E92 M3 ZCP Lowering Springs. WRITE UP INSIDE

[spazzyfry123]

Sounds like exactly what I want for my non ZCP/EDC E90. Currently on 19" ZCP 359 wheels with 265f/285r Continental rubber. Would this mix-n-match suspension combo be a good mix with 15mm f / 12mm r wheel spacers?

And further more...Anyone have pictures? I saw the one posted recently, but the rest of the links are dead.

[6ixSpd]

I have this exact same set up, including the modifications to the top hats and bump stops. I absolutely LOVE it - shoutout to Malek@MRF for sharing this fantastic DIY and information.

It is comfortable enough on the street, much tighter than stock, but in no way too extreme. Yet it also does great on the track. Its the best bang for the buck suspension setup for the car in my opinion. Totally transforms it into a much, much sharper tool!

Pics below with 15mm F, 10mm R spacers, stock ZCP wheels & tires.

Front ride height:


Front 3/4:


Rear 3/4:


Side profile:

[spazzyfry123]

That looks great, 6ixSpd. It looks like 275 rubber up front (kudos to you) with the 15mm spacer. Any issues at all with that? What size tire are you running in the back with the 10mm spacer? I've been considering the 15mm F / 12mm R with my 265/285 tire combo.

Wondering how this will match with my E90 without ZCP or EDC compared to the intention of the thread on a ZCP E92. I'm hoping for similar (identical) results!

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

That looks great, 6ixSpd. It looks like 275 rubber up front (kudos to you) with the 15mm spacer. Any issues at all with that? What size tire are you running in the back with the 10mm spacer? I've been considering the 15mm F / 12mm R with my 265/285 tire combo.

Wondering how this will match with my E90 without ZCP or EDC compared to the intention of the thread on a ZCP E92. I'm hoping for similar (identical) results!

I should've clarified that the first 3 photos are with the square rear setup and 275/30/19. No front spacers.

All photos have 10mm rear spacers. Pics 4 & 5 have the stock rear 265/35/19.

The front 19x10 ET27 and 275/30/19 sits 99% identical in ride height and flushness as with the stock 19x9 ET31 245/35/19 + 15mm spacer set up.

So for illustration purposes, there is zero difference up front between 19x10 + 275/30/19 vs. 19x9 + 245/35/19 + 15mm spacer.

[spazzyfry123]

Bump for any pictures of this on an E90

[dsenechal]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

I should've clarified that the first 3 photos are with the square rear setup and 275/30/19. No front spacers.

All photos have 10mm rear spacers. Pics 4 & 5 have the stock rear 265/35/19.

The front 19x10 ET27 and 275/30/19 sits 99% identical in ride height and flushness as with the stock 19x9 ET31 245/35/19 + 15mm spacer set up.

So for illustration purposes, there is zero difference up front between 19x10 + 275/30/19 vs. 19x9 + 245/35/19 + 15mm spacer.

Car looks great! What springs did you end up going with?

Also, what rubber tube did you get for the rear coil / perch - Is that something you just picked up at a local hardware store?

[CheetoNYC]

I have H&R springs on my non-ZCP E92 , and they are nice on smooth streets and highways, but with anything bumpy including canyon roads with mid-corner bumps they hop around and really struggle to remain stable. I'm looking at a) this modified set up by MRF b) going back to OEM springs or c) going with OEM ZCP suspension.

To that end, can you actually install a ZCP springs/struts on a non-ZCP car? Any install issuess or concerns?

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by dsenechal

Car looks great! What springs did you end up going with?

Also, what rubber tube did you get for the rear coil / perch - Is that something you just picked up at a local hardware store?

Thanks. It's on H&R Sport Plus (aka Race). Same drop as H&R Sport but stiffer. I absolutely love it and won't bother swapping to coilovers until the stock shocks give out.

I can't recall what rubber sheath I used for the rear springs.

[sgreer78]

Did anyone ever measure the front bump stop and the e36 bump stop to see the difference in length?

[Aries326]

Awesome write up! I'm going to take this to the local Bimmer shop and have my car done right! I came close to getting the KW HAS kit for my e92 M3 ZCP. Glad I ran into this post.

[Drifter2090]

Great write up!! I'm gonna be doing this on my E90 non zcp/edc. Anyone know where I can get the rubber sleaves for the rear springs?

[Wally1552]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Great write up!! I'm gonna be doing this on my E90 non zcp/edc. Anyone know where I can get the rubber sleaves for the rear springs?

Anybody know how to shave top mounts or buy pre shaved mounts?

[sgreer78]

Originally Posted by Wally1552

Anybody know how to shave top mounts or buy pre shaved mounts?

Put them in a vice and use an angle grinder to chop of the desired mount. Use a file or a table grinder to smooth the cut.

[Wally1552]

Originally Posted by sgreer78

Put them in a vice and use an angle grinder to chop of the desired mount. Use a file or a table grinder to smooth the cut.

Ok only thing I'm missing is a vice, angle grinder, file or table grinder

[mapster37]

can someone share where you are supposed to shave off from the top mounts?
maybe before and after pictures would help.

[simpleM3]

+1

Originally Posted by mapster37

can someone share where you are supposed to shave off from the top mounts?
maybe before and after pictures would help.

[simpleM3]

How does one measure 0.35" on the guide support?

[E92_Toronto]

Are spacers needed for this mod ? I'm not a fan of using spacers

[sterile stork]

Originally Posted by simpleM3

How does one measure 0.35" on the guide support?

I was fortunate and had access to a cnc-mill. Could likely modify one (stopping to compare against the un-modified periodically) and then match the height for both

Originally Posted by BramptonE90

Are spacers needed for this mod ? I'm not a fan of using spacers

No spacers required.

