The Best BMW Z4 Coilover Kit

The car the BMW Z3 was meant to be. BMW’s Z4 signalled a return to the form in the 2-seater convertible market for BMW in 2002. The reappearance in the segment, with a new car from the ground up started a model line than runs to this day and competes admirably against the best from their competitors. Famed for their 6-cylinder engines and handling prowess, the Z4 is well-regarded by many thousands of enthusiasts. Owners love to modify and enhance their Z4’s to further improve performance characteristics including fitting coilovers, to improve and finesse the already high-quality steering and damping.

Coilovers allow massive scope for adjustability, that can take a good handling car and make it into a world-beater. Z4’s are already compromised on comfort, due to their low ride heights and thin tyre sidewalls, coilovers can also be used to soften rebound and comfort passengers over the UK’s notoriously rough roads.

From the early E85 convertibles and M coupes to the modern day G29, there are coilover kits available to cater for all Z4 models.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing

Budget

Quality, adjustability and durability can all be affected severely by the budget set out for coilovers. Higher-end units generally offer more adjustability and scope for fine changes to handling balance, while lower-budget options are generally geared towards ride height adjustment only.

Some brands may demand a premium thanks to their reputation and loyal customer base, however most will reward the extra outlay with long warranties and excellent customer support and advice.

Vehicle Compatibility

Ensuring correct fitment can be difficult when purchasing suspension modifications. As a safety-critical component, accurate installation is paramount, that can only be achieved with parts that are specifically designed with the correct vehicle’s geometry defined.

Thankfully, despite differing engines and body styles, the generations of Z4 separate the coilover options very succinctly. Use the subheadings below to decipher which coilover kit will fit onto the correct model and year of Z4 required. The only thing to take note of is that Z4M models, in both convertible and coupe forms, require a different set of suspension to the non-M cars, though this is also clearly separated below.

Setup & Installation

Lots of complexity in adjustment and fine detail changes often mean that poorly setup coilovers will give detrimental ride quality and unwanted handling characteristics, bordering on dangerous in extreme cases. Hence, having coilovers setup by a professional or well-experienced technician will vastly enhance the ability of any new coilover suspension.

Installation is generally quite simple, though complete amateurs may need some help from experienced individuals to ensure parts are fitted correctly and, most importantly, safely. This means paying close attention, not only to suspension components but critical braking parts that attach to and surround them.

Featured Brands

AP

Not to be confused with the UK-based brand AP racing. AP sport suspension are instead a German brand that aim to enhance exactly the brand’s namesake, suspension. From basic lowering springs to highly adjustable coilover kits, their short 18-year history has seen the brand take hold of a decent segment in the UK modified performance car part scene, thanks to high quality and well-priced offerings.

Eibach

A name that is synonymous with performance vehicles and leading suspension technology. Eibach has spent over 60 years refining their formula and offering class leading suspension improvements for cars across the globe. From humble beginnings in rural Germany to a multi-national company operating in over 80 countries and with more than 500 employees, Eibach is well-known and for good reason.

Yellow Speed

Another company with a passion for all things motoring. Yellow Speed specialise in performance applications and have been growing their portfolio year-on-year since opening their doors back in 2003. Known specifically for their coilovers kits for Japanese brands, the company aims to provide high quality components to those that use their vehicles for spirited road and track driving.

BC Racing

Huge amounts of adjustment and excellent build quality have seen BC racing rise to fame in the modified suspension market. Their coilover kits are available for most popular makes and models, with levels of adjustability to suit most drivers and vehicles for anything from regular road driving to competition track vehicles. The brands pedigree and performance show, with many sponsored race teams and independents running BR racing suspension parts, with excellent results.

KW

Over 25 years of experience on road and on the track, ranges for almost any vehicle you can imagine and an attention to detail that leaves most rival brands trailing in the dust. KW have grown a solid reputation for some of the best suspension in the industry with high quality standards and model lines to suit everyone from amateurs to professional racing teams, KW have the goods for almost anyone with any car.

