine country back roads, and I have never had a problem with my setup. Performance is there, comfort is there and peace of mind is always there.

[DEG]

Originally Posted by angel@forgemotorsport.com

For those curious everything initially supplied by airlift fit just fine. The only exception being the front camber/caster plates being oriented incorrectly. That should be relatively easy for them to correct so very soon they should have a ready made kit assuming the road and track testing go well.

Just curious,
Has Airlift created a ready made kit for the Z4M yet?

Thanks!

[angelr]

They're nearly complete. Just waiting on a few last details and they'll be ready to offer.

[nekky]

Originally Posted by angel@forgemotorsport.com

They're nearly complete. Just waiting on a few last details and they'll be ready to offer.

Not gonna pin you to the wall for the answer, but approximate cost..?

[DEG]

Originally Posted by angel@forgemotorsport.com

They're nearly complete. Just waiting on a few last details and they'll be ready to offer.

Thanks Angel. Will look forward to your final update.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by Small Yellow

Quick thread jack. Why, for the M models, use e36 suspension and not just e46 M3? Id imagine e46 M3 would be better since newer design?

Because the front end of the MZ4 (roadster and coupe) came from the E36 M3 design, and while the rear end is E46 M3, the rears on the E36 M3 and E46 M3 are similar enough they're mounted geometrically the same thus somewhat interchangeable (spring rate and dampers are different between the E36 M3 and E46 M3).