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///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 3:33 pm
by Cb3749
Hi Everyone,
Bilstein B12 suspension kit with Eibach springs is being fitted tomorrow and will need to have the geometry set up afterwards.
Do I set it up as a standard ///M roadster or a CSL as some suggest?
What are the differences and advantages/disadvantages between the two set ups?
///M will be on 18" wheels with Continental Sport Contact M3's - 225/45ZR18 front and 255/40ZR18 rear.
Car is only used on roads not on the track.
Any help/suggestions from those who know would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Charlie B :)

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 4:49 pm
by Fishy Dave
I would go with the CSL settings. These are still fairly mild settings and whilst you will feel the difference it doesn't transform the car into some sort of animal. Tyre wear remained fairly even for me with CSL settings when using the same tyres as you. Since then I have further increased the negative front camber and rear toe out for track use. :)

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 9:55 pm
by TomK
IMHO the standard geo settings are one of the key reasons the car was much maligned when launched. Moving to something slightly more aggressive to help turn in ala the CSL setup would be no bad thing for the road, it's like they set the chassis up for muppets.

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 10:02 pm
by TomK
TomK wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2017 9:55 pm IMHO the standard geo settings are one of the key reasons the car was much maligned when launched. Moving to something slightly more aggressive to help turn in ala the CSL setup would be no bad thing for the road, it's like they set the chassis up for muppets eta: (avoid lawsuit :D )

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 10:09 pm
by VRSteve
I have the B12 setup on my car.

I have the CSL geo on my car.

Best thing I ever did.

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:47 am
by RedUn
CSL geo makes a nice difference, also ditch the continentals when you can...

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:48 am
by JAD
VRSteve wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2017 10:09 pm I have the B12 setup on my car.

I have the CSL geo on my car.

Best thing I ever did.
Having driven this car, the setup is superb.

As discussed in other threads, Charlie, I think you're making the right decision with the Bilsteins.

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:19 am
by Viren
I have b12 kit aswell and it's pretty awesome for the money. Almost zero toe in the front and rear. 1degree 30 camber rear, 1 degree 30 camber front. Works for me and no uneven tyre wear.

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 6:06 am
by Mangozac
Is CSL geometry achievable with the stock suspension?

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 7:06 am
by RedUn
Yeah if you pull the camber pins on the frontv :thumbsup:

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:16 am
by Mangozac
That much camber? Does that not chew out tyres a lot quicker?

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 7:06 pm
by RedUn
Perfectly fine

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:42 pm
by Mangozac
Am I missing something in reading alignment specifications? According to TIS, E85 M and E46 CSL camber specs are the same, but CSL simply has a wider tolerance:
Z4M: http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/z_serie ... _roadster/
CSL: http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/3_serie ... ___m3_csl/

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 1:31 pm
by VRSteve
Mangozac wrote: Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:42 pm Am I missing something in reading alignment specifications? According to TIS, E85 M and E46 CSL camber specs are the same, but CSL simply has a wider tolerance:
Z4M: http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/z_serie ... _roadster/
CSL: http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/3_serie ... ___m3_csl/
You're right
Camber is the same.

You wont get the caster as the Z uses offset lollipops and the CSL doesn't.
Rest is easily done.

///M roadster suspension geometry options

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:22 pm
by Cb3749
If that's the case, as you have CSL set up on your car
a) do I need to change the lollipops?
b) do I need to remove the camber pins?

What differences will these changes make to the handling?