Shocks going bad? Suspension upgrades

When I replaced my rear springs for new OEM units, I had to get the dealer to get the part number, the spring rate is matched to the weight of the car, this takes in to consideration things like AC etc. as previously mentioned the m-sport springs are 15mm lower than stock, my belief is that the physical springs (standard and m-sport) are a different height. You can get thicker spring pads as Rich mentioned.

Euro carparts etc. have a generic spring that will fit our cars but as with everything, you get what you pay for.

When changing my springs a few years back both front and rear with OEM springs it was not cheap, I then changed them a few months later for the Eibach springs which did lower the car a little further, to counteract this I fitted rough road spring pads, these are thicker than stock.

What ever you change to this will be better than what you have just now as your current shocks will be tired.
 
I saw a set of S/H original springs for a Z3 on eBay last with no bids, might be worth a look.

Tony.
 
Thanks for the responses. I got the part numbers of OEM springs from the dealer and located a set of genuine springs from a wrecked Z3 of the same year. The front springs matched with the part numbers given by the dealer but the rear springs have a code which I cannot figure out. The rear spring OEM part number is 33539070113 but the springs have a code 1094166 stamped which is not a BMW number. Does anyone know what this number is?
 
zedonist said:
The B6 and the B8 are the same performance, but the B8 is shorter to work better with lowered cars, I would not buy them as separates, it is cheaper to by the B12 kit, dampers and springs cost £500 delivered from Germany two years ago.
Click to expand...
They would be even cheaper now.
The pound/euro exchange rate is quite different than a year ago.
This would give you a bonus if you would buy them in the mainland.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Eibach-Bilst...s=Make:BMW|Model:Z3+Coupe&hash=item5ae1ae05d9
(and there is more then 1 supplier for that price)
610€
http://www.wisselkoers.nl/pond
--> 434£
 
@AussieZ3 i was realigning my back bumper yesterday and noticed a sticker attached to my springs with a similar number. As far as i know they are the original springs that came with my 2.2 m-sport. Could it be a production number?
 
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I had the B8 set up on my old Z3 fully recommend them
 
You may find the number on the sticker is also stamped on the spring. It is unlikely to be a production number as I found another set of 1.9l rear springs with the same number. Most likely it is a code which translates to a spring specification. This may be a method for BMW to get detailed information of the spring such as load rating, spring rate etc.
 
Stormy_be said:
They would be even cheaper now.
The pound/euro exchange rate is quite different than a year ago.
This would give you a bonus if you would buy them in the mainland.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Eibach-Bilstein-B12-Pro-Kit-BMW-Z3-Coupe-2-8-3-0-/390333335001?pt=DE_Autoteile&fits=Make:BMW|Model:Z3 Coupe&hash=item5ae1ae05d9
(and there is more then 1 supplier for that price)
610€
http://www.wisselkoers.nl/pond
--> 434£
Click to expand...
Very good point! Can make quite a saving :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Bi...E_Autoteile&fits=Model:Z3&hash=item20e77d4fe7

Having looked over my MOT advisories, I also need to get hold of some ball joints. Will go for the whole control arms from eurocarparts, and poly control arm bushes as suggested on this forum. Also going to need new front tyres. Expensive month!
 
What other parts do you recommend replacing at the same time as shocks and springs?

I've had a look around, and have seen suggestions for replacing top mounts, gaskets and reinforcing plates, plus rear lower shock bolt. Anything else?

Thanks all.
 
When i did mine i changed all the top mounts. No point doing it then finding you have to change them a little later on. Prvention is always better than the cure ;)
 
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