OE ZCP Suspension Info

[derbo]

# What This Thread is About

I originally wanted to install ZCP suspension on my E90 and there is a lot of conflicting information on the forum to OE ZCP suspension. In particular, the conflicting answers do not clearly define what fits and what is identical. I'm hoping creating this thread "ZCP Retrofit information thread" as a single source of all ZCP suspension information.

TL;DR
ZCP EDC Suspension will bolt up any E90/E92 physically, ZCP or not. Damping is most likely different but not unconfirmed. It is unknown if the differences, if there is any, would be noticed. There are multiple ZCP springs part numbers and dependent on options of the car. The part numbers are listed below in this post. Your experiences will vary but I believe any ZCP (E92 or E90) setup will work fine on any non-ZCP with EDC fine.


##Updated 07/20/2022

## S7MAA (ZCP) Competition Package

-10mm lowered height
-EDC with revised software parameters (Sport is dynamic now instead of fixed 75% stiffness)
-Style 359 Rims

## ZCP Part Numbers
This information was pulled from RealOEM website and cross-referenced across the two chassis.

Front EDC Struts Left
E90: 31312284013
E92: 31312283917

Front EDC Strut Right
E90: 31312284014
E92: 31312283918

Rear EDC Shocks
E90: 33522284315
E92: 33522284313

Installation Hardware
All the part numbers here are identical to the non-ZCP EDC components including spring pad.


##Springs
The springs appear to be a larger mystery due to having multiple options due to various configurations. I don't have consistent results on what they would be. I linked a thread below that was trying to do this years ago. If anyone else has more information or can post their tags, we can make a bigger database.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...07&postcount=7

Edit: 04/06/2018

The following data is from ETK 02.2018 Database from BMW parts catalogue. I checked spring tables for a 2011 E90 Sedan with 05/2010 production data and a 01/2011 E92 production date. ZCP implies EDC as EDC was part of ZCP in USA.



Spring Part Numbers Front / Rear
E90: 31332283563 / 33532283569 (6MT ,slicktop, ZCP, Nav or No Nav)
E90: 31332283564 / 33532283569 (6MT ,sunroof, ZCP, Nav or No Nav)
E90: 31332283564 / 33532283859 (6MT , every option ticked off)
E90: 31332283858 / 33532283569 (DCT ,slicktop, ZCP, Nav or No Nav)
E90: 31332283858 / 33532283859 (DCT ,sunroof, ZCP, Nav or No Nav)
E90: 31332283858 / 33532283859 (DCT ,every option ticked off)

E92: 31332283563 / 33532283569 (6MT, CF top, ZCP, Nav or No Nav)
E92: 31332283564 / 33532283569 (6MT, sunroof, ZCP, Nav or No Nav)
E92: 31332283564 / 33532283859 (6MT, every option ticked off)
E92: 31332283564 / 33532283569 (DCT, CF top, ZCP, Nav or No Nav)
E92: 31332283858 / 33532283859 (DCT ,sunroof, ZCP, Nav or No Nav)
E92: 31332283858 / 33532283859 (DCT, every option ticked off)

##Part number to X markings
Front
31332283563 : X6
31332283564 : X7 (not confirmed yet)
31332283858 : X8 Thanks chutak
Rears
33532283569 : X5
33532283859 : X6 chutak

## Coding:

EDC Coding parameters

Code all items to the appropriate ZCP parameter to ALL fields
dx9005 = Non-ZCP E92
dx9230 = ZCP E92
dx9023 = Non-ZCP E90 with EDC
dx9030 = ZCP E90

Euro MDM (optional) MK60 coding Parameters

US_VEHICLE    Nicht_aktiv
MDYNAMIC_MODE_USA    Nicht_aktiv
M3_UEBERSTUEUERN_MUE_0    wert_0x
M3_UEBERSTUEUERN_MUE_1_2    wert_0x

## Options for MDM
wert_01 = E90 US
wert_02 = E92 Euro
wert_03 = E92 US
wert_04 = E93 Euro
wert_05 = E93 US
wert_06 = E92 GTS
wert_07 = E90 GTS (CRT basically)