[simpleM3]

The one aspect of this hack that doesn't make sense to me is the removal of the rear spring pads. The rear already looks or appears to be lower than the front, so why make the rear lower by removing the pads? IMO all the mods and/or hacks should be made to the front end. I installed springs the other day where I removed the rear pads and supplemented it with a rubber tube which resulted in the rear being much lower than the front. I re-installed the pads and now its back to what it should look like.

[thanhv714]

Originally Posted by simpleM3

The one aspect of this hack that doesn't make sense to me is the removal of the rear spring pads. The rear already looks or appears to be lower than the front, so why make the rear lower by removing the pads? IMO all the mods and/or hacks should be made to the front end. I installed springs the other day where I removed the rear pads and supplemented it with a rubber tube which resulted in the rear being much lower than the front. I re-installed the pads and now its back to what it should look like.

I also have the same question, I am currently retrofitting my E90 EDC non-zcp with e90 ZCP edc suspension. I am trying to follow the exact example:
1. Shave top mount
2. E36 Bumpstop
3. Spring pad (Need clarification)


I am planning to use the Dinan springs. These springs are meant for non zcp as Dinan never made a zcp spring. The question of concern i have revolves around the spring pad removal. In the dinan instructions it says remove existing rear spring pad and replace with the dinan rear spring pad. In the step by step, its suggested to remove the spring pad on the e92. Someone shed light on this.

[kimiraikkonen]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Hello everyone,

I think it's about time to help the community out with the BMW M3. Current vendors, installers, DIY'ers have all done a great job this far, and I feel that sharing 9 years of car building and engineering expertise into this mix will only be of help to everyone.

The car we are going to be talking about today, is the 2011 M3 Coupe, COMPETITION PACKAGE. Many have so far wondered what is different about the ZCP's suspension and have been skeptical about installing lowering springs. In general, many have opted that lowering springs are a poor choice for the BMW M3, especially the ZCP.

I will try to keep things as simple as possible, as I don't want the non-technical people to feel confused in any sort of way. The techy people, feel free to pose questions either in this post, or through PM, I will be glad to answer questions on findings, experience and anything else for that matter the best I can.

Common concerns to date with lowering the M3 (EDC and non EDC and ZCP cars):
1) Reduced suspension travel and articulation within.
2) Handling characteristics become worse than stock.
3) More uncomfortable, and unbearable to some.

Now, first lets discuss WHY most lowering springs, make the car handle potentially worse, and how we address this. From the factory, our beloved M's have very minimal front to rear "rake". Meaning, if you wanted to judge by wheel gap, the front has more gap than the rear. This is party due to the shape of the fender arch and of course how the suspension sits. ALL lowering springs kits lower the front more than the rear!!! This is not ideal, as creating an unwanted rake will create a bucket full of handling characteristics that we do not want. Most people install lowering springs for looks, and most manufacturers believe that keeping the same gap front to rear is ideal. Personally, I am not a fan of that look cosmetically, but that's subjective. Lowering the front will increase nose dive upon turn in, it will make the rear feel less planted, and it will also increase understeer under certain situations, and in turn, as a reciprocal effect, it can induce oversteer on a car has that tendency already.

Why are ZCP car's lower? Based on my findings yesterday and night, ZCP car's use a smaller/thinner spring pad than NON ZCP cars to lower the rear. Based on findings, the springs measure out to the same length in the rear. The front, unfortunately I did not measure as I was running out of time, but I will do that to see what they did for the front on ZCP cars. But on sheer observation, it looks that the spring perch sits a small bit lower than non ZCP cars.

What did we do yesterday to achieve a proper performing M3 that eliminates the gripes people have with lowering springs, including H&R's. On my car, we used the H&R sport springs for the BMW M3 and this write up will apply to all lowering springs.

What else did we buy and need and do:
1) 1996 BMW M3 coupe front bump stops
2) Reinforced rubber tubing (used as bottom coil springs pad in rear)
---REAR SPRING PADS WERE REMOVED TO MAINTAIN FACTORY RAKE
3) Strut guides were trimmed 8.5MM (0.35"). Once compressed with the 1996 M3 stops, we were able to achieve 0.66" more suspension travel. This is more than Dinan has been able to achieve as well.

***Pictures at the end of the first post to see everything done***

Now for the most important part.. Driving feel, performance and etc.

The car is even better than before. The ZCP suspension was already pretty brilliant and great, but it's now even better. It is extremely planted and controlled, EDC maintains it's dampening control and it isn't any less effective. All 3 modes are absolutely apparent with the car shining most in sport plus mode which should be pretty obvious.

Comfort? It's practically the same. If anyone can come take a ride in the car and complains, a beer and dinner is on me. The only noticeable difference is how much more controlled the vehicle feels through transitions and braking. There isn't much to be said in regards to comfort, because there isn't much change. Up to 130 MPH on an empty desolate road, the car is 100% happy and doesn't feel squirmy at all.

Overall, I am happy with how it all turned out, and I hope this helps a lot of you guys and gals out. It looks great, it feels great (as it should).

-Malek

P.S. Car is currently equipped with MS wheel spacers from EAS. 15MM front, 12MM rear.

REAR SPRING VS. H&R SPRING


TRIMMED FRONT GUIDE SUPPORTS


1996 BMW M3 COUPE FRONT BUMP STOPS


REINFORCED RUBBER TUBING ON BOTTOM REAR SPRINGS TO AID IN INSULATION. REAR FACTORY SPRING PADS WERE REMOVED ALL TOGETHER.


ZCP FRONT STRUT MEASUREMENT.


HOW SHE SITS

Hi. In the process of replacing my shocks with Bilstein B6 damptronics and came across this thread regarding spring pads (to use or not use).

In any event, want to correct that the ZCP models use the same spring pads as non-ZCP...so not sure if the above was ever corrected. EOM.