The Best BMW Z4 E85/E86 (2002-2008) on the Market

AP Coilover Kit GF20-004

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Kicking off the coilover kits for the E85/E86 BMW Z4 is the well-priced AP coilover suspension lowering kit. While simple in design, AP promises this kit will bring down the height of the Z4 without any compromise on handling characteristics. In fact, the company states that handling will likely see improvements, without a large detrimental effect to the ride quality. Ride height adjustment can give up to a 50mm drop in the front and 40mm drop in rear ride height, with around a 25% increase in spring stiffness.

The quality of this kit is backed by a long 2-year warranty and offers ride height adjustability for a low outlay when compared against many rivals. All AP offerings are compliant with strict German TUV standards, a clear showing of excellent quality and durability.

Part number: GF20-004
Rebound adjustment: No
Camber adjustment: No
Height adjustment: Yes
Warranty: 2 Years

Pros:

• Designed and made by suspension specialists
• Huge adjustability of ride height
• Least expensive kit featured for E85/E86 models
• 2-year warranty

Cons:

• Limited adjustability

KW Variant 1 Coilover Kit 10220004

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Quality is what KW are known for, both in design and durability of construction. This is where the extra outlay with be noticeable in this coilover kit. Height adjustments for the front and rear units will allow up to a 50mm and 40mm drop respectively, allowing for that perfect stance and fitment to be achieved. Years of development by KW engineers has seen dampening finely honed to enable increases in grip without uncomfortable ride or large increases in harshness through the steering system.

As with all KW coilover kits, this item is covered by the manufacturers 2-year warranty. Durability is tested via the companies’ state-of-the-art rigs and through real-world testing around the world famous Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Part number: 10220004
Rebound adjustment: No
Camber adjustment: No
Height adjustment: No
Warranty: 2 Years

Pros:

• Most expensive E85/E86 coilover kit featured
• Suspension specialist manufacturer
• Large range of adjustability for vehicle ride height
• Suspension dampening finely honed by world-class engineers

Cons:

• No adjustability for dampening or camber

BC Racing BR Series Coilovers I-12-BR

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Our final E85/E86 offering is from BC racing’s BR series. Despite being part of one of BC’s more affordable lines, the kit comes with huge adjustment for ride height, dampening and camber (on the front wheels). 30 damper settings allow for fine adjustment to match the changes in ride height. All this fine tuning, says BC, allows owners to dial in that perfect balance between style and grip, while retaining OEM-level ride comfort.

Thick 53mm damper bodies are designed to shrug off the worst of British B-roads, while high quality oils enable smooth damping for many thousands of miles. BC rigorously tests parts before sale, with their springs reputedly capable of over 500,000 compressions with less than 5% deformation. All parts are also coated and corrosion protected for increased longevity.

Part number: I-12-BR
Rebound adjustment: 30-way
Camber adjustment: Front only
Height adjustment: Yes
Warranty: 1 Year

Pros:

• Huge amounts of suspension adjustment
• Well-experienced suspension specialist
• Dampening adjustment allows owners to balance grip with comfort
• Rigorously tested and protected against corrosion for longevity

Cons:

• Shorter warranty period when compared to some rival offerings

The Best BMW Z4M E85/E86 (2006-2008) on the Market

Yellow Speed Racing Dynamic Pro Sport Coilovers YS01-BM-DPS028

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Yellow speed opens the kits for the M-version Z4. M-cars from BMW carry a cache, with promise of excellent handling and grip, meaning a coilover kit to improve this requires serious attention to detail and fine tuning. The Yellow Speed pro sport kit offers adjustability in abundance, giving ride height flexibility alongside 33-way damper tuning and front camber adjustability too.

A 24-month warranty shows the confidence the brand has for their part build quality, while Yellow speed will also offer spares for most individual components should failures or wear occur outside the warranty period. Yellow speed products are relatively new to the UK scene but are race proven and quickly gathering reputation for quality on a budget.

