Are there Springs that increase ride quality and offer adjustability for Zero drop?

[Jerich0]

Hello Guys...

Looking to improve ride quality of a F80 ZCP but not looking to drop at all.

I see some guys at the M2 forum had luck with Dinan springs and better ride quality vs Stock.

Is there something like this for us?

Thanks
JC

[ntg44]

What wheels do you have?

[Jerich0]

19s 437 M

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by Jerich0

19s 437 M

Glad I asked before telling you to dump the 20s

Some simple options would be to:

1. Go down to 18s if you have the non-CCB brakes
2. Code in M4 CS damper settings. I believe the M4 Comp Pack has the same spring & shock hardware as the CS, which is reportedly much more comfortable than Comp Pack.


EDIT: Here's a technical writeup of M4 CS spring part numbers. Best to read through this:

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1467017

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

+1 above. smaller rims and maybe some non-performance tires will give you way more support than changing springs. although you will sacrifice performance

[FaRKle!]

Improve the ride quality in what way? What specific things are you encountering that are too upsetting?

[Jerich0]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Improve the ride quality in what way? What specific things are you encountering that are too upsetting?

Great question...

The little stuff, road transitions, lane divider reflectors, uneven roads and “grainy” roads vibrate the whole interior like a harmonic disruption.

Big stuff I dont mind...

[BzsBimmer]

You should get tires and wheels from a Lexus and just swap your car with them as well...

What tires are you running, what pressure, what’s the tread depth?

Do you have EDC?

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by Jerich0

Great question...

The little stuff, road transitions, lane divider reflectors, uneven roads and “grainy” roads vibrate the whole interior like a harmonic disruption.

Big stuff I dont mind...

That sounds more to me like the damping is too strong/stiff for you rather than just springs. In particular, you're mentioning smaller, but sharper features, which tends to be on the high speed damping side.

[Jerich0]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

You should get tires and wheels from a Lexus and just swap your car with them as well...

What tires are you running, what pressure, what’s the tread depth?

Do you have EDC?

EDC 19 MPSS with about 250 miles on the car.

[BzsBimmer]

Wow. New. I’d say you need the suspension to soften a bit (wear in).
The F8X chassis is pretty stiff and you may get a lot of nvh from it.

Anything too great, could be loose or poor fitting panels from factory.

[sna66]

Sounds to me like you need a Lexus, it's a nice soft luxury ride, really not why one buys an M car

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by sna66

Sounds to me like you need a Lexus, it's a nice soft luxury ride, really not why one buys an M car

tbh this. nothing you do will take out the stiffness of the car. but thats the whole point isnt it? maybe m5 m340i are better opitons?

[allinon72]

First things first - make sure the dealer removed the shipping blocks from your suspension. This has been overlooked way too many times by dealerships and will leave you with basically zero suspension travel.

I'd be interested to see how it rides with MP HAS set to stock height, which is definitely possible. IMO the springs in the HAS kit are much better suited for the stock EDC system.

[coxxoc]

I would try different coding on your suspension before a spring swap if you are happy with ZCP ride height. I also have a ZCP and coding to M3 CS settings made a major improvement in behavior over cracked and crumbling or wavy pavement.

With stock ZCP coding, the car would transmit every bump into the driver seat and take multiple strokes to settle. The rear would feel like it wagged and wiggled a bit in corners on this type of pavement.

With M3 CS coding, comfort and sport are both more comfortable than comfort was on ZCP. The car settles after a bump in a single motion most of the time with comfort on. If I’m driving faster than I should, sport slows down the motion further and eliminates the bouncy/wiggling rear. I put together a diy if you are interested in the coding route: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1649232.

I’ve looked extensively at springs that are close to ZCP rates. Eibach v1 have a slightly softer spring rate with minimal drop. Everything else with drops the car more, increases spring rates, or doesn’t publish specs. Eibach v2 (same rates as v1) and Swift (rates barely higher than zcp) are also good options if you don’t mind a bigger drop. I’m not a fan of losing stroke myself.

[White340]

Why do you guys think the CS coding feels smoother than the ZCP. I would have thought the CS rides harsher since it's a more performance oriented model.

Is coding CS settings traceable if you code back to stock? Or is it like flashing a tune in that once it is flashed you're flagged if bmw takes a look even if flashed back to stock. This is why I've passed on any tuning on this car.

[stevehifi]

CS coding helps, but the real problem are the shocks. Bilstein B6D shocks should be available this spring I hope.

[N1rve]

Not to be rude, but it sounds like this car is not for you. I would look towards an RC-F if you want something that is similar in performance (not exactly), but lower NVH.

[AlterZgo]

Have you checked your tire pressure? I have mine set at 32 psi all around as recommended. Dealers and tire shops like to way overinflate tires to like 36 or 40 psi. It's a very noticeable difference and actually improves grip as well.

The next step is to increase tire size. I went up to 265-35-19 F and 285-35-19 rear Michelin PS4S and the thicker sidewall of the tires also helped improve ride quality further. That, plus the PS4S seems to be a better all around tire than my stock Michelin PSS.

[bimmerboyE92]

TC Kline coil overs ride better than stock and can be set at the factory ride height.

[erictrainer]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Have you checked your tire pressure? I have mine set at 32 psi all around as recommended. Dealers and tire shops like to way overinflate tires to like 36 or 40 psi. It's a very noticeable difference and actually improves grip as well.

The next step is to increase tire size. I went up to 265-35-19 F and 285-35-19 rear Michelin PS4S and the thicker sidewall of the tires also helped improve ride quality further. That, plus the PS4S seems to be a better all around tire than my stock Michelin PSS.

This right here is going to make the biggest difference