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Tyres or dampers

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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Moto450cc
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Tyres or dampers

Post by Moto450cc » Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:24 pm

What would give me a greater improvement on ride quality, tyres (not run flats) or replacing dampers on a 21yo 58,000 z4? I can only afford to do one at a time!

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Tyres or dampers

Post by Nick W » Fri Mar 29, 2024 8:11 pm

If the tyres are worn or damaged replace them first, if not go for the shocks and get the kids a tyre each for Easter.
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Tyres or dampers

Post by patriot66 » Fri Mar 29, 2024 10:17 pm

21 year old original shocks will be completely ineffectual. Change them first :thumbsup:
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Tyres or dampers

Post by enuff_zed » Fri Mar 29, 2024 10:30 pm

patriot66 wrote: Fri Mar 29, 2024 10:17 pm 21 year old original shocks will be completely ineffectual. Change them first :thumbsup:
Agreed.
No matter how good or bad your tyres, it is the suspension that controls their interaction with the road.
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Moto450cc
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Tyres or dampers

Post by Moto450cc » Sat Mar 30, 2024 6:39 pm

Ah, OK. Shocks it is! It seems that Blistein B4s are the way to go, can anyone recommend a supplier, I'll probably get new top mounts too

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Tyres or dampers

Post by Zedebee » Sat Mar 30, 2024 6:52 pm

Why Bilsteins? You can usually get OEM Sachs on Autodoc for a decent price.
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Tyres or dampers

Post by j3nks79 » Sat Mar 30, 2024 7:18 pm

If you do the shocks. Then factor in changing top mounts. Drop links. Possible inner tie rods and track rod ends. And maybe lower arms and bushes.
Then obviously alignment.
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Tyres or dampers

Post by enuff_zed » Sat Mar 30, 2024 7:58 pm

If you wait for the best discounts on Autodoc you should be able to do all four corners with Sachs dampers, plus top mounts, drop links and bump stops for somewhere in the region of £450. Lemforder top mounts are OEM: you can see where they scratch the ‘BMW’ off! Do NOT fit Meyle HD rear top mounts! Terrible design means you get metal to metal contact between the centre bush and the cup washer. The banging will drive you mad.
Last edited by enuff_zed on Sat Mar 30, 2024 9:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Tyres or dampers

Post by Moto450cc » Sat Mar 30, 2024 8:18 pm

Thanks for all the replies. In regards to the blisteins, reading on various forums, it seems that these were the ones to get, if OEM Sachs are comparable, I'll look into it.

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