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      11-01-2019, 10:02 AM   #1
winnipegz4m
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Whats the best Street option today?

Hey Gang - my car is away for the winter, so time to start planning and spending for next year!

I currently have Bilstein B6's of unknown provenance and 2 yr old Eibach Prokits. I don't track it - this is a summer daily driver, on rough city streets.
  • The Eibach's lowered more than I thought they would. The front is almost tucked under the lip. Look great, but...
  • The feel great, until I hit anything more than an inch or two, and then its a loud bang that has my checking my strut towers daily.

So - I'm looking for something that keeps me lower, but allows the front to be adjusted a bit, and something that's going to be less nerve wracking on city streets. Coilovers with some kind of street spring combo seems to be the right path to dial in the drop.

Bilstein seems to be out of stock and not restocking.

SO - what are the good options now? KW? Koni? Fortune?

I don't want to overbuy a crazy race set up for my daily commute and lake country blasts, but I'm happy to spend for good product.

Right now I'm looking hard at the Fortunes with the remote adjustment --- cool stuff.

And bonus question - what else should I do at the same time?
I don't think I need adjustable pillowball mounts as I'm not tracking, but open to opinions if there's value to be found there. But - I know people do ZHP LCAs, different mounts, strut tower bars, etc. Point me in the right direction!

And - thank you in advance.
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      11-13-2019, 07:15 AM   #2
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I actually have the same questions, but I'm stock. Was leaning toward hunting down the B6/B8 and pairing with eibachs, but came to similar conclusions as you (though I'd probably live with the drop if I could actually find the Bilsteins!). Through all my searching, I've landed on the KW v3, but it seems a bit spendy for our needs.
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      11-13-2019, 09:04 PM   #3
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@reborn --- My other complaint about the eibach biltein setup is that sharp impacts - like any kind of lip, crack, etc., absolutely hammers the chassis. Feels like it bottoms out completely - couple of times I've pulled over to check the shock towers. Streets are bad here, but not that bad.
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      11-14-2019, 02:33 PM   #4
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I'm going through the same thoughts with my car, although still on stock suspension but running 19 inch BBS wheels.

I adore my car but the ride is so harsh. I never track it so I don't need a race setup. I just want something that is more composed on bumpy roads but still enjoyable for the occasional spirited weekend drive.
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      11-15-2019, 07:44 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by winnipegz4m View Post
@reborn --- My other complaint about the eibach biltein setup is that sharp impacts - like any kind of lip, crack, etc., absolutely hammers the chassis. Feels like it bottoms out completely - couple of times I've pulled over to check the shock towers. Streets are bad here, but not that bad.
Thank you for the insight.

To both, from what I have read, the kw v3 is pretty unanimously called out to be good for comfort as well as track use (which I find hard to believe, but willing to trust other forum members). It will also give you the benefit of dialing in your drop exactly how you want it.
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      11-15-2019, 01:17 PM   #6
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Bilstein PSS10 FTW! Simple one knob adjustment than can be done without lifting the car.
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      11-20-2019, 12:02 AM   #7
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I really like my Ground Control school kit. I purposely went with soft rates (375f/450r) so that it'd be comfortable for everyday driving while still capable for the occasional track day. For street, I set the shocks at 1/2 turn from full soft and find it perfect - still handles way better than factory but no jarring effect even on the worst roads. It actually rides softer than my old 135is that had BMW Performance shocks + Dinan springs. Height wise, I'm basically 1/2" lower than stock so to anyone else it looks factory (i.e. not slammed).

Also think the kit is reasonably priced considering it includes camber plates, rear shock mounts and rear spring perch plates.

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      12-02-2019, 06:43 PM   #8
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I have loved my PSS10 set up. I turn it down to 2 on the street and it is as smooth as I would ask out of a sports car. I turn it from 8-10 on the track and it is plenty stiff for most drivers track day.
Incase anyone is interested in a used set up mine is coming off in the next month along with Ground control camber plates and RE RSMs.
I have MCS double adjustable set up with race plates on order😝!
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      12-19-2019, 10:45 AM   #9
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I had a similar setup to yours on my Roadie, with similar issues regarding SW Ontario roads. After consultation with a well respected member of the local ZMC/R community, I settled on the KWV3s, as I do not track my car. I initially ran the car on the settings recommended by KW, but have since softened the front slightly and am very satisfied with the results.
FYI I bought my set from Demon Tweeks in the UK - the landed price in Canada was MUCH cheaper than from US retailers, largely due to the weakness of Sterling. Delivery was quick and in my case there was an added benefit of no duty payable�� you may also want to check out Nitron, a UK manufacturer of high performance coil overs....but once again, pricing is much better ordering direct from UK.
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      12-20-2019, 01:46 PM   #10
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Thank you for the feedback, BRad & Manx!
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      03-11-2020, 02:33 PM   #11
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I don't own a Z4M, however I have been running a non-stock setup for 40K miles now. I have H&R springs/Bilstein Sports. I have poly top mounts in the rear and stock top mounts in the front. I have poly front and rear lower control arm bushings. The rest of the rear end is poly. The front sway bar bushings are poly. I have yet to change the rear sway bar bushings from stock.