# Observations

I am assuming higher part number means heavier.
E9x: Navigation doesn't seem to have an effect on the spring choice unless paired with more options.
E9x: SYT_Shadow has confirmed the spring perch is identical in height when compared to non-ZCP front strut. This confirms the springs are the sole reason for the 10mm drop in height.
E9x: ZCP EDC struts have shorter travel than non-ZCP EDC. - credit SYT_Shadow for measurement. <see below>
E90: Sunroof option changes the front spring to 564 from 563 on 6MT.
E90: DCT has the heaviest front spring, but varies on the rear depending on options.
E92: DCT with sunroof option goes from a 564 to 858 front spring.
E92: DCT has the heaviest springs as well. Only the slicktop stripper ZCP has 564 front spring.

So far I've found, what appears to be 3 ZCP front springs and 2 rear springs options in the US.

## Measurements from @SYT_Shadow and pictures from @DanMPower

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Ok so I've measured my OEM ZCP and OEM non-ZCP suspensions... Here goes

The ZCP comes from a pretty stripper E92. The nonZCP comes with a pretty stripper E90. (No navs, no sunroofs, cloth seats). Both suspensions have around 30k miles on them

In parenthesis you have spring codes and in the shafts, you have the shaft length until the 'shoulder' and then in parenthesis the shaft length to the top of the threaded section

ZCP nonZCP
F spring length 28.0 (X6) 29.0 (X3)
R spring length 30.2 (X5) 31.0 (X2)
F shaft length 13.3 (21.4) 14.2 (22.2)
R shaft length 13.7 (20.2) 14.2 (21.0)

# FAQ

Will the strut/shocks bolt up to a non-ZCP with EDC?
Yes. An E92 set will fit an E92 and E90 set will fit an E90. Physical mounts between the E90 and E92 are identical but BMW has different part numbers for each chassis. The EDC module also needs to be coded to ZCP parameters in order to take advantage the new dampers.
Are there any differences besides the part number?
Most likely. Since BMW had so many variations of the springs, the dampener valving may be different for the sedan vs the coupe. Springs may have slightly different spring rates due variation in package weight combinations. No one has done any tested to confirm differences.
Will the E92 strut/shocks bolt up to a E90 or vice versa?
It would physically bolt up. At this point, I don't know that we would feel the difference between an E92 ZCP and E90 ZCP suspension on the same car and what the actual differences are on the E90 set vs the E92 Set.

# First hand Experience

Originally Posted by 94jedi

So I guess I never updated/posted my results in this thread. I bought BOOF-M3 's ZCP suspension and replaced all the existing HW w/ new parts from getbmwparts. HW was like $400. The suspension from Mark was a killer deal at like $600 or 650 if I recall...labor (I just didn't have time) was pricey at about $8 or 900 through my indy shop and included a good alignment. Once installed, I had Alex at AlpineMSS code the suspension to work properly w/ the EDC, something many people don't bother to do. Let me tell you - maybe it was the newer shocks but even in comfort, the car felt tighter. Sport was like the old Sport + setting and the new Sport+ was really aggressive without riding like crap. It was perfect, I loved it. Performance increase was dramatic. Was it pricey, yes but I would do it over again in a heartbeat. If you're NOT looking to go too wild on the suspension, want a modest drop and want to keep that OEM feel, this is the way to go, imho. Maybe the dinan setup would be the next step, before a full C/O setup, or beyond.

[Montaver]

I've thought about this a lot, but seems like there is no clear info out there. You would think it would be fairly easy. My main gripe with the stock suspension is the springs can feel too soft when you drive hard, particularly nose dive under heavy brakeing. I'm nit picking as I think the stock suspension is excellent, but theres always room for improvement.

Most spring sets are out, as they all lower the front more than the rear. Car will look better, but this is going to encourage some negative handing traits (more nose dive under brakeing, understeer). I'm aware you can shave the top mounts to retain suspension travel but I'm not convinced this will actually be an improvement.

I've considered buying the Dinan Spring and supplemental handling set for around 900$ which retains suspension travel, but you are looking at at least the same amount for install. For a 1/2 an inch drop all round and 10% stiffer springs that is a lot of money, particularly as you are still using stock dampers. Depending on how many miles are on your stock dampers, this won't be much of an upgrade.

