Z3M Roadster suspension issue

[Matt3932]

Afternoon All,

Recently bought a Z3M Roadster (1999), been after one for yonks. This one looked grand. Had the front springs and shocks changed as part of the sales deal (old ones were v heavily rusted).
When I collected the car, I noticed that it appeared to be riding a little high at the front but was on an uneven surface etc, so in the excitement of the moment I paid and off I went.

Subsequently measured the ride height at the front in the cold light of day and OSF is siting at 699mm against the spec height of 664 - with the NSF at 705 against the spec height of 664.

That puts OSF at 35mm too high, and the NSF at 41mm too high. Looks odd and drives odd too.

I've checked the part numbers - they appear correct (3133 222 84 74) for the springs. So its got the correct parts fitted as far as I can tell = yet its sitting well outside BMW's stated ride height.

Is this a "thing", or am I just special?

Would welcome your thoughts

 

[Pingu]

A lot of it could be to do with how things are fitted.

Tightening up nuts and bolts when the suspension is drooping can cause these sorts of problems. All suspension nuts and bolts should be tightened when the car's weight is on the wheels.

 

[137699]

I've always thought mine sat too high at the front - until I turned up at a meet and saw that all the Z3M's sat similarly high on stock suspension...

It may be that you're seeing the "thing" that is these cars as standard... post a photo - it may help? Here's one of mine for comparison...

 

[Duncodin]

When the car is on a nice flat surface I think that the gap between top of the tyre and the wheel arch is the same as between the front and back of the wheel so the wheel kind of sits nicely in the middle of the wheel arch. I just think any deviance from that wouldn't be so estherically pleasing.

 

[Lee]

Sounds odd that, the M at the front should be 664mm and shouldnt deviate more than 10mm each side.

 

[Duncodin]

Although I would expect them to be the same on both sides. I assume you've checked that the low side doesn't have a broken spring. Couple inches missing off the bottom?

Off topic. Some drag racers do have their front suspension slight lower on one side so when they floor the loud pedal it rocks the body slightly the other way making the sides dead level at full acceleration.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

 

[ZEDonist UK]

Well this is a useful thread. I messaged @Lee about this info earlier!
(I should have just googled it).