Part number: YS01-BM-DPS028
Rebound adjustment: 33-way
Camber adjustment: Front only
Height adjustment: Yes
Warranty: 2 Years

Pros:

• Least expensive E85/E86M coilover kit featured
• Huge 33-way damping adjustability
• 2-year manufacturer’s warranty included
• Created by suspension specialists and experienced racers

Cons:

• Brand name not well known in the UK car-modification market

KW Variant 3 Coilover Kit 35220034

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For those that seek the ultimate in performance and adjustability for the M-power Z4, KW has the answer. Their variant 3 coilovers offer increased adjustability over lower models, while also being designed with track use in mind. Having the ability to finely adjust ride height and dampening independently can give huge increases in grip, without unwanted handling characteristics, allowing for a vehicle that is precise and predictable at speed. This makes for safe road driving and faster lap times.

As with all KW coilover kits, this item is covered by the manufacturers 2-year warranty. Durability is tested via the companies’ state-of-the-art rigs and through real-world testing around the world famous Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Part number: 35220034
Rebound adjustment: 14-way
Camber adjustment: No
Height adjustment: Yes
Warranty: 2 Years

Pros:

• Huge brand reputation
• Dampening adjustability for fine tuning handling characteristics
• Manufactured with rigorous standards and testing measures
• 2-year manufacturer’s warranty

Cons:

• Most expensive Z4M coilover kit featured

BC Racing BR Series Coilovers I-22-BR

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Our final Z4M E85/E86M offering is from BC racing’s BR series. Despite being part of one of BC’s more affordable lines, the kit comes with huge adjustment for ride height, dampening and camber (on the front wheels). 30 damper settings allow for fine adjustment to match the changes in ride height. All this fine tuning, says BC, allows owners to dial in that perfect balance between style and grip, while retaining OEM-level ride comfort.

Thick 53mm damper bodies are designed to shrug off the worst of British B-roads, while high quality oils enable smooth damping for many thousands of miles. BC rigorously tests parts before sale, with their springs reputedly capable of over 500,000 compressions with less than 5% deformation. All parts are also coated and corrosion protected for increased longevity.

Part number: I-22-BR
Rebound adjustment: 30-way
Camber adjustment: Front only
Height adjustment: Yes
Warranty: 1 Year

Pros:

• Huge amounts of suspension adjustment
• Well-experienced suspension specialist
• Dampening adjustment allows owners to balance grip with comfort
• Rigorously tested and protected against corrosion for longevity

Cons:

• Shorter warranty period when compared to some rival offerings

The Best BMW Z4 E89 (2009-2016) on the Market

AP Coilover Kit GF20-072

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Kicking off the coilover kits for the E89 BMW Z4 is the well-priced AP coilover suspension lowering kit. While simple in design, AP promises this kit will bring down the height of the Z4 without any compromise on handling characteristics. In fact, the company states that handling will likely see improvements, without a large detrimental effect to the ride quality. Ride height adjustment can give up to a 50mm drop in the front and 40mm drop in rear ride height, with around a 25% increase in spring stiffness.

The quality of this kit is backed by a long 2-year warranty and offers ride height adjustability for a low outlay when compared against many rivals. All AP offerings are compliant with strict German TUV standards, a clear showing of excellent quality and durability.

Part number: GF20-072
Rebound adjustment: No
Camber adjustment: No
Height adjustment: Yes
Warranty: 2 Years

Pros:

• Designed and made by suspension specialists
• Huge adjustability of ride height
• Least expensive kit featured for E89 models
• 2-year warranty

Cons:

• Limited adjustability

KW Variant 1 Coilover Kit 10220072

Check the latest price on eBay

Quality is what KW are known for, both in design and durability of construction. This is where the extra outlay with be noticeable in this coilover kit. Height adjustments for the front and rear units will allow up to a 50mm and 40mm drop respectively, allowing for that perfect stance and fitment to be achieved. Years of development by KW engineers has seen dampening finely honed to enable increases in grip without uncomfortable ride or large increases in harshness through the steering system.

As with all KW coilover kits, this item is covered by the manufacturers 2-year warranty. Durability is tested via the companies’ state-of-the-art rigs and through real-world testing around the world famous Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Part number: 10220072
Rebound adjustment: No
Camber adjustment: No
Height adjustment: No
Warranty: 2 Years

Pros:

• Most expensive E89 coilover kit featured
• Suspension specialist manufacturer
• Large range of adjustability for vehicle ride height
• Suspension dampening finely honed by world-class engineers

Cons:

• No adjustability for dampening or camber

BC Racing BR Series Coilovers I-47-BR

Check the latest price on eBay

Our final Z4M E89 offering is from BC racing’s BR series. Despite being part of one of BC’s more affordable lines, the kit comes with huge adjustment for ride height, dampening and camber (on the front wheels). 30 damper settings allow for fine adjustment to match the changes in ride height. All this fine tuning, says BC, allows owners to dial in that perfect balance between style and grip, while retaining OEM-level ride comfort.