After this I've considered Ohlins, stiffer springs which I like the idea of and more sophisticated damping to compensate. However you lose EDC, and they will need rebuilding at some point. I like being able to adjust on the fly, as I understand it the front adjustment is on the bottom of the shocks so you will need to get under the car or jack it u to adjust. There are also no integrated camber plates if you want to start tracking a lot.

To retain EDC there is the Bilstein B16 option, which has the stiffest spring rates of all equivalent to their CS kit. However it's expensive, and reviews seem thin on the ground. They also seem out of stock everywhere.

Ultimately you are going to be spending a lot of money to improve the stock suspension for non ZCP cars. I'll follow this thread with interest, hopefully you can come up with a way to do it!

[SYT_Shadow]

Montaver, you can do gc street camber plates and eibach springs and retain stock travel

Install is easy!

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Montaver, you can do gc street camber plates and eibach springs and retain stock travel

Install is easy!

Danny what about the set up from the E92 fitting on the E90?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Danny what about the set up from the E92 fitting on the E90?

It fits for sure.

I've swapped suspension from my E90 into my E92. Remember mechanically the cars are identical

A different topic is the 8000 spring combinations BMW had. Very impressive on their part.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

It fits for sure.

I've swapped suspension from my E90 into my E92. Remember mechanically the cars are identical

A different topic is the 8000 spring combinations BMW had. Very impressive on their part.

Ok, so we are getting somewhere here. So the E90 with EDC can put on the E92 struts, shocks, springs and the only thing the E90 then has to do is code the ZCP and voila he has cloned his car into being a ZCP car minus the wheels?

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Montaver, you can do gc street camber plates and eibach springs and retain stock travel

Install is easy!

Hey Danny - so to retain stock travel on Eibachs wouldn't I need shaved top mounts and E36 bump stops? How many hours install time would you estimate? AFAIK that's basically what the DINAN kit is. From what I can tell the Eibach springs are about 10% stiffer than stock as well so I'm guessing the end result is very similar.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Ok, so we are getting somewhere here. So the E90 with EDC can put on the E92 struts, shocks, springs and the only thing the E90 then has to do is code the ZCP and voila he has cloned his car into being a ZCP car minus the wheels?

I'd make a more general statement:

If you have an edc non zcp car and swap edc zcp suspension and code the car for zcp, you now have zcp edc functionality.

It doesn't matter whether the zcp suspension came off a e92 or e90

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Hey Danny - so to retain stock travel on Eibachs wouldn't I need shaved top mounts and E36 bump stops? How many hours install time would you estimate? AFAIK that's basically what the DINAN kit is. From what I can tell the Eibach springs are about 10% stiffer than stock as well so I'm guessing the end result is very similar.

IIRC you just need the gc camber plates and you're good to go. Their stack height is shorter than oem.

Camber plates, if done together with suspension, doesn't really add time. A full suspension swap takes less than a day, it's pretty straightforward.

I'll be doing two B12+gc camber plate installs in the next month or two.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I'd make a more general statement:

If you have an edc non zcp car and swap edc zcp suspension and code the car for zcp, you now have zcp edc functionality.

It doesn't matter whether the zcp suspension came off a e92 or e90

Not just your friendly neighborhood race care driver, thanks Danny.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Not just your friendly neighborhood race care driver, thanks Danny.

My house had 4 M3s in it today... lots of car work

[derbo]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I'd make a more general statement:

If you have an edc non zcp car and swap edc zcp suspension and code the car for zcp, you now have zcp edc functionality.

It doesn't matter whether the zcp suspension came off a e92 or e90

That's the exact thought process I've concluded as well to BOOF-M3 . The one thing I'm curious about is why they have a different part number for the two chassis. Like, it is that significant of a change, that they required a part number difference??

That being said, I agree with you SYT_Shadow . The differences between the E90ZCP and E92ZCP is most likely negligible when someone is swapping them in.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by derbo

That's the exact thought process I've concluded as well to BOOF-M3 . The one thing I'm curious about is why they have a different part number for the two chassis. Like, it is that significant of a change, that they required a part number difference??