If you want a stiff ride I suggest this. If I had to redo it, I would go with a good set of coilovers. But this was cheaper and I don't need to mess around with ride height. It's fantastic honestly. I love it.
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      03-12-2020, 09:15 AM   #12
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KW V3, yes ride is amazing, as far as track performance go it defenitely has a lot to be desired, though it is very easy to drive with (this is on my 370Z btw), the Z4M has KW Clubsports and it is still reasonably comfortable

For street leaning coilovers, I'd say Bilstein PSS10 or KW V3, both offer on road comfort yet can swing some decent laptimes down, and have great long term reliability.

If you are ordering KW, get in touch with my friends at Alpha Motorsports in Toronto, they often times have bulk KW orders that you can get a killer deal on.
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      04-07-2020, 08:58 PM   #13
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Thank you kyriian !
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      04-29-2020, 08:54 AM   #14
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Any thoughts on the TC Kline (Koni) offerings?

I am thinking of dialing back my setup as the KW clubsport is overkill for the usage my car now sees and the stiffness has worn me down. Can I achieve a better street feel on the clubsport or is a change necessary?

Last edited by 86Zed; 04-29-2020 at 09:05 AM..
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      05-02-2020, 01:13 PM   #15
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      05-06-2020, 07:03 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 86Zed View Post
Any thoughts on the TC Kline (Koni) offerings?
Have the DA setup on our Z4M and older M3. E86 sees more track time. E46 sees a little track, is a fair weather daily, and does some grand touring including a 10K mile transcontinental jaunt on that suspension. Very pleased with the suspension kit, paired with H&R bars on M3 and Hotchkiss on Z4, and stiffer than stock bushings and mounts throughout. Have a choice of springs and settled on fairly stiff ones, heavier on the M3 and a step stiffer rear to front on both cars. Tend to leave rebound alone once adjusted and set compression per track and load. The setup is very configurable for what it is. Installation and maintenance - what there has been - both easy and straightforward. TCK easy to deal with and happy to provide advice. I’ve recommended this suspension before. Caveat: I wouldn’t bother with the SA. Tried that and moved to the DA.
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Last edited by Banang0; 05-06-2020 at 07:09 PM..
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      06-01-2020, 06:38 PM   #17
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I have been really impressed with BC Racing on another car and intend to try them on my Z4M when the time comes.

https://www.bcracing-na.com/product/...ries-2006-2008
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      06-10-2020, 01:10 PM   #18
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Lower ride height or ride quality...pick one. I think the stock Z4M suspension is quite harsh on bad roads and coilovers are going to be even more track oriented so not sure if you'll get the ride quality you're after.

I put 3.0si non-sport rear springs in mine, BIG improvement. See my post here:

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showpos...65&postcount=2

My next move will probably be OEM Sachs dampers and call it a day. For even more comfort, you can get 17" wheels for more tire sidewall
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      09-17-2020, 01:31 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
I really like my Ground Control school kit. I purposely went with soft rates (375f/450r) so that it'd be comfortable for everyday driving while still capable for the occasional track day.
What dampers are included with that kit and did you select the track or street school (link sends to track variant). Shot GC at note, now looking to achieve an identical goal as I retire my car from track duty.
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      09-17-2020, 02:52 PM   #20
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For street only I would go by these factors.

1-price
2-customer service. How easy is to rebuild.
3-how easy is to change rebound and or compression
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      09-17-2020, 04:34 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AriuSen View Post
For street only I would go by these factors.

1-price
2-customer service. How easy is to rebuild.
3-how easy is to change rebound and or compression
Certainly! I reached out to a few of the remaining industry experts in the Z4M platform. It still seems everyone has their own opinion and brand preference. Getting a few ideas put together with rates, etc. and will see what comes of it.

Bilstein, Koni, Ground Control, Vorshlag, TC Kline, KW, MCS, Moton, JRZ... endless.
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      09-17-2020, 05:22 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 86Zed View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AriuSen View Post
For street only I would go by these factors.

1-price
2-customer service. How easy is to rebuild.
3-how easy is to change rebound and or compression
Certainly! I reached out to a few of the remaining industry experts in the Z4M platform. It still seems everyone has their own opinion and brand preference. Getting a few ideas put together with rates, etc. and will see what comes of it.

Bilstein, Koni, Ground Control, Vorshlag, TC Kline, KW, MCS, Moton, JRZ... endless.
To be honest there is no Z4m shop expert. Maybe one or two only.
99% of them didn't really fully tested a Z4m.
Most of them give you recommendations based on e46 chassi experience.
There are number of occasions I was shocked when friends of mine told me their recommendation.
Be careful with what you hear lol.
Good luck with your research.
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