Thick 53mm damper bodies are designed to shrug off the worst of British B-roads, while high quality oils enable smooth damping for many thousands of miles. BC rigorously tests parts before sale, with their springs reputedly capable of over 500,000 compressions with less than 5% deformation. All parts are also coated and corrosion protected for increased longevity.

Part number: I-47-BR
Rebound adjustment: 30-way
Camber adjustment: Front only
Height adjustment: Yes
Warranty: 1 Year

Pros:

• Huge amounts of suspension adjustment
• Well-experienced suspension specialist
• Dampening adjustment allows owners to balance grip with comfort
• Rigorously tested and protected against corrosion for longevity

Cons:

• Shorter warranty period when compared to some rival offerings

The Best BMW Z4 G29 (2018-Present) on the Market

Eibach Pro Street-S Coilovers PSS65-20-046-01-22

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When it comes to new models, brands like Eibach always have the upper hand. Their work with OEM brands gives them an insight to industry trends and upcoming products, allowing them to pounce and produce coilover kits quickly for new models like the G29 Z4. Eibach street-S coilovers are aimed at an entry-level, for the enthusiast that requires ride height flexibility but does not need to adjust dampening. This, claims Eibach, is actually a good thing, as it allows their engineers to dial in dampening and rebound performance with their world class engineers. A kit like this, they say, is designed for owners to simply set the ride height and enjoy the drive with the rest of the setup already designed for great handling and ride comfort of OEM-levels.

Stainless steel springs and coated damper parts ensure longevity and protection against corrosion, especially important on our heavily-salted UK roads. Eibach’s experience in OEM manufacture is a clear sign of their quality, backed by the manufacturer’s one year warranty period.

Part number: PSS65-20-046-01-22
Rebound adjustment: No
Camber adjustment: No
Height adjustment: Yes
Warranty: 1 Year

Pros:

• Highly regarded suspension specialist
• Dampening and rebound finely tuned by world-leading engineers
• Good compromise of increase grip and ride comfort
• Protected against corrosion for increased longevity

Cons:

• No adjustability for camber of dampening

KW Variant 1 Coilover Kit 102200CG/1

Check the latest price on eBay

Quality is what KW are known for, both in design and durability of construction. This is where the extra outlay with be noticeable in this coilover kit. Height adjustments for the front and rear units will allow up to a 50mm and 40mm drop respectively, allowing for that perfect stance and fitment to be achieved. Years of development by KW engineers has seen dampening finely honed to enable increases in grip without uncomfortable ride or large increases in harshness through the steering system.

As with all KW coilover kits, this item is covered by the manufacturers 2-year warranty. Durability is tested via the companies’ state-of-the-art rigs and through real-world testing around the world famous Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Part number: 102200CG/1
Rebound adjustment: No
Camber adjustment: No
Height adjustment: No
Warranty: 2 Years

Pros:

• Most expensive G29 coilover kit featured
• Suspension specialist manufacturer
• Large range of adjustability for vehicle ride height
• Suspension dampening finely honed by world-class engineers

Cons:

• No adjustability for dampening or camber

In Conclusion

Improve grip and adjustable ride height are just the tip of the iceberg when installing new coilovers into a BMW Z4. The extra adjustability allows the car to be tailored more closely to the driver, giving better reactions to steering inputs and safer handling characteristics, while also allowing for the height and fitment for that perfect look and stance.

Whether you are looking to take your Z4’s performance to the next level or just want to refresh parts that have seen better days, a decent set of coilovers can transform you’re driving and ownership experience. Highly regarded brands offer warranties for peace of mind, while huge levels of adjustment are sure to keep things interesting for months and years to come. Take your Z4 to the next level…

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