That being said, I agree with you SYT_Shadow . The differences between the E90ZCP and E92ZCP is most likely negligible when someone is swapping them in.

Note that for each chassis there are even multiple spring combos. So who knows if that's the reason

[derbo]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Note that for each chassis there are even multiple spring combos. So who knows if that's the reason

Probably. Germans always want to complicate things. For better or worse.

[RaX]

For the springs, unless someone wants to go through all of the possible vehicle options for every year, then your best bet would be to download the BMW ETK .iso file from the web or buy it off eBay. Then you can load the Spring Table yourself and figure out your specific spring part numbers. Or just ask your dealer.

[Richbot]

The ZCP rear springs that I installed on my 08 E90 are X5 code

I think I've posted the PN's here before

The (brand new, ordered from BMW) X6 fronts and X5 rears were almost precisely 10mm shorter free length than (used) OEM X1 front/X2 rear springs from my car. My car is a low-option (premium, cold weather, manual single hump slicktop) 08 E90. The original rear spring pads were pretty smashed, which is why I think the rears only lowered the car about 7mm with new spring pads. The front lowered almost exactly 10mm

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Richbot

My ZCP rear springs that I installed on my 08 E90 are X5 code

I think I've posted the PN's here before

The (brand new, ordered from BMW) X6 fronts and X5 rears were almost precisely 10mm shorter free length than (used) OEM '08 springs

Thanks Richbot ! I quoted one of your posts in my initial post. Thanks for sharing again. A lot of the information seems to be conflicting whether the springs were the same length or not.

[Richbot]

Yeah and I wouldn't even take my info as conclusive because I didn't measure new X1/X2 against new X5/X6. It's possible they are a ltitle stiffer if the X1/X2 free length is more like 12-13mm longer when new, but I didn't have new ones handy to compare and mine had many thousands of miles on them

What it does say I think is the ZCP springs are the source of the lowering, not any other part

[BOOF-M3]

A big thanks to Derek for starting this thread. I would not have had the knowledge or ability to be as eloquent and informative in the questions as you were. Also a big thank you to SYT_Shadow deansbimmer Richbot Montaver I'll throw DreamTime SohoE90 for their contributions outside of the thread.

[Montaver]

Shadow - Are you referring to the full ground control coil over conversion kit? Looks good. Full camber and height adjustment, with a selection of Eibach springs. Anyone got this and reviewed? What spring rates did you choose? Based on the DINAN doc I read, the stock dampers are good for another 10% but I would guess thats conservative.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Shadow - Are you referring to the full ground control coil over conversion kit? Looks good. Full camber and height adjustment, with a selection of Eibach springs. Anyone got this and reviewed? What spring rates did you choose? Based on the DINAN doc I read, the stock dampers are good for another 10% but I would guess thats conservative.

From what I've read, the height adjustable spring options for stock dampers all ride like crap. Too much spring for the damper.

The two B12 kits I have on order (not for either of my Ms) are Eibach ProKit springs (the same ones people use with stock dampers) along with Bilstein B6 or B8 shocks. Neither of the cars are EDC so these are non-EDC versions of them.

I've run the B12 on 4 cars, totaling around 300k miles and it's always my go to option. Even for the track, they work very well.

I suspect a blind test between most of the 'street coilovers' and the B12s would be favorable to the B12s every time

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

From what I've read, the height adjustable spring options for stock dampers all ride like crap. Too much spring for the damper.

The two B12 kits I have on order (not for either of my Ms) are Eibach ProKit springs (the same ones people use with stock dampers) along with Bilstein B6 or B8 shocks. Neither of the cars are EDC so these are non-EDC versions of them.

I've run the B12 on 4 cars, totaling around 300k miles and it's always my go to option. Even for the track, they work very well.

I suspect a blind test between most of the 'street coilovers' and the B12s would be favorable to the B12s every time

You can choose a selection of Eibach springs as part of it, I would get the Pro kit if I got it (assuming thats one of the options).

I'd love to just drop 4k on a set of Bilstein Clubsport and be done with it